Course overview
This degree will prepare you for the diverse and challenging world of international business. You will develop the skills needed to manage the demands of operating across borders, and build your career in international, multinational or global companies.
You will also study the importance of sustainability in strategy – a key global business priority.
Studying a modern language
Developing proficiency in a modern language is an integral requirement of the degree. You can begin by studying a language at Entry or Intermediate Level. This will depend on your prior qualifications.
You may choose to study one of the following languages:
- Chinese
- French
- German
- Spanish
You can study at Entry Level if you have a GCSE in any Modern Foreign Language
You can study at Intermediate Level if you already have an A Level (or equivalent) in your chosen language of study.
We also offer a new three-year route for those wishing to study Chinese in Stage One and Two only. Students taking this route will transfer onto the BSc International Business Management and East Asian Studies. You will select 40 credits of cultural study (non-language) modules at Stage Three.
Study or work placement abroad
We highly recommend that you complete a year abroad between Stages Two and Three. This will allow you to develop your language skills and experience another culture. Taking a year abroad will extend your three-year degree to four years.
Students studying German, French or Spanish may take either:
- a study abroad year, or
- a work placement year (subject to visa restrictions)
Students studying Chinese
Students studying Chinese must study abroad. You cannot take a work placement. Study abroad will be for a minimum of one semester, and can be for up to one year.
If you opt to bypass the study abroad, you will be transferred to our new International Business Management and East Asian Studies pathway in your final year.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Quality and ranking
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Top 200 for Business and Management Studies – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
Modules and learning
Modules
The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you’ll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions
- the key concepts of accounting and finance
- an overview of the international business environment
- the concepts and principles of business management and organisation
You’ll study a modern language at Entry or Intermediate Level (depending on your previous qualifications).
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Accounting and Finance (for Business School Students) | 20 |
| Global Business Environment | 20 |
| Management and Organisation | 20 |
| Academic and Professional Skills for International Business Management | 20 |
If you do not have an A Level (or equivalent) in a modern language you will also study the following modules based on your language choice:
French
FRE1065 Level A (HE Entry Level) French I
FRE1066 Level A (HE Entry Level) French II
Spanish
SPA1065 Level A (HE Entry Level) Spanish I
SPA1066 Level A (HE Entry Level) Spanish II
German
GER1065 Level A (HE Entry Level) German I
GER1066 Level A (HE Entry Level) German II
Chinese
CHN1065 Level A (HE Entry Level) Chinese I
CHN1066 Level A (HE Entry Level) Chinese II
If you do have an A Level (or equivalent) in a modern language you will also study the following modules based on your language choice:
French
FRE1071 Level B (HE Intermediate) French
Plus one of the following modules:
SML1018 Introduction to Literature OR
SML1019 Introduction to Linguistics OR
SML1022 Introduction to Cultural Studies
German
GER1071 Level B (HE Intermediate) German
Plus one of the following modules:
SML1018 Introduction to Literature OR
SML1019 Introduction to Linguistics OR
SML1022 Introduction to Cultural Studies OR
GER1016 Introduction to German history, culture and society
Spanish
SPA1071 Level B (HE Intermediate) Spanish
Plus one of the following modules:
SML1018 Introduction to Literature OR
SML1019 Introduction to Linguistics OR
SML1022 Introduction to Cultural Studies OR
SPA1019 Introduction to History, Culture and Society of the Iberian Peninsula
Chinese
CHN2010 Level B (HE Intermediate) Chinese
- developments and issues in global financial markets
- the nature and importance of the management of people and organisations
- language and cross-cultural communication
You will continue to learn the language you studied at Stage One.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| International Finance and Financial Markets | 20 |
| Operations Strategy and Management | 20 |
| Global Perspectives in Managing People and Organisations | 20 |
| Global Marketing | 20 |
If you have not already selected 120 credits, you also take the following:
Language and Cross Cultural Communication
If you studied level A foreign language at Stage 1 you take one of the following modules following on from the language studied at Stage 1:
French
Level B (HE Intermediate) French
German
Level B (HE Intermediate) German
Spanish
Level B (HE Intermediate) Spanish
Chinese
Level B (HE Intermediate) Chinese
If you studied level B foreign language at Stage 1 you take one of the following modules:
French
Level C (HE Advanced) French
German
Level C (HE Advanced) German
Spanish
Level C (HE Advanced) Spanish
Chinese
Level C (HE Advanced) Chinese
If you choose, between Stages Two and Three, you can spend this year abroad in a country where your chosen language is spoken. You’ll study at a partner university or undertake a work placement.
If you studied your chosen language at Intermediate Level in Stage 1 and Advanced Level in Stage 2, a work placement or study abroad is compulsory in Stage 3.
If you studied your chosen language at Entry Level in Stage 1 and Intermediate Level in Stage 2, a work placement or study abroad in Stage 3 is optional but highly recommended.
If you’re studying Chinese, study abroad is compulsory in Stage 3, regardless of the level of study. You cannot undertake a work placement. You will study at a School of Modern Languages partner university.
You’ll study topics such as:
- perspectives on globalisation, multinational corporations, varieties of capitalism and international business
- global business strategy formulation and implementation
You’ll also complete either:
- a International Business Management Dissertation; or
- a Management Research Briefing for Sustainable Organisational Futures
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Contemporary Issues in International Business Management | 20 |
| Advanced Global Strategy | 20 |
You also take one of the following compulsory modules
Management Research Briefing for Sustainable Organisational Futures
International Business Management Dissertation
If you’re taking German, French or Spanish pathways, you take one of the following modules:
International Entrepreneurship
International Human Resource Management
Tackling Social Issues via Social Ventures
Supply Chain Management
If you studied level B foreign language at Stage 2, you take one of the following modules:
French
Level C (HE Advanced) French
German
Level C (HE Advanced) German
Spanish
Level C (HE Advanced) Spanish
Chinese
Level C (HE Advanced) Chinese
If you studied level C Chinese at Stage 2 you take the following compulsory module:
Chinese
Level D (HE Further Advanced) Chinese
If you studied level C foreign language at Stage 2 on a German, Spanish or French pathway, you take one of the following optional modules:
Level D (HE Further Advanced) French: Language for Professional and Academic Purposes
Level D (HE Further Advanced) Spanish: Language for Professional and Academic Purposes
Level D (HE Further Advanced) German: Language for Professional and Academic Purposes
OR
Level D (HE Further Advanced) French: Translation and Interpreting
Level D (HE Further Advanced) Spanish: Translation and Interpreting
Level D (HE Further Advanced) German: Translation and Interpreting
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
Throughout the programme, you’ll benefit from a variety of teaching methods, including:
- lectures
- seminars
- language classes
- simulations
Assessment methods
Skills and experience
Practical skills and hands-on experience
You will receive training on personal effectiveness. You’ll develop your presentation skills and leadership abilities. You’ll also identify ways to enhance your employability.
Real business skills
Throughout the programme, you will have a range of opportunities to develop contemporary skills for the international business environment. These include:
- digital skills
- communication skills, and
- data analysis skills
These are all designed to help you succeed in a modern workplace.
Research skills
You’ll get a range of opportunities to develop your research skills as you progress on the programme.
In your final year, you’ll call upon your research skills to complete a significant project focused on international business practice.
Opportunities
We highly recommend that you complete a year abroad between Stages 2 and 3. This could be a work placement or study abroad.
Work placement
Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can choose to spend 9 to 12 months working for an organisation outside the UK. The placement must support you in developing the language you are studying as part of your degree. You will be responsible for securing the work placement but you’ll receive University support from our dedicated team to help you along the way.
You’ll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.
Recent students have secured placements at companies including:
- Clipper (Spain)
- Midi-Location (France),
- Brüning (Germany)
Placements are subject to availability and must be sourced by the student.
Please note: work placements are only available to students studying Spanish, French or German. Those studying Chinese may not take a work placement.
Find out more about work placements
Study abroad
Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.
You may choose to spend a year abroad as part of your degree in one of our partner institutions.
Students studying French, German or Spanish will spend two semesters studying business-related modules. These will be made available to exchange students by the partner institution. You can choose to either:
- select subjects to complement your Newcastle University degree, or
- gain new business related knowledge
Chinese language students will study at one of our School of Modern Language Chinese Language partner institutions with a focus on developing Chinese language skills.
Please note: students studying Chinese must take a study abroad year as part of this degree. If you choose not to take a year abroad, you will transfer onto the BSc International Business Management and East Asian Studies.
Find out more about study abroad
Facilities and environment
Facilities
Newcastle University Business School is one of the largest Schools in the University. We have over 3,500 students representing over 80 nationalities. This valuable network extends beyond our current students to include:
- regional, national and international leaders
- over 34,000 alumni in our network, spanning over 150 countries
- leading professionals and practitioners from industry
The Business School is the gateway to Newcastle Helix – an innovation hub and community that brings together industry leaders, businesses and top researchers.
Our facilities include:
- flexible conference room with panoramic views across the city
- Wi-Fi enabled connectivity throughout the building, including three computer clusters housing over 120 PCs
- four large lecture theatres and over 25 seminar and teaching spaces, providing comfortable teaching and group study space
- dedicated Student Hub and Quiet Space, providing a balanced mix of study space for group work or quiet, individual study
- contemporary café
- employability hub to support your career aspirations
- Bloomberg Room to give you a real feel for the trading room floor
- Experimental and Behavioural Economics Lab, a state-of-the-art research facility for conducting studies in experimental economics and economic psychology
This is in addition to our Frederick Douglass Centre at Newcastle Helix, which offers further study and learning spaces including a 750 seat auditorium – the largest in the University.
Support
Each degree offers you a stimulating curriculum and a supportive teaching and learning environment.
You will have an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have.
Your future
Benefit from excellent links with potential employers
Newcastle University Business School has excellent links with national and international organisations. This allows you to benefit from:
- work placements
- guest speakers
- networking opportunities
Through these links, you’ll have the chance to gain commercial experience. This could be through an optional paid work placement or a summer internship.
We work with a range of professional bodies. You’ll learn from leading names in the industry and gain vital experience. You’ll be able to network with potential employers.
You’ll develop a range of personal, employability and enterprise skills. As a Newcastle University Business School graduate, you’ll be highly employable to a diverse range of companies.
Join a network of successful graduates
Recent graduates have secured roles at globally-recognised companies, including:
- Barclays Bank
- EY
- British Airways
- Amazon
- KPMG
- Capita PLC
- Accenture
- Whitbread Plc
Industry links
We have excellent links with national and international organisations, allowing you to benefit from work placements, guest speakers, and networking opportunities.
Through these links, you’ll have the chance to gain commercial experience through an optional but highly recommended work placement or a summer internship.
You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to develop personal, employability, and enterprise skills that will make you highly employable amongst a diverse range of companies when you graduate.
Entry requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2025 entry.
| A-Level | |
|---|---|
| AAB excluding General Studies. GCSE Mathematics, English Language or Literature and a Modern Language (eg. French) at a minimum grade B or 6 required.
Applicants studying a Modern Language at A Level should apply to our 4 year International Business Management with Placement year. Please see https://www.ncl.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/n120/ for further course information. Please see the ‘Additional information on GCSEs’ section in the drop down below. |
|
| International Baccalaureate | |
|---|---|
| 34 points. Standard Level Mathematics or Mathematical Studies required at grade 5 if not offered at Higher Level. Standard level 5 or grade B in GCSE English and in a Modern Language (eg French) also required.
Applicants studying a Modern Language at Higher Level should apply to our 4 year International Business Management with Placement year. Please see https://www.ncl.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/n120/ for further course information. Please see the ‘Additional information on GCSEs’ section in the drop down below. |
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