BSc (Hons) — 2026 entry International Business (FHEQ level 5 & 6 Direct Entry)
This innovative top-up degree builds on the skills and qualifications you’ve already gained to put you ahead in the global jobs market by gaining a full honours BSc degree in International Business.
Why choose
this course?
- Our top-up degree in International Business will prepare you to realise your ambitions and develop rewarding careers in international business. The programme enables eligible students to join in the second year (Level 5) or third year (Level 6).
- You’ll get to study at Surrey Business School which is double-accredited by both the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Association of MBAs (AMBA). Internationally, only six per cent of the world’s leading business schools achieve the AACSB accreditation.
- At Surrey Business School, we’re renowned for our excellent research, dynamic learning environment and strong links with industry.
- You’ll be part of a supportive, international, and friendly community as you gain in-depth knowledge and an understanding of the core theories, practices and techniques of international business.
- Our academics are innovative in delivering engaging learning sessions that bring together theory and practice, supported by real-life global case studies for your intellectual and professional development.
Statistics
15th in the UK
The University of Surrey is ranked 15th for overall student satisfaction* in the National Student Survey 2025
World-leading
Ranked top 50 in the world for business administration and top 100 for management in the Shanghai Global Rankings 2024
Career prospects
95% of our graduates are in employment or further education within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes 2024, HESA)
*Measured by % positivity based on Q1-24 for all institutions listed in the Guardian University Guide league tables.
What you will study
The programme integrates the latest developments in international business with modules such Working in a Global Context, Global and Contemporary Human Resource Management, and Global Trade and International Markets.
Our International Business BSc combines theoretical and practical insights applied to real-world business scenarios. Additionally, it hones essential business skills to help you secure your ideal roles across various industries.
Surrey Business School is recognised for its outstanding research and a vibrant learning environment, enhancing the overall academic experience.
The academic year is divided into two semesters of 15 weeks each. Each semester consists of a period of teaching, revision/directed learning and assessment.
If you join the second year you will study eight compulsory modules, and then eight compulsory modules in the third year.
If you join in the third year you will study eight compulsory modules.
Each year involves two semesters. Each semester you will study four modules worth 15 credits each.
The structure of our programmes follow clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes.
Please note: The full module listing for the optional Professional Training placement part of your course is available in the relevant programme specification.
Teaching and learning
On this course, each 15-credit module involves 150 hours of student work. This time will be spent in lectures, computer labs, seminars and tutorials, and includes your own study time, both individual and in small groups.
You’ll also write essays, assignments and projects, individually and in groups, that draw on your understanding of the different operational areas of multinational corporations in international business environments.
You’ll learn how to make a creative proposal for a multinational corporation to expand its international business with strategies and develop your critical analysis skills by studying up-to-date topics in the current international business environment.
Our staff members are innovative in delivering engaging learning sessions that bring together theory and practice for your intellectual and professional development.
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Seminars
- Independent study
- Group work
- Project work
Assessment
We assess modules individually and award credits for the successful completion of each one. Assessment takes place through a combination of examination and/or coursework, practical examinations, and reports.
Check the individual module information to see full details at a module level.
General course information
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Timetable
New students will receive their personalised timetable in Welcome Week. In later semesters, two weeks before the start of semester.
Scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday), with part-time classes normally scheduled on one or two days. Wednesday afternoons tend to be for sports and cultural activities.
View our code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF) for more information.
Location
This course is based at Stag Hill campus. Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
Surrey Business School has a proven track record of graduate employment: in the survey, Graduate Outcomes 2024, HESA, results show that 90 per cent of our undergraduate Surrey Business School students go on to employment or further study.
The International Business BSc supports student with international career ambitions in various roles including marketing and sales, human resource management, finance, consulting, and operations.
The ability to select the modules most relevant to your chosen career means you will graduate well-equipped to take advantage of all the career opportunities open to you.
Learn more about the qualifications we typically accept to study this course at Surrey.
We welcome applications for advanced entry into our undergraduate degree programmes. Applicants may be considered for direct entry to Level 5 (Year 2) or Level 6 (Year 3) depending on their prior qualifications and academic background.
Background requirement
Applicants should have successfully completed prior study in a relevant discipline, such as Business, Management, Marketing, Finance, Economics, Accounting, or any other general business-related field. Qualifications will be reviewed for subject material.
Level 5 (Year 2) Entry
Evidence of one year of study equivalent to UK Higher Education Level 4 (typically the first year of a UK bachelor's degree) with an overall grade equivalent to UK 2:1 standard. Study Abroad Training Programmes (SATP) will be reviewed using this criterion e.g. if a student at the partner institution would need 75% to meet the requirements for Surrey’s 2:1 UK PGT programmes, we would accept 75% in year 2 of the SATP for entry to HE5.
Alternatively, a qualification deemed equivalent to a BTEC Higher National Certificate with Distinction grade overall.
Examples of other qualifications that would be acceptable:
- Completion of another recognised International Year One (Pathway Diploma) with an overall grade of 70% or above.
- Successful completion of 2 years of a 4-year university degree programme in China with an overall average equivalent to UK 2:1 or above.
Level 6 (Year 3) Entry
Evidence of two year of study equivalent to UK Higher Education Level 5 (typically the first two years of a UK bachelor's degree) with an overall grade equivalent to a UK 2:1 standard. Alternatively, a qualification deemed equivalent to a BTEC Higher National Diploma with grade Distinction overall.
Examples of other qualifications that would be accepted:
- SQA Advanced Diploma, awarded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), with an overall average grade of B in two or three graded units, depending on the subject.
- Successful completion of a 2- to 3-year or 5-year College Diploma in China with an overall 75% or average equivalent to UK 2:1 level or above.
- Completion of three years of a four-year Chinese university Bachelor’s degree with an overall 75% or average equivalent to UK 2:1 level or above.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each element.
View the other English language qualifications that we accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Fees
Explore UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all undergraduate courses.
Payment schedule
- Students with Tuition Fee Loan: the Student Loans Company pay fees in line with their schedule.
- Students without a Tuition Fee Loan: pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be early October of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
The exact date(s) will be on invoices. Students on part-time programmes where fees are paid on a modular basis, cannot pay fees by instalment.
- Sponsored students: must provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of study.
Scholarships and bursaries
Discover what scholarships and bursaries are available to support your studies.
Apply for your chosen course online through UCAS, with the following course and institution codes.
About the University of Surrey
Need more information?
Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current University of Surrey student online.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.
We provide these terms and conditions at offer stage and are shown again at registration. You will be asked to accept these terms and conditions when you accept the offer made to you.
View our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2025/26 academic year, as a guide on what to expect.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.
It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.
Subject to validation
This programme is subject to approval. This means that it has received initial agreement from the University and is currently undergoing a detailed final approval exercise, through the University’s quality assurance processes.
These processes are a requirement for all Higher Education Institutions within the UK, to ensure that programmes are of the highest standard. Occasionally there may be instances where the University may delay or not approve the introduction of the programme.