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International Business, BA (Hons), University of Portsmouth

the United Kingdom

University of Portsmouth

Study options for this course

The award How you will study Study duration Course start Domestic course fees International course fees
BA (Hons)Full-time, Sandwich3 - 4 yearsSeptemberGBP 0 per yearGBP 0 per year

About International Business, BA (Hons) - at University of Portsmouth

Overview

Choose an international business degree that gives you experience living and studying abroad as you build your business knowledge and employable skills. 

Our BA (Hons) International Business course covers vital business topics and gives you the chance to use your new knowledge as you study, including by collaborating with students overseas in our virtual exchange project. 

And if you choose to study with a specific partner and complete an industrial placement year before your third year, you’ll earn two undergraduate degrees in 4 years as a dual degree. 

During your first year you’ll explore business subjects such as marketing, operations and accounting. You’ll choose where to study during your second year, supported by our Global Engagement Team, and prepare for your year abroad. 

You’ll spend your second year studying at one of our partner universities in Europe, Australia, Canada, Japan, China, South Korea, Thailand or the USA. Here, you’ll explore business from a non-UK viewpoint and deepen your understanding of global business. You could even divide your time away and study at two institutions across the year to experience two different countries and cultures. 

After your year abroad you could complete an optional paid industry placement, where you’ll work with a company before your final year of study. Our Placement Team will support you in your job search, as well as during your placement, whether you choose to work in the UK or overseas. 

You’ll return to Portsmouth for your final year and explore business leadership with a focus on subjects like strategic management, sustainability and globalisation. You’ll choose specialisms to study in more detail too, such as Equality and Diversity, Transformative Marketing or Business Improvement.

If you returned to your studies straight after your year aboard, you could take your industrial placement after your final year. During this placement you'll work for a company for a year before you graduate, and have the support of our Placement Team as you start your career. 

You’ll graduate with a broad understanding of modern business, the confidence to work internationally, and the skills and experience you need to begin your career across a range of global business sectors. 

Course highlights

  • Live and study abroad in one or two countries, with all teaching in English wherever you study
  • Benefit from excellent support through our International Exchange Workshops to help you make the right choice of destination for your year abroad
  • Gain a second degree in international business from the University of Applied Sciences in FH Münster, or IDRAC Business School in France (see details below)
  • Get practical experience as part of our Business Consultancy Project by offering advice to local small businesses
  • Get support for setting up your own business from our Entrepreneurs in Residence
  • Learn a foreign language as part of your studies
  • Explore lots of different areas of international business and management to find the specialisms that interest you
  • Have the option to specialise in a particular area of business if you find your passion

Earn a second degree

On this course you can choose to study a dual degree in international business. This means that you can earn 2 degrees in 4 years instead of the normal 6 years. The degrees are: 

  • BA International Business from University of Portsmouth
  • BA European Business Programme from FH Münster University of Applied Sciences in Germany, OR 
  • BA Marketing and Business from IDRAC Business School in France 

To achieve this you must:

  • spend your year abroad in your second year at FH Münster University of Applied Sciences, or IDRAC Business School
  • complete a 1-year work placement in your third year (either in the UK or abroad)
  • pass all relevant assessments at both universities

Our Faculty Global Engagement Office can advise you on travel arrangements, visas, finding accommodation and accessing funding that can help pay for your study and living costs when you're abroad.

Careers and opportunities

This degree will open doors to a wide variety of careers in the business world. Being able to talk about your international experience and global business learning will give you an advantage when applying to multinational companies in particular.

If you study this course as a dual degree, you'll graduate with two degrees as well as your university study and placement experiences to showcase your in depth knowledge of international business and your soft skills such as working with people. 

Previous graduates of this course have got jobs as:

  • business development manager
  • customer accounts manager
  • marketing and sales executive
  • product manager
  • content curator
  • merchandiser
  • events coordinator
  • recruitment consultant
  • start-up programme manager

Graduates of this course have gone on to work for companies such as:

  • Virgin Media
  • IBM
  • NATS (air traffic control)
  • Asia Pacific Inspection
  • BAE Systems
  • Liquid Hub (drinks marketing)
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Kitchen Cut (software)
  • Prospect Capital (finance)
  • GSMA (worldwide mobile)
  • Microsoft

(Data sourced from HESA Graduate Outcome Surveys)

Other graduates have continued their studies at postgraduate level or set up successful businesses with help and support from the University.

Work placement year

You can boost your employability even more by taking an optional paid placement year in the UK or overseas. You could take your placement straight after your year abroad (in Year 3) or after your third year of study, right before your graduate. The average salary for a 12-month paid placement is £19,800 for students in the Faculty of Business and Law, but your salary could be more or less than this amount depending on your placement. You'll only pay a very small percentage of your tuition fee for this year.

Previous students have had placements in organisations such as:

  • UBS Wealth Management
  • Prysmian Group
  • L'Oreal
  • IBM

Many of our students are offered a graduate job by their placement employer.

You could also choose to set up your own business, or take a voluntary placement.

If you don't want to take a whole placement year we offer plenty of other ways to get great work experience whilst you study, from summer internships to entrepreneurial support.

If you want to qualify for a dual degree you must do a placement in your third year. This placement can be in the UK or overseas and you'll be supported by both universities.

Notes about fees for this course

https://www.port.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduate-fees-and-student-finance/tuition-fees-living-costs-and-other-study-costs

Entry requirements

  • 112-120 points from 3 A levels, or equivalent.
  • English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.

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