From predicting the impact of Brexit to the implications of globalization on local demand, the International Business and Economics degree will unlock answers to some of the biggest questions faced by businesses today with a global perspective.

What you’ll learn

You will understand how businesses work from an international perspective, gain analytical skills to evaluate the international market and make informed decisions relevant to any business setting.

You will be asked to communicate economic theories from an international business perspective to audiences who do not specialize in this area, giving you the opportunity to develop your verbal and written communication skills.

Your interest and knowledge of international markets will be put into practice in your placement year, which you will do overseas. This helps you to put your learning into practice and also explore the areas of economics and business that you are most interested in. It also provides you with invaluable experience that will stand out on your CV and support your future career prospects.

Two undergraduate degrees

This course offers an Exchange Partnership Second Degree Pathway, meaning you could study overseas at one of our partner institutions during your placement year and graduate with two undergraduate degrees for the price of one. 

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programs. Students from over 120 different countries choose to study with us every year. Based in the center of Birmingham, Aston is not only a great place to study, but it’s also a great place to live.

Our placements give you experience, confidence, and opportunities, leaving you better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability, and our close links with businesses, industries, and professions make this possible.

Foundation program

Before you start your undergraduate degree, you may choose to study our foundation program in the business. This foundation course will help you develop specialist knowledge and fully prepare you for your chosen undergraduate course. During your foundation year, you’ll have excellent support from academics, and group projects will give you the chance to meet new people, make new friends and build a network of peers who will share your university journey.

We also have a Learning Development Centre that can provide additional support and offer pre-sessional English language programs.

Our close links to industry and our focus on delivering practical business experience provide a blend of learning and teaching experience to equip you for your future career.

Learning and teaching

You will experience a range of teaching methods on our International Business and Economics BSc at Aston including lectures, tutorials, group work, case studies and, individual and group presentations.

Traditional teaching is supported by a virtual learning environment that is used to host a range of electronic supporting materials. Additionally, students have the option to undertake a virtual business simulation module and compete in teams in a computer simulation exercise.

Our economics teaching team includes experienced practitioners and well-respected authors on the subject. The largest employer of economists in the UK is the Government Economic Service (GES). Currently, our Economics teaching staff includes two GES assessors, which gives you a unique opportunity to learn from people making hiring decisions for one of the most prestigious professional bodies. Our economics teaching team includes the authors of one of the best-selling economics textbooks and five winners of national teaching awards.

Assessment

You will have a wide range of assessments from the first to third year, including traditional style exams and coursework, combined with more modern techniques such as poster reports, online assessments, and group video projects, the highest quality of which is sent to the Royal Economic Society.

Personal development

Our business degrees are designed to give you a range of transferable and practical skills to succeed within your chosen career. We make extensive use of group working and presentations to prepare you for the reality of working life. This experience will develop your team working and negotiating skills.

Placement year

The Aston placement year forms an integral part of your educational journey and is compulsory for all home students. International/EU students can request permission to opt-out of the placement year, but we strongly recommend that it is completed where possible.

This course will provide you with theoretical knowledge such as analysis and problem-solving, as well as practical skills gained from your placement year and other assignments. You will have the ability to apply these skills within an international business context, which will be beneficial to a broad range of career paths.

Recent graduates

Aston economics graduates are some of the most employable in the UK (5th in the UK for Career Prospects, The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019).

The largest employer of economists in the UK is the Government Economic Service (GES). Our economics teaching staff includes two GES assessors, which gives you a unique opportunity to learn from people making hiring decisions for one of the most prestigious professional bodies.

Our graduates are targeted by major global companies year after year. Many of our graduates are now working in roles such as:

• International Procurement Trainee
• Chief Operating Officer
• Data Analyst
• Tax Consultant
• Foreign Exchange Money Market Dealer
• Trade Fund Analyst
• Policy Advisor
• Audit Associate
• Deal Assurance Manager.