International Business (Top-up) - BA (Hons)
Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry. Switch to 2026/27 Entry
Want to top up your business degree in Birmingham? Our BA (Hons) International Business (Top-Up) course allows you to learn from industry experienced lecturers. This international business (top up) degree develops your knowledge and skills so you can apply what you learn internationally....
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Full Time
- Award BA (Hons)
- Start date September 2025
- Fees View course fees
- Subject
- Location City Centre
This course is:
Open to International Students
Overview
Want to top up your business degree in Birmingham? Our BA (Hons) International Business (Top-Up) course allows you to learn from industry experienced lecturers.
This international business (top up) degree develops your knowledge and skills so you can apply what you learn internationally. We focus on giving you real business scenarios to put your learning to the test and get as much experience of the business world as possible. The international focus of the course is derived through a variety of means including the student body, the teaching team and the use of international teaching materials. Our International Business (Top up) course gives you the chance to broaden your knowledge of business within the global business environment. We’ll teach you to apply your knowledge to real international business scenarios, helping you to progress into employment, having already dealt with many situations you find in the working world.
What's covered in this course?
We’re living in an international world, where global communication and accessible customer and client services are vital. This course gives you the confidence to get out there and engage with overseas businesses.
Our top up year in international business covers Business Process and Systems, e-Business, International Business, Strategic Management and much more. We encourage you to apply your learning to real experience and international business scenarios, so you’ll learn through group presentations, live projects and business case studies.
You will get individual tutor support and they work closely with you to support your learning. You’ll work on a range of innovative and practical projects, including business reports, case studies, presentations and group projects, all of which will help you to apply your knowledge to real businesses and real situations.
You’ll benefit from our exceptional links to business. Our staff bring in expert guest speakers and industry gurus to help you with your projects. They’ve worked all over the world and bring experience from the Ministry of Defense, aerospace and multimillion-pound conglomerates. Our staff will help to support and tailor your learning with expert industry knowledge and experience. They’re researchers, authors and titans of industry who’ll share their own practical and academic experience and expertise.
The course challenges me academically; with smaller class sizes in seminars I am able to participate and learn a lot more in depth.
Adam Walker
Why Choose Us?
- We have a strong focus on employability and through placement opportunities and our links with local businesses, we aim to ensure you graduate not only with your degree but also with the skills and knowledge needed to embark on your chosen career.
- The STEAMhouse offers amazing opportunities for entrepreneurial students to kick start and build a business. Services available include the Incubator which helps focus and solidify business ideas and the Hatchery which offers support in getting your business off the ground.
- We pride ourselves on being the University for Birmingham and supporting and giving something back to the local business community. We have strong links with local businesses in the city across several industries. These links help us enhance students’ experiences by giving them access to industry experts for guest lectures, exciting placement opportunities and other chances to engage with the business community as a whole.
- We aim to infuse learning with exposure to real-world experiences. We give students the chance to work on real-life projects using industry-standard software and with real-world clients where possible, offering a unique opportunity for students to gain this invaluable experience while they study.
Open Days
Join us for an Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation. Booking isn't open for this event yet, register your interest and we'll let you know when booking goes live.
Next Open Day: 4 October 2025
Entry Requirements
These entry requirements apply for entry in 2025/26.
All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.
Essential requirements
Accepted qualifications for entry to level 4 include:
- Certificate in Higher Education (CertHE): Pass with 120 credits at level 4, in a related pathway. Acceptance is subject to satisfactory comparability of modular content at level 4. A transcript will be required.
- Higher National Certificate (HNC): Pass with 120 credits at level 4, in a related pathway. Acceptance is subject to satisfactory comparability of modular content at level 4. A transcript will be required.
Accepted qualifications for entry to level 5 include:
- ABE Advanced Diploma: At least a grade B in two modules and the qualification must be in a relevant subject area.
- Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE): Pass with 120 credits at level 4 and 120 credits at level 5, in a related pathway. Acceptance will be Subject to satisfactory comparability of modular content at level 4 and 5. A transcript will be required.
- Foundation degree (Level 5): Pass with 120 credits at level 4 and 120 credits at level 5, in a related pathway. A minimum of 60% overall must be achieved. Acceptance will be subject to satisfactory comparability of modular content at level 4 and 5. A transcript will be required.
- Higher National Diploma (HND): Pass with 120 credits at level 4 and 120 credits at level 5, in a related pathway. A minimum of a Merit profile overall. Acceptance will be subject to satisfactory comparability of modular content at level 4 and 5. A transcript will be required.
Applications are considered on an individual basis.
If you are an EU/international student, please see further information below.
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: BA (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 Year
- £9,535 in 2025/26
- Apply via UCAS
- Full Time
- 2 Years
- £9,535 in 2025/26
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: BA (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 Year
- £17,690 in 2025/26
- Full Time
- 2 Years
- £17,690 in 2025/26
Guidance for UK/EU students
UK and EU students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
Applying through UCAS
Register with UCAS
Login to UCAS
Complete your details
Select your course
Write a personal statement
Get a reference
Pay your application fee
Send UCAS your application
Applications can also be made direct to the faculty for those students without a UCAS account. Please contact our Business Admissions Team on Email: Business.admissions@bcu.ac.uk or call +44 (0)121 331 6565.
Guidance for International students
There are three ways to apply:
1) Direct to the University
You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.
2) Through a country representative
Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.
3) Through UCAS
If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.
Personal statement
UK / EU students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.*
The personal statement gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
- Course choice - Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
- Career plans - If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
- Work experience - Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
- School or college experience - Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
- Non-accredited skills or achievement - eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.
You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.
Worried about Personal Statements?
If you've got no idea where to start or just want to check you're on the right track, we’ve got expert advice and real examples from our students to help you nail your personal statement. You can even download our ultimate personal statement guide for free.
*Non-EU students are not required to submit a personal statement when applying for this course.
Course in Depth
Level 5
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
If you study the 2 year version of the course, you will study the below modules in your first year.
You will investigate the impacts of global issues such as pandemics, public health, global warming, financial interconnectedness, migration, geopolitical events, the power of media, and demographic shifts on large businesses in the Dynamic Business Issues and Solutions module. These issues affect businesses directly and often indirectly. Large businesses are often more exposed to global shocks due to their exposure to international markets. Businesses, therefore, need to have a greater awareness of these issues and understanding of the scale of impact, they might have on sustainable growth.
In this module, you are given opportunities to develop a deeper understanding of the development of soft skills, necessary for a manager, to prepare you for the for placement activities and for modern working life. During the module, you are given the opportunity to record your competencies using online recruitment platforms.
The module focuses on the tools and techniques used by operation managers within service and manufacturing institutions, ensuring activities are in line with corporate and market objectives.
The module will allow you to not only understand the tools and techniques used in marketing communications, but apply this knowledge to design and create their own campaigns.
The module offers you with an opportunity to explore and understand how entrepreneurship and innovation contribute to economic and social development. You will become aware with the theory and practice of entrepreneurship in different international contexts through illustrative case studies. Further, you will develop an understanding of the different issues underlying enterprise creation, motivations and strategies of entrepreneurs in diverse settings including corporate, social, women’s and ethnic minority entrepreneurship.
This module introduces you to the advanced analytics of data. In a data-driven business environment, the importance of such skill is paramount. Building on your essential analysis for business module in the first year, you will enhance your knowledge of a range of methods and techniques for analysing data applicable to businesses. You will be able to make data-driven logical business decision using advanced quantitative and qualitative data analysis programmes (e.g. SPSS, STATA, Nvivo).
Level 6
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
If you study the 2 year version of the course, you will study the below modules in your second year.
If you study the 1 year version of the course, you will study the below modules in your first year.
This module encourages you to develop an in-depth understanding of the analysis and re-design of business operations and processes and the systems that support the contribution of these core processes. Founded on the systems view of business, this module critically evaluates various functionalities within the operations management for performance enhancement. The systems view sees business as a complex system of interrelated factors, i.e. strategy, operation, management, employees, functions (marketing,finance, processes, production), suppliers, owners, investors, competitors, collaborators and customers to increase the stakeholders’ value. You will be introduced to these actors and functionalities using a real-life business case.
The nature of today’s global business environment means that contemporary organisations are faced with a range of challenges and opportunities presented by increasing levels of uncertainty, ambiguity and complexity. In order to be successful organisations need to find ways to work with and indeed proactively exploit these conditions.
With the business environment undergoing constant changes, organisations can no longer obtain a competitive advantage by simply producing high-quality products. This module will equip you with the knowledge you need to be successful in e-business, using modern techniques to push business products.
This module provides you with an introduction to the main issues of international business, dealing with the cultural, administrative and economic differences around the world, and how they shape modern businesses.
This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the role that marketing has to play in meeting the needs of the sustainability agenda. It identifies the nature and extent of the challenges facing organisations today and considers potential approaches for addressing these. In doing so, it aspires to creating a vision of the future in which organisations, consumers and government can work together to realise a one planet business strategy.
This module introduces you to a range of advance strategic management tools and techniques with which to analyse and thus understand business situations with national and international relevance. In addition, an understanding of competitive behaviour will be informed by a variety of views concerning the sources of competitive advantage, sustainable competitive advantage from a theoretical and industry perspective.These include the implications of developments in the macro environment, industry structure, the organization’s strategic position in an industry, the acquisition and development of resources and capabilities, and the challenge of industry evolution to sustaining competitive advantage.
Download course specification
Download nowEmployability
Enhancing employment skills
During the course you’ll learn to find appropriate solutions to complex business and management problems, evaluate the effectiveness of business activity and generate ideas for new businesses.
These skills can all be applied in the real world. Employers are always impressed that our students already know how to apply their knowledge practically, without having to learn it on the job.
The top up degree teaches you how to work collaboratively with students from all over the world and how to act independently. By choosing your own professional route to taking on management tasks and accountability, you’ll develop your confidence and be able to show employers that you can fit in to an organisation well.
You’ll also learn invaluable skills such as how to conduct proper research, how to write a report and how to problem solve.
Developing your understanding of international strategic management and business operations will allow you to adapt in the ever-changing and increasingly internationally oriented business environment.
Additional information
Students on this top-up course come from a variety of backgrounds. They study a broad selection of modules, which allows them to go on to a variety roles in any industry, or specialise further and continue to study with us once they graduate.
We get many students from China because of the practical focus of our top up degree and the opportunities for further study with us.
The diverse mix of students on the modules means that international students benefit from an array of students and cultural influences.
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and have spent £500 million on new learning facilities.
The Curzon Building
This course is based at our City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other Social Sciences, Law and Business students.
The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.
The Business floors house an extensive number of IT facilities, breakout areas, and specialised rooms. The Marketing Link Agency is designed to replicate a modern marketing firm, allowing students to get real-life experience of working in the marketing sector. There is also the City Trading Room, which features state of the art stock market tracking equipment, keeping you up to date with all the financial comings and goings of the London Stock Exchange and Wall Street.
The Curzon building is also conveniently close to Birmingham’s business and financial centre, allowing for strong links between your studies and the real world.
The Curzon Building also features:
- An impressive library with access to over 65 million full text items and stunning views of Eastside City Park
- Your Students’ Union which is located in a beautifully restored 19th century pub, The Eagle and Ball
- A modern 300-seat food court with space to study and socialise
- Accessible IT facilities with full Office365 for all students for free
- Shared facilities with the wider campus including the Parkside Building and Millennium Point