International Business and Finance BSc

Course overview

This course combines the core concepts and practices of international business with a thorough grounding in accounting and finance. At Leeds, you’ll study in one of the largest city regions for financial and business services in England, which offers a range of opportunities to gain relevant work experience.

This degree is accredited by the Institute of Export and International Trade and will provide you with an in-depth understanding of the core elements of international business, together with practical knowledge of accounting and finance.

You’ll develop the knowledge and skills needed to understand and manage complex organisations across national borders, especially in international trade and foreign direct investment, alongside the core principles of finance.

You’ll have the opportunity to shape your degree to suit your own career plans and interests, with optional modules in a range of subjects. You’ll also have the choice to take an optional additional year gaining work experience or studying abroad.

Leeds City Region is a leading hub for financial, professional and business services. With access to support from the Business School’s Employability and Opportunity team, you’ll have many opportunities to develop your professional network throughout your studies.

Pathways

This programme offers pathways from Year 2 which will allow students to tailor their course to their specific interests or professional aspirations. The pathways will provide modules that can be taken in particular areas and followed through to their final year. This allows a level of personalisation and self-direction not previously available on this programme, providing students with a degree of flexibility to meet their own needs.

The pathways available on this programme are:

• Economics
• Ethics and Sustainability

Course highlights

• Choose to take an optional year in industry gaining practical experience or spend a year studying in another culture at one of our many partner universities across the world.

• Gain essential practice for your career, including the opportunity to apply your learning in your final year by taking part in live business simulations.

• If you're interested in exploring a career in portfolio management, our state-of-the-art trading rooms will provide you with opportunities to develop the practical skills you'll need, including the chance to gain certification by taking part in a Bloomberg Core Concepts training course in your first year.

• Develop important research and analytical skills and apply these in your final year to a year-long project on an international business topic of your choice.

Find out more about studying your undergraduate degree at Leeds University Business School.

Supporting your personal development

Throughout your studies, you'll benefit from the support of your Academic Personal Tutor who will work in partnership with you to maximise your personal and professional development.

You’ll also have access to support from the Business School’s Employability and Opportunity team who will help you explore opportunities to develop your professional network and gain work experience.

Specialist facilities

At Leeds University Business School, you’ll have access to specialist facilities including state-of-the-art lecture theatres, collaborative learning and teaching spaces with the latest interactive technology and modern study spaces with dedicated computer clusters.

Explore our virtual campus tour to find out more.

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Accreditation

Leeds University Business School has triple accreditation from the three leading bodies AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS

Our International Business degrees are accredited by the Institute of Export and International Trade, which allows you to acquire an exporting qualification after your studies and strengthens your job prospects.

Course details

Our degrees have a modular structure. This means that compulsory modules provide you with the core knowledge and skills that you need, while optional and discovery modules allow you to shape your course to suit your personal interests and career aspirations.

Year one

Your first year will give you a firm grounding in key areas of international business and finance through compulsory modules. You’ll learn about the key concepts and theories in both subjects, gain a foundation in economics and build the mathematical and statistical knowledge and skills that you’ll need. In addition, you’ll study the basics of financial accounting.

Year two

In the following year you’ll learn more about research methods in international business and go into more depth on the challenges and strategies related to managing across cultures and international boundaries. At the same time, you’ll study corporate finance in depth and choose from optional modules on topics from specialist areas of economics to marketing and small business growth.

Final year

You’ll engage with the very latest research in international business in your final year while developing your knowledge of international strategic management. You’ll compete in an international business simulation, giving you the opportunity to develop and apply your knowledge of business strategies and theories in a practical team-based environment. Final year is also where you will develop an advanced understanding of financial and investment theory. A range of complementary optional modules allows you to study topics such as financial derivatives, auditing and corporate governance among others. The course culminates with an independently researched dissertation on an international business topic of your choice, which is an opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Most courses consist of compulsory and optional modules. There may be some optional modules omitted below. This is because they are currently being refreshed to make sure students have the best possible experience. Before you enter each year, full details of all modules for that year will be provided.

For more information please read International Business and Finance BSc in the course catalogue.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Introduction to Finance (20 credits)
• Academic and Professional Development for Studies in International Business (10 credits)
• Principles of International Business (20 credits)
• Introductory Financial Accounting (10 credits)
• Mathematics and Statistics for Economics and Business 1B (10 credits)
• Economic Theory and Applications for Finance (30 credits)

Optional modules

• Mathematics and Statistics for Economics and Business 1A (10 credits)
• Introductory Management Accounting (10 credits)
• Global Entrepreneurship (10 credits)
• Starting your own business (10 credits)

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Corporate Financial Management (20 credits)
• Cross-Cultural Management (20 credits)
• Research Methods in International Business (20 credits)
• Managing International Business (20 credits)

Optional finance modules

• Financial Accounting and Reporting (20 credits)
• Intermediate Management Accounting (20 credits)
• Banks and Banking Systems (10 credits)

Optional modules

• From Study to Work (10 credits)
• People in Organisations (10 credits)
• Small Business Internationalisation and Growth (10 credits)
• Contemporary Topics in International Business (10 credits)

Pathway modules

Economics pathway

• Industrial Economics (10 credits)
• Business Economics (10 credits)
• Intermediate Microeconomics (10 credits)
• Intermediate Macroeconomics (10 credits)
• The International Economic Environment (10 credits)

Ethics and Sustainability pathway

• Corporate Social Responsibility (10 credits)
• Leadership Ethics (10 credits)

Final year

Compulsory modules

• International Business Dissertation (40 credits)
• Advanced Finance (10 credits)
• International Strategic Management (20 credits)

Optional finance modules

• Private Equity (10 credits)
• Behavioural Finance (10 credits)
• Financial Derivatives (10 credits)
• Principles of Auditing (10 credits)
• Professional Portfolio Management (10 credits)
• Corporate Governance (10 credits)
• Contemporary Issues in Accounting (10 credits)
• Forensic Accounting and Finance (10 credits)
• International Banking and Finance (10 credits)

Optional modules

• European Business (10 credits)
• Innovation Thinking and Practice (10 credits)
• Transnational Corporations in the World Economy (10 credits)

Pathway modules

Economics pathway

• Environmental Economics (10 credits)
• Economics of Business and Corporate Strategy (20 credits)

Ethics and Sustainability pathway

• Business Ethics (20 credits)
• Gender and Equality at Work in Comparative Perspective (20 credits)
• Diversity Management (20 credits)

Discovery modules

Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.

This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

You’ll be taught using a range of methods including lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops. The rest of your time will be spent in independent learning, which allows you to develop your skills in research and analysis. Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it’s a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your programme and modules.

You’ll also benefit from dedicated academic counselling from your Head of Year, a lecturer in your subject area who will meet you individually during the year and act as a personal tutor.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

We use a variety of assessment methods to help you develop a range of transferable skills that you’ll need in professional life. These are likely to include coursework, exams, oral presentations, group reports and dissertations.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAA

GCSE: 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or higher including Mathematics grade A/7 and English Language grade B/6 or equivalent, or an appropriate English language qualification.* *If you have a B/6 in GCSE English Literature we will accept a Grade B/5 or C/4 in GCSE English Language.

Other course specific tests:

Read more about UK and Republic of Irelandaccepted qualifications for this course.

Alternative qualification

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds offer
A level: ABB

GCSE: 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or higher including Mathematics grade A/7 and English Language or English Literature grade C/4

Access to Leeds: Pass

International

To study at the University of Leeds, you’ll need to have a recognised English language qualification.

Read more about recognised English Language Requirements for Leeds University Business School on our Entry Requirements page.

For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

IELTS requirements for this course are listed below.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

Fees

UK: £9,250 (per year)

International: £24,000 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will remain capped at £9,250 for 2023/24 and 2024/25. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for international students for 2023/24 and 2024/25 are available on individual course pages.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Additional cost information

Optional Institute of Export (IOE) student membership. See IOE website for details.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Leeds University Business School awards a generous range of scholarships.

Applying

Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

The deadline for international students to apply to Leeds University Business School courses is 30 June.

This course is not accepting applications for deferred entry.

We typically receive a high number of applications for this course. To ensure we treat all applications fairly and equitably, we review applications after the UCAS deadline before making a final decision. All applications received before the UCAS deadline are guaranteed equal consideration. Please see our How to Apply page, under “Application decisions” for details.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2024

This course is taught by

Leeds University Business School

Contact us

Leeds University Business School Course Enquiries Office

Email: lubsugadmissions@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Career opportunities

Whether your career aspirations lie with government departments, consultancy firms, small and medium-sized enterprises or large multinational enterprises, this course will give you a vital understanding of the challenges, opportunities and processes of international business.

Our courses are designed to prepare you for specialist roles in, for example, export management, strategic analysis, business development, international economic policy and analysis, international trade, and international business finance.

The finance element of this course will enable you to go into accountancy firms, investment banks, high street banks, insurance companies, savings banks, management consultancies and public sector employment.

Watch our video: Prepare for your Graduate Career at Leeds University Business School.

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Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

You will be supported throughout your studies by the Business School’s dedicated Employability and Opportunity team who will help you develop and demonstrate the professional skills and experience that top employers are looking. You'll benefit from one-to-one support, workshops and events from graduate employers.

In addition, Leeds University Business School students also have full access to the University Careers Centre and Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Studies.

The Careers Centre work with a large network of experienced professionals from companies such as Santander, M&S and KPMG, who volunteer as mentors on our Nurturing Talent Mentor Scheme. Applying for the scheme is a competitive process and it offers Business School students a wide range of benefits as they are mentored on a one-to-one basis for one academic year.

Study abroad and work placements

Study abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend an additional academic year studying abroad. The University has partnerships with more than 300 universities worldwide and popular destinations for our students include the USA, Canada, Australia, countries in Asia and countries in Europe.

You can also apply to take part in a short-course summer school at one of our overseas partner institutions. A summer school can be taken as part of a three-year degree, or in addition to a study year abroad or year in industry.

Read more about studying abroad.

Work placement

Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability.

On this course you have the option to apply to spend a year in industry with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors, in the UK or overseas. If you take this option, your degree will be extended to a four-year programme with the third year spent on placement.

Support to find shorter internships is also available.

Read more about work placements.

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