Newcastle University

International Business Management, BA Honours

• Ucas Code: N120
• Course Duration: 4 years
  

The market for high-skilled graduates is becoming increasingly global. Globalised businesses require talent to compete in global marketplaces and have higher expectations of graduate recruits than ever before. In response to this challenge, Newcastle University Business School launched a new BA Honours degree in International Business Management in September 2008. Now in its third year we are attracting bright, young people not only from the UK but also from other European countries and the United States, who wish to develop global mindsets and to pursue international careers in business management.

Why should I consider studying International Business Management at Newcastle?

Against a backdrop of continuing globalisation and technological change employers need graduates who can comfortably compete in diverse, geographically spread marketplaces and meet global challenges. The IBM programme at the Business School will provide students with the competencies required to work across national borders, to manage complex international and intercultural relationships, and to understand global aspects of the world of work.

If you have an outlook that naturally considers wider influences and the openness and curiosity to learn about the interconnections between cultures, organisations and ways of doing business, then choosing this degree programme could kick-start your career.

A degree in International Business Management from Newcastle University Business School will differentiate you in the global marketplace, as not only will you study and acquire skills in the core areas of business management, but you will develop a strong international focus and awareness of global issues and challenges that face organisations in the 21st century. As educators, we deliver on this by:

• offering a suite of core modules that address international business related topics;
• providing the opportunity for students to learn a foreign language, either as a beginner or post A-level (or equivalent). Language options include: Chinese, French, German, Japanese and Spanish;
• assisting students with the organisation of their placement year abroad. This compulsory year is spent in a country where the foreign language being studied is spoken and can encompass a full year of study or work placement, or a potential combination of both.

This 4 year undergraduate programme emphasises the importance of both gaining a theoretical understanding of international business management, and translating those theoretical perspectives into the practical international business environment. Topics such as internationalisation of business activities, human resource management, entrepreneurship and innovation will be explored on the programme. In addition, you will have the chance to listen to and interact with business practitioners and visiting international scholars, as well as developing your practical work experiences through the range of modules and activities on offer within the School.

Programme Structure

Stage 1

This stage presumes that students have no prior knowledge of the business and management discipline and therefore all modules are taught at an introductory level. These modules are intended to deliver the core management knowledge and skills that are essential for running a successful business. Therefore, in addition to the 40 credits of language, you will study:

ACC1003 Introduction to Accounting and Finance
BUS1001 Introduction to Management and Organisations
BUS1005 Global Business Environment
BUS1004 Business Emergence and Growth

Stage 2

In Stage 2 you build on your knowledge developed in Stage 1 and continue to study core business and management modules. In addition, you will also focus on modules of specific international relevance, in preparation for your year abroad in Stage 3. You will also continue with your 40 language credits.

BUS2015 Strategy and Operations Management

BUS2010 Managing People in Organisations
BUS2018 Research Skills for Business and Management
BUS2026 Managing Across Cultures

Stage 3

In Stage 3 you will spend a year abroad in a partner institution and/or working at an approved organisation abroad. Preparation of a reflective learning report shall be an integral part of the placement year, alongside focusing on developing your language skills and knowledge of the foreign country.

We currently have students studying as far and wide as Tahiti and Tokyo! Take a look at their experiences below:

Rosie Hampson - Tahiti 2011

Dean Spooner - Tokyo 2011

Stage 4

Upon returning from their year abroad you will embark on your final year with a renewed enthusiasm, commitment and drive. You will have developed key experiences and knowledge in an international business context, not to mention improved fluency in your language and will be able to provide examples and share first-hand experiences in lectures and seminars, enhancing the learning experience of all students.

The final stage places further emphasis on advanced modules in business and management, as well as additional modules with an international focus. These include:

BUS3021 International Human Resource Management
BUS3039 International Entrepreneurship
BUS3035 Contemporary Issues in International Business Management

In addition, you will complete a research dissertation project on an international business management topic, which accounts for one third of your marks in Stage 3. This 12,000 word project provides the opportunity to conduct in-depth research on a management related topic that is of interest to you and very often is related to your year abroad experience and the international networks you have developed.