International Business Management with Placement BSc Honours

Course overview

This four-year degree focuses on developing both your business and language skills. You'll graduate ready for a fast-paced career in a global and complex business environment.

You'll gain core business skills in human resource management, finance and strategy.

Studying a language

Learning a language is an integral part of this programme. You'll leave university as a proficient linguist, equipped with the skills, knowledge and experience needed for a management career in international, multi-national, or global organisations.

You can choose to study one of:

• French
• German
• Spanish
• Chinese

Language qualifications and study routes

If you hold a GCSE (or equivalent) in any language, you:

• can study any one of the languages offered on the degree
• will begin by studying your chosen language at Entry Level

If you hold an A-level (or equivalent) in a language, you can choose to:

• study the same language (if offered), beginning at Intermediate Level, or
• study a different language, beginning at Entry Level

Some examples of possible study routes are given in the Read More section below. 

Year abroad

During the third year of your degree, you can work or study abroad. This will give you the opportunity to improve your language skills and experience another culture.

Work or study abroad may be compulsory or optional. This depends on:

• your choice of language; and
• the level of language studied

Further information can be found in the Module Stage Overview section.

 

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Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Featured module

BUS3078: Advanced Global Strategy

Develop your knowledge and understanding of multi-level processes involved in managerial practice and global business strategy formulation and implementation.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

In Stage 1, you'll develop a good understanding of core areas of business, including:

• the key concepts of accounting and finance
• an overview of the international business environment
• the concepts and principles of business management and organisation

You'll study French, German, Spanish or Chinese. You will study at either Entry or Intermediate level. This will depend on your existing language qualifications.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Introduction to Accounting and Finance (for Business School Students)	20
Global Business Environment	20
Management and Organisation	20
Quantitative Methods for Business Management	20

If you do not have an A Level (or equivalent) in a modern language you will also study the following modules based on your language choice:

French

FRE1065 Level A (HE Entry Level) French I
FRE1066 Level A (HE Entry Level) French II

Spanish

SPA1065 Level A (HE Entry Level) Spanish I
SPA1066 Level A (HE Entry Level) Spanish II

German

GER1065 Level A (HE Entry Level) German I
GER1066 Level A (HE Entry Level) German II

Chinese

CHN1065 Level A (HE Entry Level) Chinese I
CHN1066 Level A (HE Entry Level) Chinese II

If you do have an A Level (or equivalent) in a modern language you will also study the following modules based on your language choice:

Chinese

CHN2010 Level B (HE Intermediate) Chinese

French

FRE1071 Level B (HE Intermediate) French

Plus one of the following modules:

SML1018 Introduction to Literature OR
SML1019 Introduction to Linguistics OR
SML1022 Introduction to Cultural Studies 

German

GER1071 Level B (HE Intermediate) German

Plus one of the following modules:

SML1018 Introduction to Literature OR
SML1019 Introduction to Linguistics OR
SML1022 Introduction to Cultural Studies OR
GER1016 Deutschland zwischen 1871 und 1945

Spanish

SPA1071 Level B (HE Intermediate) Spanish

Plus one of the following modules:

SML1018 Introduction to Literature OR
SML1019 Introduction to Linguistics OR
SML1022 Introduction to Cultural Studies OR
SPA1019 Introduction to History, Culture and Society of the Iberian Peninsula

In Stage 2, you'll broaden your knowledge with modules covering topics such as:

• developments and issues in global financial markets
• the nature and importance of the management of people and organisations
• language and cross-cultural communication

You will continue to learn the language you studied at Stage 1.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
International Finance and Financial Markets	20
Operations Management	20
Global Perspectives in Managing People and Organisations	20
Global Marketing	20

If you have not already selected 120 credits, you also take the following:

Language and Cross Cultural Communication

If you do not have an A Level (or equivalent) in a modern language you will also study the following based on your language choice:

French

Level B (HE Intermediate) French

German

Level B (HE Intermediate) German

Spanish

Level B (HE Intermediate) Spanish

Chinese

CHN2010 Level B (HE Intermediate) Chinese

If you do have an A Level (or equivalent) in a modern language you will also study the following based on your language choice:

Chinese

Level C (HE Advanced) Chinese

French

Level C (HE Advanced) French

German

Level C (HE Advanced) German

Spanish

Level C (HE Advanced) Spanish

You'll spend this year abroad in a country where your chosen language is spoken. You'll study at a partner university or undertake a work placement.

If you studied your chosen language at Intermediate Level in Stage 1 and Advanced Level in Stage 2, a work placement or study abroad is compulsory in Stage 3.

If you studied your chosen language at Entry Level in Stage 1 and Intermediate Level in Stage 2, a work placement or study abroad in Stage 3 is optional but highly recommended.

If you're studying Chinese, study abroad is compulsory in Stage 3, regardless of the level of study. You cannot undertake a work placement. You will study at a School of Modern Languages partner university.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Business School Mobility	120

In Stage 4, you'll continue to develop the language you studied at Stage 1 and 2.

You'll study topics such as:

• perspectives on globalisation, multinational corporations, varieties of capitalism and international business
• global business strategy formulation and implementation

You'll also complete either:

• a International Business Management Dissertation; or
• a Management Research Briefing for Sustainable Organisational Futures

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Contemporary Issues in International Business Management	20
Advanced Global Strategy	20

If you do not have an A Level (or equivalent) in a modern language you will also study the following based on your language choice:

French

Level C (HE Advanced) French

Plus choose one from the following:

International Entrepreneurship
International Business Diplomacy

German

Level C (HE Advanced) German

Plus choose one from the following:

International Entrepreneurship
International Business Diplomacy

Spanish

Level C (HE Advanced) Spanish

Plus choose one from the following:

International Entrepreneurship
International Business Diplomacy

Chinese

Level C (HE Advanced) Chinese

If you do have an A Level (or equivalent) in a modern language you will also study the following based on your language choice:

Chinese

Level D (HE Further Advanced) Chinese

French

Level D (HE Further Advanced) French: Advanced Writing Skills
Level D (HE Further Advanced) French: Professional and Academic Purposes OR
Level D (HE Further Advanced) French: Translating and Interpreting

Plus choose one from the following:

International Entrepreneurship
International Business Diplomacy

German

Level D (HE Further Advanced) German: Advanced Writing Skills
Level D (HE Further Advanced) German: Professional and Academic Purposes OR
Level D (HE Further Advanced) German: Translating and Interpreting

Plus choose one from the following:

International Entrepreneurship
International Business Diplomacy

Spanish

Level D (HE Further Advanced) Spanish: Advanced Writing Skills
Level D (HE Further Advanced) Spanish: Professional and Academic Purposes OR
Level D (HE Further Advanced) Spanish: Translating and Interpreting

Plus choose one from the following:
International Entrepreneurship
International Business Diplomacy

Information about these graphs

We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They are based on the modules chosen by our students in 2022-23.

Teaching time is made up of:

• scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present.
• structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

Throughout the programme, you'll benefit from a variety of teaching methods, including:

• lectures
• seminars
• language classes
• simulations

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Assessments

• 

  Assignments – written or fieldwork

• 

  Case studies

• 

  Dissertation or research project

• 

  Essays

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Group work

• 

  Presentations

• 

  Projects

Skills and experience

Practical skills

Through our innovative business simulation, you'll experience all aspects of running a business, implementing the strategic decision making of a multi-national company.

The International Entrepreneurship module will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to develop and grow a small business internationally.

Business skills

The programme offers a plethora of opportunities to develop real business skills, including:

• work placement
• simulations
• practitioner presentations
• workshops

Research skills

Throughout your degree, you'll develop the research needed to explore and analyse the latest thinking on a range of core business topics.

In your final year, you'll call upon your research skills to complete a significant project focused on business practice.

Opportunities

Work/study abroad

If you studied your chosen language at Intermediate Level in Stage 1 and Advanced Level in Stage 2, a work placement or study abroad is compulsory in Stage 3.

If you studied your chosen language at Entry Level in Stage 1 and Intermediate Level in Stage 2, a work placement or study abroad in Stage 3 is optional but highly recommended.

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can choose to spend 9 to 12 months working for an organisation outside the UK. You will be responsible for securing the work placement but you'll receive University support from our dedicated team to help you along the way.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

Recent students have secured placements at companies including:

• Clipper (Spain)
• Midi-Location (France),
• Brüning (Germany)

Placements are subject to availability and must be sourced by the student.

Find out more about work placements

Study abroad

Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.

You may choose to spend a year abroad as part of your degree in one of our partner institutions.

Find out more about study abroad

Studying Chinese

If you're studying Chinese, study abroad is compulsory in Stage 3, regardless of the level of study and you cannot undertake a work placement. You must study at a School of Modern Languages partner university.

Facilities and environment

Facilities

Newcastle University Business School is one of the largest Schools in the University. We have over 3,500 students representing over 80 nationalities. This valuable network extends beyond our current students to include:

• regional, national and international leaders
• over 34,000 alumni in our network, spanning over 150 countries
• leading professionals and practitioners from industry

The Business School is the gateway to Newcastle Helix - an innovation hub and community that brings together industry leaders, businesses and top researchers.

Our facilities include:

• flexible conference room with panoramic views across the city
• Wi-Fi enabled connectivity throughout the building, including three computer clusters housing over 120 PCs
• four large lecture theatres and over 25 seminar and teaching spaces, providing comfortable teaching and group study space
• dedicated Student Hub and Quiet Space, providing a balanced mix of study space for group work or quiet, individual study
• contemporary café
• employability hub to support your career aspirations
• Bloomberg Room to give you a real feel for the trading room floor
• Experimental and Behavioural Economics Lab, a state-of-the-art research facility for conducting studies in experimental economics and economic psychology

This is in addition to our Frederick Douglass Centre at Newcastle Helix, which offers further study and learning spaces including a 750 seat auditorium – the largest in the University.

Find out more about Newcastle University Business School

Support

Each degree offers you a stimulating curriculum and a supportive teaching and learning environment.

You will have an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have.

Your future

Benefit from excellent links with potential employers

Newcastle University Business School has excellent links with national and international organisations. This allows you to benefit from:

• work placements
• guest speakers
• networking opportunities

Through these links, you'll have the chance to gain commercial experience. This could be through an optional paid work placement or a summer internship.

We work with a range of professional bodies. You'll learn from leading names in the industry and gain vital experience. You'll be able to network with potential employers.

You'll develop a range of personal, employability and enterprise skills. As a Newcastle University Business School graduate, you'll be highly employable to a diverse range of companies.

Join a network of successful graduates

Recent graduates have secured roles at globally recognised companies, including:

• Barclays Bank
• EY
• British Airways
• Amazon
• KPMG
• Capita PLC
• Accenture
• Whitbread Plc

Employability at Newcastle

96% of Newcastle University graduates progressed to employment or further study within six months of graduating, with 85.5% in graduate-level employment or further study.

Take a look at the most recent data available for our graduates. See what they have gone on to achieve and be inspired to follow in their footsteps.

Statistics are based on what graduates were doing on a specific date, approximately six months after graduation (Destinations of (undergraduate and postgraduate UK domiciled) Leavers from Higher Education Survey 2016/17).

Make a difference

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Careers support

You'll have access to a wealth of resources and support to enhance your employability, including:

• the annual Future Focus: Careers Conference, tailored to different industry areas
• interwoven employability provision
• access to a dedicated placement officer within the Business School who can help you find a work placement in your area of interest
• specialist careers and business start-up support from the University's award-winning Careers Service and the Business School's careers consultants
• career management sessions with a careers consultant
• work experience opportunities while studying with us
• Business School summer internship scheme

We're also one of 140 business schools worldwide to be accredited by the EQUIS scheme for our managerial and entrepreneurial skills development.

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

Qualification: BSc Honours
Home students full time 4 years	Tuition fees (per year) 9250
International students full time 4 years	Tuition fees (per year) 21000

Home Fee Students

The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for home fee-paying students is set by the UK government.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

International Fee Students

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our undergraduate scholarship page for more information.

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

• different tuition fees
• additional costs

Scholarships

Find out more about:

• scholarships for UK, EU and international students
• Student Loans and Government financial support for UK and EU students

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

• the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
• the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
• the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages