Business and Management (International Business)

Following our international business pathway, you'll develop specialist skills and understanding in:

• The drivers and dimensions of international business development
• The environment of international business
• How international businesses could be affected by global events
• How to manage a business in an international context
• How management practices and processes differ around the world.

By adopting a global outlook on the world of business, you'll be able to spot trends, understand global contexts and develop the transferable skills that will take you around the world. Whether you work from the UK with international clients, or choose to move abroad, this business course will give you the ability to thrive in any sector.

You can also bring in modules from areas outside the international business pathway if you want to explore issues around a particular theme, such as sustainability or marketing.

Year one
Gain a broad understanding of today’s business environment – from the context in which organisations operate through to trends in economic thinking and the importance of data in business. Modules will cover topics such as:

• organisations and the business environment
• economics and globalisation
• managing data.

Year two
Focus on the inner workings of businesses. Use business techniques to solve problems and start developing the skills that employers look for. Modules cover key themes including creativity and innovation in business. At the end of the year, you can choose to embark on a ten-month business placement or a ten-week summer placement – applying what you’ve learned so far in the real world.

Year three
Develop and explore your business learning, focusing on cross-cultural management in international business. Undertake an in-depth business research project in international business. You’ll also have a chance to set up a business on your own or with fellow students. Other topics to explore include:

• managing sustainability
• organisational strategy
• new trends in management
• strategic human resource management.

You'll be assessed in a wide range of ways that will test your business knowledge and management skills. These could include presentations, work related projects, group work, computer-based simulations, podcasts, exams, essays, videos and business reports.

We offer variety in the way we teach: sometimes we’ll set you problems so that you can find the answers for yourself; sometimes we’ll lecture. Most modules use a mix of lectures and small group seminars. There’s a good blend of online activities using our Virtual Learning Environment. We invite business leaders in to talk about their experience and we arrange visits to local businesses. All of our teaching methods facilitate your development as a self-directed learner.

You’ll be given personal support in your studies – we’re a friendly team of academics who are committed to helping you achieve your goals.

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.

You’ll have the opportunity to study in a wide range of locations around the world. Our students have completed exchange programmes in a variety of countries including Spain, Sweden and the USA.

We give you the opportunity to work with regional and national businesses. You’ll be working on live project briefs, helping organisations find creative solutions to their business issues.

Depending on your pathway and the modules you study, you can gain accreditation by professional bodies and get exemption from professional exams.

In addition to the business community projects mentioned above, you’ll have fantastic opportunities to work closely with business and industry through placements, projects and internships.

The world is changing and we want to ensure that you have a successful career in business. To do this we focus on building your toolkit in the skills you need to undertake roles in companies such as:

• Hargreaves Lansdown
• Oracle
• Amazon
• New Look
• Rolls Royce
• Veritas
• North Face
• Cloud Direct
• Bath and North East Somerset Council (BANES Council)
• Sky
• American Express
• Primark
• Beauty Pie.

With an international outlook, graduates from this course can broaden their horizons and work in international companies, both here in the UK and across the globe.

If you’re a full-time undergraduate student starting your first year at Bath Spa University, you can apply for the Certificate in Global Citizenship, which you’ll study alongside your degree.

You’ll gain global awareness and add an international dimension to your student experience, and funding is available. On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be awarded a Certificate in Global Citizenship. This is in addition to your degree; it doesn’t change your degree title or results.

The Professional Placement Year (PPY) provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for, and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.

Before your PPY, you'll work to identify roles of interest and secure a placement. The Placements Team will support through timetabled sessions and 1:1 appointments.

As well as completing a minimum of 900 placement hours, you will complete two assessments demonstrating your skill development, growth in professional behaviours and how the PPY has impacted your future career aspirations.

You'll have access to excellent facilities at our Newton Park campus and city centre studios as well as online resources. These include:

• Commons building
• Newton Park library
• Academic Skills support (ASk)
• Specialist resources and subject librarian
• Our Virtual Learning Environment
• Free access to courses via LinkedIn Learning
• Support from the English Language Unit if English isn't your first language
• The Studio in Bath

Our libraries offer a wide range of business resources, including a wealth of online material that can be accessed on- and off-campus, enabling you to work at times that suit you.