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International Business (with placement year)

  • BSc (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Sandwich
  • 28 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
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More about Loughborough University

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

All organisations – from start-ups and SMEs to multinational firms – work within and are impacted by rapidly changing international business dynamics. This BSc International Business degree is a contemporary business studies course that concentrates on the links between the major business functions and their role in the international business context.

More than ever, business graduates are required to show cultural sensitivity and an internationally transferable skill set. By covering the key management disciplines from a global perspective, you will be equipped for a successful career in a wide range of business and management roles in any sector of your choosing, and from any geographical location.

Choices and flexibility
The course provides a core set of cutting-edge international business modules alongside a variety of options that will help you shape the degree in line with the topics that you are most interested in. You even have the chance to develop your language skills, if you wish.

Explore topics like international culture, information systems and marketing. Delve into topical issues like corporate social irresponsibility, sustainability and ethics. You will have choices that give you the chance to see what direction you might want to take your career in later.

Semester abroad
Unlike many courses of its type in the UK, our BSc International Business also includes an optional 'international semester' studying abroad for six months in year two – as well as the year-long placement, study abroad or 'Year in Enterprise' in year three – cultivating your international experience. Your experiences on professional placement and/or studying abroad will set you apart to employers.

Enhanced employability through a third-year placement
Most importantly, you will not only be learning the theory, you will also have the opportunity to put it into practice. We offer several placement pathways, including a year-long or half-year work-based placement, building on your skills and getting valuable experience in industry. There are also options to study abroad. Many students find the experience vital in helping them secure good positions following graduation and increasing their confidence when they start their first job after graduating.

Our graduates are highly sought after and enjoy rewarding futures in a wide range of business management careers.

Modules

For a full list of areas studied, see the 'What You'll Study' section of the course page on our website.

Assessment method

Depending on the nature of the material, some modules are assessed by a mixture of coursework and examination (for example 25% coursework and 75% examination), whilst other modules are assessed by 100% coursework or 100% examination.

Coursework is based on a variety of tasks including individual essays, projects, contribution in tutorials, group work, class tests, problem sheets and computer-based exercises.

This course is available in Clearing. If you have submitted an application, you can add this course. If you haven’t sent us an application yet, you can do this until 24th September 2026.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BSc (Hons) • Sandwich • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 28 September 2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
N110
Institution code:
L79
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Loughborough University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
N110
Institution code:
L79
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

A level
AAB

AAB

No specific subject requirements but we do have a list of preferred subjects (see below).
In some circumstances we may ask applicants to achieve specific grades in certain subjects.


While no specific A Level (or equivalent) subjects are required, we strongly prefer combinations drawn from traditional (academic) subjects to demonstrate a range of numerical, analytical and discursive abilities. These A Levels include: Ancient History, Biology, Business Studies, Classical Civilisation, Chemistry, Economics, English Language/Literature, Geography, Government and Politics, History, Languages (non-native), Law, Maths/Further Maths, Philosophy, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology and Statistics.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDD

National Extended Diploma: DDD

BTEC Level 3 Diplomas preferred subjects - If studying a BTEC qualification then Business is preferred, although other BTEC subjects may be considered on a case by case basis

Access to HE Diploma

Considered on a case by case basis. Please contact Loughborough University directly.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DD

National Diploma: DD plus one A Level at Grade A (the A Level must be in a preferred academic subject)

BTEC Level 3 Diplomas preferred subjects - If studying a BTEC qualification then Business is preferred, although other BTEC subjects may be considered on a case by case basis

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
D

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate: D plus two A Levels at Grades AB (one A Level must be in a preferred academic subject)

BTEC Level 3 Diplomas preferred subjects - If studying a BTEC qualification then Business is preferred, although other BTEC subjects may be considered on a case by case basis

Scottish Advanced Higher
AB

AB Advanced Highers plus AAB Highers.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
35 points

35 (6,6,5 HL)

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

Applicants taking the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma will be asked to achieve the A level requirements for their course as part of their qualification. The Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted alongside two A levels as long as individual course entry and subject requirements are met. www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/entry-requirements/

Extended Project

We recognise the benefit of the Extended Project in developing independent research and critical thinking skills. We would consider this as evidence of motivation to study a specific subject in more depth, and while we do not generally include it as part of our offer conditions, it may be used to further consider an application upon receipt of final examination results. www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/entry-requirements/

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

We accept a wide range of international qualifications for entry as outlined on our website – please view the individual course typical offers on our website and choose Ireland in the Country/region drop-down field for more information.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

A minimum of 5 GCSE grades 9 - 6 (A*-B) including 6/B in English Language. Maths grade 5/C

GCSE exceptions:

GCSE Maths Grade 5

We will consider a grade B in Level 3 Core Maths as a suitable alternative.

GCSE English Language Grade 6

If you have achieved Grade 5 in GCSE English Language, we can still consider an application if you have Grade 6 or above in GCSE English Literature

OR

At least one essay-based subject* at A Level

*Business Studies, Classical Civilisation, Economics, English Language/Literature, Geography, Government and Politics, History, Law, Philosophy, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology

We may also consider applicants with a contextual indicator who have achieved a 4 or 5 in GSCE English Language who do not meet the above criteria. Please refer to our Contextual Admissions Policy for further information on the contextual indicators used by the University.

T Level
D

Distinction overall
A in Core Component

T Levels in Management and Administration with Business Improvement, Team Leadership/Management or Business Support Occupational Specialism are considered.
Other relevant T Level subjects may be considered on a case by case basis.

Loughborough accepts a wide range of qualifications for entry as outlined on our website www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/getting-started/applying/entrance-requirements/
This information details the general requirements and should be read in conjunction with the information given for each course.

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Additional entry requirements

Other
Applicants are usually selected solely on the basis of their UCAS application, but in exceptional cases an interview may be required. If applicants are made an offer of a place they will be invited to visit the department, giving them the opportunity to meet staff and students, see facilities and get an insight into what it is like to be a student at Loughborough.

English language requirements

All applicants are required to demonstrate that they have an appropriate level of English language. For full details of the acceptable English language requirements see our website.http://www.lboro.ac.uk/international/applicants/english/

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We consider contextual information as part of the assessment of an application to provide us with further insight into your achievements. This may lead to reduced offers, up to two grades lower than the typical offer requirements, as well as additional consideration when your results are received. For further information about Contextual Admissions at Loughborough including our Access Loughborough Contextual Offer please visit our website.

Learn more on the Loughborough University website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

The fees stated above are for the 2025/26 academic year; fees for 2026/27 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. We will update this information as soon as it is available. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures.

While the cost of your tuition covers lots of things, it doesn’t cover everything. For instance this course doesn’t cover the cost of any stationery, printing, books or re-assessments which you might need.

UK tuition fees align with the applicable fee caps set by the UK government, and as such they are subject to changes made to the agreed cap in a specific year.

Clearing contact details

Loughborough University Admissions Contact Centre

Enquiry form

admissions@lboro.ac.uk

01509 274 403

Course Clearing information

Additional information

Clearing will open on 2nd July 2026 at 8.00am.

We anticipate having vacancies in a range of subjects for well-qualified students. Whether you have done better than expected in your examinations results or are exploring opportunities in Clearing, we would love to hear from you. You don’t need to have applied to Loughborough already. Please call the University's Contact Centre on 01509 274 403 to discuss your qualifications.

Course contact details

Undergraduate Admissions Office

admissions@lboro.ac.uk

01509 274 403

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