International Business and Finance (Including Foundation Year)

Staff member? Login here

Academic Year of Entry: 2024/25
Course overview
(BSc) Bachelor of Science
International Business and Finance (Including Foundation Year)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Essex Pathways
Southend Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Business and Management
Finance
BSC N358
08/05/2024

Details

Professional accreditation

None

Admission criteria

UK and EU applicants:

All applications for degree courses with a foundation year (Year Zero) will be considered individually, whether you

  • think you might not have the grades to enter the first year of a degree course;
  • have non-traditional qualifications or experience (e.g. you haven’t studied A-levels or a BTEC);
  • are returning to university after some time away from education; or
  • are looking for more support during the transition into university study.

Standard offer:

Our standard offer is 72 UCAS tariff points from at least two full A-levels, or equivalent.

Examples of the above tariff may include:

  • A-levels: DDD
  • BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma: MMP
  • T-levels: Pass with E in core

For this course all applicants must also hold GCSE Maths at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent). We may be able to consider a pass in OFQUAL regulated Level 2 Functional Skills Maths where you cannot meet the requirements for Maths at GCSE level. However, you are advised to try to retake GCSE Mathematics if possible as this will better prepare you for university study and future employment.

If you are unsure whether you meet the entry criteria, please get in touch for advice.

Mature applicants and non-traditional academic backgrounds:

We welcome applications from mature students (over 21) and students with non-traditional academic backgrounds (might not have gone on from school to take level 3 qualifications). We will consider your educational and employment history, along with your personal statement and reference, to gain a rounded view of your suitability for the course.

You will still need to meet our GCSE requirements.

International applicants:

Essex Pathways Department is unable to accept applications from international students. Foundation pathways for international students are available at the University of Essex International College and are delivered and awarded by Kaplan, in partnership with the University of Essex. Successful completion will enable you to progress to the relevant degree course at the University of Essex.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.

Details of English language requirements, including component scores, 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.

English language shelf-life

Most English language qualifications have a validity period of 5 years. The validity period of Pearson Test of English, TOEFL and CBSE or CISCE English is 2 years.

If you require a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.

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.

Pending English language qualifications

You don’t need to achieve the required level before making your application, but it will be one of the conditions of your offer.

If you cannot find the qualification that you have achieved or are pending, then please email ugquery@essex.ac.uk.

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

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).

None

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

Staff photo
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.

eNROL, the module enrolment system, is now open until Monday 27 January 2025 8:59AM, for students wishing to make changes to their module options.

Key

Core You must take this module.
You must pass this module. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options You can choose which module to study.
You must pass this module. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory You must take this module.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail.
Compulsory with Options You can choose which module to study.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail.
Optional You can choose which module to study.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail.

Year 0 - 2024/25

Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Min Credits Max Credits
01  IA124-3-FY-SO  Mathematics and Statistics for Economics and Business  Core  30  30 
02  IA191-3-FY-SO  Research and Academic Development Skills  Core  30  30 
03  IA130-3-FY-SO    Core  30  30 
04  IA137-3-FY-SO    Core  30  30 

Year 1 - 2025/26

Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Min Credits Max Credits
01  BE101-4-SP-SO  Introduction to Accounting and Finance  Compulsory  15  15 
02  BE200-4-SP-SO  New Venture Creation  Compulsory  15  15 
03  BE201-4-SP-SO  Business Economics  Compulsory  15  15 
04  BE202-4-AU-SO  Introduction to International Business  Compulsory  15  15 
05  BE301-4-AU-SO  Quantitative Analysis for Business  Compulsory  15  15 
06  BE500-4-FY-SO  Principles of Marketing  Compulsory  30  30 
07  BE905-4-FY-SO  Professional and Academic Development  Compulsory  15  15 

Year 2 - 2026/27

Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Min Credits Max Credits
01  BE335-5-SP-SO  Behavioural Finance  Compulsory  15  15 
02  BE313-5-AU-SO  Portfolio Analysis  Compulsory  15  15 
03  BE216-5-SP-SO  International Business Management  Compulsory  15  15 
04  BE217-5-AU-SO  The International Business Environment  Compulsory  15  15 
05  BE218-5-SP-SO  Business Research Methods  Compulsory  15  15 
06  BE906-5-FY-SO  Professional and Academic Development 2  Compulsory  15  15 
07    Option(s) from list  Optional  30  30 

Year 3 - 2027/28

Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Min Credits Max Credits
01  BE941-6-FY-SO  Research Project - International Business and Finance  Compulsory  30  30 
02  BE441-6-FY-SO  Business Strategy  Compulsory  30  30 
03  BE443-6-AU-SO  International Human Resource Management  Compulsory  15  15 
04  BE631-6-SP-SO  Risk Management and Financial Institutions  Compulsory  15  15 
05  BE332-6-AU-SO  Options and Futures  Compulsory  15  15 
06    Options from list  Optional  15  15 
07  BE920-6-AU-SO  Career Skills in Business  Compulsory 

Exit awards

A module is given one of the following statuses: 'core' – meaning it must be taken and passed; 'compulsory' – meaning it must be taken; or 'optional' – meaning that students can choose the module from a designated list. The rules of assessment may allow for limited condonement of fails in 'compulsory' or 'optional' modules, but 'core' modules cannot be failed. The status of the module may be different in any exit awards which are available for the course. Exam Boards will consider students' eligibility for an exit award if they fail the main award or do not complete their studies.

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

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)


Note

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements, industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

Contact

If you are thinking of studying at Essex and have questions about the course, please contact Undergraduate Admissions by emailing admit@essex.ac.uk, or Postgraduate Admissions by emailing pgadmit@essex.ac.uk.

If you're a current student and have questions about your course or specific modules, please contact your department.

If you think there might be an error on this page, please contact the Course Records Team by emailing crt@essex.ac.uk.