BA (Hons)

International Business

Teaching & Learning

The tabs below detail what and how you will study in each year of your course. The balance of assessments and overall workload will be informed by your core modules and the option modules you choose to study – the information provided is an indication of what you can expect and may be subject to change. The option modules listed are also an indication of what will be available to you. Their availability is subject to demand and you will be advised which option modules you can choose at the beginning of each year of study.

What you'll learn

Explore the theory and practice of international business and become familiar with the subject's key concepts and terminology. Understand drivers and barriers to the globalisation of business, institutional structures which support global business and issues facing firms engaged in international business.
Examine how managers can understand and use different financial information. You will consider how shareholders can use financial statements as a means of evaluating a firm?s performance.
Become familiar with key marketing principles and appreciate how contemporary marketing concepts are used by organisations. You will gain an insight into marketing challenges and the consequences for organisations that fail to become customer-orientated.
The bond and evolution of data, analytics, and commercial application has rapidly changed the way in which businesses operate. This includes the way they make money, sell services and products, measure success, invest in sustainable people and business practices and the ethical impact decisions have on society. This module will introduce you to the technical terminology needed to understand and confidently explore business data, analytics, and tools. You'll explore the wider context of business information, data types and characteristics, the role of the Internet of Things (IoT), big data and the impact on individuals and society. You’ll also understand how to use digital tools practically to produce an accurate narrative of findings.
Gain an awareness of the economic environment that modern businesses operate in. This module will give you an understanding of the principle economic perspectives and theories relating to the operation of the global economy. You'll study important worldwide macro-economic issues as you investigate key global markets, economies, and challenges.
Learn about the people side of business. This module is structured into four main themes: motivation, management, leadership and teams. You will look at these within the context of culture, political environment, global working and intercultural competence.
Explore the theory and practice of international business and become familiar with the subject's key concepts and terminology. Understand drivers and barriers to the globalisation of business, institutional structures which support global business and issues facing firms engaged in international business.
Examine how managers can understand and use different financial information. You will consider how shareholders can use financial statements as a means of evaluating a firm?s performance.
Become familiar with key marketing principles and appreciate how contemporary marketing concepts are used by organisations. You will gain an insight into marketing challenges and the consequences for organisations that fail to become customer-orientated.
The bond and evolution of data, analytics, and commercial application has rapidly changed the way in which businesses operate. This includes the way they make money, sell services and products, measure success, invest in sustainable people and business practices and the ethical impact decisions have on society. This module will introduce you to the technical terminology needed to understand and confidently explore business data, analytics, and tools. You'll explore the wider context of business information, data types and characteristics, the role of the Internet of Things (IoT), big data and the impact on individuals and society. You’ll also understand how to use digital tools practically to produce an accurate narrative of findings.
Gain an awareness of the economic environment that modern businesses operate in. This module will give you an understanding of the principle economic perspectives and theories relating to the operation of the global economy. You'll study important worldwide macro-economic issues as you investigate key global markets, economies, and challenges.
Learn about the people side of business. This module is structured into four main themes: motivation, management, leadership and teams. You will look at these within the context of culture, political environment, global working and intercultural competence.

What you'll learn

Develop the tools to interpret and analyse businesses and organisations that operate internationally. You'll study a wide range of topics including the challenges and opportunities of outsourcing and offshoring, the cultural dimensions of choosing locations, and integrating standard operations management tools and techniques into a global framework.
Appreciate and critically analyse innovation and new technologies. This module will enable you to understand their importance for international businesses and how adopting new technology can support multinational companies. You'll assess new technologies using different approaches and methods, including from a consumer perspective. You'll learn to critically evaluate the main debates in this subject area as represented by recent research and explore how to make reasoned choices about alternative approaches.
Develop an understanding of the structure of business finance and its application to the decision-making processes in organisations. You will examine the theoretical concepts and practice of modern approaches to business finance.
Explore the most important practical and legal aspects of the foreign trading operation including financing, insurance, documentation, goods handling and transportation. You will discuss these topics within the context of an export contract and also under counter trade arrangements.
Explore the variety of ways in which the law has been used to facilitate international trade. This module is designed to help you to define, analyse, and apply legal and non-legal rules in the context of the operation of international trade law in a public law context.
Explore the global dimensions of environmental impacts and a broad range of environmental concerns with a focus on global climate change. You will learn about competing perspectives on sustainable development and evaluate the policies that seek to enable individuals, businesses and governments to behave in an environmentally sustainable way.
Develop the tools to interpret and analyse businesses and organisations that operate internationally. You'll study a wide range of topics including the challenges and opportunities of outsourcing and offshoring, the cultural dimensions of choosing locations, and integrating standard operations management tools and techniques into a global framework.
Appreciate and critically analyse innovation and new technologies. This module will enable you to understand their importance for international businesses and how adopting new technology can support multinational companies. You'll assess new technologies using different approaches and methods, including from a consumer perspective. You'll learn to critically evaluate the main debates in this subject area as represented by recent research and explore how to make reasoned choices about alternative approaches.
Develop an understanding of the structure of business finance and its application to the decision-making processes in organisations. You will examine the theoretical concepts and practice of modern approaches to business finance.
Explore the most important practical and legal aspects of the foreign trading operation including financing, insurance, documentation, goods handling and transportation. You will discuss these topics within the context of an export contract and also under counter trade arrangements.
Explore the variety of ways in which the law has been used to facilitate international trade. This module is designed to help you to define, analyse, and apply legal and non-legal rules in the context of the operation of international trade law in a public law context.
Explore the global dimensions of environmental impacts and a broad range of environmental concerns with a focus on global climate change. You will learn about competing perspectives on sustainable development and evaluate the policies that seek to enable individuals, businesses and governments to behave in an environmentally sustainable way.

What you'll learn

Develop a critical understanding of the process of economic globalisation and the role played by Transnational Corporations as both cause and consequence of this process through control of global production networks and foreign direct investment.
Develop a critical awareness of the complexity of the management of cultural diversity and its application in the international business environment.
Develop critical awareness and insights into the decision-making processes of multinational/transnational businesses in terms of appraising and entering global markets, including an appreciation of the ethical consequences of their actions in respect of stakeholders.
Develop a critical understanding of the process of economic globalisation and the role played by Transnational Corporations as both cause and consequence of this process through control of global production networks and foreign direct investment.
Develop a critical awareness of the complexity of the management of cultural diversity and its application in the international business environment.
Develop critical awareness and insights into the decision-making processes of multinational/transnational businesses in terms of appraising and entering global markets, including an appreciation of the ethical consequences of their actions in respect of stakeholders.

Option modules may include

If you choose to study the Project & Risk Management module, you'll also complete the Consultancy Project.
You could choose to complete the Dissertation module rather than studying the Project & Risk management and Consultancy Project modules. You'll demonstrate a full range of skills, knowledge, and competencies developed over three years of study. This module provides an opportunity for you to choose and explore a field of study that has particularly engaged your interest.
Apply your learning to a strategic organisational issue of your choice. You will develop and manage a client-consultant relationship, and work in a group supported by a member of staff deliver outcomes for the client using the relevant academic knowledge, skills and critical thinking.
This module will examine fundamental concepts of international business finance and international trade. You'll learn about the formation of multinational corporations and the business challenges that they face in a dynamic global context.
Gain an understanding of key theoretical concepts that support global and international marketing and learn to apply these concepts in a practical way to case studies and exercises that feature live companies and current developments. You will develop the tools required to make a valuable contribution to any organisation that operates in, or plans to develop non-domestic markets.
Study the ways in which the decision-making process influences decisions that are made in practice. This module will combine psychology and economics while you learn about the emerging field of behavioural economics.
Develop an understanding of the processes of leadership, strategizing and change and the links between these processes. You'll engage with current thinking and research in the fields of leadership, strategic learning and change as you develop your emotional and ethical awareness.
Explore and analyse corporate responsibility and sustainability as international phenomena and a global political, economic and societal discourse.
Apply for a placement and undertake a period of paid employment to give you the opportunity to develop business contacts and gain understanding of the jobs and career market.
If you choose to study the Project & Risk Management module, you'll also complete the Consultancy Project.
You could choose to complete the Dissertation module rather than studying the Project & Risk management and Consultancy Project modules. You'll demonstrate a full range of skills, knowledge, and competencies developed over three years of study. This module provides an opportunity for you to choose and explore a field of study that has particularly engaged your interest.
Apply your learning to a strategic organisational issue of your choice. You will develop and manage a client-consultant relationship, and work in a group supported by a member of staff deliver outcomes for the client using the relevant academic knowledge, skills and critical thinking.
This module will examine fundamental concepts of international business finance and international trade. You'll learn about the formation of multinational corporations and the business challenges that they face in a dynamic global context.
Gain an understanding of key theoretical concepts that support global and international marketing and learn to apply these concepts in a practical way to case studies and exercises that feature live companies and current developments. You will develop the tools required to make a valuable contribution to any organisation that operates in, or plans to develop non-domestic markets.
Study the ways in which the decision-making process influences decisions that are made in practice. This module will combine psychology and economics while you learn about the emerging field of behavioural economics.
Develop an understanding of the processes of leadership, strategizing and change and the links between these processes. You'll engage with current thinking and research in the fields of leadership, strategic learning and change as you develop your emotional and ethical awareness.
Explore and analyse corporate responsibility and sustainability as international phenomena and a global political, economic and societal discourse.
Apply for a placement and undertake a period of paid employment to give you the opportunity to develop business contacts and gain understanding of the jobs and career market.

This course offers the opportunity to take a ‘sandwich’ year – a year of paid employment in industry which will build your skills and experience. This is usually taken between the second and third year of your degree, typically making your course four years in total.

Students who choose the sandwich route find it helps with both their studies and getting a job after graduation. It can build your confidence, contacts, and of course your CV. Leeds Beckett advertise lots of placement opportunities and provide support in helping you find the right placement for you.