(BSc) Bachelor of Science
International Business and Entrepreneurship (Including Year Abroad)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Essex Business School
Southend Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Business and Management
BSC N121
08/06/2026
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
- GCSE: Mathematics C/4.
Plus a level 3 qualification:
- 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels.
- IB: 29 points in the IB Diploma or 112 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of 2 Higher Level subjects. Our Maths requirement can be met with either: 2 in Standard level Maths; 2 in Higher level Maths; or 4 in IB Middle Years Maths.
- We accept A-levels, AAQs, BTECs, Access to HE Diploma, T-levels and most other qualifications that hold UCAS tariff points. Acceptability of some non A-level qualifications (such as BTECs) may depend on the subject studied and units taken.
You can calculate your UCAS tariff points on the UCAS website.
Whilst International A-levels and BTECs aren't on the UCAS tariff calculator, we assign them the same tariff points as their UK counterparts.
More information about our requirements and how to apply is on our undergraduate application information page
Contextual Offers:
We are committed to ensuring that all students with the merit and potential to benefit from an Essex education are supported to do so. We make Contextual Offers, of up to two A-level grades (or equivalent) below our standard conditional offer, to applicants from underrepresented groups residing in the UK. Our Contextual Offers policy outlines the full eligibility criteria.
If you haven't got the grades you hoped for, have a non-traditional academic background, are a mature student, or have any questions about eligibility for your course, more information can be found on our undergraduate application information page.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English
IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or specified score in an equivalent test that we accept.
Details of English language requirements and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.
Pre-sessional English courses
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
- Applied Data Science: In order to be eligible for the qualifier, you must successfully complete (i.e. pass with a mark of 40 or above) the following modules: Year Two: At least three of the following: BE216 – (15 credits) International Business Management, BE218 – (15 credits) Business Research Methods, BE220 – (15 credits) Strategic Entrepreneurship, BE223 - (15 credits) Introduction to Business Analytics, BE311 - (15 credits) Corporate Finance, BE313 - (15 credits) Portfolio Analysis, BE424 – (15 credits) Principles of Operations and Supply Chain Management. Final Year: BE441 – (30 credits) Business Strategy AND at least one of the following: BE141 - (15 credits) Strategic Management Accounting, BE224 - (15 credits) Strategic Operations and Supply Chain, BE225 - (15 credits) Applied Business Analytics and Decision Making, BE228 – (15 credits) Data Mining and Visualisation, BE332 – (15 credits) Options and Futures, BE631 – (15 credits) Risk Management and Financial Institutions. Students must also have completed and pass one of the following modules (quantitative research methodology and data analysis must be utilised): BE932 – (30 credits) Research Project- Business Administration, BE933 – (30 credits) Research Project- Marketing, BE934 – (30 credits) Research Project- International Business and Entrepreneurship, BE941 – (30 credits) Research Project – International Business and Finance, BE943 – (30 credits) Research Project - Business Administration and Supply Chain Management, BE945 – (30 credits) Research Project – Business and Analytics
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
To provide students with an in-depth understanding of key concepts and issues surrounding the context, content and processes involved in business creation and growth, and how they apply to both domestic and international situations.
To equip students with the knowledge and skills required to develop and manage their businesses both at home and abroad.
To encourage students to think critically about processes of business development and internationalization, and to equip them with the knowledge, tools and environment within which to solve problems effectively.
To help students manage their own learning and personal development in the future.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Basic understanding of theories, policies and practices of business creation and growth (BM 3.4)
A2: Basic understanding of economic principles and theories of the firm
A3: Basic understanding of accounting concepts, the context in which accounting is situated, and its function in organisation management (BM 3.4, 3.6, 3.7, FINANCE)
A4: Basic understanding of the marketing concept, process and setting; application of strategic marketing planning and marketing mix for new ventures and small firms (BM 3.5, BM 3.7 MARKETS, CUSTOMERS)
A5: Clear understanding of the theoretical frameworks used to conceptualise the international business environment (BM 3.5, 3.7 MARKETS)
A6: Clear understanding of concepts, contexts and processes of innovation management (BM 3.6, 3.7 CONTEMPORARY & PERVASIVE ISSUES)
A7: Clear understanding of the value, purpose, nature and application of research methods in business studies (BM 3.3, 3.4).
A8: Clear understanding of core theoretical frameworks for digital business models and information management, structures, strategies and their implementation for new venture creation and in small firms (BM 3.7 COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INFORMATION SYSTEMS, CONTEMPORARY & PERVASIVE ISSUES)
A9: Clear understanding of the organisational behaviour and management issues within dynamic organisations and its role in managing organisational change (BM 3.4, 3.6 3.7 ORGANISATIONS, MANAGEMENT, PEOPLE, OPERATIONS AND CONTEMPORARY AND PERVASIVE ISSUES)
A10: Clear understanding of the procedures for interpreting financial statements; and clear and effective understanding of business accounting principles and their importance for the dynamic organisations.
A11: Clear understanding of concepts, contexts and theoretical frameworks of marketing communications and marketing channels, and stages of new service/product innovation , development and their marketing (BM 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7-MARKETS, CUSTOMERS, BUSINESS POLICY & STRATEGY)
A12: Critical understanding of core theoretical frameworks employed to explore and conceptualize business strategy and international business strategy (3.2, 3.7 BUSINESS POLICY AND STRATEGY)
A13: Critical understanding of key concepts and tools in international human resource management (BM 3.2, 3.5, 3.7 PEOPLE).
A14: Critical understanding of concepts and theoretical frameworks of growth and development of entrepreneurial organisations, and new ventures creation under contemporary economy. (BM 3.6,3.7-PEOPLE, OPERATIONS, CONTEMPORARY & PERVASIVE ISSUES)
A15: Critical understanding of key concepts in multinational finance: marketplaces, concepts and tools
A16: Critical understanding of concepts, context and theories of business ethics (BM 3.4, 3.5, 3.7 MARKETS, CUSTOMERS, PEOPLE, CONTEMPORARY AND PERVASIVE ISSUES)
A17: Critical understanding of concepts and context and theories of the networked economy.(BM 3.4, 3.5, 3.7 CONTEMPORARY & PERVASIVE ISSUES, MARKET AND CUSTOMERS)
Learning methods
Years 0, 1, 2 and 3:
Lectures and tutor-led seminars
Directed reading
Comparative case work in lectures and tutorials
Individual and group tasks
Assessment methods
Years 0, 1, 2, and 3:
Written examinations
Assessed individual and group reports
Assessed individual essay
Assessed individual group presentations
Assessed individual essay
Individual reflective journal
Multiple choice class tests
Class test essay - Case study analysis
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Basic understanding of abstraction and synthesis of relevant data from a variety of sources
B2: Critical understanding of the ability to undertake independent research from a variety of sources (BM 4.1k)
B3: Basic understanding of contemporary theories and empirical evidence, and use of this understanding to develop an argument (both orally and in writing) and present ideas in a coherent and effective manner (BM 4.1a)
B4: Basic understanding of numerical analysis (including financial) data and appreciation of the nature and limitations of basic statistical concepts
B5: Basic understanding of the ability to undertake independent research from a variety of sources (BM 4.1k)
B6: Effective use of abstraction and synthesis of relevant data from a variety of sources
B7: Effective use of theories and empirical evidence to develop an argument (both orally and in writing) and present ideas in a coherent and effective manner
B8: Effective use of numerical analysis (including financial) data and appreciation of the nature and limitations of basic statistical concepts (BM 4.1b, d)
B9: Effective use of independent research from a variety of sources (BM 4.1k)
B10: Critical understanding of abstraction and synthesis of relevant data from a variety of sources (BM 4.1a, b, k)
B11: Critical understanding of contemporary theories and empirical evidence, use to develop an argument (both orally and in writing) and present ideas in a coherent and effective manner (BM 4.1a)
B12: Critical understanding of numerical analysis (including financial) data and appreciation of the nature and limitations of basic statistical concepts (BM 4.1b, d)
Learning methods
Years 0, 1, 2 and 3:
Lectures and tutor-led seminars
Directed reading
Comparative case work in lectures and tutorials
Individual and group tasks
Assessment methods
Years 0, 1, 2, and 3:
Written examinations
Assessed individual and group reports
Assessed individual essay
Assessed individual group presentations
Assessed individual essay
Individual reflective journal
Multiple choice class tests
Class test essay
Case study analysis
C: Practical skills
C1: Record and summarise transactions and other economic events (BM 4.1d)
C2: Identify and retrieve relevant data from a variety of sources (BM 4.1k)
C3: Present data using the appropriate form of communication (BM 4.1c, e)
C4: Forecast short, medium, and long term objectives, opportunities and threats (BM 4.1b, 4.1k)
C5: Prepare financial analysis and projections; analyse, interpret and exrapolate data in relation to business problem and phenomena (BM 4.1d)
Learning methods
Years 0, 1, 2 and 3:
Lectures and tutor-led seminars
Directed reading
Comparative case work in lectures and tutorials
Individual and group tasks
Assessment methods
Years 0, 1, 2, and 3:
Written examinations
Assessed individual and group reports
Assessed individual essay
Assessed individual group presentations
Assessed individual essay
Individual reflective journal
Multiple choice class tests
Class test essay
Case study analysis
D: Key skills
D1: Communicating in oral and written formats to different audiences in a coherent, cogent and effective manner;
D2: Use of information technologies including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, statistical and web-based packages to read, download, analyse and evaluate different types of data and information
D3: Preparing, manipulating, and presenting numerical data.
D4: Using and applying analytical and creative problem-solving skills.
D5: Understanding and appreciation of different communities of interest, good spoken and written communication skills, empathy and resolution of conflict.
D6: Improving time management, prioritising critical tasks, meeting deadlines, and evaluating self learning
Learning methods
Years 0, 1, 2 and 3:
Lectures and tutor-led seminars
Directed reading -
Comparative case work in lectures and tutorials
Individual and group tasks
Assessment methods
Years 0, 1, 2, and 3:
Written examinations
Assessed individual and group reports
Assessed individual essay
Assessed individual group presentations
Assessed individual essay
Individual reflective journal
Multiple choice class tests
Class test essay
Case study analysis