Course overview

International business management and marketing paired together in this single honours degree allows you to develop your business management knowledge, focussing on managing in an international context and the challenges that creates, whilst gaining an understanding of marketing methods and strategies. The course provides you with an authentic blend of international business management and marketing knowledge and techniques, so you have a robust range of skills to achieve your career aspirations.

Developing your expertise

From the beginning of this course you will start to develop your management expertise with a focus on encouraging you to think critically about managing, organisations and what work means to the employees of those organisations. Investigating macro-environment matters will help you understand the different political, social, technological, economic, and cultural factors that can have a major impact on international businesses. You will investigate the unique nature of a firm's international operations and enhance your comprehension of international business strategy. Relevant, contemporary marketing concepts and theories are explored to enhance your knowledge in specific areas such as consumer, business-to-business, social and not-for-profit marketing, and you will start to analyse the different psychological and social influences on consumer behaviour.

Our International Business Management and Marketing BA also gives you the opportunity to adapt your studies with a choice of optional modules. In your first year you can select from related themes including managing in a changing society, human resource management, the British and global economy, and quantitative methods, and the opportunity to learn more about managing in organisations by working with other students to find a solution to a business problem set by a multinational corporation.

In the following years on the course you will gain insight into the operational activities of multinational corporations and look at the techniques needed to effectively manage international businesses. Consumer behaviour will continue to be explored to give you a deeper understanding of current consumer culture, and how studying consumer behaviour can be linked to different marketing practices. You will examine how marketing research influences marketing decisions, and also gain a critical understanding of digital and marketing communications and the opportunity to apply them in practice. You will also focus on the theory and practice of strategic marketing management.

You will improve your awareness of the complexities of international business from a cultural perspective by examining the diverse and different nature of business cultures across the globe. Project management skills are essential for effective managers and you will improve your skills in this area with an emphasis on the issues around managing international projects.

An independent study project will improve your marketing skills through a study of consumers, where you can utilise your research, analytical and reporting skills. As this course has an international emphasis we also ensure you have a sense of the issues that affect marketing decisions at a global level.

You will continue to choose a range of optional modules to expand your studies that may include topics such as operations and quality management, your own professional development, international supply chains, digital marketing, contemporary retail and business strategy.

Strengthening your employability

Work Placement Year*

In an increasingly competitive job market, employers are seeking to recruit employees who have high-level knowledge, skills and an understanding of the workplace. Choosing a work placement year between your second and third year, is a fantastic way to gain industry or other organisational experience. It can provide a valuable insight into what working in a specific area of business is like, gives you the chance to familiarise yourself with the professional working environment and develop professional contacts, and provides the opportunity to apply the theory you’ve learnt on your degree course.

*Students who require a visa to study in the UK may be able to add in a work placement depending upon the programme. The ability to add a work placement is dependent upon the UK Immigration rules at the time of the request. It may be that for some programmes students will not have the option to request a placement period to be added to their programme before they arrive in the UK and would need to apply for a new visa. There is no guarantee that a placement will be provided and that students who have a visa are subject to a number of restrictions on the type of work, including placements they can undertake.

International Year

In between years two and three of your studies you can choose to spend a year or a semester studying abroad. This exciting opportunity enables you to understand your field from different cultural perspectives and to establish international networks.

It also shows you have the personal attributes to embrace new experiences which can enhance your employability. We offer exchange opportunities with a wide variety of partner institutions.

Entrepreneurship Year

Showcase your innovative abilities and ideas to develop your business aspirations. If you’ve ever wanted to establish your own start-up or have been inspired by your studies this entrepreneurship year is an amazing opportunity to develop your own business idea. You will undertake your entrepreneurship year working within Keele’s Smart Innovation Hub.

The Entrepreneurship pathway is available to UK and international students. Yet for international students, the availability of the Entrepreneurship pathway is subject due to the latest visa regulations.

Student Support

We have a robust support system in place for our students. You will be allocated an academic mentor at the start of the course who will review your progress, meet regularly with you, and is contactable by phone and email. Academics can also provide guidance about specific course modules.

A Student Experience and Support team is based within our Faculty with a member of the team dedicated to Keele Business School. They are part of the University's student services department and work closely with teams across Keele to you can easily access the help you need.

Extra assistance is provided by our School’s Disability Liaison Officer. They provide an additional layer of support for students with disabilities and can advise on matters relating to disability including dyslexia and specific learning difficulties.

You will also have access to a mixture of advice and support services at Keele including;

• Learning Support and Academic Guidance
• Disability Services
• English Language Unit
• Student Advice at Keele (ASK)
• Student Support Services
• Occupational Health Department

Keele Students' Union also offers support through their sabbatical officers and the Independent Advice Unit.

Societies

We have a wealth of student-led societies here at Keele which cover a diverse range of interests. Joining a society related to business is a great opportunity to continue to develop your skills away from your studies. This is another excellent way of demonstrating your genuine interest for the area and can be beneficial when it comes to applying for graduate roles. It’s also a great way to make friends and share interests with fellow students.

Related Courses

• International Business Management
• Business Management and Marketing
• Marketing
• Marketing and Media