International Business (Top-up) - BA (Hons)
Currently viewing course to start in 2027/28 Entry.
On our BA (Hons) International Business (Top-Up) course, you will learn from industry-experienced lecturers. This degree develops your knowledge and skills so you can apply what you learn to the global setting. We focus on giving you real business scenarios to put your learning to the test and give you as much experience of the business world as possible....
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Full Time
- Award BA (Hons)
- Start date September 2027
- Fees View course fees
- Subject
- Location City Centre
This course is:
Open to International Students
Overview
0:000 Studying business at BCU is all about innovation, modernity, and real world impact. Our courses give you the skills, knowledge, and experience to thrive in today's fast-paced business world. Two pillars run through every program.
0:1616 Entrepreneurship and artificial intelligence. Entrepreneurship teaches you to spot opportunities, evaluate ideas, and take action. Whether you want to start your own business or innovate within an existing company, these skills are essential. AI is transforming business from forecasting the future to optimizing today. We give you practical experience applying AI and data analytics in real world business scenarios, bridging business and technology. We bring learning to life with real world projects, industry standard tools, and live clients, giving you hands-on experience while you study. The steamhouse supports entrepreneurial students with tailored services. The incubator helps shape ideas while the hatchery offers mentoring, consultancy, and financial support to get your business off the ground. Employability is the core of every course with human resource management courses also CIPD accredited. Placement opportunities, local business links, and weekly workshops ensure you graduate with practical skills and confidence for your career. At BCU, you don't just get a degree. You gain the knowledge, experience, and mindset to make your mark in business.
On our BA (Hons) International Business (Top-Up) course, you will learn from industry-experienced lecturers.
This degree develops your knowledge and skills so you can apply what you learn to the global setting. We focus on giving you real business scenarios to put your learning to the test and give you 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.
This course explores vital areas of international business such as operations, issues and solutions, analytics, communications, management and entrepreneurship in the digital age. We encourage you to apply your learning to real international business scenarios, so you’ll learn through group presentations, live projects and business case studies.
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 public and private sector and multimillion-pound conglomerates. Our staff will support and tailor your learning with expert industry knowledge and experience.
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 Day
Join us for our next Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.
Next Open Day: 10 October
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.
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.
This module focusses on the tools and techniques used by Operation Managers within service, manufacturing, private and public sector institutions to ensure activities are aligned with corporate and market objectives. The module requires you to apply a range of operations management tools and techniques to given scenarios in order to produce a range of verbal, written and numerical solutions focussed on the efficiency, effectiveness and economy of an operation’s processes.
This module will allow you to not only understand the tools and techniques used in marketing communications, but apply this knowledge to design and create your own campaigns. Professional practice requires brands to create a narrative that is consistently delivered across a variety of tools and media.
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.
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.
This module builds on our practice-based approach to learning. You will integrate theory and practice in order to challenge existing approaches and thinking and propose innovative ideas to support flexible and creative initiatives within organisations. It complements other modules within the Final Year through supporting your personal and professional development across a range of transferable skills including problem solving, critical thinking, generating innovative ideas, and building and delivering effective oral presentations.
The module aligns with the programme aims in that it provides you with the opportunity to develop a theoretical understanding of generic theories relating to the conduct and environment of business. It also provides experiential learning in the application of theory in the conduct of business. It includes tasks and challenges that develop key transferable skills essential to a career in business and provides an opportunity to analyse operational situations and devise approaches that may improve performance of the business organisation.
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.
Whilst Marketing has contributed to the problem of over-consumption, 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 and considers potential approaches for addressing these. In doing so, it aspires to create a vision of the future in which organisations, consumers and government can 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.
Download course specification
Download nowEntry Requirements
These entry requirements apply for entry in 2027/28.
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 5 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 6 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.
EU/international applicants: You will need a good pass in a related discipline, at a level equivalent to UK Level 5, with the equivalent of 240 UK credits (120 ECTS credits). Please also 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 2027
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 Year
- £10,050 in 2027/28
- Apply via UCAS
- Full Time
- 2 Years
- £10,050 in 2027/28
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 2027
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 Year
- £19,220 in 2027/28
- Full Time
- 2 Years
- £19,220 in 2027/28
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
The personal statement gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the three areas you’ll need to address:
- Why do you want to study this course or subject?
Here’s where you explain what makes this course exciting to you. Think about your motivations for studying the course and your future plans. If you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons.
- How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
This is your chance to show what you’ve learned at school or college. You should include the skills and knowledge you’ve gained from education or training and how this will help you succeed in your chosen course.
- What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
Not everything you’ve learned comes from the classroom. Life experience counts too! You might want to talk about work experience, employment, or volunteering and how they’ve helped you develop the skills needed for your chosen course or future career.
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.
Employability
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
Business and Management facilities
Take a look around the facilities available to you as a Business and Management student at BCU.