Overview
Developing global business leaders of the future.
Summary
This business degree will give you a strong understanding of how strategic decisions are made in global business environments, while equipping you with the knowledge and confidence you’ll need to succeed in the fast-moving world of international business.
With a broad selection of optional subjects alongside essential core modules, this degree gives you the freedom to shape your studies around your personal interests and career goals.
You'll also benefit from high-quality work placements, either locally or abroad, thanks to our strong industry connections across the North-West, many of which have a global footprint. Combined with opportunities to live, work, or study internationally, this degree equips you with the knowledge, experience, and global perspective needed to become a future leader in international business.
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We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
- Course specific information
- Fees and Finance
- Admissions
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
About this course
About
If you are ambitious and keen to thrive in today’s fast-moving, international business environment, this business degree offers you the flexibility to shape your own academic and professional journey - allowing you to choose from a wide range of optional subjects, alongside core modules, that reflect your personal interests and career goals.
Throughout your studies, you’ll have the opportunity to experience high-quality work placements at home or abroad, as well as having the chance to enhance your language skills and take part in international travel and study opportunities at partner universities in other countries - preparing you to confidently navigate different cultures and business contexts.
Whether you choose to enter the workforce immediately or continue on to postgraduate study, this degree opens doors to a wide range of professional options. Many of our graduates go on to pursue master’s programmes in business and related fields, while others launch successful careers across various industries.
At the heart of the programme is a strong focus on developing the qualities that employers value most. Through your studies, you’ll build key capabilities in areas such as Leadership, Marketing, Human Resource Management and Sustainability- equipping you to become an adaptable, forward-thinking leader in the global business world.
Year Status Code Title Summary
0 C FCE004 Introduction to Creative Industries
0 C FCE006 Foundation in Mathematics for Business
0 C FCE012 Introduction to Entrepreneurial Leadership
0 C FCE014 Project-Based Learning
0 C FCE100 Extended Critical Thinking for Undergraduate Study
0 C FCE101 Exploring Cultural Identities
1 C BMG266 Global Business Environment
1 C BMG270 Fundamentals of Human Resource Management
1 C BMG271 Organisations and Management
1 C BMG272 Professional and Academic Skills
1 C MKT129 Principles of Marketing
1 O ACF109 Introduction to Financial Accounting
1 O ACF149 Introduction to Accounting and Finance
1 O ACF309 Financial Accounting I
2 C BUS354 Global Economics and Finance
2 C BUS355 Digital Transformation
2 C BUS357 Global Strategy and Management
2 C BUS358 Professional Skills Development
2 O ACF311 Management Accounting
2 O BMG384 Management Information Systems
2 O BUS356 Data Analytics for Business
2 O BUS359 Applied Global Project
2 O BUS360 Business Innovation Concepts and Practices
2 O BUS361 Introduction to Sustainability
2 O BUS362 Sustainable Challenges
2 O LAW309 Business Law
2 O MKT351 Marketing Management
2 O MKT360 Consumer Behaviour
3 C ACF572 Sustainability Reporting and Governance
3 C BUS503 Global Trade Management
3 C BUS504 Contemporary Issues and Trends in Global Business
3 C BUS505 Leadership and People
3 O ACF537 Managing Financial Performance
3 O ACF540 Financial Accounting II View
3 O BMG300 Diploma in Professional Practice
3 O BMG647 Business Ethics and Sustainability
3 O BMG648 Progressing Towards Sustainable Industry
3 O BMG649 Business Venture Creation
3 O BUS306 Study Abroad
3 O BUS502 Entrepreneurial Business Solutions
3 O COM540 Business Intelligence
3 O MKT550 Digital Customer Experience
3 O MKT551 Global Marketing
3 O MKT552 Consumer Insights
Associate awards
Diploma in Professional Practice DPP
Diploma in International Academic Studies DIAS
Diploma in Professional Practice International DPPI
Attendance
The course duration is normally three years (without optional placement year) or four years (with optional placement year) for full-time students. The course facilitates a structured progression from a broad foundation of relevant international business and management subjects and disciplines at Level 4 (year 1), providing a foundation for more advanced study and development of understanding including evaluation, critique and application at Levels 5 (year 2) and 6 (final year).
As a full-time programme, students will normally complete six modules per year, with class contact time approximately three hours per week per module. Students will be expected to undertake independent study to supplement that contact of around 10 hours per week per module.
Start dates
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
In this programme, a blended learning approach is adopted and a varied and stimulating mix of learning and teaching methods are embedded in modules to enhance knowledge and understanding, as well as provide opportunities for students to apply their skills. Examples of these include:
- formal lectures, as one of the core methods of knowledge transfer;
- tutorial/seminars/workshops that focus on applying the core theories, principles and concepts introduced in lectures to practical contexts and contemporary issues in order for students to gain a more fuller understanding of the materials in a small group setting.
- Project based work and research activity which engages students in complex and critical thinking and is considered a highly effective method of preparing students for life after graduation.
These methods advance a range of wider skills required for employment including written and oral communication skills, leadership skills, teamwork skills, negotiation skills, project planning and management skills, presentation skills, problem analysis and decision making skills and increase self-awareness. Moreover, these will provide important opportunities for students to engage with both their peers and their tutors.
Assessments are open, flexible and based on the learning outcomes outlined for each module. Learning will be assessed through a combination of both individual and group coursework as well as individual examinations (where appropriate). Assessment has been designed to reflect the need for inclusivity of varying student abilities. Assessment taken at each level of study demonstrates progression and expands on the knowledge and skills developed at the previous level. It is expected that all learning outcomes will be achieved by all student participants and where required, students will receive additional support in the form of reasonable adjustments. Any adjustments will be tailored to the individual’s requirements and best interests of the student participant.
Examples of assessment can include a range of assessment types, including digital assessment, oral assessment and written assessment.
Attendance and Independent Study
As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.
Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10, 20, or 40 credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate courses typically 15 or 30 credit modules.
The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Teaching and learning activities will be in-person and/or online depending on the nature of the course. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.
Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.
Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.
Assessment
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessments. This feedback may be issued individually and/or issued to the group and you will be encouraged to act on this feedback for your own development.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification, the assessment timetable and the assessment brief. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised. The module pass mark for undergraduate courses is 40%. The module pass mark for postgraduate courses is 50%.
Calculation of the Final Award
The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).
Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.
All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study.
In Masters degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.
Figures from the academic year 2022-2023.
Academic profile
All lecturing staff within the Department of Global Business and Enterprise are Fellows/Senior Fellows of the Higher Education Academy.
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 60% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (19%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (22%) or Lecturers (57%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic and learning support staff (85%) are recognised as fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advance HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures from the academic year 2022-2023.
Standard entry conditions
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
A level
CCC
Applied General Qualifications
RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma
Award profile of MMM
We will also accept smaller BTEC/OCR qualifications (i.e. Diploma or Extended Certificate / Introductory Diploma / Subsidiary Diploma) in combination with A Levels or other acceptable level 3 qualifications.
To find out if the qualification you are applying with is a qualification we accept for entry, please check our Qualification Checker - our Equivalence Entry Checker. (opens in new window)
We will also continue to accept QCF versions of these qualifications although grades asked for may differ. Check what grades you will be asked for by comparing the requirements above with the information under QCF in the Applied General and Tech Level Qualifications section of our Entry Requirements - View our Undergraduate Entry Requirements (opens in new window)
Irish Leaving Certificate
96 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at higher level) to include English and Maths at H6 if studied at Higher level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level.
Irish Leaving Certificate UCAS Equivalency
Tariff point chart
Scottish Highers
Grades CCCCC
English and Maths required at Standard Grade 1, 2 or 3.
Scottish Advanced Highers
Grades DDD
English and Maths required at Standard Grade 1, 2 or 3.
International Baccalaureate
Overall profile is minimum 24 points (including 12 at higher level)
Access to Higher Education (HE)
Overall profile of 55% (to include a 20 credit Level 2 Mathematics module, passed at 40% or successful completion of NICATS Mathematics as part of the pre-2021 Access Diploma) (120 credit Access Course) (NI Access Course)
Overall profile of 45 credits at merit (60 credit Access Course) (GB Access Course)
GCSE
For full-time study, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements for admission to a first degree course and hold a GCSE pass at Grade C/4 or above in English Language and Mathematics, (or equivalent).
Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills - Communication will be accepted as equivalent to GCSE English.
Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills - Application of Number will be accepted as equivalent to GCSE Maths.
English Language Requirements
English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.
Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
Additional Entry Requirements
Acceptable alternative qualifications include:
Pass HND with overall Merit to include 15 distinctions in level 5 credits.
Pass HNC with overall Merit to include 45 distinctions in level 4 credits.
You may also meet the course entry requirements with combinations of different qualifications to the same standard as recognised by the University.
Exemptions and transferability
Most students enter Year 1. Applicants who can provide evidence of previous relevant study, awarded in accordance with the Credit Accumulation Transfer System, (CATS), may be considered for exemption from particular modules or entry to later years.
Careers & opportunities
Graduate employers
Graduates from this course are now working for:
- Bank of Ireland
- McCambridge Duffy
- Moy Park
- KPMG
- Deloitte LLP
- Kerry Group
- Allstate
Job roles
With this degree you could become:
- Business Analyst
- Graduate Management Programme
- Finance Analyst
- Entrepreneur
- Data Analyst
- Sustainability Development
- Marketing Consultant
Career options
This degree is designed to equip you with the knowledge, mindset, and experience to lead in today’s global, digital, and diverse business world. With a strong emphasis on sustainability, global citizenship, and professional development, you'll build key attributes like adaptability, creativity, and resilience.
You’ll gain industry insights through modern learning environments, employer engagement, and career planning support - helping you graduate with the confidence and capability to thrive in both regional and international business settings. Graduates are well-prepared for leadership roles, as well as further study or research in related fields.
You may also proceed to postgraduate study or research in related areas. Throughout your degree you will be supported and encouraged to reflect on your career choices and plan your graduate career path through employer engagement, career fairs and careers staff counsel and advice amongst others.
Work placement / study abroad
Work Placement/Study Abroad is an optional year for students on this programme.
You will have the option to undertake a year of paid work experience, locally or internationally, or to study abroad in third year.
Satisfactory completion of the placement year will lead to the award of the Diploma in Professional Practice or Diploma in Professional Practice (International) if you complete your work placement internationally. With the option to study abroad for a year; satisfactory completion of a study abroad year will lead to the award of the Diploma in International Academic Studies.
If you have successfully completed years one and two, and do not wish to complete a work experience year, or a year of academic study abroad, you may proceed directly to the final year of the degree.
Fees and funding
Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and EU Settlement Status Fees
£4,855.00
England, Scotland, Wales and the Islands Fees
£9,535.00
International Fees
£17,010.00
Important Notice: Annual Fees Increase
Annual Fees Increase Disclaimer
Fees illustrated are based on academic year 25/26 entry and are subject to an annual increase.
If your study continues into future academic years your fees are subject to an annual increase. Please take this into consideration when you estimate your total fees for a degree.
Additional mandatory costs are highlighted where they are known in advance. There are other costs associated with university study.
Visit our Fees pages for full details of fees.
Correct at the time of publishing. Terms and conditions apply.
Scholarships, awards and prizes
Student achievements on the BSc Hons Global Business degree will be recognised by a number of prizes and awards.
Additional mandatory costs
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
Disclaimer
- We prepare our prospectus and online information about our courses with care and every effort is made to ensure that the information is accurate. The printed version of the prospectus is, however, published at least a year before the courses begin. Information included in the prospectus may, therefore, change. This includes, but is not limited to changes to the terms, content, delivery, location, method of assessments or lengths of the courses described. Not all circumstances are foreseeable, but changes will normally be made for one of the following reasons:
- to meet external, professional, or accredited body requirements;
- to provide for exceptional circumstances due to reasons beyond our reasonable control;
- to improve or enhance your experience, or to adopt changes recommended in student feedback, with the aim of improving the student experience and or student outcomes; and/or
- to ensure appropriate academic standards are met, for example in response to external examiners feedback.
- If there are insufficient enrolments to make a course viable, it may be necessary for the University to withdraw a course. If you have received an offer for a course that we subsequently have to close, we will contact you as soon as possible to discuss alternative courses. If you do not wish to study any alternative courses at the University, you may withdraw your application by informing us by email to admissions@ulster.ac.uk.
- Please note that the University’s website is the most up-to-date source of information regarding courses, campuses and facilities and we strongly recommend that you always visit the website before making any commitments.
- We will include a durable PDF when we send you an offer letter which will highlight any changes made to our prospectus or online information about our courses. You should read this carefully and ensure you fully understand what you are agreeing to before accepting a place on one of our courses.
- The University will always try to deliver the course as described in the durable PDF you receive with your offer letter.
- At any point after an offer has been made, students will be notified of any course changes in writing (usually by email) as soon as reasonably practicable and we will take all reasonable steps to minimise their impact where possible. The University will, where possible and reasonably practicable, seek the express consent of the student in regard to any changes concerning material or pre-contract information.
- The University website will be updated to reflect the changed course information as soon as reasonably practicable.
- If, after due consideration, you decide that you no longer want to study your course or to study at the University, because of the changes, you may withdraw your application or terminate your contract with the University. In order to do so, you should notify us in writing by emailing admissions@ulster.ac.uk (and update UCAS if applicable). We will, on request, recommend alternative courses that you could study with us, or suggest a suitable course at an alternative higher education provider.
- Providing the University has complied with the requirements of all applicable consumer protection laws, the University does not accept responsibility for the consequences of any modification, relocation or cancellation of any course, or part of a course, offered by the University. The University will give due and proper consideration to the effects thereof on individual students and taken the steps necessary to minimise the impact of such effects on those affected.
- The University is not liable for disruption to its provision of educational or other services caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control providing it takes all reasonable steps to minimise the resultant disruption to such services.
Sustainability at Ulster
Ulster continues to develop and support sustainability initiatives with our staff, students, and external partners across various aspects of teaching, research, professional services operations, and governance.
At Ulster every person, course, research project, and professional service area on every campus either does or can contribute in some way towards the global sustainability and climate change agenda.
We are guided by both our University Strategy People, Place and Partnerships: Delivering Sustainable Futures for All and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Our work in this area is already being recognised globally. Most recently by the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact rating where we were recognised as Joint 5th Globally for Outreach Activities and Joint Top 20 Globally for Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals.
Visit our Sustainability at Ulster destination to learn more about how the University strategy and the activities of Ulster University support each of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Learning and Teaching
We support and develop ‘Education for Sustainable Development’ within the Faculty’s Learning & teaching portfolio. We do so by providing bespoke staff training on ESD and curating an ESD Resources Hub.
All UUBS undergraduate and post-graduate course are mapped against the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), and students are actively involved in learning for sustainable development.
We seek to enhance the student experience by encouraging our students to become actively involved in sustainability initiatives, such as Carbon Literacy Training, the Big Spring Clean and collaborating with the Northern Ireland Resource Network.
Research and Knowledge Exchange
We develop, support and disseminate sustainability-themed research within the Faculty and beyond. Our annual sustainability research networking event creates new research strands within the Faculty’s research portfolio.
We actively support out PhD community to embed sustainability in their research and provide training on methods and critical thinking on sustainability.
We partner with other institutions, such as Queen’s University Belfast and Atlantic Technological University to broaden our sustainability research and create interdisciplinary research links.
Communications and Engagement
UUBS has a dedicated Sustainability Committee, tasked with developing dedicated internal and external communications and engagement activities promoting the sustainability work of the Faculty.
We host an annual Sustainability Business Breakfast, attend and speak at notable sustainability events, such as the SustainExchange Summit, the Belfast Re[Act] Festival and the NI Science Festival.
Our sustainability work is monitored on our bespoke UUBS SDG Dashboard on our dedicated UUBS sustainability webpages. Our sustainability performance team oversees the Faculty’s Academy Restaurant’s Green Academy programme and associated eco-certifications Green Key and Green Tourism Gold Award.