BA (Hons) International Business Management with a Year Abroad
Course options
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Arts
- UCAS Course Code
- N12A
- Typical Offer
- ABB
- Contextual Offer
- BBC
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Why you should choose us
Course Overview
Global business is making the world smaller by the day. International trade, technology, and innovation are reducing the difficulties and delays involved with international interactions. UEA’s International Business Management with a Year Abroad degree will give you a clear understanding of the complexities of managing business on an international scale.
In this BA degree program, you’ll learn how to compare and contrast business environments across the globe, from highly developed to newly emerging markets. You’ll develop a good understanding of the challenges and opportunities that vary from region to region and country to country, and will become confident in critiquing global business strategies.
On this course, you’ll gain a vital understanding of the inherent complexities involved with managing business in an international context. This course will primarily enable you to compare and contrast business environments across the globe, encompassing both developed and emerging markets. You’ll develop a good understanding of the challenges and opportunities that exist in different regions of the world and will become adept at critiquing the global strategies of firms. This course will also help you develop a range of analytical, critical and other employability skills that employers value and seek.
Norwich Business School is a friendly and supportive environment with a vibrant and international student body. Norwich is a safe and welcoming city with a thriving business innovation and enterprise community. We pride ourselves on delivering instruction that is informed by our world-leading research and real-world business experience. This means you’ll gain knowledge of the latest issues and debates facing industry and employers.
If you aspire to a job in a multinational or international environment, this degree will give you a great head start. After graduating, you’ll have all the skills you need to enter a challenging and rewarding career in international business.
Placement Year and Study Abroad
You’ll spend your third year studying at one of our partner universities in Europe, Australasia, North America or Asia. You’ll gain international context for your studies, expand your professional network, and show future employers that you have the skills and experience to succeed on an international stage. You’ll return to UEA in the fourth year to finish your degree.
For further details, visit the Study Abroad section of our website.
Study and Modules
Structure
Our BA programs in the Norwich Business School share a common first year, giving you a broad view of the world of business. This also means you’ll be able to decide whether International Business Management is right for you or whether you’d prefer to switch to another of our BA courses. As you progress through your degree, you’ll have the freedom to direct your studies to the areas that you find most interesting and that are most relevant for your career goals.
In your first year, you'll explore the essentials of modern business across six core subjects. This will give you an excellent grounding in the key elements of business, including marketing, finance and accounting, organisational management, and data management. By the end of your first year, you’ll have both a firm foundation in your chosen subject and a wide understanding of business as a whole. Throughout your future career, you're likely to work closely with people in various areas of business, so this understanding is extremely valuable.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Throughout your degree, you'll dive into business management theory and practice via lectures, seminars, and workshops. Our teaching, backed by the latest research and real-world business cases, ensures you're up to speed with industry trends. Expect not only to grasp current theories but also to develop critical skills for adapting to new ones as your career progresses.
Independent study is a key aspect. You'll delve into self-directed study, possibly including IT lab work and projects tackling real business challenges. Collaborations with organizations like the East Anglian Zoological Society and Aviva offer practical experience. Plus, you can enrich your studies by joining student-led business societies.
You'll also hone teamwork and communication skills by working with students from various Norwich Business School degrees. This exposure not only enhances your skills but also broadens your understanding of different business areas.
Guest speakers, including industry leaders and UEA alumni, provide unique insights into the business world. From high-level executives to recent graduates, their experiences offer valuable lessons. These events are excellent opportunities for networking and learning about career paths.
Employability is a top priority. We integrate it into our degrees through various means, from industry guest speakers to collaborations with real businesses. During Employability Week, you'll have the chance to connect with potential employers and gain advice from successful UEA alumni.
In your first year, you’ll study a set of six core modules alongside other first-year students in Norwich Business School BA programs. You’ll be introduced to accounting and finance as well as the principles of marketing. You’ll learn how to understand the business environment and how to manage data in a digital world. You’ll study the structures of management and organisations. You’ll also be hands-on from the very beginning with an applied business project.
Assessment
You’ll generally be assessed by a combination of exams and coursework with different weights which are dependent on the requirements of the concerned module. Coursework could be at the individual or group level. These include presentations, posters, reports and essays.
In the first year, we aim to build on your pre-university qualifications and experiences while focusing on enhancing your employability skills. Assessment methods in this year consist of a mix of individual and group-based tasks. These may include reports, course tests, exams, presentations, and both formative (for development) and summative (contributing to grades) activities. These tasks typically involve solving business challenges and analyzing real-world case studies.
Structure
After exploring the essentials of business in your first year, you’ll move on to build knowledge and skills in your core subject area of international business.
You’ll study two core modules in your second year. Alongside this, you’ll choose four optional modules: two modules from a selected list developed specifically for this course, and two modules from a wider list offered across Norwich Business School. The wider list gives you the opportunity to study a language if you'd like. This means you can start to tailor your expertise to your interests and goals for your career after graduation.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 40)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 40)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
In your second year, you’ll study strategic awareness and analysis as well as digging deeper into specifically international business. For the rest of your second year, you’ll have the freedom to choose from a number of business and non-business modules.
Assessment
Moving into the second year, you'll have the chance to delve deeper into subjects of interest for your future career. Assessments will vary depending on the modules you choose, but they generally aim to provide authentic learning experiences. Expect a mix of group presentations, course tests, exams, and writing business reports focusing on current issues and challenges.
Structure
In your third year, you’ll study abroad at one of our many international partner institutions. You’ll learn about international business from a different country’s perspective, and build your contacts across the globe.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
During your year abroad, you’ll choose from the modules offered by your host university. You’ll have new expert instructors, and will get a taste for different methods of teaching and different class structures.
Assessment
Assessments in your third year will be dependent upon your host university.
Structure
In your final year, you’ll study more advanced modules, including two core modules. The rest of your four modules will be optional and can be chosen from a selected list of modules developed for this course and from the wider list of modules offered across Norwich Business School.
You’ll have the option to do a final year project (instead of two optional modules), or to study a language as one of the optional modules.
The annual Norwich Business School Modules Fair will help you choose the right options.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 20, Max Credits: 40)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 40)Optional C Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 40)Optional D Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
In your final year, you’ll study strategic management as well as specific cases in international business. For the rest of the year, you’ll again choose from a number of business and non-business modules, allowing you to curate your studies to your specific interests and goals.
Assessment
In the final year, assessments are designed to build on the skills and knowledge you've gained in the previous years. You'll have the option to undertake a research-based dissertation or a project-based option, applying your learning in practical ways. Alternatively, you can choose from a range of optional modules. Assessments for these modules typically include written reports and oral presentations, aiming to enhance your critical analysis, innovation, and creativity skills.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade C.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Contextual Offers
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
A levels
ABB
Contextual offer: BBC
General Studies A Level is not accepted.
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDM
Contextual offer: DMM
Combinations of BTEC and A levels
Extended Diploma: DDM
Diploma: DD plus B at A level.
Extended Certificate: D plus BB at A level.
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers.
Access to HE Diploma
Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 30 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 15 credits at Level 3
T levels
Obtain an overall Pass including a B in the core of the T Level and a Distinction in the Occupational Specialism.
Acceptable subjects: Digital Business Services, Digital Support Services, Science, Accounting, Finance, Legal Services and Management and Administration.
LIBF Diploma
LIBF Diploma is accepted as equivalent of 1 A Level.
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
32 points overall
Irish Leaving Certificate
3 subjects at H2, 3 subjects at H3
Scottish Highers
AAABB
Scottish Advanced Highers
BCC A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade C.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students.
A levels
ABB
General Studies A Level is not accepted.BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDM
Combinations of BTEC and A levels
Extended Diploma: DDM
Diploma: DD plus B at A level.
Extended Certificate: D plus BB at A level.
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers
International Baccalaureate
32 points overall
- INTO UEA
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.
-
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information:
Employability
After the Course
The International Business Management BA will equip you to pursue career options in a wide range of industries with organisations such as large multinational corporations, government departments, or small and medium-sized firms (public or private). Alternatively, you could start your own business, or progress to a research degree in the field.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Graduate trainee/manager
- Business development manager
- Business analyst/adviser
- Management consultant
- Export sales manager
- Regional/global manager
Discover more on our Careers webpages.