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BSc International Business with Communications

Start date
September 2025
Duration
4 years
UCAS code
NP19
Course Type
Undergraduate, Single Honours, Study abroad year
Fees
For 2025/26:
£9,535 (UK students)
£25,520 (International students) More detail.

The International Business with Communications BSc combines in-depth learning with the chance to experience business in action within another culture. On this course you will develop the skills and knowledge you need to begin your career in business, wherever in the world it takes you.

Why study this course?

The programme is global in its outlook with specialist modules in business communications, from crisis communications to social networking for business. A series of workshops develop a range of communications skills for business, supporting theoretical study, with the overall programme producing graduates who are skilled communicators.

This four-year BSc programme is structured to reflect the changing world of business, ensuring maximum relevance to your future career and providing you with a firm foundation of critical and analytical skills and practical knowledge that potential employers will find extremely attractive.

  • Birmingham Business School is consistently found in international ranking tables and accredited by leading bodies, AMBA, EQUIS and AACSB. The triple-crown accreditation confirms our position within an elite group. 
  • The University of Birmingham is the first choice for leading graduate employers searching for graduate recruits (High Fliers Research 2024).
  • Our strong links with industry mean that rigorous undergraduate academic study is combined with a real practical focus, leading to excellent job opportunities for our students.

Your programme of study

The first year lays the foundation for the study of business and management and public relations. You will study the same programme as students on the BSc Business Management with Communications, which includes modules on key message delivery and crisis communications.

In your second year, you will have some choice within the themed structure of the programme. The modules offered will change from time to time, as they are developed to reflect the ever-changing world of business. During the second year you also prepare for your study abroad.  If at the end of your second year you decide you do not want to take up the year abroad you can choose to transfer to the three year programme.

After two years at Birmingham Business School, you will spend your third year abroad at one of our partner institutions, all of which are highly regarded. This year enables you to improve your understanding of the cultural context of business management and communications in another country.

As the number of places at each institution varies from year to year, you will need to be flexible about where you go. The exact subjects you study will depend on where you go but are compatible with the Business Management and the Business Communications degrees. 

Please note that your year abroad is conditional upon a good performance in the first and second year exams, please see International Business with Language BSc for more information.

You can also arrange an exchange through the Universitas 21 programme (a list of partners is available on their site).

Your year abroad is taught in English, although many students benefit from the opportunity to learn their host country’s language. It may also be possible to undertake a work-based placement, boosting your practical experience.

In the final year there is the opportunity to undertake a placement with a local media institution.

Modules

Unless indicated otherwise the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2025.

First Year

Core modules

Second Year

Core modules

Optional modules

You must choose one of the following optional modules:

Third Year

You must choose to undertake either the International Study Year or the International Work Year during this year.

Final Year

Core modules

You must complete a 40 credit Dissertation.

Optional modules

You must take one optional module from the list below.

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

Fees

Fees for students starting in 2025-2026

UK students

The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If your offer is for 2025 year of entry, we expect that the tuition fee for your first year of study will be £9,535. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. If you are applying for 2026 year of entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee closer to the time.

International students 

Full-time Band 2 £25,520

Visit our tuition fees page for more information.

Scholarships

At Birmingham we ensure that fears about finance do not constrain prospective students from considering university and that excellence is rewarded.

The University offers a range of additional financial support for students studying at Birmingham in the form of bursaries, grants and scholarships.

Learn more about our scholarships and awards. 

How To Apply

Apply through the UCAS website using code NP19.

UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.

View further information on How to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.

Standard offer

International Requirements



Number of A levels required:
3
Typical offer:
AAB
Required subjects and grades:
GCSE Mathematics at grade 5/B and English at grade 6/B
General Studies:
not accepted as one of three A2s, but a good performance may be taken into account if you fail to meet the conditions of the offer and have General Studies as a fourth A2

BTEC Extended Diploma 

Only the following subjects can be considered: Applied Science, Business, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship.

BTEC Diploma 

Only the following subjects can be considered in combination with 1 A level): Applied Science, Business, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship.

BTEC Subsidiary Diploma 

Only the following subjects can be considered (in combination with 2 A Levels): Agriculture, Applied Human Biology, Applied Law, Applied Psychology, Applied Science, Business, Computing, Construction and the Built Environment, Countryside Management, Creative Digital Media Production, Creative Media Production, Engineering, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainabilty, Forensic and Criminal Investigation, Health and Social Care, Hospitality, Information Technology, Land-based Technology, Music, Music Technology, Operations and Maintenance Engineering, Performing Arts, Personal and Business Finance, Pharmaceutical Science, Production Arts, Public Services, Sport, Sport and Exercise Science, Sport and Outdoor Activities, Sports Coaching and Development, Travel and TourismSports Coaching and Development, Travel And Tourism.

The year abroad is conditional upon an acceptable level of performance in your first-year examinations. If you do not achieve this, you will be transferred to the BSc Business Management with Communications.

T-Levels

Only the following subjects can be considered: Management and Administration; Accounting; Finance.

 

Alternative offers through our Pathways to Birmingham programmes and our Contextual Offer scheme

Students who are eligible and successfully complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive special consideration from admissions tutors and an alternative offer (typically two grades below the standard offer). In addition, our Contextual Offer Scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the contextual offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer.

International Students

International Baccalaureate Diploma: 6,6,5 at Higher Level with a minimum of 32 points overall.

Standard English language requirements apply. 

Learn more about international entry requirements

Depending on your chosen course of study, you may also be interested in one of our foundation pathways, which offer specially structured programmes for international students whose qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to UK universities. Further details can be found on Birmingham International Academy web pages.

As a Birmingham student you are part of an academic elite and will learn from world-leading experts. At Birmingham we advocate an enquiry based learning approach, from the outset you will be encouraged to become an independent and self-motivated learner, qualities that are highly sought after by employers. We want you to be challenged and will encourage you to think for yourself.

How you will learn

The main way you’ll learn is by attending lectures, but in some modules these are supplemented with classes which allows you to meet with a tutor in small groups to further your understanding of the material covered in lectures. You will also have the opportunity to work in groups and make presentations – both skills that are highly valued by employers.

The timetable for lectures and classes covers around 22 hours a week, allowing time for you to do your own reading and learning.

Contact hours

Undergraduate students can expect around 15 contact hours per week, depending on year of study and optional module choices made. The remainder of the working week consists of self-guided study based on degree programme content and requirements of specific modules.

How you will be assessed

Your progress is assessed through coursework and exams. Coursework takes a variety of forms, including reports, essays, group presentations, class essays and computer assignments. Exams are held in May/June. You must achieve satisfactory results to proceed to the next year. Your final degree is based on marks gained in the second and third years and credits which you build up throughout the whole programme.

Your personal tutor

From the moment you begin your studies, you will be allocated a personal tutor who is a member of the academic staff. He or she will take an interest in your general wellbeing and academic progress, meeting you on a regular basis either individually or in a small group throughout the year.

Resources and facilities

The Business School has a number of PC clusters with wireless connectivity and data projection. We also use a virtual learning environment to support our teaching, which can be accessed from any internet-connected computer and is used to provide electronic copies of lecture materials, links to online resources, multiple choice quizzes and discussion areas. It’s also used for a range of administrative tasks such as online submission of assignments and the provision of programme news.

The University Library houses over 2.5 million volumes and boasts extensive data retrieval services. The Library offers a range of valuable services to help you during your degree programme, including library-training sessions, subject guides and database skills. You will also have access to e-Library, a vast online collection of text books that can be accessed free of charge from other libraries.

Assessment Methods

Studying at degree-level is likely to be very different from your previous experience of learning and teaching. You will be expected to think, discuss and engage critically with the subject and find things out for yourself. We will enable you to make this transition to a new style of learning, and the way that you are assessed during your studies will help you develop the essential skills you need to make a success of your time at Birmingham.

You will be assessed in a variety of ways, and these may be different with each module that you take. You will be assessed through coursework which may take the form of essays, group and individual presentations and formal exams.

During your first year it is important that you have a smooth transition into University. You will be able to talk to your tutors about this and discuss if there are particular areas where you need support. This is in addition to the personal tutor who is based in your school or department and can help with any academic issues you encounter.

At the beginning of each module, you will be given information on how and when you will be assessed for that particular programme of study. You will receive feedback on each assessment within four weeks, so that you can learn from and build on what you have done. You will be given feedback on any exams that you take; if you should fail an exam we will ensure that particularly detailed feedback is made available to enable you to learn for the future.

Our business degrees are highly regarded by employers and our graduates are very successful in the job market.

There is no single type of business that our students go in to. The nature of our degrees is such that you’ll be prepared for and capable of adapting to a diverse range of jobs. Many employers visit the Business School to run seminars for our students. In fact, companies such as IBM, BP, Deloitte and L’Oreal see these sessions as an opportunity to look for suitable candidates for their summer internship programmes and graduate training schemes.

BBS Careers and Careers Network

As a Birmingham Business School student, you benefit from two award-winning Careers teams.  

Careers Network is the University of Birmingham careers and employability team offering: career fairs, employer events with top firms across the UK, start-up and entrepreneurial activities, and support. Internships and bursaries are also available exclusively to University of Birmingham students.   

BBS Careers is a dedicated service for Birmingham Business School students. The team provides guidance, support, and work experience opportunities, tailored to business school students, to help you succeed during and after university. We offer workshops, alumni & employer events, and 1-to-1 consultations. These will help you to develop your skills and learn how to submit high-quality internship, placement, and graduate applications.  

BBS Careers is one of a few, if not the only business school career service to offer life-long support.  

We are here to support you! Whether you are applying for a summer internship, a third-year sandwich placement, a graduate job, or applying for a management role five years after graduation. 

Visit the BBS Careers website for more details

 

Work Experience

You will have the chance to gain work experience, including summer internships, voluntary work, work shadowing, insight programmes, and part-time work.   

The BSc International Business with Communications degree will enable you to undertake unique work experience opportunities to enhance your employability and rise above the competition. Work experience provides an ideal opportunity to gain invaluable skills and knowledge that will help further your career plans. With generous support from Alumni, undergraduate students (excluding those in their final year) can apply for funding to cover their incurred costs whilst they are working:

  • Global Challenge Bursary (apply for one of our sourced opportunities) - up to £9000 available
  • Gateway Bursary - up to £2000 available
  • International Bursary - up to £800 available
  • UK professional Bursary - up to £800 available
  • Research Experience Bursary - up to £500 available

This funding can help you pay for accommodation costs, travel expenses and living costs.

Professional Development Module

The Professional Development Module (PDM) is an award-winning 20-credit module that is optional for students in their final year who don’t undertake a placement year. The module includes a minimum of 40 hours of work placement in the summer or during term time.   

The module aims to help you bridge the gap between your academic life at Birmingham and your future professional life after graduation. The module is flexible, so you can use it to extend your experience into a specific area of work that interests you.

Extra-curricular activities

Our employer-endorsed Personal Skills Award (PSA) recognises your extra-curricular activities, and provides an accredited employability programme designed to improve your career prospects. There are also a vast number of student groups and volunteering opportunities offered by the Guild of Students, our students’ union, which cover a wide variety of interests across drama and the arts. With over 300 societies and groups at The Guild, there is something for everyone – and if your interest does not yet have a group, then The Guild will support you to set it up and find likeminded individuals to join you.

Exclusive to Birmingham - the Capgemini Challenge

Global consultancy firm Capgemini works exclusively with us to deliver a second-to-none consultancy training experience that you won’t find at any other UK university. Taking place over one week at Capgemini’s world-renowned facilities, this is an amazing opportunity to make a difference by engaging in projects for charitable organisations. 

Learn more about the Capgemini Challenge

Professional Accreditation

Depending on the options you choose, you may be able to gain partial exemption from the examinations of professional bodies such as CIM, CIMA and ACCA. This will depend on the options chosen in your second and final years.