International Business (Top-up) - BA (Hons) - 2026/27 Entry

Overview

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 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

Register interest Take a virtual tour

Entry Requirements

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

Please select your student status to view fees and apply

UK Student
International Student

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 2026

Full Time
1 Year
£9,535 in 2026/27
Apply via UCAS

Full Time
2 Years
£9,535 in 2026/27
Register interest

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 2026

Full Time
1 Year
£18,570 in 2026/27
Register interest

Full Time
2 Years
£18,570 in 2026/27
Register interest

Access to computer equipment

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms.

Printing

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment.

Field trips

All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees.

Access to Microsoft Office 365

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation.

Key software

You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research.

Key subscriptions

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library.

Excess printing (optional)

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet.

Personal stationery and study materials (optional)

Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £30 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials.

Accommodation and living costs (optional)

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.

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.

Get personal statement advice

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.

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.

Download course specification

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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

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 in the Curzon Building, a £63 million development, located on our City Centre campus.

The 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