Undergraduate study 2014 prospectus

Course information

Being international is seldom a choice for large companies today, but a necessity. There is a growing need for the managers of tomorrow to have a broader understanding of International Business issues.

This course has been designed to provide a stimulating educational experience that promotes a global outlook, which will enable you to develop your full intellectual potential to face the management and organisational challenges of a globalised economy.

This course provides you with an insight into the field of business and management set in an international context and prepares you for a career in management with an international emphasis.

The course also develops a broad understanding of all the main management functions and the context of business decisions, including international comparisons.

There is also the opportunity to enhance your language skills in French, German or Spanish, opening career opportunities which require a fluency in a second European language.

Course overview

In the first two years we will introduce you to the major management functions as well as the financial, economic and organisational environments within which managers and organisations must operate.

We will help you develop your communication and interpersonal skills and provide the opportunity to work together in groups, developing practical skills valued by today’s businesses. In addition we will encourage you to develop quantitative and computing skills that are essential for management.

In Year 2 you will be introduced to the international business context and look at how managerial issues vary around the globe. Your understanding of business and management in an international context, including cultural differences, will be further developed in a variety of modules in the final year.

In the final year, as well as core subjects taking the international dimension to more depth, you can specialise in the management function of your choice and select other business topics for detailed study.

Teaching and Learning Methods

We are committed to helping you stand out in the increasingly competitive graduate job market and many of our graduates go on to enjoy rewarding careers with major international companies.

Our high quality courses develop skills valued by employers including independent learning and research, analytical skills, group work, presentation skills, project work, computer skills and numeracy. Our wide variety of optional modules enables students to focus on areas related to their career aspirations.

Lectures are supported by online resources, tutorials, workshops, seminars and discussion groups. Some tutorials are streamed according to prior qualifications in mathematics and economics.

Assessment

Depending on the nature of the material, some modules are assessed by a mixture of coursework and examination (for example 25% coursework and 75% examination), whilst other modules are assessed by 100% coursework or 100% by examination.

Coursework is based on a variety of tasks including individual essays, projects, contribution in tutorials, group work, class tests, problem-sheets and computer-based exercises.

Professional Placements and Study Abroad

You could spend the third year on a salaried business placement in the UK or abroad. On successful completion of a business placement year, you will be awarded a Diploma in Professional Studies in addition to your degree.

Alternatively, as part of the EU Erasmus scheme, you can choose to spend all of year 3 studying in a European University. Additionally, you could combine a shorter business placement with one semester studying in a partner university to achieve the award of Diploma in International Studies.

Enterprise Ethos

Enterprise is a key part of the Loughborough experience and can really boost your job prospects. All our business degrees include a module to develop our students’ enterprise and employability skills. There are also specific modules in entrepreneurship for those with aspirations to start their own businesses.

Student Enterprise thrives on campus with a range of extra-curricular activities including business planning competitions, events, and support services for students with real business ideas.

Selection

Selection interviews are not normally held, and offers of places are made on the basis of your UCAS form, particularly your referee’s report and previous examination performances. Candidates who are offered a place are invited to visit the School and meet staff on one of several Visit Days.

Career Prospects

The School has close links with a large number of major employers. Consequently our students have enjoyed great success in finding employment, and are quickly given high levels of responsibility. Many organisations specifically target our graduates for their graduate recruitment schemes.

Course structure

Year 1

• Marketing
• Organisational Behaviour
• Microeconomics for Business
• Financial Framework
• Skills for Study and Work
• Quantitative Methods for Business
• Business Modelling

Plus two modules from a list of options (including other introductory management subjects and languages).

Year 2

• International Business
• International Management
• International Employment Relations
• Macroeconomics for Business
• International Economics
• Human Resource Management
• Business Information Management
• Accounting for Management Decisions
• Data Analysis for Marketing Decisions
• Brand Management

Plus two modules from a list of options (including Sales Management, Consumer Behaviour, Human Resource Management in Service Industries and languages)

Year 3

• Salaried professional placement in the UK or abroad
• Alternatively you can choose to study abroad at an overseas partner university, or a mixture of professional placement and study abroad

Year 4

• International Corporate Governance and Firms
• International Negotiations
• International Marketing
• International Human Resource Management
• Strategic Management

Plus a number of modules from a wide range of options including:

• International Financial Management
• Marketing Strategy
• Career Management
• Project Management
• Business Ethics

Please note that optional modules are subject to availability and timetable permitting.

UCAS codes and entry requirements

The entry requirements for each course should be read alongside the University’s general entrance requirements, which give further details on acceptable subjects, alternative qualifications and minimum English language requirements.

SQA AHScottish Qualifications Authority Advanced Highers IBInternational Baccalaureate Diploma DPSDiploma in Professional Studies DISDiploma in Industrial Studies DIntSDiploma in International Studies