Course description

• This programme enables you to ‘top up’ your qualifications to achieve a highly respected International Business and Finance degree.
• We adopt a multidisciplinary approach, so you will graduate with an impressive portfolio of skills in economic analysis, strategy, finance and accounting
• Our Financial Markets Lab puts a wealth of international business data at your fingertips and gives you a thorough grasp of economies across the world
• You will join a highly diverse international student cohort, sharing business experience from different countries and strengthening your global mind-set
• Inspirational workshops, masterclasses and networking events will introduce you to international business leaders and financial experts
• Our experienced team of lecturers will keep you up to date with the latest developments in the global business arena and you will benefit from the support of a personal tutor throughout

Reasons to choose this top-up degree

Whether you are from the UK, EU or overseas, this top-up programme is an excellent route to a highly regarded degree qualification. It is ideal if you already have an existing qualification ­and want to transfer from a more generalist background to specialise in international business and finance.

The top-up route is ideal for international students, who can obtain a globally recognised degree after one-two years of study in the UK.

Our course delves deeply into the workings of international financial markets and international business strategy. You will also develop the broader abilities which employers value, including problem-solving, decision-making, analysis, report-writing and presentation skills. When you graduate, you will join our network of alumni worldwide – ideally prepared for an influential career in today’s increasingly internationalised and dynamic business environment.

Global thinking

Our focus is on developing your international outlook. You will become attuned to what is happening in the world economy and make the most of our global student community, sharing your views and experiences with fellow students from different countries.

There are opportunities for study trips overseas. Our students visited Copenhagen to explore issues surrounding art fraud and business ethics; observed a conference and attended specialist talks at the UN Office in Vienna; and travelled to Dublin to gain insights into the work of IDA Ireland, the agency responsible for inward investment. Our programme of visits is constantly expanding and there may be options to head further afield to countries such as China.

Hands-on learning

Real world learning lies at the heart of this degree. You will meet business experts, industry leaders and finance professionals through specialist workshops, masterclasses and networking events. Our students have attended taster days and career events with companies such as PwC and PKF Cooper-Parry as well as the Institute of Directors.

The emphasis is on developing your practical skills, drawing on actual case studies from around the world. You may find yourself creating strategy documents, producing international business reports, delivering presentations and videos, or analysing information from Datastream and Bloomberg on international markets.

Expert teaching

Our enthusiastic team of lecturers are experienced in all aspects of international business and their research will enrich your learning. They are supported by industry experts, including our Visiting Professor of Banking and Financial Economics, Professor Trevor Williams, formerly Chief Economist at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.

We provide a friendly and supportive learning community, with small classes where you will receive plenty of one-to-one advice. Every student has a personal tutor who is part of the teaching team and who will offer you support and guidance on your career development.

Facilities and resources

In our Financial Markets Lab you can harness the software used in financial markets worldwide to gain vital insights into the fast-paced environment of the trading floor.

The lab puts a wealth of data at your fingertips, including company and director profiles plus analysis of current affairs from Bloomberg Intelligence. You will receive training from Bloomberg specialists, have access to their helpdesk and can even work towards the Bloomberg Market Concepts Certificate to complement your degree qualification.

An extra qualification: the Futures Award

Our Futures Award scheme has been developed for students to showcase their versatility and professionalism to potential employers. You could gain an additional qualification which recognises any extra-curricular activities you undertake to improve your employability and career development. These activities could include attending our workshops on CV design and improvement; developing techniques for interviews, assessment centres or psychometric tests; taking part in business networking events, or leading a small project within a student society or voluntary role.

How you will learn

You will learn through a combination of:

• interactive lectures
• talks by external experts
• problem-solving seminars
• group work and discussions
• workshops
• case study analysis
• computer lab work
• practical analysis
• engagement with businesses

At the start of the course, you will benefit from substantial direction from our teaching team. As your studies progress, you are expected to work more independently, taking greater responsibility for your own learning – but always with the support and advice of your tutors.

Showcasing your skills

You could raise your professional profile by taking part in prestigious competitions and challenges. Derby students have, for instance, scooped major awards at the University Trading Challenge, which entails a simulated trading market to test students’ abilities to think strategically, analyse evidence and present their ideas to a panel of traders and bankers in the City of London. There are opportunities to enter other competitions such as the IBM University Business Challenge too.

How you are assessed

We use a wide range of coursework assessment methods, many of which are designed to improve your transferable skills. They cover both individual and group work and you may be marked on elements of reflective practice. Methods include:

• Essays, strategy documents and business analysis reports
• Analysis of information from Bloomberg
• Presentations and videos
• Computer-based assessments
• Creating a portfolio of relevant work

Feedback will be provided at every opportunity so you can monitor your own progress and development.