Undergraduate BSc (Hons)
International Business
with a Foundation Year
Develop the industry-relevant skills to respond to the challenges and opportunities of business in a global context.
Develop the industry-relevant skills to respond to the challenges and opportunities of business in a global context.
If you're excited by the global nature of business and are motivated by the cultural context of enterprise, then our BSc International Business is the course for you.
You’ll study broad topics such as management, marketing, entrepreneurship, and finance with a focus on how they operate in a global context. You’ll build an understanding of international markets and trade and develop your awareness of global business opportunities. You’ll also cultivate the communication, teamworking, and data-analysis skills that will allow you to succeed, no matter your chosen career path.
Be inspired and challenged by teaching staff in immersive seminars and workshops where you can put theory into practice using real business data. As a Kent Business School graduate, you’ll be equipped with the industry-relevant skills and essential knowledge to equip you for the challenges and opportunities faced by global businesses in a rapidly evolving world.
The foundation year is for students whose school-leaving qualifications are below the level required. It offers one year of full-time study prior to the start of your BSc course.
Gain CV boosting work experience with a year in industry.
Study at a ‘Triple Crown’ business school accredited by AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS.
Bring your business ideas to life at our ASPIRE centre.
in the UK for Business and Management (The Guardian University Guide 2025).
Grow your employability skills while having fun.
Our typical offer levels are listed below and include indicative contextual offers. If you hold alternative qualifications just get in touch and we'll be glad to discuss these with you.
If you don't meet the academic requirements for direct entry, our International Business with a Foundation Year course offers one year of full-time study prior to the start of the BSc degree.
CDD
MMP
80 Tariff points from your IB Diploma, Typically H5, H4, H4 or equivalent.
Mathematics grade 4 / C and English grade 4 / C
N/A
The University will consider applicants holding T level qualifications in subjects closely aligned to the course.
Access to HE Diploma in (subject being taken) with a minimum of 45 Credits at level 3 with 9 credits at Distinction and 12 credits at Merit.
The following modules are offered to our current students. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
The Foundation Year aims to extend access to university education to students from a wide variety of educational backgrounds and age groups and prepares these students for our three or four-year degrees.
After successful completion of the foundation year, you can transfer on to the three or four-year Accounting and Finance courses. Please refer to the BSc International Business, BSc International Business with a Year Abroad or BSc International Business with a Year in Industry programme for more information about specific modules.
How do businesses operate today? What are their key functions and how are they organised? Most importantly, what do managers need to know in order to make sound decisions?
You’ll develop a broad understanding of essential business management and accounting models, exploring theories that are integral to how businesses work. By looking at fundamental business strategies and different tools of analysis – like break-even calculations, ratio analysis, capital appraisal models, and decision trees – you’ll develop your understanding of the basics of business and start building up your skills in Excel.
Throughout the course, students actively engage in discussions and practical applications, preparing them to confront complex global economic challenges armed with a data-driven approach. By the end of the course, students emerge equipped with the necessary skills to analyse economic data effectively and contribute meaningfully to informed decision-making in the global economic landscape.
How do companies measure, assess and communicate their financial performance? Managers prepare, read and interpret financial information daily and they use it to communicate company financial results to a variety of stakeholders.
In this module you’ll learn how sole traders and limited companies record accounting transactions using bookkeeping and how they summarise and report their financial results to external stakeholders using financial statements. You’ll also gain essential knowledge of the regulatory framework of financial reporting which guides the process of preparing annual reports for a variety of companies.
By the end of the module, you will have developed the analytical skills needed to both prepare and analyse financial statements. This will enable you to holistically assess company financial performance and provide recommendations, an important skill in your future career.
Given the startling pace at which human-driven changes are occurring to our social and ecological systems, what skills do you need to be ready for whatever challenges await you when you graduate?
You’ll look at the biggest challenge facing businesses in every industry today: how to organise themselves in ways that ensure a sustainable future for the global community. You’ll look at various case studies to examine the impact climate change is having on business. You’ll also consider the key theories, concepts, and practices of sustainable business, including the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
In doing this, you’ll develop the skills you need to succeed as you navigate university and professional life, so that you can make a positive impact — both in your local community and globally during your time at Kent, and in your career afterwards.
Economics are a crucial tool for business to utilise to help make informed decision that support success and drive growth. Devloping a knowledge of microeconomics will help you understand how millions of consumers and producers make decisions, how they interact and use scarce resources.
You will learn how to apply microeconomic theories and tools to understand consumer and producer behaviour, resource allocation, and pricing policy, including cost and benefit analysis. The application of microeconomic theory to real-world situations will help you make efficient decisions as a manager and as an entrepreneur.
You ability to both understand and apply microeconomics theories to real business situations is vital to not only launching your career, but making rapid progress and delivering results on a managerial or executive level through informed decision making.
Marketing is an exciting and dynamic field that offers endless opportunities for innovation, creativity and growth. With advancements in technology, shifts in consumer behaviour and emerging trends, marketers have the opportunity to explore new strategies and tactics to help firms effectively reach and communicate with their target customers.
Creating brand awareness, engagement, satisfaction and loyalty is vital for sales growth in competitive and dynamic markets. You'll learn how to develop and implement effective marketing plans and strategies as well as exploring how key elements of the marketing mix can be used to create and communicate a distinctive value proposition that helps a product or service stand out from the competition. You’ll gain the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to develop, deliver and refine digital marketing strategies that make employers sit up and take notice.
Excel is the industry standard software for data processing and modelling, so if you want to hit the ground running in your career, mastery of Excel is crucial. You'll learn the techniques of Excel and spreadsheet modelling through realistic problems and extensive exercises, giving you real hands-on experience to make rapid progress.
By the end of the module, you wont only have mastered excel to report, model and forecast for businesses, you'll have also developed the confidence you need to present your insights to managers, stakeholders and business leaders. This makes you a vital asset for businesses focused on growth, and gives you an extra edge when looking to make progress in expanding industries.
What knowledge and skills you need to succeed in a globalised economy? You'll learn about the key drivers of the global economy, the global sustainability, social, cultural, economic, international trade, investment and political environments, and how to identify and mitigate the risks associated with operating in unpredictable environment.
You'll gain important insights into the social, political, economic and technological issues related to business that are essential to pursuing a career in multinational corporations and understanding the world around you. Your understanding of the global business world will help you develop analytical skills to turn data into valuable information for business decisions and position yourself for success in international business.
Studying international business has helped me to develop a global perspective on business and enhanced my cultural awareness.Anna Spencer
This module aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills to identify, analyse, and evaluate ethical issues in business. Through critical reflection and analytical argumentation, you’ll develop the ability to articulate your views and critique opposing perspectives on ethical matters.
The focus of this module is on gaining an in-depth understanding of business ethics and cultivating critical thinking skills, enabling you to emerge as a conscientious leader in your field. Corporate social responsibility and sustainability are central themes due to the growing interest and expectations from stakeholders on environmental and social performance.
You'll cover essential theories such as utilitarianism, deontological theories, corporate social responsibility, and the triple bottom line, applying these concepts to real-life business situations through case studies.
International business is vital for companies around the globe. In a dynamic and interconnected world, how can managers explore the opportunities and ensure a successful international expansion?
You’ll master the theories and skills you need to analyse the external environment and conduct international business successfully. Through exploring these theories, you'll understand how to implement the most effective human resource management, marketing, supply chain management or financial management strategies.
You’ll gain the skills and knowledge to scan international expansion opportunities, decide on a new target market and design a strategy for a successful expansion abroad. This is key for you to launch a successful, global career in business.
The globalisation of markets and deepening economic integration have significant effects upon both the strategy and operations of international business. This module will widen your knowledge and understanding of the global business environment and develop your analytical skills with respect to current geopolitics.
Global trading blocs have developed with the aim of increasing regional economic growth through advancing international trade. They include the European Union, USMCA (North America), Mercosur (South America), ASEAN (Asia) and AfCFTA (Africa). You’ll analyse global patterns of trade and the history and development of these blocs to gain a clear insight into their impact and importance for international business.
You’ll examine and evaluate the regional integration experience of the EU and the challenges and complexities of doing business across a diverse single market. Using case-studies and research papers you'll explore how businesses can seek to operate across different countries and regions while you gain the key skills you need for a career in international commerce.
Emerging markets are a dynamic and rapidly growing part of the international business environment. Gain solid theoretical foundations and examine up-to-date case studies that will help you analyse foreign firms' strategic behaviour in emerging markets.
Drawing on material from Latin America, the Middle East and across Asia, You'll understand why multinational firms internationalise and expand into Emerging Markets, the key characteristics of emerging markets and how to grow sustainable business there. You'll analyse emerging markets in detail and develop your capacity to evaluate risks and rewards to investing in them. If you want to start a global career and do business across borders, this is the module for you.
To manage operations globally, you need the ability to critically evaluate how supply chains function and how the operations of individual organisations that operate across borders are managed and can create value for them and other firm- and non-firm actors.
You'll learn to adopt a global perspective on supply chain management and assess the complex systems of operations through the angle of global value chains management. You will further discover the ways such systems are managing so that they lead to various types of upgrading - economic, social, environmental and technological. Collaborate with other students on your course to analyse the value chains of real-world multinational companies and report on them, developing the skills and experience you need to kickstart a career in operations management.
What is the impact of a changing world on cross-border management? How can culture, organisation, communication, leadership, and ethics be managed effectively in different locations? The current era offers unprecedented excitement and opportunities for learning.
You'll gain a comprehensive introduction to the latest research on cross-cultural management. Based on critical analysis of the assumptions underlying various approaches to studying national cultures, you’ll apply frameworks to understand cross-cultural issues managers in international organisations may face. Some of the topics you’ll study include different approaches to cross-cultural management, cultural frameworks and how to apply them, the role of the global manager, and global management challenges.
Experiential learning and teamwork are integral to the module and the teaching is highly participative. You’ll participate in various group exercises including an assignment in partnership with Kelley School of Business in the USA. This active experience working with peers and with another international institution helps you make rapid progress in your understanding of cross-cultural management, giving you an edge in the job market.
Are you interested in starting your own business? What are the tools and skills you need to do so? Why are startups becoming more popular? We’ll delve into the social and economic changes that have raised the status of enterprises, small businesses, and entrepreneurial ventures in the global economy.
We’ll consider entrepreneurs, their characteristics and motivations, and the barriers and issues that they face when planning and establishing a new startup venture. You'll learn what makes new ventures grow and succeed, and evaluate the practical decisions that entrepreneurs need to make to maximise the chances of their business succeeding.
In today's business context there is a wealth of data available. Many businesses currently struggle to transform that data into useable information that they can use to make meaningful decisions. We'll learn to extract insights from historical data through interactive visual analytics, communicating complex information effectively and gain hands-on experience in using data to drive positive change in business, environment and society.
We'll also explore advanced techniques for pattern recognition and forecasting, providing the ability to foresee future outcomes and trends. We'll explore real-world case studies from diverse industries, offering a deep understanding of how data analytics is integral to sectors like supply chain management, marketing, healthcare and finance.
By the end of this module, you'll be equipped with the skills and knowledge to transform data into actionable insights and predictions, making an impact on any organisation that you work at.
Making decisions is crucial for managers and businesses, as they shape our lives and impact outcomes at work. However, making smart decisions in the face of complexity and uncertainty can be challenging. How can data support our decisions in such uncertain contexts?
Together we’ll explore various quantitative and graphical methods that help identify, represent, and evaluate different options. These can help us make optimal decisions. We’ll guide you through the decision-making process in organisations, using an evidence-based approach drawn from research in behavioural psychology, economics, error management, and intuitive judgment. These tools will help you to make sound decisions in uncertain situations, enabling you to influence and lead effectively.
By the end of the module, you’ll have a deep understanding of informed decision-making methodologies. You’ll learn how to analyse problems, identify potential solutions, and evaluate outcomes in uncertain conditions. You'll be able to make decisive decisions supported by data and evidence in order to drive growth and deliver results for businesses.
Gain an in-depth and critical understanding of the complex and volatile work environments they may experience in the workplace. The development of relevant knowledge and skills to thrive and lead in today’s dynamic workplace in an ethical and sustainable way is a vital toolkit for today’s graduate. In doing so, you will understand the importance of values-driven and inclusive leadership, collaborative working, employee well-being, valuing difference and championing diversity, creativity, innovation, managing change and the role of AI. This will enable you to develop the knowledge and skills-base needed by business professionals.
Managers use financial controls for daily decision-making, with profit planning being vital for business sustainability and growth globally. They prepare profit plans by integrating strategic, marketing and financial analysis. Performance measurement involves utilising management accounting tools like budgeting, variance analysis and KPIs. Revisions to the profit plan are identified through continuous monitoring, comparing actual results to targets and analysing discrepancies. Managers leverage data analysis and performance management tools to enhance business performance, provide feedback and suggest improvements, fostering socially responsible and sustainable practices.
International Marketing offers companies the opportunity to expand their business and reach new customers on a global scale. You’ll learn how to identify and evaluate new market opportunities, assess different ways to enter potential markets and appreciate the range of influences that exist in the international marketing environment that might require adaptations to marketing strategy and programmes. By taking a problem solving approach to the opportunities and challenges international marketers face, you’ll learn how to apply key international marketing theories and frameworks to help you demonstrate and develop the essential critical thinking and analytical skills needed in today’s workplace to justify your decision-making.
How do multinational organisations make big-picture decisions about managing their global portfolios? How do they gain sustained advantage over their competitors? You will learn about how multinational enterprises design and manage their operations across borders handling the tensions between their headquarters and their subsidiaries to get results on a global scale.
Gain insight into strategic decision-making by looking at internationalisation strategies, managing strategic alliances and mergers and acquisitions, as well as diving into risk management, knowledge creation, divestment, and corporate social responsibility on a global scale.
You’ll round out your learning by understanding international business in a strategic way while mastering sought after communication skills through the support provided for assessments on the module. This will give you an extra edge in the job market after graduation and set yourself up for an exciting and successful career in international business.
Global trade and finance are rapidly growing fields, with increasing demand for skilled professionals. This is your chance to join these in demand professionals and kick start your career.
You’ll learn to think critically about complex issues in global trade and finance gain the knowledge and skills you need to navigate the global markets and make informed and sustainable business decisions. You’ll explore different types of global trade and how to finance them, including exports, imports, and cross-border investments. You won’t only make rapid process in expanding your knowledge, you’ll be able to apply this knowledge to solve real-world problems.
By completing this module, you demonstrate to potential employers that you have a deep understanding of the global economy and the financial markets, making you a more attractive candidate for roles in international business, trade finance, and investment banking.
What are the innovations, technological advancements, and changes to global business operations that are shaping the future of international business? You’ll explore the origins, types, and outcomes of innovation in a global business context, including digital technologies like cloud computing, artificial intelligence and big data.
You'll develop an understanding of innovative digital technologies and information systems, how they operate within organisations and society, and their transformational impact on product markets, services, business models, and customer interactions. Through this, you’ll gain the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to succeed in the global business landscape, enhancing your employability in a rapidly evolving digital and business world.
An introduction to the concept of behavioural science and how its insights can be applied to the workplace. Behavioural Science is drawing from multiple scientific disciplines (e.g. psychology, behavioural economics). It aims to give new insights into how our minds operate in the modern business world. Applied to the workplace it can help us to shed new light onto a wide range of issues relating to HR. You'll gain a first insight as to how the developing cross-disciplinary field of behavioural science and provide you with novel tools to overcome organisational challenges. For example, you'll cover how behavioual sciences can help us to understand how our decision making can be inherently biased and affect selection and assessment processes or equality and inclusivity within the workplace, how humans are motivated, how the workplace environment can be affected by workplace interactions both between individuals and teams, or how stress or wellbeing are influenced by a number of workplace factors.
The law expects businesses to be governed responsibly and individuals within them to be mindful as to how they fulfil their legal obligations to their customers, the environment, their workforce and the public. You'll study negligence, company, employment and discrimination law, emphasizing responsible business governance and individual accountability. By analysing current legal issues and applying them to real-world scenarios, you'll enhance problem-solving skills, understanding of diverse impacts and ethical decision-making in business. Navigating complexities and ambiguities fosters critical thinking and integrity, preparing you for future studies and careers.
Study the different ways in which people operate within organisations. You're introduced to the strategic use of data in people operations to tackle workplace challenges effectively. You'll learn various methodologies for analysing and interpreting data to improve organisational performance and employee well-being. Explore diverse data collection, processing and utilisation techniques. Through practical exercises and case studies, you'll learn to extract valuable insights, recognise patterns and make informed decisions to optimise human capital management. Ethical considerations such as privacy and confidentiality are emphasised, ensuring responsible data usage. You'll leave with a thorough understanding of how data-driven approaches can positively impact organisational culture and productivity.
How do you think creatively for business and startup planning? You'll address opportunity recognition, product development, business proposal creation and entrepreneurial finance. Through teamwork, you'll develop leadership, problem-solving, communication and analytical skills. Analogies from diverse cultures aid personal connections, while the curriculum emphasises sustainability, lifelong learning and systems thinking. You'll gain entrepreneurial confidence, adaptability, opportunity recognition, risk management, and innovative mindset for diverse career paths.
Designed to ignite your entrepreneurial spirit, inspire you to recognise the potential for international success and equip you with the knowledge and tools to navigate the complexities of the modern industrial age. Through a combination of theoretical concepts and interaction with entrepreneurs, you'll gain insights into international opportunities, the critical factors contributing to initial success, and strategies for sustained growth.
Interdisciplinary thinking is encouraged, fostering the ability to merge theories from different subjects to solve complex problems. You'll develop independent study skills and effective communication, both orally and in writing, while honing their critical thinking abilities. You'll consider teamwork in multicultural settings, preparing you to work efficiently and effectively in diverse, cross-border collaborations.
You'lll emerge with a multifaceted skill set, including the capacity to work across disciplines, plan and study independently, communicate effectively, think critically and understand the intricacies of entrepreneurship on a global scale.
Our enthusiastic team of international teaching staff are all experts in their field of study and are regularly published in leading journals worldwide. They guide and support your learning, bringing their subject to life and drawing you into the conversation through lectures, seminars, presentations and computer-based simulations.
Your progress is assessed through a mix of coursework – including reports, essays and presentations - and exams.
For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours. The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules.
Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules.
Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.
For course aims and learning outcomes please see the course specification.
Kent Business School students find work in public and private sector management both overseas and in the UK in a wide range of companies and organisations, including:
*The Government announced on 4 November 2024 that tuition fees in England for Home students will increase to £9,535 from £9,250 for the academic year 2025/26. This increase requires Parliamentary approval, which is expected to be given in early/mid 2025.
Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of your course. Detailed information on possible future increases in tuition fees is contained in the Tuition Fees Increase Policy.
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
IT Equipment
Students will require regular access to a desktop computer/laptop with an internet connection to use the University of Kent’s online resources and systems. Please see information about the minimum computer requirements for study.
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details.
We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.
Next steps
If you are from the UK or Ireland, you must apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not from the UK or Ireland, you can apply through UCAS or directly on our website if you have never used UCAS and you do not intend to use UCAS in the future.
We welcome applications from students all around the world with a wide range of international qualifications.
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