International Business BSc (Hons)
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold award
Our commitment to high quality teaching has been recognised with a TEF Gold rating. The University has received an overall rating of Gold, as well as securing a Gold award in the framework's two new student experience and student outcomes categories.
Why choose this course?
Working across multiple countries is an everyday reality for most businesses. In an increasingly global environment, studying business from an international perspective is a must for business graduates. To be successful in business, you need to be capable of operating effectively in our globalised world and understand the complexities that underpin the factors of internationalisation: connectedness, boundaries, regulations and cultures.
Do you aspire to be a leader and decision-maker in an international business? This course will give you an understanding of business management practices all over the world and prepare you to work in global organisations.
It includes hands-on, practical experience through working on real business problems, consultancy projects with real clients and opportunities for internships. You'll also have lots of support to set up your own business. A personal development programme will help you discover your career ambitions and strengths and prepare you for your next step.
The experiences you'll gain will help you establish a business network and stand out from the crowd when starting your career. You'll learn from academic tutors, from experts from industry and from each other.
Most of our courses offer the option of a professional placement year. You can apply directly for this option using the UCAS code on this page that includes professional placement. Alternatively, you can change to this option once you begin the course.
| Attendance | UCAS code | Year of entry |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years full time | N120 | 2025 |
| 4 years full time including foundation year | N121 | 2025 |
| 4 years full time including placement year | N122 | 2025 |
Please note: Teaching on this course may take place on more than one KU campus.
| Main Location | Kingston Hill |
Reasons to choose Kingston University
- In just three years, you'll graduate with both a degree and the business experience that employers are looking for.
- If you choose the four-year pathway you will gain an additional year of practical hands-on business experience working and/or studying in an overseas setting, which will greatly enhance your career prospects.
- 95% of International Business student respondents agreed that staff supported their learning, made the subject engaging, and were good at explaining things (NSS 2024).
- This course has been recognised for quality by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD).
- You'll be exposed to all aspects of global business and supported to pursue your individual career ambitions. You'll also build a business network of peers and future colleagues from the UK and around the globe.
At Kingston Business School we lead
About the Department of Strategy, Marketing and Innovation
The Department of Strategy, Marketing and Innovation comprises passionate and enterprising academics from a diverse range of backgrounds. Our undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications bring together research, practitioner insights and teaching expertise in the disciplines of marketing, international business, entrepreneurship, strategy and innovation.
Our courses are truly experiential, providing you with opportunities to undertake company visits, attend networking events and hear best practice from industry guest speakers.
What you will study
Take a look at some of the content and modules that you may have the opportunity to study on this course:
Year 1
Year 2
Optional year
Final year
Year 1 introduces the foundations of international business. You'll cover the environmental influences faced by organisations, and the key concepts of experience and service management.
You'll also learn about disruptive technologies and how they can be used to deliver digital enhanced solutions for all areas of business, as well as developing innovative ideas through business design thinking.
Core modules
Global Business Environments
30 credits
This module introduces you to the external context in which organisations operate and in which you will eventually work. As potential managers of the future, defined as someone involved in assisting and directing members of an organisation to achieve their organisational objectives, you'll need to be equipped to understand the component parts of the external context within which organisations function.
The variety and complexity of the external environment and interactions with industries and organisations has a significant impact upon the way organisations and teams are structured. You will gain the skills and knowledge required to be able to research, critically appraise, compare businesses across territories, sectors and size.
Data and Technology in Business
30 credits
Information Technology (IT) is the ultimate change agent impacting industry structures, strategic positioning, customer interactions and every part of a business function.
This module focuses on how data analytics and digital technologies are utilised by businesses to enable better decisions and alter consumer interactions. Understanding the business value of data and digital technology not only requires knowledge and an appreciation of various analytical techniques, but also on the effective use of IT for the gathering, summarising and communication of this information.
You will use a problem-centric approach to apply analytical techniques with the aid of information technology, while developing your employability skills.
People and Organisations
30 credits
In today's dynamic business environment, understanding the interplay between people and organisations is crucial for effective management and sustainable success.
This module delves into the fundamental concepts and theories of organisational behaviour and key principles of human resource management. It emphasises the importance of comprehending effective relationships and interactions between individuals, groups, and the organisations they work within, in an era increasingly dominated by AI and technological advancements.
Through live briefs and work-based learning, you will learn how relationships are built and function, and how by understanding the behaviour and needs of people and adopting of a service mindset they can achieve organisational excellence.
Business Design Thinking
30 credits
Business design thinking is a set of methods and techniques applied to problems or opportunities to come up with ideas. You will gain an understanding of the challenges of managing creativity and innovation within organisations, and experience first-hand some of the typical problems faced in organisations today and work on ways in which to solve these creatively.
You will work with the input of real cases, external speakers and organisations and will be encouraged to present your ideas and findings.
In Year 2 you'll develop your problem-solving and decision-making skills in the context of international business functions. You'll also look at value creation across all areas of business, developing effective marketing programmes and sustainable and responsible management.
You can choose from a range of optional modules, covering sales and negotiation, technology in focus, and hands-on work experience.
Core modules
Unlocking Business Value
30 credits
This module looks at value creation across all functions of the corporation for different industries and types of businesses. It starts with the evaluation of the KPI's of different types of businesses and their respective industries and how to do peer and industry analysis. It then moves to evaluating investment decisions, including capital budgeting, calculating project returns and how to choose the best projects that maximise returns for investment objectives and given risk constraints.
You will learn how to unlock value in a choice of capital structure and financing decisions in terms of instruments, markets where you issue and how you determine your optimal capital structure subject to a target cost of funding and other structural constraints. It finishes with a review of how to put all this together to be able to value a business. Throughout the module you will also be introduced to how negotiation has an impact on each area.
Developing Effective Marketing Programmes
30 credits
In all business environments today, there is a need to understand the ways in which effective marketing programmes and customer engagement can create the business impact outlined in business strategy. Communications skills are consistently high on the external skills requirements list. This module seeks to combine these elements to provide you with the important knowledge and skills that you will need to organise, manage, and create effective marketing and communications programmes.
Sustainable and Responsible Management
30 credits
The module covers the concepts and knowledge of sustainable business and supply chain management by looking at the ethical issues that emerge in the interactions between a business and its stakeholders and implementation of socially responsible and sustainable programmes and initiatives. You will study Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), innovation, the triple bottom line – economic, environmental and social sustainability in the supply chains, uncertainty and risk management, stakeholder value and reputation.
In addition, the module will provide you with the project tools and techniques that focus on how to create a business case for sustainable projects, as well as utilising traditional and contemporary project and product delivery frameworks to support the delivery of sustainable benefits both to businesses, and a wider community of stakeholders. You will consider how investment decisions can incorporate ethics and risk.
Operating in a Global Organisation
15 credits
This module is designed to develop your ability to analyse different business opportunities and risks when a firm's operation goes beyond the domestic market. You will also comprehend the practical knowledge and expertise required in a variety of operational circumstances that an international company can be faced with.
You will develop an integrative framework of facilitating global operations which deal with organisational structure, supply chain strategies, procurement and production strategies, international transport, and global supply chain risk management.
Optional modules (choose one)
Sales and Negotiation
15 credits
The module is designed to develop the sales and negotiation skills essential for effective leadership and business management. You will gain knowledge in the psychology of selling and buying; along with interpersonal skills and commercial awareness needed for success in business.
You will gain insight into how the contemporary role of selling and buying is evolved since digital; where prospective customers are empowered with extraordinary, quick access to information about products and services.
Working with real briefs, you will learn key sales management skills such as how to create B2C and B2B sales strategies; how to write effective sales plans; and how to pitch them.
Technology in Focus
15 credits
This module introduces the changing landscape of information architecture use in enterprises. You will study typical business information architectures, along with the changes that commoditisation, disruption, and new and emerging IT technologies have on business processes, services, and end-user behaviour. Delivered through practical work engaging with technologies, the module will demonstrate the important link between evolving business strategy and IT.
Work Experience
15 credits
Through this module you will gain interpersonal and business problem-solving skills that are key to successful graduate level employment. You will develop and reflect on your skills and knowledge, and learn about the business environment and the world of work, linked to your main interests.
You can gain the skills and knowledge either through your current employment, or through a short work placement in commercial, industrial, public sector or third sector organisations.
Consultancy in Practice
15 credits
In this module you will gain interpersonal and business problem-solving skills that characterise the successful modern-day leader, manager, and management consultant. You will participate in a real consultancy project to a business or organisation operating in the current marketplace.
Academic theories, experiential learning design and models from Leadership, Management, Project Management, Psychology, Sales and Marketing are introduced and applied within class settings to relate theory to practice. You will be supported to acquire the interpersonal, team working, enquiry and problem-solving skills sought after by employers.
You have the option to take an additional year to study abroad at one of our partner universities, or to undertake a year-long international work placement (or even a mix of both).
Your final year develops your critical understanding and your ability to contribute to strategic thinking in a global business. You'll look at leadership in changing environments and be supported to grow your own leadership skills.
You'll also be able to expand your knowledge and skills within marketing, L&D, digital design and customer relationship management.
Core modules
Building Business Strategy
30 credits
This module covers the concepts, theories and techniques on which strategic management is based and explores their application in a wide range of international business and other settings.
It aims to expand students' perspective on wider issues and scenarios, identifying opportunities and growth over medium and long terms. You will develop your ability to communicate and present your commercial awareness across the board.
Leadership, Transformation and Complexity
30 credits
This module addresses complexity and sense making techniques to identify changes in the environment. It includes theoretical and practical perspectives of effective and responsible leadership in contemporary complex and changing organisational contexts. You will critically evaluate concepts of leadership alongside current practices of leading change in contemporary organisations faced with complex and uncertain environments.
You will critically reflect on your own leadership capacity and skills in initiating and leading change in different contexts, and consider your own progress and career journey in the context of these environments and leadership styles.
Global Business Futures
30 credits
Building on your previous knowledge of international business theories and concepts, this module develops your skills in applying theories to the real international business world, through experiential learning working in international teams with real organisations.
You will be able to engage in the latest debates and issues facing international business organisations and offer recommendations to solve real-life international business problems, based on proper research data and analysis.
Optional modules (choose two)
Professional Experience
15 credits
You will reflect upon the skills acquired in attaining your internship, alongside the conceptual and theoretical knowledge developed through your study of the core curriculum.
You will prepare a brief for future students on how to make the most out of their internship, through the form of either a blog post, video, vlog (video blog), podcast or poster presentation
Digital Creativity in Marketing
15 credits
This module will enable you to understand specific techniques and best practices in digital marketing communications and engagement. You will gain hands-on experience of the latest developments in digital marketing communications and business tools and technology, such as search engine marketing, mobile marketing, social media, big data and analytics.
You will combine previously learned theoretical perspectives and practical applications and apply these to contemporary or live digital marketing challenges, providing creative responses.
The Learning Organisation
15 credits
This module addresses the need for Learning and Development (L&D) to be delivered in a strategic manner to enhance both individual performance and organisational success. You will develop an understanding of the status of L&D strategies in organisations, how to design and deliver responses to contemporary challenges and problems in L&D, as well as L&D technology.
Drawing upon knowledge acquired from a range of other modules, you will learn how to design successful knowledge management programmes.
Data and Digital Driven Design
15 credits
This module introduces the principles of using digital driven design to support compelling data narratives. This will equip you with the knowledge, skills and technologies required to manage and design a typical information architecture solution using an agile management approach on top of data foundations.
You will gain experience in Agile; in designing and implementing a prototype mobile and web application; in learning about modelling data and the importance of navigation and search, and in understanding data provenance, life cycles, and presentation.
CRM and Customer Success
15 credits
You will establish an understanding of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) as a comprehensive customer-centric approach to an organisation's strategy of acquiring, enhancing, and retaining its customers, and in some cases, a wider group of stakeholders (e.g. students, charity donors).
This module shows how CRM is based on a particular approach to business/marketing strategy/policy, business processes, customer service, employee training, marketing, sales, system applications and information management. An effective CRM strategy and system can reinforce sustainability and profitability of a business, so this module focuses on the business strategy associated with CRM and reflects upon specific strategic situations in which CRM might be deployed effectively.
This module also provides the opportunity to gain hands-on experience using an available commercial CRM software package to support business intelligence generated from CRM initiatives in support of marketing strategies, customer segmentation, customer retention measures and product offerings. You will also familiarise yourself with the notion of customer success and the roles in much demand in the contemporary marketplace.
Please note
Optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.
Foundation year: Business
If you would like to study this business degree at Kingston University but are not yet ready to join the first year of a BSc(Hons) course, you may want to consider studying this course with a foundation year.
The foundation year in business is part of a four-year degree and is taught at Kingston College, close to Kingston University's Penrhyn Road campus. You'll be introduced to professional skills, numerical concepts, business IT, marketing, customer care and business law.
Future Skills
Knowledge to give you the edge
Embedded within every course curriculum and throughout the whole Kingston experience, Future Skills will play a role in shaping you to become a future-proof graduate, providing you with the skills most valued by employers such as problem-solving, digital competency, and adaptability.
As you progress through your degree, you'll learn to navigate, explore and apply these graduate skills, learning to demonstrate and articulate to employers how future skills give you the edge.
At Kingston University, we're not just keeping up with change, we're creating it.
Kingston Business School Accreditations
Kingston Business School holds the prestigious international accreditation by the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) in recognition of the excellence of its business education. This accreditation has been earned by just 5% of the world's business schools and recognises the high quality and standard of our business degree offerings.
Accreditations
EFMD Programme Accreditation System
This programme is accredited by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD).
Specialist careers support
You will take part in an Assessment Centre Experience, providing the opportunity to experience the pathway to employment with tailored feedback to help develop your employability skills for the world of graduate employment.
- Develop your understanding of the jobs market, including current trends and opportunities, different recruitment processes and how to identify relevant roles
- Receive personalised feedback reports to help you to improve and progress
- Access additional webinars on top tips, employer expectations and best practice
Kingston Business School: be who you want to be
Entry requirements
Teaching and assessment
Scheduled learning and teaching on this course includes timetabled activities including lectures, seminars and small group tutorials.
Who teaches this course?
You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on this course. The team includes senior academics and professional practitioners with industry experience. Student academic mentors also provide support during certain tutorials / seminars, under the supervision of the module leader.
The following group of staff members are currently involved in the delivery of different elements of this course. This pool is subject to change at any time within the academic year.
Course fees and funding
Additional costs
Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, access to shared IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees.
Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.
Work placements
Our course offers a work placement to help you develop your skills and gain invaluable experience, this option will also help you to:
- Improve your career choices: Business experience and placements help you to make better-informed career choices and help you stand out from the competition when you look for a job
- Help with your studies: Statistics indicate that on average students who do placements get better results in their final year
- Develop your professional skills: Preparing you for your career
- Increase your employability: Each year many of our students receive graduate job offers from their placement employer.
After you graduate
This degree can lead to a wide range of careers, particularly in an international environment. Graduates work as account executives, marketing coordinators, operations managers, technology officers or entrepreneurs developing an international business.
Types of jobs:
- Account executive
- Government officer
- Marketing co-ordinator
- Operations manager
- Technology officer
Employers:
- Blue Pen
- Experian Cheetah Mail
- JP Morgan
- Logic
- S3 Group
- Swedish Embassy
Key information set
The scrolling banner(s) below display some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).
What our students say
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Course changes explained.
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
