Skip to main content

International Business Management

BA (Hons)

This international business degree equips you with the skills, experience and global perspective to thrive in careers across marketing, finance, strategy, consultancy, and leadership - or launch your own business.

UCAS Code: N120

Single Honours

Apply now
Two business students on placement in an office

At Worcester, you’ll explore how businesses succeed across borders and develop the skills to lead and adapt in global markets. With a built-in year abroad, you’ll gain international experience that will set you apart.

Chartered Management Institute logo
Accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

Accreditation

This course has been mapped for dual accreditation with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). You will be awarded a CMI Level 5 Certificate in Management and Leadership, in addition to your degree, upon the successful completion of the entire degree.

During your studies, you will also benefit from associate membership to the CMI (at no extra cost), inclusive of an interactive induction session hosted by the CMI, as well as access to the CMI's digital library, resources, and employability skills audit.

University of the Year finalist

Recognised for our graduate success, we’re shortlisted for University of the Year in the Times Higher Education Awards 2025.


Overview

You’ll study topics like global marketing, entrepreneurship, finance, leadership, and sustainability — all through the lens of international business. Learning is practical and hands-on, with real-world projects that help you understand how businesses connect with customers and how organisations innovate to stay competitive in global markets.

Alongside academic knowledge, you’ll develop the mindset and skills of a future business professional. As you build confidence in areas like time management, communication, and problem-solving, you’ll start to approach challenges differently – both in your studies and in life. These are the qualities employers value most, and you’ll practise them through teamwork, presentations, and working with real businesses.

You’ll be taught by lecturers with extensive industry experience and supported by our network of business coaches, international partners, and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), giving you access to professional development and industry insights. Our independent accreditations, which are built into your degree, boost your CV and fast-track your membership into organisations such as the CMI – placing you in a strong position when applying for jobs and potentially increasing your earning potential.

At Worcester Business School, you’ll join a diverse and welcoming community of students from all over the world. You’ll learn from your classmates as well as guest lecturers and our expert academic team, gaining a broad perspective on global business.

Placements

Built into the course is a year abroad, where you’ll either study at a partner university or take on a work placement in another country. Whether you're studying in Canada or working in Australia, this experience gives you the chance to immerse yourself in a new culture, build international networks, and gain real-world experience in global business settings.

The placement year spans a minimum of 36 weeks and can take place in Europe, North America, or Australasia. You’ll be supported in finding opportunities, and bursaries and travel grants are available to help make the experience accessible.


Business placements at the University of Worcester


Course content

The course begins with a strong foundation in international business through a set of core modules designed to give you the essential knowledge and skills needed to understand how global businesses operate and succeed. As you progress into the second and third years, you’ll have the opportunity to tailor your degree to your interests and career goals.

We regularly review our courses to reflect the latest research and developments in the subject area, as well as feedback from students, employers and the wider sector. As a result, modules may change to ensure the course remains current and relevant.

Optional modules will run if enough students choose to study them. It is not guaranteed that all modules will be offered every year. The modules listed below are just an example selection from the full range available.

Mandatory modules
Optional modules


Careers

Throughout your degree, you’ll build the skills and confidence to succeed in a global business environment. From day one, you’ll develop practical abilities in communication, leadership, problem-solving, and strategic thinking — all of which are highly valued by employers. Real-world experience is built into the course, with opportunities to work on live business projects, attend company visits, and take part in consultancy challenges.

International experience is a key part of the course, with the opportunity to study or work abroad for a year between your second and final year. Whether you choose a placement or a study exchange, this experience helps you build independence, cultural awareness, and a global perspective – giving you a competitive edge when applying for graduate roles.

You’ll also benefit from integrated career coaching, support with CV writing and interview preparation, and access to our network of business mentors and placement partners.

Graduates from this course go on to careers in:

  • International marketing
  • Business development
  • Project management
  • Finance and investment
  • Management consultancy
  • Human resources
  • Supply chain and logistics
  • Entrepreneurship and start-ups

Start your own business

If your ambition is to run your own business, our entrepreneurship modules will guide you through the process of planning, launching and growing a venture with international potential. You’ll also have access to start-up support and our network of business mentors, helping you turn ideas into action. Each year, the University hosts the annual ‘BOSS’ competition, where students can pitch for funding and win up to £10,000 to support their business plans.

Postgraduate study

If you decide to continue your studies after graduation, you could progress onto a postgraduate degree such as our Master of Business Administration (MBA), International Management MSc, or a specialist course in areas like Marketing, Human Resources or Global Sustainable Management.

You could also choose to train as a teacher with a one-year Primary or Secondary PGCE at Worcester.


Graduate stories

Hear from a few of our graduates.

University of Worcester logo on a light blue background

Karolina Frybova, Graduate

"For me, Worcester was love at first sight. Having come to Worcester for their Open Day, I decided what my first choice would be. I loved the city, the friendly community and all the support available for students."

University of Worcester logo on a light blue background

Xiaoting Ma, Graduate

“I am very happy and honoured that I can go for a first class degree as this has been my goal for a long time,” she said. “It is very rewarding to work hard to fulfil your dreams.”

Xiaoting is now working as an intern in the marketing department of an investment company, but she has an ambition to return to academia in the future, possibly with a PhD in marketing.

University of Worcester logo on a light blue background

Finley Harrison, Graduate

Finley Harrison was among those to have completed their studies at the University of Worcester in 2020. He achieved First Class Honours in his degree in International Business Management. “I am extremely pleased to see that all of my hard work has paid off and I am so grateful for the support from my lecturers at Worcester,” he said.

Since gaining his degree, Finley has started a job at FedEx as a Transformation Analyst after originally completing a placement year with them during his studies at Worcester.

University of Worcester logo on a light blue background

Karolina Frybova, Graduate

"For me, Worcester was love at first sight. Having come to Worcester for their Open Day, I decided what my first choice would be. I loved the city, the friendly community and all the support available for students."

University of Worcester logo on a light blue background

Xiaoting Ma, Graduate

“I am very happy and honoured that I can go for a first class degree as this has been my goal for a long time,” she said. “It is very rewarding to work hard to fulfil your dreams.”

Xiaoting is now working as an intern in the marketing department of an investment company, but she has an ambition to return to academia in the future, possibly with a PhD in marketing.


Course highlights

A student facing a snow-covered forest with their arms outstretched
A Business student during a lecture
Student standing outside of his work placement
A student showing maps to an employer, seated at a table
Global experiences built-in

Spend a year studying or working abroad in countries like Canada, Australia, or Denmark. This international experience helps you build confidence, cultural awareness, and a global mindset that employers value.


Teaching and assessment

Our course has been designed and is taught by industry experts to ensure you're learning relevant and up-to-date business practice. You’ll learn through hands-on activities, group sessions, lectures, and one-to-one support.

You’ll be assessed in practical ways like presentations, digital projects, portfolios, and business reports to give you the skills you’ll need after you graduate.

Teaching and assessment contents

You are taught through a combination of interactive workshops, lectures, seminars, laboratory practical sessions, fieldwork, practical activities, etc. Interactive workshops take a variety of formats and are intended to enable the application of learning through discussion and small group activities. Seminars enable the discussion and development of understanding of topics covered in lectures, and laboratory practical sessions are focused on developing subject specific skills and applied individual and group project work.

In addition, meetings (both individual and group) with personal academic tutors are scheduled throughout the academic year. There is an opportunity to undertake a year-long placement in the third year of the course, supervised by a work-based mentor and a University tutor. Depending upon the course, there may be an opportunity to study abroad at one of the exchange partner universities.


City Campus - home of Worcester Business School

Accommodation buildings at City Campus
The Charles Hastings building on City Campus
The front of the Charles Hastings building
The Hive Library
Accommodation buildings at City Campus
The Charles Hastings building on City Campus
The front of the Charles Hastings building
The Hive Library

Entry requirements

UCAS tariff points required: 112

Typical Offer
QualificationGrade
A-levelBBC
BTEC National Extended DiplomaDMM
T-levelM

We do accept Access to HE Diplomas and other qualifications which may not exactly match the combinations above. Work out your estimated points with the UCAS tariff calculator.

Any questions?

If you have any questions about entry requirements, please call our Admissions Office on 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk.


Fees

Fees contents

UK and EU students

In 2026/27 the standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees is £9,535 per year (subject to changes in the government tuition fee cap).

Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may increase each year for both new and continuing students.

For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.

International students

In 2026/27 the standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees is £17,200 per year.

Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may increase each year for both new and continuing students.

For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.


How to apply

How to apply contents

Applying through UCAS

UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for full-time undergraduate courses in the UK.

Read our how to apply pages for more information on the application process, or if you’d like to apply for part-time study.

Apply now

Contact

If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.

University of Worcester logo on a light blue background

Isabel Clarke

Postgraduate and Undergraduate Admissions Tutor

Admissions Office

01905 855111

More to explore

Open Days

Visiting us is the best way to get a feel for student life at the University of Worcester.

A group of Open Day attendees on a campus tour

The City of Worcester

Worcester is a welcoming university city with great transport links and plenty of student parking.

city-aerial-shot-worcester-banner

Accommodation

Benefit from our accommodation guarantee. We have rooms on campus to suit every budget including en-suite options.

Student in their bedroom in halls