(BSc) Bachelor of Science
International Business and Finance (Including Placement Year)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Essex Business School
Southend Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Business and Management
Finance
BSC N356
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
GCSE: Mathematics C/4
A-levels: ABB
BTEC: DDD, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.
IB: 32 points or three Higher Level certificates with 655. Either must include Standard Level Mathematics grade 4, or a minimum of 3 in Higher Level Mathematics. We will accept grade 4 in either Standard Level Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches or Standard Level Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation.
Maths in the IB is not required if you have already achieved GCSE Maths at grade C/4 or above or 4 in IB Middle Years Maths.
We are also happy to consider a combination of separate IB Diploma Programme courses (formerly certificates) at both Higher and Standard Level. Exact offer levels will vary depending on the range of subjects being taken at higher and standard level, and the course applied for.
We can also consider combinations with BTECs or other qualifications in the Career-related programme – the acceptability of BTECs and other qualifications depends on the subject studied, advice on acceptability can be provided. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.
Access to HE Diploma: 15 level 3 credits at Distinction and 30 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.
T-levels: Distinction, depending on subject studied -advice on acceptability can be provided.
What if I don’t achieve the grades I hoped?
If your final grades are not as high as you had hoped, the good news is you may still be able to secure a place with us on a course which includes a foundation year. Visit our undergraduate application information page for more details.
What if I have a non-traditional academic background?
Don’t worry. To gain a deeper knowledge of your course suitability, we will look at your educational and employment history, together with your personal statement and reference.
You may be considered for entry into Year 1 of your chosen course. Alternatively, some UK and EU applicants may be considered for Essex Pathways, an additional year of study (known as a foundation year/year 0) helping students gain the necessary skills and knowledge in order to succeed on their chosen course. You can find a list of Essex Pathways courses and entry requirements here
If you are a mature student, further information is here
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall. Different requirements apply for second year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK.
Other English language qualifications may be acceptable so please contact us for further details. If we accept the English component of an international qualification then it will be included in the information given about the academic levels listed above. Please note that date restrictions may apply to some English language qualifications
If you are an international student requiring a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
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 English language or 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 here.
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 Quantitative Methods: In order to be eligible for the AQM qualifier, you must successfully complete the following modules:
Year Two:
BE216 – (15 credits) International Business Strategies
BE218 – (15 credits) Business Research Methods
BE220 – (15 credits) Strategic Entrepreneurship
Students must achieve 2:1 or above in two of the modules listed above and no result (from the list above) can be lower than a 2:2.
Note: BSc Marketing will have no additional options due to the module choice (Will have to take BE217 30 credits, as 90 credits will be taken by compulsory modules and AQM choices).
Final Year:
BE441 – (30 credits) Business Strategy
And at least one of the following:
BE141 - (15 credits) Accounting for Decision Makers
BE260 - (15 credits) Supply Chain Management
Students must achieve 2:1 or above in two of the modules listed above and no result (from the list above) can be lower than a 2:2.
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
BE935 – (15 credits) Research Project – Tourism Management
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
Dr Xiaoyue Zhang
Associate professor in tourism marketing
University of Nottingham
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 provide students with a broad foundation in finance relating to financial decision making of companies, institutional investors, and individuals while devoting specific attention to the nature and role of financial markets and with an opportunity to develop expertise in a chosen specialism;
- 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 enable students to acquire the personal and key skills they need to develop as autonomous and reflective individuals with the capacity to continue learning.
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: Comprehensive understanding of theories and practices of business creation and growth.
A2: Critical understanding of key concepts and tools in international human resource management.
A3: Critical understanding of contemporary theories relating to portfolio analysis
A4: Critical understanding of key concepts in multinational finance: marketplaces, concepts and tools
A5: Basic understanding of economic principles and theories of the firm
A6: Comprehensive understanding of accounting concepts, the context in which accounting is situated, and its function in organisation management
A7: Understanding of the marketing concepts.
A8: Clear understanding of the theoretical frameworks used to conceptualise the international business environment
A9: Understanding of the purpose, nature and application of research methods in business studies.
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 and effective understanding of business accounting principles
A12: Critical understanding of core theoretical frameworks of business strategy and IB strategy
A101: Ability to apply academic learning outcomes in a work-related context (Placement Year only)
Learning methods
Lectures and tutor-led seminars (A1-A12)
Directed reading (A1-A12)
Comparative case work in lectures and tutorials (A1-A12)
Individual and group tasks (A1-A12)
Assessment methods
Written examinations (A1-A12)
Assessed individual and group reports (A1-A12)
Assessed individual essay (A1-A12)
Assessed individual group presentations (A1-A12)
Assessed individual essay (A1-A12)
Individual reflective journal (A13-A14)
Multiple choice class tests (A1-A3)
Case study analysis (A4-A12)
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Basic understanding of abstraction and synthesis of relevant data from a variety of sources
B2: 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
B3: Basic understanding of numerical analysis (including financial) data and appreciation of the nature and limitations of basic statistical concepts
B4: Basic understanding of the ability to undertake independent research from a variety of sources
B5: Effective use of abstraction and synthesis of relevant data from a variety of sources
Learning methods
-Lectures and tutor-led seminars (B1-B5)
Directed reading (B1-B5)
Comparative case work in lectures and tutorials (B1, B2, B5)
Individual and group tasks (B2, B5)
Assessment methods
Written examinations (B1-B5)
Assessed individual and group reports (B1-B5)
Assessed individual essay (B2, B5)
Assessed individual group presentations (B2, B5)
Assessed individual essay (B2, B5)
Individual reflective journal (B2-B5)
Multiple choice class tests (B1-B5)
Case study analysis (B1-B5)
C: Practical skills
C1: Record and summarise transactions and other economic events
C2: Analyse and evaluate financial statements.
C3: Ability to locate, extract and analyse data from multiple sources, including the acknowledgement and referencing of sources
C4: Present data in an appropriate format.
C5: Forecast short, medium, and long term objectives, opportunities and threats
C6: Prepare financial analysis and projections; analyse, interpret and exrapolate data in relation to business problem and phenomena.
Learning methods
Lectures and tutor-led seminars (C1-C6)
Directed reading (C1-C6)
Comparative case work in lectures and tutorials (C1-C6)
Individual and group tasks (C1-C6)
Assessment methods
Written examinations (C1, C2, C6)
Assessed individual and group reports (C1-C6)
Assessed individual essay (C1-C6)
Assessed individual group presentations (C1-C6)
Assessed individual essay (C1-C6)
Individual reflective journal (C1-C6)
Multiple choice class tests (C1, C2, C6)
Case study analysis (C1-C6)
D: Key skills
D1: Present ideas and arguments in a coherent and effective manner.
D2: Use appropriate Information Technology to locate, acquire and analyse data.
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
Lectures and tutor-led seminars (D1, D5)
Directed reading (D3, D4)
Comparative case work in lectures and tutorials (D1, D3, D4, D5)
Individual and group tasks (D2, D3, D4, D5, D6)
Assessment methods
Written examinations (D3, D4)
Assessed individual and group reports (D2, D3, D4, D5, D6)
Assessed individual essay (D2, D3, D4, D5, D6)
Assessed individual group presentations (D1, D3, D4, D5)
Assessed individual essay (D2, D3, D4, D5, D6)
Individual reflective journal (D2, D3, D4, D5, D6)
Multiple choice class tests (D3, D4)
Case study analysis (D2, D3, D4, D5, D6)