The term “International Business” describes doing business between countries and across borders. It involves a wide variety of activities, for example, exporting products and services, dealing with foreign suppliers, operating a factory in a foreign country, marketing a product across Europe, even managing multicultural workforces. Today, it really can be said that “All business is international business!” This is especially true of Ireland, one of the most globalised countries in the world.
What is the BA (Hons) in International Business?
An important part of success in international business is an ability to interact effectively with people from other cultures and societies. The BA (Hons) International Business is a four-year programme that prepares students to live and work in an international and multicultural environment. The course provides a broad business education as well as building the knowledge, skills and sensitivities to effectively work in our multicultural world.
The third year of the Programme involves a mandatory International Placement. Every student will spend one year on placement, living in foreign country. While abroad, the student will generally study at one of School of Business' Partner Institutes, however, the student may also complete an international work placement. The School has Partner Institutes around Europe, as well as in the USA and Canada, and even as far away as China and India. The International Placement is one of the core learning opportunities on the Programme, and for most students it is the highlight of the Programme.
BA (Hons) in International Business programme features
The student group is multicultural, making the classroom a living cultural experience for students.
Students have a “once in a life time” opportunity to live in a foreign country as part of their college education.
Students may apply to complete a double degree as part of the Programme.
There is a relatively small class group, giving students a more personal college experience.
Depending on the student’s background, there are several languages options available, although studying a language is not mandatory.
Those students whose first language is not English may take English as a subject throughout the course.
International Placement
In Year Three, students are generally required to complete a study or work placement abroad with a SETU Partner Institute. These are located across Europe, in the USA, Canada, India or even China. Generally, classes while abroad will be in English, irrespective of the country involved.
Double Degree
The BA (Hons) International Business has recently co-developed a Double Degree with Munich UAS, in Germany. A student may apply to complete the Double Degree while in second year of the BA (Hons) International Business and would then spend their International Placement in Munich, before returning to complete the final year of the BA (Hons) International Business in SETU Waterford. The International Placement may also include work experience in Germany. This agreement allows the successful student(s) to obtain two degrees at the same time!
An Alternative Route: The BA (Hons) in International Management
Irish students who have already lived abroad, or non-Irish students taking the BA (Hons) International Business, may choose to not complete the International Placement. Instead, these students would apply to transfer to the final year of an alternative Programme, the BA (Hons) International Management. The BA (Hons) International Management mirrors the BA (Hons) International Business, with the exception that it does not require an International Placement.
Year 1
Semester 1
Semester 2
Introduction to International Business
International Business
Introduction to Management
Organisational Behaviour
Introduction to Statistics
Business and Financial Maths
Economics of the Market
Macroeconomic Environment
IT & Communication Skills 1
IT & Communication Skills 2
Choose one of the following electives:
Choose one of the following electives:
*Introduction to European Societies
*Introduction to World Societies
*Language
*Language
* = elective module
Year 2
Semester 3
Semester 4
European Union Introduction
Intercultural Business Context
Introducing Human Resource Management
Integrated Marketing Communications
Introduction to Business Law
Human Resource Management
Financial Accounting for Non-Specialists
International Trade Law
Introduction to Marketing
Management Decision Making
Choose one of the following electives:
Choose one of the following electives:
*Career Management
*Global Economy
*Who are the Irish?
*Management Skills
*Language
*Language
Year 3
Semester 5
Semester 6
International Placement 1
International Placement 2
Year 4
Semester 7
Semester 8
Business Strategy
International Business Sales
International Institutions
International Political Economy
New Business Creation
Global Business Ethics
Supply Chain Management
International Human Resource Management
International Finance
International Corporate Strategy
Choose one of the following electives:
Choose one of the following electives:
*Language
*Language
*Digital Economy
*Managing Change & Conflict
*Leadership & Problem Solving
*Small Business Management
*Project Minor Dissertation 1
*Project Minor Dissertation 2
*International Marketing
*ERP System Skills
*Languages = French/German/Irish/Spanish/Italian/Chinese/ English as a foreign language
Leaving Cert: Minimum entry requirements for BA (Hons) in International Business
2 subjects: H5 4 subjects: O6/H7 English or Irish: O6/H7 Mathematics: O6/H7
Advanced and Equivalent Entry for BA (Hons) in International Business:
BA (Hons) in International Business career opportunities
Graduates from this Programme have gone on to pursue a wide variety of careers, including careers in marketing, human resources, accounting and consulting, teaching and banking and finance. Graduates are also very suited to the demands of small and medium-sized enterprises, and to the varied nature of work required of a manager in a smaller firm.
Graduates may join larger firms at junior management level, and then go on to work in several international business functions, including:
human resources
export departments
international sales or purchasing & logistics.
Follow on Study for the BA (Hons) in International Business
BA (Hons) in International Business career opportunities
Graduates from this Programme have gone on to pursue a wide variety of careers, including careers in marketing, human resources, accounting and consulting, teaching and banking and finance. Graduates are also very suited to the demands of small and medium-sized enterprises, and to the varied nature of work required of a manager in a smaller firm.
Graduates may join larger firms at junior management level, and then go on to work in several international business functions, including:
human resources
export departments
international sales or purchasing & logistics.
All honours degree programmes in the School of Business have relevant taught postgraduate study options which are featured here. The school also has postgraduate research options including Master by Research and PhD opportunities.
What is the BA (Hons) in International Management?
As business is becoming more globalised, management careers are becoming more international. The BA (Hons) in International Management is a three year Programme aimed at those Irish people who already have the experience of living abroad - or international students not from Ireland. Building on the student's international experience, the Programme provides a broad business education as well as developing the knowledge, skills and sensitivities to effectively lead people in a multicultural world.
The BA (Hons) in International Management is by Direct Entry Only
Programme Features
The student group is multicultural, making the classroom a living cultural experience for students.
Students have a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to live in a foreign country as part of their college education.
There is a relatively small class group, giving students a more personal college experience.
Those students whoes first language is not English may take English as a subject throughout the course.
Course Outline
Please note that students enrolled on the BA (Hons) in International Management complete the same modules as those enrolled on the BA (Hons) in International Business but do not complete International Placement, and instead progress to Year 4.
Entry Routes
The BA (Hons) in International Management is aimed at those students who already have experience of living abroad and for whom an International Placement year is not educationally beneficial. Where to obtain further application information:
Students applying from outside the EU should contact the SETU Waterford International Office.
Students applying from within the EU should contact the School of Business Office or the Programme Leader of the BA (Hons) in International Management.
Current students of SETU Waterford seeking to transfer to the Programme should initially contact the Programme Leader of the BA (Hons) in International Managment.
BA (Hons) in International Business career opportunities
The career opportunities of this Programme are similar to the BA (Hons) in International Business. Graduates may join larger firms at junior management level, and then go on to work in several international business functions, including:
Human resources
Export departments
International sales or procurement
Graduates are also suited to the demands of small and medium-sized enterprises, and to the varied nature of work required of a manager in a smaller firm.
