Course overview
Do you dream of a business career that takes you around the world?
Do you want to understand what it takes to engage with international markets?
Are you interested in how and why companies operate internationally?
As technology continues to close the gap between countries, international markets are within every company’s reach. Most businesses now have international operations, international consumers or compete internationally. Our International Business degree aims to prepare you for a career as a business leader, enabling you to develop the essential knowledge and skills to effectively navigate and operate in the international business and management environment.
About this course
On this course, you’ll get a grounding in the fundamental principles of business, marketing and accounting, exploring each of these from a global perspective.
This degree aims to support you to develop the skills needed to become a future business leader. You’ll gain an understanding of how and why companies operate internationally, how to manage and communicate with colleagues from different cultures, as well as how to develop, adapt and market products for international markets.
Many of your modules will give you the opportunity to focus on specific countries and regions, analysing business practice and culture across varied parts of the world. You’ll explore how and why companies choose to internationalise and will select companies to investigate in detail in industries that interest you. You’ll learn in and out of the classroom, with opportunities to meet expert speakers from different sectors of the economy.
You’ll put theory into practice with professional work placements – with the option to work in a business operating internationally from the UK or in an international setting. You’ll also have the opportunity to study abroad and complete work-based international business research projects.
You’ll also have the chance to expand your knowledge and experience by going on an international study trip, where flights and accommodation will be funded by the University. Previous students have flown to Amsterdam, Netherlands, visiting the Amsterdam Stock Exchange, the Port of Rotterdam, Heineken Brewery and the Gassan Diamond Factory.
In your final year, you can deliver a professional work-based project in conjunction with an employer of your choice.
You’ll graduate with the confidence, skills and commitment required to make a successful impact in an international business environment.
Why study with us?
- Learn from the experts. Our lecturers are experienced business and marketing practitioners, many of whom have also held senior positions in major multi-national companies.
- Build your professional experience. You’ll have the opportunity to undertake professional work placements in an international business context and network with guest speakers with international business expertise.
- Immerse yourself in international business. You’ll learn about business through an international lens, plus you’ll have the opportunity to study at one of our international partner universities.
Accreditation
Graduates from this course can claim exemptions from up to four CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) professional examinations. This allows you to begin at the Operational level of training as a CIMA Accountant. Further details can be found via the CIMA website (link opens in a new window/tab).
Course Modules
You will study a variety of modules across your programme of study. The module details given below are subject to change and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Year 1
During your first year, you'll study four core modules.
Principles of Accounting and Finance (Core)
You’ll be introduced to the financial markets and institutions, exploring fintech, digital finance, payment systems and alternative finance.
Learn about the types of business organisations, the role of stakeholders, and how regulatory and non-regulatory factors affect businesses.
Measure financial position, financial performance analysis and report cash flows as well as analyse and interpret financial statements using key financial ratios.
You’ll focus on developing your accounting and financial skills, application of theory, including problem solving, consequence chain analysis, measurement of performance, assessment of viability and action planning.
Marketing Fundamentals (Core)
You will get a basic introduction to the marketing environment, marketing management, and the role of marketing in the world.
You will look at the impact of a customer-centred approach, marketing research, market analysis, segmentation, targeting and positioning theory and practice.
You will also study marketing mix elements such as product, price, promotion and place, how service and retail marketing works in theory and practice, and the impact of technological developments like e-commerce.
People and Organisations (Core)
You’ll study the nature and complexity of organisations and be introduced to the functional specialism of people management.
You’ll be encouraged to compare different approaches to management theory, such as Taylor/Fordism and Human Relations, as groundwork for future studies.
Class-based exercises will take you through topics such as leadership, motivation, group formation, behaviour, change, and the international implications of people management.
Globalisation and Social Justice (Core)
You’ll develop a critical understanding of the two broad phenomena of globalisation and social justice. You will be inspired by Leeds Trinity University’s strategic themes, exploring subjects related to poverty, human rights infringements, inequalities and other social justice-related issues.
You’ll study theoretical debates on globalisation and social justice in the current business environment, responding to current events in both lectures and workshops.
Year 2
During your second year, you'll study four core modules.
Global Business Environment (Core)
You’ll explore the interplay between ethics, law and economics in the global marketplace, in which you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of organisations’ various challenges and opportunities when operating in a global context.
You’ll delve into the ethical considerations that organisations must take into account when making decisions, such as questions of social responsibility, corporate governance, and human rights.
You’ll study the economic landscape of the global market, including macroeconomic conditions, trade patterns, and the role of multinational corporations where you’ll develop a strong understanding of the economic forces that shape the global business environment and how to position yourself to succeed in the dynamic and challenging market.
International Business Strategies (Core)
You’ll be introduced to the exciting world of international business in which you will develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in a global marketplace.
You’ll learn about the opportunities and challenges of conducting business across borders and develop a comprehensive understanding of the various factors impacting international trade.
You’ll develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills and gain hands-on experience analysing real-world case studies.
Professional Development and Placement (Core)
You'll prepare career and study plans, find out how to search for job opportunities and experience a typical graduate trainee assessment centre recruitment process.
In workshops, you'll analyse your professional development and personality and learn the importance of teamwork and effective interpersonal relationships.
You'll develop graduate-level employability skills through reflective learning and self-directed study.
Business Research and Analytics (Core)
You’ll develop the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to carry out primary and secondary research and to analyse and present findings and conclusions.
You’ll acquire a comprehensive understanding of the principles underpinning the research process, and the tools required to carry out key research tasks.
You’ll study the fundamentals of scientific inquiry, ethical considerations in research, strengths and weaknesses of different data collection methods, and basic methods of quantitative and qualitative data collection.
Year 3
During your final year, you'll study two core modules and will be required to choose two option modules.
Professional Learning and Practice (Core)
You’ll be encouraged to link with external organisations and businesses to source a work-related project within your chosen area of interest enabling you to develop employability skills in the context of your chosen career path.
You’ll enhance essential skills in business and sector awareness, as well as effective interpersonal communication alongside practical elements involved in the negotiation and management of projects.
Global Supply Chain Management (Core)
You’ll develop and enhance students’ knowledge and understanding of supply chain management principles and concepts within a variety of organisations through the lens of real case studies.
You’ll understand the critical processes such as sourcing, procurement, inventory, logistics and warehousing, involved in managing supply chains at the national and international levels.
You’ll be specially provided with an opportunity to analyse the operations of local SMEs towards identifying and recommending paths to internationalisation.
International Marketing (Option)
Analysing theoretical developments in international marketing, you'll gain an advanced understanding of international consumers and their needs.
You'll study international environmental analysis and information sources, market entry strategies such as exporting and importing, and the operational aspects of international marketing practice.
You will analyse national and organisational culture as a factor in international marketing, international trade and development, and ethical issues in international marketing.
Contemporary Issues in Sustainability (Option)
You’ll learn the importance of sustainability in contemporary business operations and acquire the specific skills, tools and techniques of sustainability assessment and understand the significance of sustainability practices.
You’ll be introduced to sustainability in general, and the various sustainability issues and practices relevant to business operations, including the benefits and challenges of adopting sustainability practices, the role of stakeholders, the supply chain and corporate social responsibility.
Project Management (Option)
You'll explore project management, including tools required for professional planning, implementing projects, evaluating the associated benefits and costs, and managing risk and uncertainty.
You'll address the challenges of project organisation structures and resource scheduling.
You'll develop a project plan, encouraging you to discover the principles of stakeholder/client management and learn how to build effective project teams and leadership skills.
We aim to deliver a realistic baseline of skills expected in the workplace through a nurturing and supportive project-based environment.
Research Project (Option)
You'll cover key topics in social science research, including problem definition, conducting a literature review and methodology.
You'll practise writing a research report, focussing on format, presentation of findings and discussion including academic conventions within the subject specialism.
Money, Banking and Finance (Option)
You’ll learn about banks, markets and other financial institutions which support business and investor activity in the UK and in Europe.
Begin with the banking sector, and will be encouraged to understand, critically analyse and assess the operations and effectiveness of a range of financial facilities in the light of a rapidly changing regulatory environment in response to recent internal and external shock.
Develop working knowledge of a range of financial instruments and ownership structures, including private equity, hedge and prime broker services, where you’ll develop the ability to choose and select the most appropriate of these for a variety of business situations and contexts.
You’ll study the use of Fintech and Digital Solutions in Banking and Financial Markets as well as inclusive technological solutions to financial problems in digitally poor and excluded communities in the UK and abroad.
Creative Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Option)
You’ll develop entrepreneurial mindsets and introduce them to the main frameworks related to processes, strategies and sources of innovation as well as new trends in innovation.
You’ll learn about the role of creativity in problem-solving and the application of design thinking to different business tasks.
Professional work placements
Experience matters. That's why we embed professional work placements within the majority of our standard undergraduate degrees.
How does it work?
Careers and Placements will work with you to find a placement or help you to arrange your own, whether that's in Leeds, another part of the UK or even abroad. You will be able to take part in a series of workshops, events and live ‘employer challenges’ to boost your confidence and prepare you for your placement.
During your placement, you could have an opportunity to gain degree-relevant work experience, build your knowledge of career sectors and secure valuable employer references and industry contacts. This experience will help you to shape your career decisions and find the right path for you.
Students have completed placements at the Arcadia Group, Smart Aid and British African Business Links, as well as at start-ups.
To find out how we can help you make your career ambitions a reality, visit:
Learning and Teaching
At Leeds Trinity we aim to provide an excellent student experience and provide you with the tools and support to help you achieve your academic, personal and professional potential.
Our Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy delivers excellence by providing the framework for:
- high quality teaching
- an engaging and inclusive approach to learning, assessment and achievement
- a clear structure through which you progress in your academic studies, your personal development and towards professional-level employment or further study.
We have a strong reputation for developing student employability, supporting your development towards graduate employment, with relevant skills embedded throughout your programme of study.
We endeavour to develop curiosity, confidence, courage, ambition and aspiration in all students through the key themes in our Learning and Teaching Strategy:
- Student Involvement and Engagement
- Inclusion
- Integrated Programme and Assessment Experience
- Digital Literacy and Skills
- Employability and Enterprise
To help you achieve your potential we emphasise learning as a collaborative process, with a range of student-led and real-world activities. This approach ensures that you fully engage in shaping your own learning, developing your critical thinking and reflective skills so that you can identify your own strengths and weaknesses, and use the extensive learning support system we offer to shape your own development.
We believe the secret to great learning and teaching is simple: it is about creating an inclusive learning experience that allows all students to thrive through:
- Personalised support
- Expert lecturers
- Strong connections with employers
- An international outlook
- Understanding how to use tools and technology to support learning and development
Programme delivery
Your time on campus, learning through in-person teaching, is at the heart of your academic experience and the way we deliver our programmes. This is supported and further enhanced by additional engagement activities and opportunities provided online and through digital teaching materials. This blended approach seeks to ensure a positive learning and teaching student experience.
Your programme of study has been carefully designed around a three-phase model of delivery:
- Preparation: You will be given clear tasks to support you in preparing for live teaching. This could include watching a short-pre-recorded lecture, reading a paper or text chapter or preparing other material for use in class.
- Live: All your live teaching will be designed around active learning, providing you with valuable opportunities to build on preparation tasks, interact with staff and peers, and surface any misunderstandings.
- Post: Follow-up activities will include opportunities for you to check understanding, for staff to receive feedback from you and your peers to inform subsequent sessions, and for you to apply learning to new situations or context.
Preparation, Live and Post teaching and learning and the digital materials used will vary by course, but will be designed to help you structure your learning, take a full and active part in your course, and apply and test your developing knowledge and skills.
Assessment
A variety of assessment methods are used, matched to the learning outcomes for your programme, allowing you to apply and demonstrate the full range of knowledge and skills that you have developed.
For more details on specific assessment methods for this course contact hello@leedstrinity.ac.uk
Entry Requirements
Leeds Trinity University is committed to recruiting students with talent and potential and who we feel will benefit greatly from their academic and non-academic experiences here. We treat every application on its own merits; we value highly the experience you illustrate in your personal statement.
Information about the large range of qualifications we accept, including A-Levels, BTECs and T Levels, can be found on our entry requirements page. If you need additional advice or are taking qualifications that are not covered in the information supplied, please contact our Admissions Office.
Qualification | Grade |
---|---|
UCAS tariff | 112-144 |
GCSE requirements | GCSEs in English Language and Maths at grade C or 4 (or higher) will be required |
Fees and finance
Funding
UK Home Students:
Tuition fees cost £9,250 a year for this course in 2024/2025.
Part-time tuition fees will be prorated accordingly to the number of credits you're studying.
Depending on government policy, tuition fees may change in future years.
Tuition fees for 2025/26 entry will be set in summer 2024.
Living costs, e.g. accommodation, travel, food, will also need to be taken into consideration.
Leeds Trinity offers a range of bursaries and scholarships to help support students while you study.
International Students, including EU Students:
Visit our webpage for international students.
Part-time study is not available for international students on a Student Route Visa.
Additional costs
We advise students that there may be additional course costs in addition to annual tuition fees:
- Recommended and required reading lists will be provided at the start of your course. All the books and e-books are available from our Library to borrow but you may choose to purchase your own.
- On some courses there may be additional costs, such as field trips, equipment, accreditations, that may be part-funded by the University. More details will be provided at the start of the course.
- You'll need to include placement/s travel and associated costs too, however the University will contribute a standard amount towards your total expenditure.
- The University provides students with a £6 printing credit each academic year which can be topped up either on campus or online.
How to apply
For full-time undergraduate courses, you apply through UCAS. That's the University and Colleges Admissions Service.
Applications are not yet open for courses starting in September 2025. You can register and start your application for 2025, although you cannot submit it until 3 September 2024. The UCAS application deadline for courses starting in September 2025 is 29 January 2025.
As part of your application, you will need to write a personal statement - we've prepared a personal statement guide to help you.
There's lots more information about the application process on the UCAS website, or you can get in touch with our admissions team who will be happy to help:
- call 0113 283 7123 (Monday to Thursday, 9.00am to 5.00pm, or Friday 9.00am to 4.00pm)
- email admissions@leedstrinity.ac.uk
Graduate opportunities
Providing you with the opportunity to develop the professional skills and experience you need to launch your career is at the heart of everything we do at Leeds Trinity University.
This degree will prepare you for a professional career in international business and management. You’ll be able to develop the skills and knowledge to join companies operating in the UK and internationally in roles within the marketing, business/customer development, human resources, supply chain and finance functions of all sectors.
After you graduate, Careers and Placements will help you as you pursue your chosen career through our mentoring scheme, support with CV and interview preparation and access to graduate employability events.
To find out how we can help you make your career ambitions a reality, visit:
Professional Memberships
Chartered Association of Business Schools
Leeds Trinity University Business School is a member of the Chartered Association of Business Schools.
The association supports its members to maintain world-class standards of teaching and research, and helps to shape policy and create opportunities through dialogue with business and government.
Small Business Charter Award
Leeds Trinity University Business School has been awarded the Small Business Charter (SBC) award in recognition of our support to small businesses, student entrepreneurship and the local economy.
Business Graduates Association
Leeds Trinity University Business School is an esteemed member institution of the Business Graduates Association (BGA) an international membership and quality assurance body of world-leading and high-potential Business Schools who share a commitment for responsible management practices and lifelong learning.
Meet the team
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It helps you make sense of all the information out there by linking to other quality resources and explaining what can be found where. It also allows you to search for and compare information and data for individual undergraduate courses across the UK.