Overview
You’ve studied business before, and you’re looking for an honours degree which you know will boost your career. Our one-year International Business Top-up is just the course you need. Based in Cambridge, you’ll cover business strategy, economics, sustainability, technology, finance and more. Benefit from our business links as you hear from guest speakers, network with professionals, and enhance your knowledge in one of the UK’s most connected cities.
Find out more about teaching options and studying during COVID-19 in the Entry requirements section, below.
My time at ARU has improved my communication – making me the person I am today. Whatever I do, wherever I go, I have the dedicated, supportive, and brilliant staff within the Business School to thank.
Careers
We regularly host employer visits and speakers. We also organise business events designed to enhance your knowledge of the job market and give you opportunities to meet and speak with employers.
Graduating with a degree in international business will give you the foundation for a career that can cross any sector, industry or location. Our graduates can be found working in the private, public, or third (voluntary) sector – and in industries as diverse as aerospace and defence, beverages, construction, health, management consultancy, pharmaceutical, retail, telecoms, travel and leisure.
Alternatively, you could choose to continue your studies at postgraduate level. We offer a variety of business Masters courses, including our ever-popular MBA, MSc Management or MSc International Business.
Modules & assessment
Core modules
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Undergraduate Major Project
Undertaking a Major Project allows you to engage in a substantial piece of individual research, and/or product development work, on a selected topic within the broad business and management field, relating to your particular interests and background, although closely linked to our wide range of staff interests and research. You will have many group sessions to support your project, plus the supervision by an academic member of staff. The project also encourages students to share ideas and approaches. The chosen topic will be in your course subject area and require you to identify/formulate problems and issues based on a range of topics provided by conducting a literature review and evaluating information. You will investigate and adopt a suitable desk based methodology and determine solutions, perhaps developing hardware, software and/or media artefacts as appropriate. You will critically appraise and present your findings, reflecting upon the limitations of your research and the research process. -
Advanced Strategic Management
This module introduces you to how an organisational strategy takes shape and what strategists actually do. The module is organised around five themes. Firstly, it focuses on the evaluation of strategic options in terms of suitability, acceptability and feasibility. Secondly, 'intended strategy development' versus 'emergent strategy development' is examined as two broadly different approaches of strategy development. The third theme covers the role of organisational structures and systems in strategy development. The fourth theme is the leadership of strategic change. Lastly, the module discusses the practice of strategy. You'll learn about practical examples associated with Strategic Management together with key problem-solving skills. -
Sustainable Transformation and Environmental Practice
Climate change and sustainability offer both challenges and opportunities for economies and business across the world. This module is a “step” into addressing the requirements of private and public sector organisations looking for graduates with knowledge, skills and attributes related to environmental and sustainability issues. It develops a hands-on approach to sustainability by focusing on the development of an environmental management system (EMS) for the students’ households. It is expected that this module can contribute to the students’ wellbeing, while reducing their carbon footprint and creating sustainable transformations and pro-environmental behaviour. This module aims at developing creativity, responsibility and future-thinking amongst the participants: its ultimate goal is to enhance the students’ participation in a highly competitive job market and the opportunities for green and responsible entrepreneurship. The main pillars of this module are as follows. A. Action Learning & Reflective Practice: This module encourages students to start working on their assessment from day 1, offering a wide variety of tools to record their progress in the implementation and monitoring of their environmental management system. B. Creativity and Use of Technology: This module relies on the students’ creative skills in the use of social media and use of digital learning platforms such as Canvas. C. Employability: At the end of this module students will be able to identify and provide evidence of a wide range of skills and attributes for future jobs and enterprises. Overall aims at encouraging the ability for self-reflection and a commitment to life-long learning becoming and acting as responsible citizens. This module is approved by Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA), which means that upon completing it, you are entitled to a free student membership (of £25 value). The perks include access to extra resources, such as webinars, publications, networks and more. It can not only enhance your academic performance, but also differentiate you from other graduates and help you launch your career in environmental sustainability.
Optional modules (subject to availability)
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Career Development and Employability
This innovative and exciting career-focused module will help you develop the employability skills and capabilities that are needed to compete successfully in the graduate labour market whilst seeking to provide you with knowledge, support and insight into the contemporary world of work and the business market. The module will also develop your skills and is therefore practical and engages you in case study exercise, real-life scenarios, audit and skills testing techniques and invites external guest speakers and employers to provide insight and input. The lectures and seminars will provide key inputs to help introduce you to fundamental employability concepts, insights and techniques, drawn from the world of business and management, but also from other disciplines such as sociology, social psychology and the humanities. -
Employee Relations
Human resource professionals need to understand key developments in the theory and practice of employment relations, both within and beyond the immediate organisational context. This module allows you to build on your knowledge and experience to develop the skills required to make informed and effective judgements about existing and emerging models, processes and practices of employment relations in local and international jurisdictions. This is designed to encourage you to assess and understand broader developments that influence the effective management of the employment relationship in indigenous and multinational organisations. -
Strategic Brand Management
Successful branding creates consumer value and can provide protection from price competition and pressures towards commoditization. This involves complex processes which transform experience from satisfaction of basic needs to becoming a medium of social exchange. Brands are very important to consumers and firms. In this module you will learn about how to manage these valuable assets and the concept of brand equity whilst developing and exploring the work of leading marketing theorists and practitioners. You will not only examine leading global brands such as Coca Cola and Apple, but also lesser known brands in the context of strategic brand management. -
EU Economy: Policy and Issues
Economic and political aspects of the European Union are explored on this module. You will be introduced to important areas of EU policy affecting, for example, the extent and pace of EU enlargement, the competitiveness of the EU, and migration. This module also explores the reasons for economic integration, and the costs and benefits of the single currency. The EU is constantly evolving and this module will reflect this in its use of contemporary events and current controversies. -
International Intercultural Management
In an increasingly global business environment, those involved in international business and management must develop the insights and skills to interact with customers and stakeholders in a culturally sensitive way. The module introduces and examines the work of important researchers in the field such as Hofstede, Hall, Watson, Tayeb, Holden, Hampden-Turner and Trompenaars. It explores the application of these theories to decision making at an organisation level. Presenting cultural diversity as a central element in the phenomena of business change and organisational development through the use of case studies and interactive scenarios. It draws on the diversity of the student group as a resource and attempts to generate dynamic learning experiences. -
Retail and Shopper Marketing
This module applies core marketing principles in a retail context and develops specialist knowledge of the retail industry from a marketing perspective. You’ll explore retail and shopper marketing and the clear links to other business curriculum areas: marketing management, consumer behaviour, human resources, operations management and economics. The module explores: retail marketing mixes and strategies, customer satisfaction, internet retailing and the emerging use of 'shopper marketing', sustainable and ethical issues and the growth of consumerism. You will examine a wide range of case studies that focus on different types of retailers and their marketing activities. -
Leadership in Contemporary Organisations
How can you be an effective leader during the current turbulent times? Organisations are facing constant organisational, environmental and economic change. In addition, smart technology and increasingly flat hierarchies in organisations emphasise the importance of effective team management and networking across different cultures. This module explores the role of leadership to facilitate effective management of uncertainty, ambiguity, complexity and to create a vision and strategy for future success and sustainable performance of organisations. This module enables you to make links between the theoretical and practical aspects of leadership by solving case studies and also by reflecting on own leadership challenges - from previous jobs, work placements or volunteering. -
Business Financing
This module looks at the financial options available to businesses whilst introducing you to the wider financial markets operations, including derivatives and hedging. The main focus will be on ways in which to generate capital financing from the capital markets though shares, debentures and loans building on the core learning co-delivered through the financial management modules. At the centre of the module will be on-going tracking of a portfolio of market investments where you’ll be expected to consider alternative methods for corporate valuations and evaluate changes in market valuations. -
Digital Marketing
In any management role within an organisation you’ll require an appreciation of the power and influence of Digital Marketing. This module aims to increase your employability by providing individuals with many of the necessary skills, as well as a critical understanding, of Digital Marketing. Covering both profit and not for profit organisations as well as examining evidence of the change in Consumer Behaviour and increase in online activities such as social activism. You’ll also be required to investigate the influence of Tribes, Communities and Virtual Crowds in online behaviour and the effective use of Word of mouth and Viral Marketing as part of campaign tactics. Important consideration of legal and regulatory issues affecting Digital Marketing, together with emerging codes of practice and ethical issues are addressed.
Assessment
We'll assess your work in a variety of ways including exams, coursework, essays and activity-based assignments. Expect, for example, problem-solving activities, consultancy projects, presentations and group or individual reports. You'll also be able to access support materials through our learning management system (Canvas).
This is a 1 year programme
Alongside your core modules you will pick a number of optional modules. Please note that modules are subject to change and availability.
Where you'll study
Your faculty
You have a highly active mind and see opportunity everywhere. Now you need theory and life-changing skills to sharpen your approach to management. At the Faculty of Business & Law, you will immerse yourself in a multicultural environment where technology blends with teaching to create a dynamic and innovative learning environment. An environment to help you gain those skills.
Where can I study?
Cambridge
Our campus is close to the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
Additional study information
During the year, you’ll have the opportunity to attend lectures and workshops on career-relevant subjects such as CV preparation, job-hunting, finding work experience and using social media.
Our placements and employability team will help you access information that’s relevant to business graduates, and help you with your career plans.
Fees & funding
Course fees
UK students starting 2021/22 (per year)
£9,250
International students starting 2021/22 (per year)
£13,900
How do I pay my fees?
Tuition fee loan
UK students can take out a tuition fee loan, which you won’t need to start repaying until after your graduate. Or there's the option to pay your fees upfront.
International students
You can pay your tuition fees upfront, in full or in two instalments. We will also ask you for a deposit of £4,000 or a sponsorship letter. Details will be in your offer letter.
Paying your feesFunding for UK students
Most new UK undergraduate students can apply for government funding to support their studies and university life. This also applies to EU, EEA and Swiss nationals who have citizens' rights following Brexit.
Government funding includes Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans. There are additional grants available for specific groups of students, such as those with disabilities or dependants.
We also offer a range of ARU scholarships, which can provide extra financial support while you’re at university.
Funding for international students
We offer a number of scholarships, as well as an early payment discount. Explore your options:
Entry requirements
Due to the national lockdown all universities in England, including ARU, are only able to provide face to face teaching on campus for a limited number of courses. Visit our restrictions page for details.
Teaching options when not in a lockdown
In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic all our students can choose to either study face to face on campus or online only, and students are able to change their mode of delivery at given dates throughout the trimester.
For on campus teaching, we offer at least 4 hours face to face teaching related contact time per week for our undergraduate full time programmes supported by online learning using our established online learning systems. The number of contact hours vary course by course, and you can contact us for further information. The provision offered is subject to change due to the possibility of further Government restrictions, however the University remains committed to delivering face to face teaching and ensuring a COVID-19 secure environment.
In the event that there are further changes to the current restrictions that are in place within the UK due to the pandemic, we may need to move some courses online only at short notice to remain in line with Government guidelines and ensure the continued safety of our students and staff.
National Lockdown (from 5 January 2021)
View the impact of the current restrictions
Important additional notes
Whether you're studying entirely online or through a blend of on-campus and online learning from September 2020, you'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course. A small number of our courses require additional technical specifications or specialist materials. Before starting the course, we recommend that you check our technical requirements for online learning. Our website also has general information for new students about starting university in 2020-21.
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements. Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course, please email answers@anglia.ac.uk for further information.
We don't accept AS level qualifications on their own for entry to our undergraduate degree courses. However for some degree courses a small number of tariff points from AS levels are accepted as long as they're combined with tariff points from A levels or other equivalent level 3 qualifications in other subjects.
International students
We welcome applications from international and EU students, and accept a range of international qualifications.
Whether you're studying entirely online or through a blend of face-to-face and online learning from September 2020, you'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course. A small number of our courses require additional technical specifications or specialist materials. Before starting the course, we recommend that you check our technical requirements for online learning. Our website also has general information for new students about starting university in 2020-21.
Due to the national lockdown all universities in England, including ARU, are only able to provide face to face teaching on campus for a limited number of courses. Visit our restrictions page for details.
Teaching options when not in a lockdown
In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic all our students can choose to either study face to face on campus or online only, and students are able to change their mode of delivery at given dates throughout the trimester.
For on campus teaching, we offer at least 4 hours face to face teaching related contact time per week for our undergraduate full time programmes supported by online learning using our established online learning systems. The number of contact hours vary course by course, and you can contact us for further information. The provision offered is subject to change due to the possibility of further Government restrictions, however the University remains committed to delivering face to face teaching and ensuring a COVID-19 secure environment.
In the event that there are further changes to the current restrictions that are in place within the UK due to the pandemic, we may need to move some courses online only at short notice to remain in line with Government guidelines and ensure the continued safety of our students and staff.
National Lockdown (from 5 January 2021)
View the impact of the current restrictions
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you'll need to make sure you meet our English language requirements for undergraduate courses.
Check the standard entry requirements for IELTS requirements for this course.
Improving your English language skills
If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry onto a degree course.
We also provide our own English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) in the UK and overseas. To find out if we are planning to hold an ELPT in your country, contact our country managers.
