International Business (Top-up) - BA (Hons)
- UCAS Code: N121
- Level: Undergraduate
- Starting: September 2020
- Study mode: Full Time (1 Year), Full Time (2 Years)
- Location: City Centre
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.
What's covered in the 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 international business strategy, operations and systems, e-Business, global management issues globalisation and much more. We encourage you to apply your learning to real experience and business scenarios, so you’ll learn through group presentations, live projects and business case studies.
You get individual tutor support and they work closely with you to make sure you choose the projects and modules that will help you in your chosen career or further study.
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 Defence, aerospace and multimillion pound conglomerates.
“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 over 3,000 students from over 80 different countries studying with us, so you’ll get insights from an incredible mix of students and staff. You also share modules with international and UK students from our other business courses and get to network, collaborate and learn from your peers.
- Taking this course means you can top up an existing foundation degree or equivalent qualification to an honours degree in business. You can enter either at Level 5 post certificate level, or at Level 6 post diploma level.
- We get great feedback from students. Adam Walker said “The course challenges me academically; with smaller class sizes in seminars I am able to participate and learn a lot more in depth.”
Find out more
Open Days
Visit our Virtual Open Day, where you'll be able to see our facilities and hear from some of our staff. Get started now.
Get started
Meet or Beat scholarship for undergraduate students
Meet or beat our entry requirements and you could be eligible for an achievement scholarship worth £1,000.
*Terms and Conditions apply - some undergraduate courses are not eligible for this scheme. The £1,000 scholarship is made up of an £850 scholarship and £150 free credit to spend in an online shop.
This course is open to International students
International Partners
This course differs in content from the International Business course taught with our partners at Kaplan Singapore, the University of Economics and Law in Vietnam, and the Financial Banking University in Vietnam. Full details.
*DLHE 2016/17
Entry Requirements
We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.
Typical Offers
Foundation Degree
| Required grades/ points |
240 credits of appropriate prior learning must be achieved (120 credits at level 4 and 120 credits at level 5) and minimum of 60% overall must be achieved. For entry at level 5 onto the two year course: 120 credits or equivalent at level 4 with evidence of alignment to level 4 learning outcomes. This alignment will be assessed via the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy and processes. |
| General information on subjects/grades required for entry: | The qualification must be in a relevant subject area as assessed by the Admissions Tutor. |
Or
ABE Advanced Diploma
| Required grades/ points | At least grade B in two modules. |
| General information on subjects/grades required for entry: | The qualification must be in a relevant subject area as assessed by the Admissions Tutor. |
Or
Higher National Diploma (HND)
| Required grades/ points | Overall Merit profile for external applicants. |
| General information on subjects/grades required for entry: | The qualification must be in a relevant subject area as assessed by the Admissions Tutor. |
Plus
| GCSE | GCSE English Language and Maths at grade 4 or above. Must have been achieved at the point of enrolment. Equivalent qualifications will be considered. |
| Other qualifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| If you have a qualification that is not listed in the table please refer to our full entry requirements on UCAS. Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website. |
Additional information for EU/International students
| Essential | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Applications from international applicants with equivalent qualifications are welcome. Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In additional to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require the qualifications detailed in this table. |
||
| English language requirements 2020/21 | ||
| IELTS |
6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information. |
|
| Other accepted qualifications | Visit our English language page | |
Don’t meet our entry requirements?
You could apply for a foundation course or a course at our International College. These routes have lower entry requirements and act as the bridge to a full degree. To find out more, please select your status:
- UK/EU students
- International students
Award: BA (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2020
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 Year
- £9,250 per year
- Apply via UCAS
- Full Time
- 2 Years
- £9,250 per year
Award: BA (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2020
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 Year
- £12,800 per year
- Full Time
- 2 Years
- £12,800 per year
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead. The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
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 School Admissions Team on Email: Business.admissions@bcu.ac.uk or call +44 (0)121 331 6565.
Non-EU (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.
Get more information on writing personal statements.
*Non-EU students are not required to submit a personal statement when applying for this course.
Additional costs
There are no compulsory additional costs or charges associated with studying on this course. While you may choose to purchase personal copies of text books, all our key text books are available from our library or online (subject to normal library loan and online access arrangements).
Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £50 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials. All our students are provided with 100 free pages of printing each year to a maximum total value of £15.
Accommodation and living costs
The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.
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.
Financial Support
We offer further information on possible undergraduate financial support. This includes the type of loans, grants and scholarships available both from the government and from Birmingham City University.
Level 5
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 first year. |
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. |
You’ll be assessed by conventional written exams but also a range of methods that reflect the challenges you will encounter in a work environment. This includes business reports, case studies, individual and group presentations, portfolios and projects.
You’ll learn in a very friendly and supportive environment, so if you need help, guidance or advice, we’re always on hand. You get a dedicated tutor and work in small classes, so there’s plenty of individual attention paid to your goals.
Study and work abroad
If you are interested in undertaking part of your studies abroad, the Erasmus scheme may be of interest to you. It allows higher education students to study for part of their degree in another European country.
It is open to undergraduates in their second year (or above) and offers a unique opportunity to enhance your CV and experience new cultures. If you study with us you will have access to an Erasmus co-ordinator, who can provide information about which institutions we have links with.
Further Study
When you complete your degree in International Business, you can continue studying with us for a postgraduate degree.
We have a range of courses available including, MBA, Executive MBA, MSc Management and Marketing, MBA International Business, or our MSc Leadership and Organisational Performance course.
We’re happy to support and guide you if you decide you want to specialise further and carry on studying with us.
Trips and visits
There are many opportunities to visit businesses and meet experts and professionals. We encourage our students to attend events and enter national and international competitions.
What our students say
"One of the best aspects of studying at BCU is how intimate the learning environment is. This has really allowed me to interact with my fellow peers and instructors at a more personal level and has contributed to my learning and growth experience at university."
, International Business student
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.
OpportUNIty
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
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.
Our Graduates
Ashley Innis
Ashley has played a key role in many of the projects reshaping the face of Birmingham, including as Communications and Engagement Manager for Grand Central Birmingham, overseeing the centre’s transformation into a new premium shopping and dining destination.
BCU Graduate+
Through our courses we give you the skills and experience needed to get a head start when applying for jobs. But we offer something extra too – Graduate+.
Our unique programme gives you the chance to develop valuable skills outside of the more formal classroom learning. We award points for Graduate+ activities (including firewalking!) and these can be put towards a final Graduate+ award.
More about Graduate+
*DLHE Survey 2016/7
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here.
- Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies.
- Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country.
- Learn where to find financial support for your studies.
The UK remains one of the world's leading study destinations
The UK remains one of the world's leading study destinations for international students.
The first-class experience offered by universities are reflected in the world’s largest survey of international students. International students are more likely to recommend the UK than any other leading English-language study destination.
Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC)
International students who have a serious interest in studying with us but who perhaps cannot meet the direct entry requirements, academic or English, or who have been out of education for some time, can enter Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC) and begin their degree studies.
BCUIC is part of the global Navitas Group, an internationally recognised education provider, and the partnership allows students to access the University’s facilities and services and move seamlessly through to achieving a Bachelor’s degree from Birmingham City University.
Popular home countries
Our students come from around the world but our international business course is most popular with international students from:
Our Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £340 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, Business and English 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 new 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
- Brand new, accessible IT facilities with full Office365 for all students for free
- Shared facilities with the wider campus including the recently opened Parkside Building and Millennium Point
Staff
Our staff are at the top of their field, regularly publishing research and keeping up links with successful businesses all over the world. They use their strong industry connections and memberships to bring you loads of opportunities.
From brewing business experts to engineering conglomerate managers, you’ll connect with highly renowned industry professionals who continue to work in the industry as consultants, researchers and expert authors.
Dr Cindy Millman
Associate Professor in Business / Deputy Head of Department of Strategy, Management and Marketing
Cindy Millman joined the Business School in 2004 after completing her MSc in Business Management and Marketing. She has worked on several large projects in the entrepreneurship, innovation and technology transfer fields, with specific focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).