BA (Hons) in International Business

Accredited by: EPAS CIM

This programme, with its distinctive international perspective, will help you become a graduate ready for success.

Initially, you will study abroad business and management foundation covering finance, economics, HRM, and marketing, from the UK and international perspective. As you progress in your studies there will be a greater emphasis on the international, cultural, sustainable and ethical context of business.

You can choose to further develop your international perspective through the study of a foreign language and an international study exchange.

Joint Degree Options

All first-year students will begin on the BA (Hons) International Business programme and then if you wish to specialize and gain a Joint degree on graduation, you can choose your area of specialism at the end of your first year.

BA (Hons) International Business can be studied on its own or in combination with a specialist subject that will help you match your degree to your career aspirations. Specialisms in HRM, Finance or Marketing can be taken as a single option or studied in more depth in Years 2, 3 and 4 to provide you with a named joint degree award on graduation.

Language pathway option

Students can commence Year 1 on the BA (Hons) International Business with Languages pathway programme and choose two language specialisms throughout their degree. Please note that students on single Honours International Business can also choose to study one language module a year. If you want the opportunity to study two languages from Year One, you should apply for IB with Languages pathway.

International Student Start Dates

For new international students, orientation events start on 14 September 2018 . This extra time is specifically designed to assist new international students in settling into the UK and GCU prior to the start of general student induction and teaching.

There will be a whole host of fun and informative activities taking place during this period, including campus and city tours, as well as welcome events where you can meet other international students.

EPAS Accredited

BA (Hons) International Business (including joint awards) is accredited by the European Foundation for Management Development Programme Accreditation Scheme (EPAS).

GCU is one of just 77institutions across 36 countries to achieve EPAS accreditation. This endorsement provides assurance that the degree is designed and delivered in a manner that is both academically rigorous and has practical relevance for students in today's global environment.

Five Star award

This course has five stars awarded by QS Stars Business Schools

Language Option

In response to increasing demands from employers for cultural awareness, we encourage our students to develop a level of linguistic competence in a foreign language. You’ll have the option to?study modern languages?including French, Spanish, German and Italian from beginners to professional level depending on your previous knowledge.

Assessment Methods

Our approach to learning, teaching, and assessment is tailored to the needs of international businesses. We adopt a wide range of learning and teaching methods to ensure that not only will you gain the necessary knowledge and understanding of the international business world, but also develop your intellectual and personal skills.

Assessment strategies involve traditional approaches such as exams and essays but also include more contemporary forms of assessment which are work related to preparing you for the workplace's style of reporting (e.g. presentations/reports) or use digital technologies and mobile devices.

Teaching Methods

The learning and teaching methods we use ensure that the programme is both vocationally relevant and academically challenging. Our approach is student-centered, practical and relevant to the needs of the student and employers. We've moved the focus to a more independent learning approach, where you will be encouraged to generate and critically evaluate theory and practice.

As well as the traditional lecture, seminar and workshop formats, we adopt a multi-platform approach to learning that includes a wide range of supporting material, including podcasts, webinars (internet-based seminars), discussion boards and independent (including web-based) study. In tutorials, we encourage students to participate and contribute to the learning environment through discussion and group work.

Throughout our programme, you will also engage in 'real world' scenarios through live industry projects, case studies, and investigations and be encouraged to maximize industry links and work experience to put into practice the theoretical concepts and frameworks you're learning.

The range of modules from theoretical to practical and business-orientated is designed to equip you with a critical awareness of the role of business in society. You will develop the wide range of knowledge and skills necessary to excel as a leader in the industry or to launch your career as a (social) entrepreneur.

Glasgow Caledonian University is a distinctive, inclusive and forward-looking university that is committed to its social mission to promote the common good. We have become an international centre of excellence in higher education, promoting employability and global citizenship in our graduates. We win awards for our support and commitment to the student experience, whilst delivering innovation through our world-class research in key areas of strength. We have a tradition of widening access to higher education for talented individuals regardless of their backgrounds, and we leverage our intellectual and social capital for the benefit of the communities we serve in Scotland and internationally.

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) is a vibrant, innovative and multi-award winning University for the Common Good.

We aim to contribute to society in a manner that embraces yet goes beyond the traditional role of a university. GCU’s For the Common Good commitment is brought to life and delivered by students and staff across academic schools and departments.

Welcome to the Glasgow School for Business and Society

We thrive on ideas, support innovation and value the importance of social responsibility. Students come to us for our knowledge and experience to enhance their career and personal ambitions. Our external partners come to us to find the latest research-led thinking and to access the talent of our students.

Corporate responsibility and sustainability are fundamental concerns for every organisation. The Glasgow School for Business and Society seeks to address the complex challenges of the global economy while delivering social benefit to local and global communities.

Global citizenship, responsible leadership, entrepreneurship and social justice are core to our teaching, research and public engagement activities.

Our distinctive, research-led portfolio offers excellent and accessible higher education opportunities in Glasgow, London and New York. Our programmes are endorsed by professional and academic accreditations confirming that your qualification is among the best in the world.

Corporate responsibility and sustainability are now fundamental concerns for every organisation. As a University for the Common Good, we are playing a key role in the global transformation of business management education. We seek to address the complex challenges of the global economy in the 21st century while delivering social benefit to local and global communities.

We are particularly pleased that our success at embedding ethics, responsibility and sustainability across all aspects of life at Glasgow School for Business and Society has been acknowledged through our membership in ASHOKA U, United Nations Global Compact and PRME, as well as local initiatives such as WRAP and Business in the Community.

We have also become the first university in Scotland to join the prestigious EPAS global network. I welcome this recognition of our high-quality learning and teaching experience that equips our graduates with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the global market. The EPAS accreditation is indicative of a wider institutional commitment to use the very highest international benchmarks to evidence the quality of our provision. This provides robust reassurance to our staff, students, academic and business partners that we are a globally-networked university that is embedded within our local community.

We challenge our staff and students to be critical and independent learners, to become responsible leaders and to make positive contributions to business and society. We’d invite you to join us in our commitment to the Common Good.

Professional Affiliations

The Glasgow School for Business and Society has a strong track record of working partnerships with professional bodies which ensure our courses are relevant to the changing needs of the labour market.

Our professional affiliations not only keep our students up-to-date with the latest advances in business, but they help our graduates stand-out when looking for employment and in some cases confer a special status on graduation.

Examples of professional bodies with which GSBS is associated include:

• AACSB
• ABS (Association of Business Schools)
• Business in the Community
• CEEMAN
• EFMD (European Foundation for Management Development)
• ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council)
• UN PRME Initiative (Principles of Responsible Management Education)
• Gold Approved Learning Centre for ACCA
• Approved Teaching Centre for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
• Centre of Excellence with the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI)

We offer programmes and modules accredited by:

• ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)
• Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC)
• Chartered Banker
• Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI)
• Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT)
• Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)
• Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
• Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS)
• Chartered Insurance Institute (CII)
• Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
• CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants)
• EPAS (European Foundation for Management Development Programme Accreditation Scheme)
• ICAEW (The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales)
• ICAS (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland)
• Institution Of Occupational Health (IOSH)
• Institute of Operations Management (IOM)
• Institute of Risk Management (IRM)
• IOR (Institute of Operational Risk)
• Law Society of Scotland
• National Council for the Training of Journalists (NTCJ)
• British Psychological Society
• SHRM (The American Society for HRM)
• The Institute of Hospitality (IHA)
• The Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT)
• Tourism Society (TS)
• Tourism Management Institute (TMI)

Our Departments

Law, Economics, Accountancy & Risk

Our Department brings together academics with interests and expertise in law, risk, economics, accountancy and finance. We pride ourselves on our close links with business organisations including not-for-profit organisations and professional bodies that accredited a number of our programmes.

Department of Business Management

Our Department is focused on the contemporary and innovative use of management approaches and techniques, resources and processes to enhance and develop organisations in the private and public sectors in a highly competitive global marketplace

Department of Social Sciences, Media and Journalism

Bringing together over fifty staff, the Department has both a strong research culture and a commitment to teaching excellence. Rated as internationally excellent and world-leading in several areas in the last Research Assessment Exercise.