Overview
In today’s international market, businesses need employees who understand globalisation, sustainability and intercultural communication. It’s a recipe for success. Learn more about these complex issues and how you can manage them in a modern, global organisation.
overall student satisfaction
National Student Survey results 2017My time at ARU has improved my communication – making me the person I am today. Whatever I do, wherever I go, I have the dedicated, supportive, and brilliant staff within the Business School to thank.
Careers
Throughout our BSc (Hons) International Business Management course, you’ll benefit from lectures and seminars on career-relevant issues such as CV preparation, job-hunting, obtaining work experience and using social media.
Our dedicated placements and employability support team will give you access to information that’s relevant to International Business Management graduates. We’ll encourage you to reflect on your strengths and areas for development and to make plans to strengthen your skills and experience in preparation for employment in a global organisation.
On successful completion of this degree, you might choose to move onto postgraduate studies, such as our MSc Management.
We regularly host employer visits and speakers. We also organise business events designed to enhance your knowledge of the job market and give you opportunities to meet and speak with employers.
Modules & assessment
Year one, core modules
-
Principles of Marketing
This module will present you with a foundation in the core theories and models of marketing, from a bottom-up perspective. The module will instil in you an understanding of how marketing operates as a key functional area within business and how it critically interacts with other areas such as accountancy, human resource management and business management throughout all business sectors. -
Economics for Managers
This module introduces you to the fundamentals of economics and focuses on applying key economic insights to business and management. First, the module focuses on microeconomics - the decisions and behaviour of individuals and firms. The economic principles underlying the determination of price and output, firm costs, industrial structure and market failures are outlined. Next, the module focuses on macroeconomics - the economy at national and international levels - and its impacts on business behaviour. You’ll learn how the key macroeconomic variables (inflation, unemployment, and so on) influence business activity and government macroeconomic policy. -
Academic Skills
On this module, you'll learn a range of skills required to function effectively as an independent self-learner. You'll develop both practical and academic skills that are essential for you to be successful in your chosen business undergraduate degree. The module will equip you with skills that can be used in modules throughout your chosen degree. The focus of the module includes: the use of information technology and associated software packages, presentation skills, problem-solving, both individually and in teams, critical analysis, critical writing and referencing. -
Accounting for Managers
The module aims to give students a sound grasp of the basics of financial reporting (context, purposes, regulatory framework). It introduces the principal concepts of financial accounting and the preparation of principal financial statements will also be explored. This module is also designed to introduce students to key management accounting skills necessary to support decision-making. It will emphasise the acquisition and application of skills and knowledge necessary to inform managers responsible for planning, decision-making and control and will provide the underpinning skills and knowledge required for more advanced study. The key issues addressed will be the fundamentals of cost data collection, analysis and allocation of costs, costing of products and services using absorption and marginal costing techniques, short term decision making - Cost Volume profit analysis, budgeting and budgetary control. The key techniques will be demonstrated and applied in active learning workshop sessions and students will be expected to work on practical examples and case studies. -
Statistics
Explore the key numerical techniques used to aid decision making and familiarise yourself with the mathematical foundations that are necessary in any area of international business and economics. You will learn to understand probalistic and statistical techniques in theory and to apply them in a business context with the support of relevant software. -
Introduction to Organisations and Management
Management in practice is about supporting people to work effectively in different organisational contexts. Regardless of your technical area, type of organisation or job position, you will need to manage your relationships with colleagues, managers, subordinates and customers. This module will equip you with knowledge and skills to help you understand how people and organisations function at individual, group and organisational levels based on the latest academic evidence. -
Global Business Environment
The contemporary global business environment is full of risks and opportunities. This module explores the importance of those risks and opportunities for the decisions that companies make. You will explore the legal, ecological, political, economic, and technological factors that shape business decisions. Attention will also be paid to the competitive environment and how this interacts with globalisation, and technological and social change to create complex strategic options. The importance of country attractiveness and contemporary trends in the global economy will also be considered. Assessment is by group discussion, individual research blog, and an essay.
Year two, core modules
-
Strategic Management
Strategic Management is a fascinating discipline that studies the long-term purpose and direction of organisations, by looking at how to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage. The first part of the module focuses on core frameworks and analytical techniques that will enable you to assess the resources and capabilities of organisations in relation to the conditions of the industry and the macro environment, and stakeholder pressures. The module concludes with the evaluation of business-level and corporate-level strategies, providing a springboard to the Advanced Strategic Management module in the final year, focused on strategic implementation. -
Career Development and Employability
This innovative and exciting career-focused module will help you develop the employability skills and capabilities that are needed to compete successfully in the graduate labour market whilst seeking to provide you with knowledge, support and insight into the contemporary world of work and the business market. The module will also develop your skills and is therefore practical and engages you in case study exercise, real-life scenarios, audit and skills testing techniques and invites external guest speakers and employers to provide insight and input. The lectures and seminars will provide key inputs to help introduce you to fundamental employability concepts, insights and techniques, drawn from the world of business and management, but also from other disciplines such as sociology, social psychology and the humanities. -
International Business
On this module you will examine international business in the contemporary context. You will explore how strategic and operational decisions relate to important political, economic and ethical debates. Locational, expansionary, investment and marketing decisions will be examined through contemporary debates and theoretical frameworks. Globalisation, culture and the importance of technological change will be discussed, with an emphasis on critical evaluation of these important topics. -
Business Research Methods
This core module introduces you to the various methods of undertaking business research - vital tools for anyone hoping to pursue a career in business. The module covers a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods. It’s a practical module informed by theory and real-life examples, which’ll help you to explore the philosophical debates underlying business and management research and consider how they relate to our understanding of knowledge and business practice. You’ll be encouraged to develop your ability to critically assess both the theory and practice of business and management research and to reflect on your own learning and development. This module will help you think about a final project and give you confidence in using research methods.
Year two, optional modules
-
Project Management
Project management is a key skill for any future professional to acquire, at some stage in your career you will be involved in delivering or working on a project. This module focuses on providing a sound basis for managing or working on projects. In essence, the concept of managing a project hinging on one quite basic principle, managing the triangle of: quality of the project outcomes, cost and time. In practice, this is a complex juggling act. The module covers: the major process groups of the Project Management Body of Knowledge; the importance of stakeholder and risk management; scheduling and costing; monitoring and controlling techniques, including cost control, time management and resource optimisation; improving the success of projects; and the principles of agile project management. Assessment is by two pieces of coursework: a project schedule and discussion of stakeholders and risks, and a limited time case study problem. -
Responsible Business
On this module you will learn about the shift towards more environmentally, socially and economically responsible business practice and in particular focus on the drivers behind this shift. Furthermore, you will explore the concept of global responsibility and citizenship and growing business arguments for including a consideration of sustainability in all business practice. The module examines our increasing recognition that as individuals and businesses we have responsibilities as 'global citizens' in ensuring a more sustainable future. Assessment is an online referenced blog. -
Business Law
This fascinating module will give you an insight and appreciation of the various ways in which the law impacts on the domestic and international business environment. The module will provide a foundation across a broad range of legal issues which you’ll then have the opportunity to develop further by taking specialised law modules in your subsequent studies. The module focuses on the nature and sources of business law, on contract law with regard to both goods and services and on the law of tort, in particular, negligence and vicarious liability. There’ll also be a brief focus on the type of corporate structures and employment relationships that exist in the UK. -
E-Business Management
Organisations continually rely on the information they gather to make decisions at local, national and global levels, ranging from the short to long term. So developing appropriate strategies to harness real business intelligence and value from information remains high on the strategic agenda. This module explores the different e-business options and models available for organisations to exploit, taking a whole organisation perspective and, whenever appropriate, taking global engagements into account. E-business is essential for managing interfaces with the customer, it can be used to develop customer relationships and build loyalty. On the supply side e-business can greatly assist in the management of the supply network of the organisation. The module will also consider design and implementation issues to ensure that information and e-business strategies are designed to suit the competitive environment. The overall success of an information and e-business strategy relies on careful project planning and management. There’s exploration of the typical phases of information and e-business projects and the issues involved in developing project planning skills. The ability to project plan and manage an information or e-business system implementation is another key transferable skill gained on this module. Project planning and management must consider both the internal and external environment and hence, risk assessment techniques are explored and applied to a given scenario. -
Reward Management
The Reward Management module provides the learner with a wide understanding of how the business context drives reward strategies and policies, including labour market, industrial and sector trends, regional differences and trends in pay and international comparisons; the financial drivers of the organisation, the balance sheet and the impact of reward costs. These are vital tools for the business leaders of tomorrow. -
Sustainable Transformation and Environmental Practice
Climate change and sustainability offer both challenges and opportunities for economies and business across the world. This module is a “step” into addressing the requirements of private and public sector organisations looking for graduates with knowledge, skills and attributes related to environmental and sustainability issues. It develops a hands-on approach to sustainability by focusing on the development of an environmental management system (EMS) for the students’ households. It is expected that this module can contribute to the students’ wellbeing, while reducing their carbon footprint and creating sustainable transformations and pro-environmental behaviour. This module aims at developing creativity, responsibility and future-thinking amongst the participants: its ultimate goal is to enhance the students’ participation in a highly competitive job market and the opportunities for green and responsible entrepreneurship. The main pillars of this module are: a. Action Learning & Reflective Practice: This module encourages students to start working on their assessment from day 1, offering a wide variety of tools to record their progress in the implementation and monitoring of their environmental management system. b. Creativity and Use of Technology: This module relies on the students’ creative skills in the use of social media and use of digital learning platforms such as the VLE. c. Employability: At the end of this module students will be able to identify and provide evidence of a wide range of skills and attributes for future jobs and enterprises. Overall aims at encouraging the ability for self-reflection and a commitment to life-long learning becoming and acting as responsible citizens.
Placement year (Optional)
-
Work Placement - Economics and International Business
This is a pass/fail optional module. In a competitive job market, understanding how the professional work place functions, along with well-developed employability skills, are key to a graduate securing employment. The work placement gives you the opportunity to put into practice what would have been learned in the first two years and to enter their final year with the insights of their practical experience in the field. During this module you will undertake a work-based learning internship with a company or organisation where they will be supported in developing effective professional practices through guidance in generic and specific employability skills and through developing independent reflective learning practices to enhance your continuing professional development in the context of your own working environment. The module aims to provide you with experience of work in a business environment including familiarisation with a professional work environment. The module will be underpinned by employability skills training, reflective assessment and support from academic tutors. You will expected to be able to reflect on your experience in writing and orally, and demonstrate how you have applied theory, and learnings to date within a work-based environment. The assessment aims to support and develop your ability to demonstrate your professionalism, leadership and managerial skills to a prospective employer whilst also learning key communication and personal skills. - You must secure a placement, or placements (maximum 3) amounting to 9 months duration with minimum term of 3 months per placement. - Placement can start at any point from 1 June and must have started by 1 October.
Year three, core modules
-
Advanced Strategic Management
This module introduces you to how an organisational strategy takes shape and what strategists actually do. The module is organised around five themes. Firstly, it focuses on the evaluation of strategic options in terms of suitability, acceptability and feasibility. Secondly, 'intended strategy development' versus 'emergent strategy development' is examined as two broadly different approaches of strategy development. The third theme covers the role of organisational structures and systems in strategy development. The fourth theme is the leadership of strategic change. Lastly, the module discusses the practice of strategy. You'll learn about practical examples associated with Strategic Management together with key problem-solving skills. -
Undergraduate Major Project
Undertaking a Major Project allows you to engage in a substantial piece of individual research, and/or product development work, on a selected topic within the broad business and management field, relating to your particular interests and background, although closely linked to our wide range of staff interests and research. You will have many group sessions to support your project, plus the supervision by an academic member of staff. The project also encourages students to share ideas and approaches. The chosen topic will be in your course subject area and require you to identify/formulate problems and issues based on a range of topics provided by conducting a literature review and evaluating information. You will investigate and adopt a suitable desk based methodology and determine solutions, perhaps developing hardware, software and/or media artefacts as appropriate. You will critically appraise and present your findings, reflecting upon the limitations of your research and the research process. -
International Intercultural Management
In an increasingly global business environment, those involved in international business and management must develop the insights and skills to interact with customers and stakeholders in a culturally sensitive way. The module introduces and examines the work of important researchers in the field such as Hofstede, Hall, Watson, Tayeb, Holden, Hampden-Turner and Trompenaars. It explores the application of these theories to decision making at an organisation level. Presenting cultural diversity as a central element in the phenomena of business change and organisational development through the use of case studies and interactive scenarios. It draws on the diversity of the student group as a resource and attempts to generate dynamic learning experiences. -
International Supply Chain Management
This module begins with a focus on how supply chain management has become a major focus of emphasis in organisational strategies. The effect of globalisation and the digital economy for enabling more integrated supply chain management is explored. After the strategic focus, this module then focuses on the practical side of supply chain management: managing the series of processes that get a product to the market. The renowned SCOR (Supply Chain Operations Reference) model is used as the basis of applying the design and management principles to the Plan; Source: Make: Deliver and Return processes. This module also looks at the history of supply chain strategy development through the Just in Time or Lean Management and through Agile Management.
Year three, optional modules
-
EU Economy: Policy and Issues
Economic and political aspects of the European Union are explored on this module. You will be introduced to important areas of EU policy affecting, for example, the extent and pace of EU enlargement, the competitiveness of the EU, and migration. This module also explores the reasons for economic integration, and the costs and benefits of the single currency. The EU is constantly evolving and this module will reflect this in its use of contemporary events and current controversies. -
Digital Marketing
In any management role within an organisation you’ll require an appreciation of the power and influence of Digital Marketing. This module aims to increase your employability by providing individuals with many of the necessary skills, as well as a critical understanding, of Digital Marketing. Covering both profit and not for profit organisations as well as examining evidence of the change in Consumer Behaviour and increase in online activities such as social activism. You’ll also be required to investigate the influence of Tribes, Communities and Virtual Crowds in online behaviour and the effective use of Word of mouth and Viral Marketing as part of campaign tactics. Important consideration of legal and regulatory issues affecting Digital Marketing, together with emerging codes of practice and ethical issues are addressed. -
Employment Law
Recent decades have seen a substantial increase in the extent to which the employment relationship in the UK, Eire and the EU is regulated through employment legislation. As a result, human resources professionals are now obliged to take account of legal requirements in different jurisdictions when carrying out many central aspects of their role. They’re also obliged to take responsibility for the defence and settlement of claims lodged with employment tribunals by aggrieved employees or former employees. This module introduces the major areas of employment legislation and the employment law system, focusing in particular on ways in which day-to-day HR activities are subjected to some form of regulation. This is intended to provide an overview, rather than to focus in detail on the operation of specific employment laws, for those who need to understand and be able to evaluate emerging developments in the management of the employment relationship in local and international jurisdictions. -
Leadership in Contemporary Organisations
How can you be an effective leader during the current turbulent times? Organisations are facing constant organisational, environmental and economic change. In addition, smart technology and increasingly flat hierarchies in organisations emphasise the importance of effective team management and networking across different cultures. This module explores the role of leadership to facilitate effective management of uncertainty, ambiguity, complexity and to create a vision and strategy for future success and sustainable performance of organisations. This module enables you to make links between the theoretical and practical aspects of leadership by solving case studies and also by reflecting on own leadership challenges - from previous jobs, work placements or volunteering. -
International and Comparative HRM
Does Human Resource Management operate in a global environment? Although people are at the heart of all organisations, there are significant differences in how citizens around the world participate in the workplace. This module sets out to investigate how, and if, HRM operates in the international arena. This is done by considering differences in national HRM policies and practices and by examining how businesses overcome the numerous 'people problems' associated with operating in more than one country.
Optional modules available in years two and three
-
French
Foundation French is perfect for complete beginners to the language, the course focuses on all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) in an integrated approach. It’ll introduce key structures and vocabulary relevant topics whilst providing you with an insight into the French society and culture. Intermediate: If you’ve already studied French but would like to take it further, this module will develop your focus on all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) further in an integrated approach. It’ll expand upon the key structures and vocabulary relevant topics whilst providing you with an insight into the French society and culture. -
Spanish
Perfect for complete beginners to the language, the course will focus on all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) in an integrated approach. It will introduce key structures and vocabulary relevant topics whilst providing you with an insight into the Hispanic society and culture.
Assessment
You can expect an interesting mix of coursework, essays, exams and activity-based assignments. Your coursework could include problem-solving activities, consultancy projects, presentations and group or individual reports. You'll also be able to access support materials supported by materials accessed through our virtual learning environment (VLE).
All assessment is designed to allow you to demonstrate what you’ve learned, and to make sure you’re developing the knowledge and skills you need to successfully complete the course.
This is a 3 year programme (or 4 years with placement)
Alongside your core modules you will pick a number of optional modules. Please note that modules are subject to change and availability.
Where you'll study
Your faculty
The Lord Ashcroft International Business School is one of the largest business schools in the East of England, with nearly 100 full-time teaching staff and approximately 6,000 students from more than 100 countries.
Our striking and award-winning business school building in Chelmsford, as well as new buildings in Cambridge, offer the most advanced learning technologies. We’re well-recognised for our centres of excellence by students, employers and professional bodies alike.
What makes us stand out is that our courses don't just give you sound academic knowledge – they’re at the cutting edge of current business practice and highly relevant to employers. This is owing to the close links we have with the business community and the partnerships we've developed with a wide variety of businesses and public service organisations.
We're interested in people who are confident, ambitious and ready to take the challenge of making a difference in the world of business. If that's you, we'd love to hear from you.
Where can I study?
Cambridge
Our campus is close to the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
Additional study
Through our curriculum, you’ll learn to be critical and thoughtful; someone who can challenge current and emerging business practice and apply your knowledge to businesses all over the world. We aim to prepare you for a world of work that is diverse, ever-changing and increasingly international. While developing business-specific knowledge and skills is important, so too is the ability to think critically, to adapt to change, to react well to new and emerging conditions – and to always be learning, reflecting and developing.
Fees & funding
Course fees
UK & EU students, 2018/19 (per year)
£9,250
International students, 2018/19 (per year)
£12,500
Placement year (UK, EU, international students)
£1,250
Fee information
For more information about tuition fees, including the UK Government's commitment to EU students, please see our UK/EU funding pages
Costs for semester abroad
This course includes a optional study abroad semester. Flights and accommodation may cost up to £1,000.
How do I pay my fees?
Tuition fee loan
Most English undergraduates take out a tuition fee loan with Student Finance England. The fees are then paid directly to us. The amount you repay each month is linked to your salary and repayments start in April after you graduate.
How to apply for a tuition fee loan
Paying upfront
If you choose not to take out a loan you can pay your fees directly to us. There are two ways to do this: either pay in full, or through a three- or six-month instalment plan starting at registration.
International students
You must pay your fees up-front, in full or in instalments. You will also be asked for a deposit or sponsorship letter for undergraduate courses. Details will be in your offer letter.
Paying your feesFunding for UK & EU students
Most new undergraduate students can apply for government funding to support their studies and university life. This includes Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans. There are additional grants available for specific groups of students, such as those with disabilities or dependants.
We also offer a fantastic range of ARU scholarships, which provide extra financial support while you’re at university. Find out more about eligibility and how to apply.
From September 2018, EU students starting an undergraduate degree with us can access an £800 bursary.
Meanwhile, our £400 Books Plus scheme helps with the costs of study. There's no need to apply for this: if you're eligible you can simply collect a Books Plus card when you start your course.
Funding for international students
We offer a number of scholarships, as well as an early payment discount. Explore your options:
Entry requirements
Important additional notes
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements. Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course, please email answers@anglia.ac.uk for further information.
We don't accept AS level qualifications on their own for entry to our undergraduate degree courses. However for some degree courses a small number of tariff points from AS levels are accepted as long as they're combined with tariff points from A levels or other equivalent level 3 qualifications in other subjects.
International students
We welcome applications from international and EU students, and accept a range of international qualifications.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you'll need to make sure you meet our English language requirements for undergraduate courses.
Improving your English language skills
If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry onto a degree course.
We also provide our own English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) in the UK and overseas. To find out if we are planning to hold an ELPT in your country, contact our country managers.
Similar courses that may interest you
Business Management
Full-time, sandwich-thick undergraduate (3 years, 4 years with placement)
January 2019, September 2018
Business Management and Finance
Full-time, sandwich-thick undergraduate (3 years, 4 years with placement)
January 2019, September 2018
