International Business BA (Hons)
Gain the global business skills you need as you study abroad on this flexible international business degree. You’ll explore a range of business specialisms including marketing, accounting, operations and leadership, and have the option to convert this course to a dual degree.
Key information
UCAS code:
N123
Accreditation:
This course is Accredited
Typical offer:
112-120 UCAS points from 3 A levels, or equivalent
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
Choose an international business degree that gives you experience living and studying abroad as you build your business knowledge and employable skills.
Our BA (Hons) International Business course covers vital business topics and gives you the chance to use your new knowledge as you study, including by collaborating with students overseas in our virtual exchange project.
And if you choose to study with a specific partner and complete an industrial placement year before your third year, you’ll earn two undergraduate degrees in 4 years as a dual degree.
During your first year you’ll explore business subjects such as marketing, operations and accounting. You’ll choose where to study during your second year, supported by our Global Engagement Team, and prepare for your year abroad.
You’ll spend your second year studying at one of our partner universities in Europe, Australia, Canada, Japan, China, South Korea, Thailand or the USA. Here, you’ll explore business from a non-UK viewpoint and deepen your understanding of global business. You could even divide your time away and study at two institutions across the year to experience two different countries and cultures.
After your year abroad you could complete an optional paid industry placement, where you’ll work with a company before your final year of study. Our Placement Team will support you in your job search, as well as during your placement, whether you choose to work in the UK or overseas.
You’ll return to Portsmouth for your final year and explore business leadership with a focus on subjects like strategic management, sustainability and globalisation. You’ll choose specialisms to study in more detail too, such as Equality and Diversity, Transformative Marketing or Business Improvement.
If you returned to your studies straight after your year aboard, you could take your industrial placement after your final year. During this placement you'll work for a company for a year before you graduate, and have the support of our Placement Team as you start your career.
You’ll graduate with a broad understanding of modern business, the confidence to work internationally, and the skills and experience you need to begin your career across a range of global business sectors.
Students that go abroad are more likely to obtain first-class honours, more likely to be in graduate employment or further study, more likely to have a higher average starting salary, and less likely to be unemployed than their non-mobile peers.
Course highlights
- Live and study abroad in one or two countries, with all teaching in English wherever you study
- Benefit from excellent support through our International Exchange Workshops to help you make the right choice of destination for your year abroad
- Gain a second degree in international business from the University of Applied Sciences in FH Münster, or IDRAC Business School in France (see details below)
- Get practical experience as part of our Business Consultancy Project by offering advice to local small businesses
- Get support for setting up your own business from our Entrepreneurs in Residence
- Learn a foreign language as part of your studies
- Explore lots of different areas of international business and management to find the specialisms that interest you
- Have the option to specialise in a particular area of business if you find your passion
Business and management studies at the University of Portsmouth is ranked 2nd of the modern universities by research power
Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
Earn a second degree
On this course you can choose to study a dual degree in international business. This means that you can earn 2 degrees in 4 years instead of the normal 6 years. The degrees are:
- BA International Business from University of Portsmouth
- BA European Business Programme from FH Münster University of Applied Sciences in Germany, OR
- BA Marketing and Business from IDRAC Business School in France
To achieve this you must:
- spend your year abroad in your second year at FH Münster University of Applied Sciences, or IDRAC Business School
- complete a 1-year work placement in your third year (either in the UK or abroad)
- pass all relevant assessments at both universities
Our Faculty Global Engagement Office can advise you on travel arrangements, visas, finding accommodation and accessing funding that can help pay for your study and living costs when you're abroad.
Emine's story
"It was a great opportunity for me to meet other people..."
Find out about the amazing opportunities Emine has taken advantage of as part of her studies, and what she plans to do next.
As part of my course we have a compulsory year abroad and I did my year abroad studying in the Netherlands. It was a great opportunity for me to meet other people.
I did have a work placement working for Rolls-Royce Motor cars in the logistics department where I was responsible for arranging all the inbound and outbound transports for the company.
After graduating I'll be working for EUI as being an insurance graduate where I will have the opportunities to study towards my ACCA qualification in being able to gain experience working in an audit firm.
Accreditation
We have partnered with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) so that you can gain a value added professional qualification alongside your degree. Students on our BA (Hons) International Business can be awarded a CMI Level 5 Certificate in Management and Leadership upon successful completion of their degree programme. Upon joining their degree course, students become members of the CMI and are able to access a range of benefits, resources and events to support their professional development.
The University of Portsmouth has earned business accreditation from the AACSB in recognition of the outstanding quality of its business and management education. Less than six percent of the world's schools offering business degree programs hold AACSB business accreditation.
94%
of graduates in work or further study 15 months after this course
(HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/22)
Top 30
for student satisfaction
(Times Higher Education, 2024)
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsClearing is open
This course is available through Clearing.
How to apply for accommodation
We have a variety of accommodation options, including studios, en-suites, catered, self-catered and private rental options. See how our housing team can help you find a place to call home.
Clearing FAQs
To work out your UCAS points, use our UCAS Calculator to work out how many UCAS points you have.
The tariff calculator will allow you to see what grades you need to get into your preferred course at Portsmouth.
You can apply through Clearing if:
- You don't meet the conditions of your offer for your firm (first) or insurance (second) choice courses
- Your exam results are better than you expected and you want to change your course or university
- You don't hold any offers
- You've accepted an offer but changed your mind about the course you want to do
- You're applying for the first time after 30 June 2024
After we make you an offer we'll send you a confirmation email. This email will let you know what you need to do next and it will tell you what you need to provide us. In some instances we may ask you to send us copies of certificates or you may need to send us a portfolio.
If you've previously applied through UCAS you'll need to use your UCAS Hub to accept our offer by adding us as your Clearing choice.
If you're having issues, please contact us on +44 (0)23 9284 8090 or admissions@port.ac.uk
Once you've accepted your Clearing course offer, we'll be in touch with details of available accommodation in the area. This will include our latest hall availability and support to find local rented accommodation via portsmouthstudentpad.co.uk
See our accommodation page for more information.
No, it's not too late and you should make your application for student finance as soon as possible. You don't have to wait for your results. You can make your application now and just amend it when you know where you're going to be.
If you've already applied for your student loan, you'll need to log into your account and update details about your new course/university. If you haven't applied for your student loan yet, don't panic. Apply today – it only takes 30 minutes.
Find out more in our Student finance for Clearing guide.
If you're an EU or international student and you need a visa to study here, you need to start the process quickly as visas can take some time to come through. Get in touch with our visa support team if you have a question or problem.
See more on visa advice.
If you would like further information or guidance, please contact our international office or call our International Clearing Hotline on +44(0)23 9284 8785.
Entry requirements
BA (Hons) International Business degree entry requirements
Typical offers
- A levels - BBB-BBC
- UCAS points - 112-120 points from 3 A levels, or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
- T-levels - Merit
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DDM-DMM
- International Baccalaureate - 29
You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs - see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
See alternative English language qualifications.
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
Your year abroad
You must spend your second year abroad studying business modules at a partner university. You'll have the option to split the year into 2 x 6 month sections and experience 2 different universities and countries if you wish.
Many students from Portsmouth take the opportunity to study abroad, but students on this course get priority when placements are being allocated.
We recognise that spending a year abroad is both exciting and a little scary. In your first year you'll take a whole module dedicated to helping you prepare and make the right choice about where you study. Throughout your time away you'll have the full support of your course leader, our global office and our placements team.
You do not pay any fees to the overseas university, but you'll continue to pay a reduced tuition fee to Portsmouth during your year abroad. You'll still be able to get both your tuition fee and maintenance loans. You may also qualify for a government travel grant
Choosing to study abroad was by far the best decision I made during university. I moved to Lille, in France, to study at EDHEC Business School and it provided me with the opportunities to travel across Europe and meet people from all across the globe, while improving my confidence and independence.
Careers and opportunities
This degree will open doors to a wide variety of careers in the business world. Being able to talk about your international experience and global business learning will give you an advantage when applying to multinational companies in particular.
If you study this course as a dual degree, you'll graduate with two degrees as well as your university study and placement experiences to showcase your in depth knowledge of international business and your soft skills such as working with people.
Previous graduates of this course have got jobs as:
- business development manager
- customer accounts manager
- marketing and sales executive
- product manager
- content curator
- merchandiser
- events coordinator
- recruitment consultant
- start-up programme manager
Graduates of this course have gone on to work for companies such as:
- Virgin Media
- IBM
- NATS (air traffic control)
- Asia Pacific Inspection
- BAE Systems
- Liquid Hub (drinks marketing)
- Morgan Stanley
- Kitchen Cut (software)
- Prospect Capital (finance)
- GSMA (worldwide mobile)
- Microsoft
(Data sourced from HESA Graduate Outcome Surveys)
Other graduates have continued their studies at postgraduate level or set up successful businesses with help and support from the University.
Business Consultancy Project
Work for a client on a real brief in this optional Business Consultancy module.
Students work in teams of 3-4 to bid for a business project from local organisations, before working directly with the organisation to execute the project.
Clients range from small to medium sized organisations who could be from the private, public or third sector (such as charities, not-for-profits and community organisations).
Each project is different, but the tasks you compete could include:
- Using marketing theory to develop social media strategies
- Conducting competitor analysis
- Drafting sustainable business plans based on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals
- Conducting staff interviews
- Evaluating customer feedback
You’ll give your client regular updates on the project, and get feedback from them, other students and staff as you progress.
Past students have worked with Santander, local facilities management firm Inovolt, the Instant Kitchen Company startup, Solent Recovery College, and local radio station Express FM.
At the end of your project, you'll be invited to a celebratory event where you can network with representatives from the client organisations.
Work placement year
You can boost your employability even more by taking an optional paid placement year in the UK or overseas. You could take your placement straight after your year abroad (in Year 3) or after your third year of study, right before your graduate. The average salary for a 12-month paid placement is £19,800 for students in the Faculty of Business and Law, but your salary could be more or less than this amount depending on your placement. You'll only pay a very small percentage of your tuition fee for this year.
Previous students have had placements in organisations such as:
- UBS Wealth Management
- Prysmian Group
- L'Oreal
- IBM
Many of our students are offered a graduate job by their placement employer.
You could also choose to set up your own business, or take a voluntary placement.
If you don't want to take a whole placement year we offer plenty of other ways to get great work experience whilst you study, from summer internships to entrepreneurial support.
If you want to qualify for a dual degree you must do a placement in your third year. This placement can be in the UK or overseas and you'll be supported by both universities.
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, 4 modules worth 20 credits and 1 module worth 40 credits.
What you'll study
Core modules
You’ll explore topics ranging from financial principles and reporting standards through to budgeting, costing and analytical problem-solving.
You'll gain an understanding of accounting’s indispensable role in informing strategy and operations for organisations, and finish this module with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to guide organisations towards financial control.
By exploring key concepts, principles and decision frameworks, you'll understand the vital role of operations management across all aspects of business — including process design, capacity planning, supply chain optimisation, lean methodology, quality control, and project execution.
When you finish this module you'll have the expertise to optimise workflows, resources, technologies and partnerships, and be ready to drive operational excellence, performance improvement, and sustainability within business
Students delve into the realms of debate and critical thinking in the context of marketing and International Business studies.
In this module, students engage in a collaborative virtual project with peers from partnering international universities. This experience allows students to enhance their virtual collaboration skills, cultivate cross-cultural awareness and hone their interpersonal communication abilities — essential for their future in business.
The module tutors act as personal tutors, supporting students in their progress and welfare requirements. The skills and knowledge gained in this module directly complement other core modules studied in the first year along with fostering important employability and career management expertise.
Students will develop a deep understanding of ethical and cultural challenges in international business while gaining the skills to navigate diverse cultural landscapes effectively.
Discover marketing's vital role in organisational strategy and decision-making.
You'll explore concepts like environmental analysis, segmentation and positioning, and learn how to identify opportunities and issues in a company's situation.
With assessments that focus on applying models to real companies, you'll get hands-on practice conducting audits, developing plans and advising on marketing activity
Core modules
Discover another culture as you grow your subject knowledge or refine your foreign language skills at one of our partner universities.
You'll enhance your worldliness, self-awareness and cross-cultural communication abilities as you build your international network and meet people from across the world.
At the end of the module you’ll evaluate your development and return to Portsmouth prepared to use your new cultural awareness and maturity to thrive in globalised workplaces.
Core modules
In this module, students will be encouraged to think like strategy practitioners in today's real life international environment. Consequently, they will develop the skills and competencies needed to be a good strategist, including the ability to diagnose strategic issues, analyse the industry a company is competing in as well as a firm's capabilities, and synthesizing ideas into creative strategy insights, strategic issue selling, and reflecting upon their practice as strategists. That reflection will involve critically examining the wider strategy-as-practice literature in terms of the insights it provides for the development of strategy. Students will also develop an appreciation of the global and international context within which strategists operate and the ethical nature of strategic decision making.
We conduct a deep dive into the economic, political, and socio-ecological contexts that shape the modern business environment. You'l explore the foundations of market economies, principles of good governance, and the intricate relationships between economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social well-being — and develop a critical perspective on the ideologies and debates that influence sustainable business practices worldwide.
You'll unravel the complexities of globalization, which presents both challenges and opportunities for businesses striving to achieve sustainable development goals. You will critically evaluate these multifaceted impacts and learn to communicate your insights effectively to diverse stakeholders, positioning yourself as a trusted advisor in the global business arena.
Finally, you'll be introduced to sustainable business strategies. You'll discover the latest strategies and business models that enable organizations to drive progress towards sustainable development goals. Through critical analysis and evaluation from sustainability, ethical, and business perspectives, you will gain the ability to design and implement cutting-edge solutions that create shared value for society, the environment, and the bottom line.
Optional modules
You'll develop analytical abilities and critical thinking as you dive deep into an academic or industry topic. With structured support, such as workshops, seminars and 1:1 appointments, you'll formulate intriguing research questions, engage meaningfully with literature, and select appropriate methods.
This module cultivates an enterprising spirit as you tackle new territories beyond textbook learnings. The highlight is conceiving and executing your own investigation to derive impactful conclusions.
You'll reflect on each step while adhering to research ethics, ultimately producing a dissertation that demonstrates intellectual curiosity and creativity. Join us to showcase your passion through an inspiring piece of work!
It requires critical engagement with appropriate literature, sound choice of research methods and carrying the planned approach into practice to produce a piece of independent research.
Students will be supported through a mix of large group sessions, workshops and individual appointments to support them to develop a research idea and to realise it as a piece of written work. Individual appointments will be arranged between supervisor and student.
It requires critical engagement with appropriate literature, sound choice of research methods and carrying the planned approach into practice to produce a piece of independent research.
Students will be supported through a mix of large group sessions, workshops and individual appointments to support them to develop a research idea and to realise it as a piece of written work. Individual appointments will be arranged between supervisor and student.
This empowering module develops your analytical abilities as you investigate a topic linked to industry trends or academic interests. With workshops and 1:1 support, you'll formulate intriguing questions, engage with literature, select robust methods and collect insightful data.
We cultivate an enterprising spirit, applying knowledge in innovative ways. The highlight is conceiving and executing your own ethical study.
You'll reflect critically on the research process, ultimately producing a dissertation demonstrating intellectual curiosity.
Examples of past projects are: developing options for a bank for use of their banking halls for community financial education; creating a strategy for a facilities management firm to improve their marketing; helping a social enterprise to find ways to grow their user base with new service offerings.
You'll develop skills in teamwork, project management, design thinking and consultancy, and learn to practically apply business concepts from across your degree studies.
After an introduction to the organisation, your client will provide ongoing direction and guidance, and you'll be giving them regular progress updates. For most of the time, you'll be part of an independent, diverse team, managing priorities to achieve the project aims. You'll be supported throughout the module by your seminar tutor.
Much of your learning will be off-campus, meeting key stakeholders and conducting tasks such as customer surveys and interviews. We encourage an experimental and entrepreneurial approach, and you'll learn key skills in the seminars and online lectures. The coursework is a mix of 60% group work and 40% individual assessment.
Completion of this module will allow students to reach an informed opinion on the basis of the empirical findings of their independent business research.
It examines how data from enterprise resource planning systems can be extracted, in order to model and analyse business data using visualisation and analytics tools.
Theory covered includes Extract Transform & Load (ETL) techniques; query design to retrieve information; choosing suitable data warehousing software; data mining and visualisation and dashboarding, text mining and sentiment analysis; machine learning and big data analytics.
Exploring the models and best practices related to ideation, development and launch, you’ll understand the processes that bring ideas to market.
Analysing factors from sustainability to globalisation, you’ll tackle the contemporary issues impacting development in the modern landscape. This module will equip you with understanding to give you a cutting edge in the jobs market.
With assessments focused on addressing real-world cases, you'll boost your strategic skills to manage initiatives smoothly from vision to rollout, leaving you prepared to champion disruption responsibly across industries ahead.
You’ll critically evaluate traditional and contemporary leadership models, analysing debates around topics like management versus leadership.
By blending theory and practice, you'll use leadership activities to strengthen your awareness of your own abilities and identify your development areas.
You’ll compare approaches and learn how to apply ideas contextually with real-world cases. And with assessments that build your personal leadership plans, you’ll leave well-equipped to motivate, empower others and handle modern challenges.
Build on your prior knowledge by exploring how macro and micro cultural forces shape workplace behaviour, competence needs and communication approaches.
You'll use both creativity and critical thinking to actively apply perspectives from sociology and psychology to real-world case studies. From this, you'll learn to identify nuances across diverse settings and to make effective workplace recommendations.
By the end of this module you’ll have essential skills in cross-cultural analysis that are crucial for thriving in our increasingly interconnected world of business.
You’ll learn how a strategic approach to information systems can achieve competitive advantage through informed decision-making.
You’ll discover how leading companies leverage technology to build organisational knowledge and respond to market changes.
By the end of this module, you’ll understand the management issues associated with digital transformation. As technology continues to evolve, this module prepares you with timely knowledge to support your future career.
You'll explore configuration considerations, relationship dynamics and ethical imperatives to discover how aligned flows of information, goods and finances enable organisational success.
By evaluating real chains that span multiple geographies, you'll assess decision trade-offs to boost productivity, agility and sustainability.
You'll finish this module ready to lead enterprises to new heights and lead on value creation.
Explore how brands, communications and incentives can alter behaviours from sustainability to social justice.
With a focus on ethical issues, you'll evaluate tactics to encourage conscious consumption and civic action, and learn to develop hard-hitting campaigns that confront to some of society's most pressing challenges.
This module empowers you to pursue purpose as well as profit, and prepares you to use your marketing skills as a force for good.
The Module makes use of case examples to review applicable theory and frameworks to illustrate the combined roles of Continuous Improvement (CI), Organisational Learning (OL), Change Management, and the importance of a Creative Environment (CE) as a springboard for innovation. This module will develop your knowledge and understanding in the application of ideas, methodologies, processes, and techniques for improving and sustaining organisational performance. The module emphasises the operationalising of business and functional strategy and focuses on how to facilitate and sustain successful change. The module evaluates the cultural, behavioural and human elements, and considers the role people have in leading and being part of successful and sustainable improvement.
You'll explore core concepts and tools as well as the ethical issues and digital dynamics shaping modern B2B strategy. Through guest lecturers and case studies, you'll discover how leading B2B brands engage networked partners and buyers.
You'll evaluate marketing tactics across the end-to-end customer journey, and formulate data-driven solutions tailored specifically to B2B marketing.
You'll finish this module with specialist knowledge to thrive in B2B marketing careers across tech, manufacturing and professional services.
You'll be introduced to key theories and models for valuing major financial markets, and learn to apply these essential frameworks to different contexts.
Through assessments, you'll grow your analytical and critial skills. You'll examine corporate investment strategies and the impact of global developments, compare the theories underpinning exchange rates and multinationals, and finish this module with an informed perspective of global finance.
You'll critically examine the factors driving discrimination while evaluating methods to reduce imbalance.
With social justice as a cornerstone, you'll actively apply perspectives from psychology and sociology to examine workplace cultures and identify meaningful change opportunities.
Using real-world cases, you'll explore nuances in power dynamics and discuss the barriers facing disadvantaged groups.
You'll finish this module with a heightened awareness of inclusion issues, both systemically and interpersonally, and be prepared to positively shape your future organisation and drive towards equitable participation and belonging.
The early stages of the module allow for a range of games to be undertaken in concert with the academic side being introduced.
Later in the module you'll be encouraged to work in teams, experiencing time and team pressure, and be exposed to to the non-financial aspects of negotiation and likely future stakeholders.
Together, these experiences form an international business toolkit for future budding and accidental entrepreneurs.
. This module follows on from HRMP (U23765) and aims to build on and develop further students' knowledge and understanding of Human Resource Management (HRM). PR explores and analyses the range of techniques and methodologies available to enable the organisation to be effectively resourced with the right people, at the right time, in the right place at the right cost. This module incorporates HR Planning, Talent Acquisition and Talent Management within a legal, ethical and business focused framework. This Level 6 module is to run for 2020/2021 only for progressing Level 5/placement students.
The Module reflects the following Hallmarks of a UoP Graduate (at Level 6 in full or in part) :
1. A critical and reflective knowledge and understanding of their subject, with both the ability and readiness to question its principles, practices and boundaries (All Learning Outcomes).
2. Think independently, analytically and creatively (All Learning Outcomes).
3. Be able to synthesise new and existing knowledge to generate ideas and develop creative solutions of benefit to the economy and society (LO6).
Use flexible project management tools that meet industry standards, and learn to differentiate between transformative initiatives and business-as-usual processes.
By evaluating real-world cases, you’ll analyse the contextual factors and stakeholder dynamics that position certain projects as strategic investments. With an outcome-oriented mindset, you’ll appreciate how disciplined planning, communication and risk mitigation leads teams to mobilise resources for impactful delivery.
This module equips you with a versatile project management toolkit and a strategic perspective that is highly valued across sectors.
Students will be required to apply economic models to a range of issues in public economics and public finance.
You'll spend your working industry, with support from our Placement Office.
You'll complete a placement portfolio for the duration of the placement, which will outline your key learning activities, and attend a Placement Student Day at the University to discuss your placement experience with the Placement Officer or your course leader.
When you successfully complete your placement it will be recognised in your degree transcript of achievement, and your degree certificate will state `in the sandwich mode'.
You may also choose to receive a Certificate of Professional Practice from the Faculty of Business and Law.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Facilities and clinics
Technology Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) room
Our technology enhanced active learning space promotes social learning.
Business Simulation Suite
Experience the boardroom in our replica business suite.
Teaching
Around 20% of your timetabled teaching will be online.
The majority of your timetabled teaching at Portsmouth will be face-to-face and will include:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- workshops
- practical sessions
- We pride ourselves on the academic support we offer our students. In addition to our dedicated teaching team, you'll have a personal tutor, student engagement officers and study support staff to help you throughout your studies.
Assessment
How you're assessed will depend on the modules you select. As well as online assessments and coursework you may be assessed using:
- examinations
- analysis of topical case studies
- written reports and essays
- presentations
- practical projects
Teaching staff profiles
These are some of the expert staff who'll teach you on this course.
Media ready expert
Dr Alan Tait
How you'll spend your time
One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.
We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies. As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.
A typical week
We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for this degree.
Your total study time will depend on the modules that you take, but in your first year this is what your week may look like:
- timetabled teaching activities (lectures, seminars, tutorials, classes and workshops) = about 13 hours a week
- independent study (research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group) = about 22 hours a week
You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose and where you spend your year abroad.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Supporting you
The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you'll also have access to our student engagement officers. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing, and refer you to specialist support services if you need extra help or support.
You'll have help from a team of study support tutors. Based within the Faculty of Business and Law, these tutors are familiar with the specific requirements your assignments and work closely with faculty academics. This means they can give you focused support with the specific study skills you need to be successful on your course. They're available face-to-face, by phone, email, and by video call.
They can help with:
- Academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations, projects and literature reviews)
- Reflective writing skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- Understanding and using assignment feedback
- Managing your time and workload
- Revision and exam techniques
If you're a mature student, specialist support to help you return to learning is available.
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University's library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from librarians who specialise in business and law.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,535 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,535 a year, including our Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £17,200 a year (subject to annual increase)
Studying abroad
You won't pay any extra tuition fees to another university for taking part in a study/work abroad activity if you choose to do it for the whole academic year. During a year abroad you'll only have to pay a reduced fee to the University of Portsmouth.
Dual degrees
If you study this course as part of a dual degree, your tuition fees for years 1 and 4 are the same as the single degree option. You'll pay a reduced fee for your year abroad, and for your placement year, years 2 and 3. If you're eligible for a student loan, you can use this in years 1 to 4.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Travel costs
If you're eligible for a student loan you may be eligible for a Student Finance England Travel Grant to cover some of the travel costs, visas, vaccinations and medical insurance you need to study abroad. They are means-tested and vary by local education authority.
Funding schemes
The UK Government has launched a new scheme to replace Erasmus+ for UK institutions, named after British code breaker and mathematician Alan Turing.
The Turing Scheme can provide funding for University students to study abroad worldwide (subject to the Scheme's terms and conditions).
We’ve had successful applications to the Turing Scheme in previous years and are continuing to apply for this funding for each upcoming year.
Additional course costs
Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
In your second year, for your placement abroad, you’ll need to fund the costs of travel, transport, accommodation and your living costs. The exact costs will depend on the destination. Depending on the location of your placement, there may be further costs for communication or specialist clothing.
When you spend your year at a partner university you don't pay any tuition fees to that university. You will need to pay a small percentage of the annual tuition fee to the University of Portsmouth in your year abroad. This funds the support and assessment we give during your year away.
You'll still be eligible for your tuition fee and maintenance loans and you may be eligible for extra funding through Erasmus+ or the Government's travel grants scheme.
If you take a placement year or study abroad year, tuition fees for that year are as follows:
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £1,430 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £1,430 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £2,875 a year (subject to annual increase)
Apply
To apply for this course as a single or dual degree, follow the steps below. You'll apply to BA (Hons) International Business and decide whether to pursue this course as a single or dual degree after you arrive.
If you plan to study the dual degree version of this course, you only need to apply to the University of Portsmouth and do not need to apply to our partner university.
Ready to apply?
To start this course in 2025, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – N123
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
Applying from outside the UK
As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things.
You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
Find out what additional information you need in our international students section.
If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.