Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
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Loughborough University

Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

BSc (Hons) International Business (2013 entry)

Academic Year: 2016/17

This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.

This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Study.

This specification should be read in conjunction with:

  • Summary
  • Aims
  • Learning outcomes
  • Structure
  • Progression & weighting

Programme summary

Awarding body/institution Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different)
Owning school/department School of Business and Economics
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body
Final award BSc /BSc DPS/BSc DIntS
Programme title International Business
Programme code BSUB30
Length of programme The duration of the programme is six semesters, plus one academic year, and has four streams. Candidates following the Placement Stream are required to spend the third academic year undertaking professional training leading to the Diploma in Professional Studies in accordance with Senate Regulation XI. Candidates following the Study Abroad stream or the Language Related Placement Stream are required to spend the third academic year at an approved academic institution. Candidates following the Split Stream are required to spend six months of the third academic year undertaking professional training, and the other half of the third academic year studying at an approved academic institution. The Study Abroad, the Language Related Placement and the Split Stream lead to the Diploma in International Studies (DIntS) in accordance with Senate Regulation XI. The third academic year (Part I) occurs between Part B and Part C.
UCAS code N110
Admissions criteria

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/departments/business-economics/internationalbusiness/

Date at which the programme specification was published Fri, 29 Jul 2016 16:12:53 BST

1. Programme Aims

The International Business degree programme aims to produce high quality graduates with the knowledge, skills and understanding for an effective and valued career in a wide range of management situations including those requiring international understanding and cultural competence.

Within this general aim the programme specifically seeks to encourage students

  • To develop knowledge, concepts and skills in the major academic disciplines of business and management as a sound basis for practice, study and training in the graduate’s chosen profession or management specialism. 
  • To develop a global outlook to face effectively the managerial and organisational challenges of a globalized economy. 
  • To develop the concepts, analytical approaches, evaluative thinking and numeracy skills necessary for management problem solving, including through individual experience on placement. 
  • To develop a deep understanding in areas of particular interest by pursuing them over an extended period and in considerable depth. 
  • To develop a positive attitude to change, a desire for excellence, a visionary and positive approach to future developments and an openness to new ideas.

Consequently the programme seeks

  • To provide a relevant, practical and constantly updated programme through close links with many large organisations and through vocational experience in a professional placement. 
  • To offer international perspectives on business and management through teaching and learning and through close links with international partner universities. 
  • To provide students with a flexible learning environment allowing students to explore and develop their own interests and strengths as they progress through the programme. 
  • To develop teaching and learning in response to advances in scholarship and the needs of the international business community. 
  • To enhance the employability of our graduates.

 

The School of Business and Economics at LoughboroughUniversity is distinctive amongst 'traditional' university business schools in incorporating a third year spent on professional placement. This is an integral element of the programme and something which we believe is of particular benefit in achieving these aims and offers graduates of our degrees additional and valuable opportunities to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills. 

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

  • The benchmark statement for General Business and Management (B&M)
  • The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the areas shown below. These intended learning outcomes are set in the context of the QAA subject benchmark statement for Business and Management and those relating directly to this benchmark are marked (B&M) below.

On successful completion of this programme students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the following areas

  • the foundation disciplines of business and management including economics, mathematics and statistics sufficient to enable a clear understanding of the central aspects of the main business and management functions (B&M);
  • the economic, technological, financial, legal, cultural and political context within which business operates (B&M);
  • integration of concepts from the various business disciplines to comprehend business situations and develop appropriate analysis and solutions (B&M);
  • the process of management and differing international styles of management (B&M);
  • concepts, analytical approaches, evaluative thinking and numeracy skills relevant to solving problems in both national and international business contexts;
  • the nature of organisations and the behaviour of people within them, both individually and working in groups (B&M);
  • pervasive issues which impact on international firms and international business, including: globalisation, diversity and cultural issues (B&M);
  • the development and operation of markets for resources, goods and services including customer expectations, market orientation and the marketing mix (B&M);
  • the sources, uses and management of finance, the use of accounting and other information systems for managerial applications (B&M);
  • the management and development of people within organisations (B&M);
  • the management of operations in both the manufacturing and service industries (B&M);
  • the development, management and exploitation of information systems and their impact upon organisations (B&M);
  • the key communication and information technologies used in business and management (B&M);
  • the development of appropriate policies and strategies at the corporate level within a changing national and international environment (B&M).

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme students should be able to

  • Use critical thinking, analysis and synthesis to evaluate and apply concepts and insights from business disciplines, including comprehension of complex scenarios (B&M);
  • Formulate and solve both structured and unstructured business problems;
  • Advise on business decisions using appropriate qualitative and quantitative skills, including the ability to identify and evaluate a range of alternative solutions (B&M);
  • Relate theory to practice in business and management (B&M).      
b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme students should be able to

  • use effective communication, both oral and written, in a range of styles and media appropriate for management in different cultures (B&M);
  • make effective use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in a business context including word processing, storage and manipulation of data, generation of presentations, use of the internet and e-mail using appropriate software (B&M);
  • conduct research using a range of sources of business-related materials including books, journals, trade and financial press, official statistics and the internet (B&M);
  • create, evaluate and assess a range of options in a business situation, applying ideas and knowledge from a variety of sources (B&M);
  • use effective team-working skills, including leadership, team-building and project management (B&M).
c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme students should be able to

  • understand and be sensitive to different cultures, including the ability to work effectively in other cultures (B&M);
  • Organise themselves personally and independently to be a valued contributor through  time management, self-direction, self-motivation, tenacity and proactiveness (B&M);
  • Analyse and assess their own personality, needs and abilities and be proactive in managing their personal development (B&M);
  • Deploy appropriate interpersonal skills to achieve the best from others, including effective communication, listening, influencing and conflict resolution (B&M);
  • Display a positive attitude to change, with a desire for excellence and a visionary and positive approach to future developments;
  • Accept and analyse new ideas and assess alternatives when presented with a range of possible interpretations and/or solutions;
  • Learn and work independently (B&M);
  • Interpret numerical information, reason numerically and apply appropriate mathematical and statistical techniques (B&M);
  • Communicate clearly and persuasively, both orally and in writing (B&M);
  • Use information and communication technologies effectively and efficiently (ICT);
  • Work well in a team, using appropriate skills, including leadership, team-building and project management (B&M).

4. Programme structure

4.1       Part A - Introductory Modules

MODULE TITLE Modular Weight
SEMESTER 1 and 2 COMPULSORY MODULES  
BSA007 Skills for Study, Placement and Employment 20
SEMESTER 1 COMPULSORY MODULES  
BSA005 Organisational Behaviour 10
BSA055 Principles of Marketing 10
BSA070 Financial Framework 10
BSA080 Quantitative Methods for Business A 10
or BSA085 Quantitative Methods for Business B 10
SEMESTER 2 COMPULSORY MODULES  
BSA053 Organisations in the International Context 10
BSA057 The Marketing Mix 10
BSA060 Microeconomics for Business 10
BSA110 Business Modelling A 10
or BSA115 Business Modelling B 10
SEMESTER 1 OPTIONAL MODULES (CHOOSE ONE)  
BSA035 Introduction to Banking 10
BSA050 Introduction to Management 10
BSA075 Introduction to Retail Management 10
University Wide Languages Programme 10
SEMESTER 2 OPTIONAL MODULES (CHOOSE ONE)  
BSA026 Principles of Law 10
BSA036 Banking Law and Practice 10
BSA052 Sociology of Work 10
BSA077 Retailing Environment 10
University Wide Languages Programme 10

4.2       Part B - Degree Modules

MODULE TITLE Modular Weight
SEMESTER 1 COMPULSORY MODULES  
BSB010 Business Information Management 10
BSB023 Macroeconomics for Business 10
BSB040 Human Resource Management 10
BSB050 International Business 10
BSB137 Data Analysis for Marketing Decisions 10
SEMESTER 2 COMPULSORY MODULES  
BSB024 International Economics 10
BSB052 International Management 10
BSB070 Accounting for Management Decisions 10
BSB086 International Employment Relations 10
BSB105 Brand Management 10
SEMESTER 1 OPTIONAL MODULES (CHOOSE ONE)  
BSB015 Company Law 10
BSB035 Sales Management 10
BSB100 Operations Management 10
University Wide Languages Programme 10
SEMESTER 2 OPTIONAL MODULES (CHOOSE ONE)  
BSB012 Information Systems Development 10
BSB025 Financial Management 10
BSB046 Organisation Studies 10
BSB067 Business Lending 10
BSB087 Vocational Psychology 10
BSB132 Retail Buying 10
BSB135 Consumer Behaviour 10
University Wide Languages Programme 10

Candidates may replace the modules required for Part B Semester Two with an approved course of study taught in English at a foreign University.  Candidates will undertake assessed work equivalent to 60 credits, as required by the School of Business and Economics.  Students who select this option must ensure that they have taken a total of 60 credits in Semester One.

 

4.3    Part I

Candidates pursue one of the following streams:

i)       Placement Stream

Candidates will undertake an appropriate business placement.

ii)      Study Abroad Stream

Candidates will study at one of the School of Business and Economics approved academic institutions.

iii)       Split Stream

Candidates will undertake an appropriate business placement for half the year and will study at one of the School of Business and Economics approved academic institutions for the other half of the academic year.

(iv)    Language Related Placement

Candidates will undertake a year abroad in employment, for example as an English language assistant in a school or other educational establishment,  approved by the School of Business and Economics.

4.4    Part C - Degree Modules

MODULE TITLE Modular Weight
SEMESTER 1 COMPULSORY MODULES  
BSC051 International Corporate Governance and Firms. 10
BSC105 International Human Resource Management 10
BSC115 International Marketing 10
SEMESTER 2 COMPULSORY MODULES  
BSC053 International Negotiations 10
BSC055 Strategic Management 20
SEMESTER 1 OPTIONAL MODULES (CHOOSE THREE)  
BSC015 Financial Management and Corporate Policy 10
BSC020 Corporate Reconstruction and Turnaround 10
BSC030 Corporate Governance 10
BSC070 Technology in Business and Society 10
BSC097 Knowledge Management 10
BSC100 Advanced Interpersonal Skills 10
BSC110 Marketing Strategy and Planning 10
BSC130 Business Programming 10
BSC132 Small Business Issues 10
BSC165 Business Forecasting 10
EUL111 French Language 11 10
EUL211 German Language 11 10
EUL311 Spanish Language 11 10
EUC100 French Dissertation (weight 20) continued in Sem 2 10
EUC200 German Dissertation (weight 20) continued in Sem 2 10
EUC300 Spanish Dissertation (weight 20) continued in Sem 2 10
SEMESTER 2 OPTIONAL MODULES (CHOOSE THREE)  
BSC016 Financial Risk Management 10
BSC018 Behavioural Finance 10
BSC042 Corporate and Wholesale OBanking 10
BSC068 Consulting for Decision Making 10
BSC071 Managing Big Data 10
BSC072 Strategic Information Management 10
BSC080 Analysing Careers 10
BSC117 Services Marketing 10
BSC124 Marketing Communications 10
BSC134  Business Planning for New Ventures 10
BSC136 Enterprise Resource Planning 10
BSC140 Lean Operations 10
BSC144 Project Management 10
BSC175 Retail Location 10
EUL112 French Language 11 10
EUL212 German Language 11 10
EUL312 Spanish Language 11 10
EUC100 French Dissertation (weight 20) continued from Sem 1 10
EUC200 German Dissertation (weight 20) continued from Sem 1 10
EUC300 Spanish Dissertation (weight 20) continued from Sem 1 10
Various semester 2 modules in the final year have a pre-requisite module in semester 1 of the final year.  Students must carefully check their preferred modules' pre-requisites before making selections as all pre-requisites will be rigorously enforced.  

 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B and from Part B to C and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must not only satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX but also:

To progress from Part B to the period of professional training or study at an approved institution abroad, candidates must accumulate at least 100 credits in Part B as well as achieving at least 30% in all modules taken in Part B.

Provision will be made in accordance with regulation XX for candidates who have the right of re-assessment in Part A or Part B of the programme to undergo re-assessment in the University’s special assessment period.

 

 

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates’ final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C, in accordance with the scheme set out in regulation XX.  The average percentage marks for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 25: Part C 75, to determine the final overall percentage mark for the Programme (the Programme Mark).

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