The world's economy is becoming increasingly global and individuals who understand the international context of business and finance are in high demand.

By studying international business and finance, you will be able to consider how these disciplines are affected by globalisation and how businesses, markets, people and information interconnect across borders.

You will explore topics high on the agenda of international businesses and financial managers, such as:

the international business environment

international business strategy

international trade

international human resource management

the pricing of securities in financial markets

corporate finance and financial decision making

business economics

quantitative methods

financial modelling

portfolio analysis

We use real-world case studies to apply theory to business practice and develop your capacity to analyse statistics and make sound business decisions. Ethical business underpins all of our teaching, so you will graduate with an understanding of your responsibility to your investors, your staff and the wider world.

Your first year ensures you develop a solid foundation in accounting and finance for business, the business life-cycle and how multi-nationals manage their core business functions, such as marketing and HR. You'll also benefit from additional training in numerical skills, to build your confidence in handling financial data sets.

In your final year, you have the opportunity to put your knowledge into practice by completing an in depth, independent research project or dissertation. This gives you the chance to further develop vital employability skills in areas of research, project management and critical thinking.

This course is taught at Essex Business School in Southend. We champion responsible management and ethical business practices whilst giving you the tools for a successful career in business.

This course also gives you the option to follow a specialised pathway in Applied Quantitative Methods (AQM).

With employers looking for graduates with data analysis skills, The University of Essex is one of just three UK universities to have received Q-Step Affiliate status. By completing necessary AQM modules, your quantitative skills are evidenced on your transcript to give you the competitive edge in the jobs market. We can also provide work placement bursaries to develop your skills in evaluating numerical evidence, analysing data and designing research.

BSc International Business and Finance can also be taken with an optional study abroad or placement year.

Study abroad

The four-year version of BSc International Business and Finance enables you to study abroad during your third year. In all other areas, this version of the course remains identical to the standard three-year variant.

You can study abroad with one of our exchange partners in the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, the Middle East, Hong Kong and Japan. In doing so, you experience other cultures and languages, meet new people, and gain intercultural skills that are sought-after by employers.

Placement year

Alternatively, you may decide to enhance your career opportunities by opting for a placement year. This four-year course enables you to gain valuable work experience for one year with a business, giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market and providing you with key contacts within the industry.

Your degree content will remain the same as our three-year course.

The Placements Team can offer bespoke support throughout the process of researching, applying and interviewing for placements. However, it is your responsibility to apply, prepare for and secure your own role. In recent years, our students have gained placements with organisations such as BMW, Samsung and Cummins.