BSc (Hons) Global Business Management (Top-Up)
1-2 years (depending on entry point) Full-time classroom
Download PDF Enquire nowThe UK set a new record of 5.63 million active companies registered with Companies House at the end of 2024, an increase of 3% on the year before, according to the NatWest and Beauhurst New Startup Index (NatWest, 2025). As businesses continue to grow both in the UK and worldwide, future employees will need to develop the skills to navigate the complexities of the global business environment.
The BSc (Hons) Global Business Management (Top-up) programme will develop your knowledge, understanding, application, and critical evaluation of key subjects related to global business management. The internationalised curriculum will boost your awareness of the globally diverse environment in which modern businesses and management operate, preparing you for a career in the UK or around the world.
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The BSc (Hons) Global Business Management programme has been designed specifically to provide you with a broad foundation of business and management knowledge while developing your understanding, application and critical evaluation of a broad range of subjects related to global business management.
The programme makes use of appropriate technologies to support and enhance your learning experience. These technologies include an online learning platform that provides access and supporting learning materials, where appropriate lecture capture is used to support and review your learning. Additional materials include an online reading list and guidance and direction for your independent learning.
Graduates of this programme are well placed to progress into successful business and management roles, with typical jobs including:
This programme will boost your employability outcomes by providing you with a key set of sought-after skills. At Northumbria, you will develop critical reflection, self-learning, collaboration, curiosity, and the ability to apply your knowledge to solve problems in sustainable and ethical ways.
Graduates of this programme will also be ready to specialise further through postgraduate studies in Business and Management related Master’s programmes in UK or abroad.
| Academic entry criteria | English language requirements | |
| International Foundation in Business Management (Level 3) | 5 GCSE / iGCSE with a pass grade A-C | IELTS 5.5 with no single element below 5.5 / IELTS 5.0 with no single element below 4.5 (reading and listening requires 5.0) |
| International Year One (Level 4) | Good High School Grades or equivalent | IELTS 5.5 with no element less than 5.5 |
| Year Two (Level 5) | Level 4 qualification with a pass grade in a business and management-related field | IELTS 6.0 with no element less than 5.5 (or approved equivalent) |
| Year Three (Level 6) | BTEC HND/Foundation Degree or equivalent in a related subject * |
*If you have taken a BTEC HND programme, we will usually expect you to have performed to an average of Merit standard. If you have taken a Foundation Degree, we will be looking for performance to Commendation level, or 60% average. Applicants holding a relevant business and management qualification in addition to one of the following will also be considered: DipHE, any Level 5 award such as Certificate, Diploma or NVQ.
Please note:
For Level 5 and Level 6 entry you must provide evidence of a Level 2 Maths or equivalent. Exemptions are granted if you can evidence previous study in finance, accounting, statistics, data analysis or research modules at previous levels of study.
Level 3 (Year Zero) entry: If you have 5 GCSE / iGCSE at grade A-C or equivalent and either IELTS 5.5 with no element less than 5.5 or IELTS 5.0 with no single element below 4.5 (reading and listening requires 5.0), you can apply to study the International Foundation in Business Management.
Level 4 (Year One) entry: If you have good High School Grades or equivalent and IELTS 5.5 with no element less than 5.5, you can apply to study the International Year One.
Non-standard entry: Please note that applicants without formal qualifications yet with appropriate work experience are also encouraged to apply. Non-standard qualifications/work experience will need to be considered on an individual basis.
We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Please visit our entry requirements page for country-specific qualifications.
Please note that if your qualifications are not in English, we might need certified translations in order to proceed with your application.
Students with 5 GCSE / iGCSE with a pass grade A-C (or equivalent), joining on Level 3 will study our International Foundation in Business Management.
This module will equip you with essential academic, technical and language skills needed for success in university and beyond. Through interactive sessions, you will engage with vital topics such as effective email communication, document creation and formatting, presentation design, and online collaboration tools.
The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and academic integrity, which will enhance your ability to articulate your ideas confidently through continuous feedback on presentations and written assignments. With a focus on employability, you will develop crucial skills in collaboration, problem-solving, and technology use, preparing you for diverse professional environments.
The module will finish with a comprehensive final project, where you will integrate your learning by producing a professional report, a presentation, and a formal email. This integrated approach ensures that you will be well-prepared to navigate challenges in your future career and make meaningful contributions across various fields.
This module will provide a comprehensive review of key economic models that have shaped modern nations, businesses, public sector organizations, and entrepreneurial activity. You’ll take an international perspective to appreciate the dynamic and complex nature of contemporary organizations.
You’ll be introduced to business environment analysis models to understand the various elements and forces driving organizational change. You’ll also learn how to identify high-quality and reliable sources of business information and data to ensure your knowledge of the business environment is accurate, current, and relevant.
Additionally, you’ll review organizational structures, including functions and departments, and examine how these contribute to business success. You’ll explore management theories to evaluate different organizational settings. Overall, this module aims to equip you with a well-rounded understanding of economic models and their application in diverse organizational contexts.
This module provides you with an opportunity to practise and develop a range of core academic skills for success in future business undergraduate programmes. By the end of this module, you will have a sound understanding of the expectations of higher education learning. You will be supported to develop both academically and in relation to your personal wellbeing.
You will learn how to read texts more effectively, structure different types of written and oral responses including essays and presentations, refer to sources using quotations and paraphrasing in the appropriate style and understand assessments by analysing assessment briefs.
Alongside this academic focus, there is a wellbeing strand of this module which will introduce you to effective strategies to manage your time, cope with stress, work well with others and make a smooth transition to higher education. The focus will be to guide you to develop independence as a learner with the support of experienced and passionate professionals at the London campus.
In this module, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the ethical dimensions of modern business practices. It starts with the foundations of business ethics and their influence on decision-making.
You’ll explore corporate governance and how ethics shape relationships with stakeholders, as well as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the broader social and environmental responsibilities of businesses.
Additionally, you will examine ethical challenges and learn measures to prevent unethical practices. By the end, you’ll be equipped with tools and frameworks to apply ethical thinking in real-world scenarios, preparing you to navigate moral challenges in a dynamic business environment.
On this module, you will develop a strong foundation in key mathematical concepts which are essential for understanding and applying quantitative methods in business contexts. You will begin by exploring topics such as ratio, scale, and proportion, which are crucial for financial analysis and decision-making in areas like pricing, investments, and market trends.
Understanding fractions, decimals, and percentages will enhance your ability to work with data, particularly in calculating profit margins, interest rates, and tax implications.
As the module progresses, you will delve into equations and formulae, equipping you with the tools to solve real-world business problems, including cost-revenue analysis and break-even calculations. The module will also introduce probability to help you assess risks and make informed decisions based on uncertainty.
You will study how to work with data and information, focusing on key statistical techniques such as finding central tendency (mean, median, and mode) and measures of dispersion (range, variance, standard deviation) to interpret data sets. Concepts like correlation and regression will further allow you to understand relationships between variables, useful for market research and forecasting.
Finally, you will be introduced to forecasting techniques, including time series analysis and index numbers, providing valuable insights into predicting future trends and understanding economic data such as inflation rates.
By studying this module, you will have the opportunity to improve your English for your undergraduate degree. You will develop your skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) in addition to both grammar and vocabulary. You will learn by various seminar activities, self-directed study and applying what you learn to assessments.
You will study this module over two terms, using a mixture of seminars and self-study. Tutor-guided and self-study activities are timetabled in a learning plan which shows the stages of your learning.
Students with good high school grades (or equivalent), joining on Level 4 will study our International Year One.
This module will introduce you to key marketing principles and strategies used to research, design, produce, distribute, sell and manage products and services to satisfy a variety of target markets.
You will also gain insight into the various career options within the industry, developing your knowledge and ability to apply marketing principles to different types of organisations, using a variety of marketing tools. Finally, you will boost employability skills including teamwork, presentation delivery, research and the use of IT.
This module will allow you to explore the driving forces shaping how business interacts with society and the economy.
Your tutors will introduce and create a research-rich learning experience through informative lectures and practical tutor-led workshops. Wherever possible, this will simulate ‘real-world’ scenarios and you’ll work on a series of tasks during the semester to prepare for the final assessment.
This module introduces you to the foundation links and relationships between an organisation, its management and its people. It will help you understand how a heightened awareness of people’s workplace behaviour, actions and attitudes leads to successful organisational sustainability and team performance.
With the chance to apply your learning in a practical, discipline-specific context through case studies, you will boost your employability options and career-ready skills.
This module will equip you with the financial knowledge and numerical and problem-solving skills to support informed and effective business decisions.
You will practise investment appraisal techniques, accounting for risk and uncertainty while developing your ability to make accurate decisions in relation to planning and control for a business as a whole. Through the interpretation of accounts, you will learn real-world skills including how to calculate key measures such as profitability, liquidity, and activity to assess business performance, and how to translate these indicators into meaningful information for key stakeholders.
This module provides essential business skills, giving you a theoretical and applied understanding of statistical and modelling applications supported through practical IT exercises – equipping you with key career-focused skills including proficiency in everyday business software such as Excel.
You will undertake various assessment tasks including a portfolio of preparatory work leading to a short answer examination focused on your findings and problem interpretation.
These analytical, practical IT and interpretative skills are directly transferable to your working life.
This module will enable you to firstly better perform during your International Year One, and secondly develop a range of key academic skills for success.
You will have the chance to practise critical and analytical reading skills, as well as producing informed written and oral responses across a range of content types, including journals, business magazines, data sets, presentations, reports, graphs and charts.
Students holding a Level 4 qualification in a business and management-related field, can directly join the programme on the Year Two (Level 5).
This module supports the development of the specific skills necessary to successfully manage your studies and effectively communicate your ideas within the UK higher education community.
It also focuses on boosting your employability options by developing career-smart skills and knowledge necessary to obtain an undergraduate placement or graduate-level role after completing your degree.
Whether you progress to be a manager or into any role dealing with people, this module will provide both the theory and practice of HR functions. It will equip you with a practical overview of core HR areas, including recruitment and selection, performance management, total reward, managing absence and well-being.
Managers are likely to play a crucial part in several core HR processes, such as ensuring they have the right people on their teams who can perform effectively.
The internal business and management contexts are likely to be extremely relevant in any organisation you join.
This module will allow you to understand and explore key strategic decision-making aspects and their interface with cultural contexts, including:
This module allows you to learn about business decisions in the context of contemporary digital business examples. You will consider strategies, such as the subscription models used by Spotify, and online marketing tools used throughout the customer journey.
You will develop an appreciation of core metrics that allow businesses to assess their marketing success in real-time. You will also have the chance to explore how supply chain systems are designed to meet the challenges of today’s digital business.
This module introduces research methods and analysis, including topics such as study design, participant selection, data collection, data handling and storage and presentation of research findings.
You will learn how to apply quantitative and qualitative methods, covering key techniques including focus groups to collect data, supported by analysis methods including content analysis and thematic analysis. You will also learn to use a range of appropriate software tools, including Excel and SPSS.
Marketers have an important job: to create exciting marketing communications and online content which grabs their target audiences’ attention. But their campaigns must also effectively convey the brand and fuel customer desire to interact with the organisation and make a purchase. Using a hands-on approach, this module introduces you to a range of key marketing methods, inviting you to analyse and critique the content and communications strategies of well-known organisations.
You’ll consider the effectiveness of these strategies through the lens of theory and best practice and create alternative approaches. In particular, the module focuses on the importance of understanding the needs and wants of Generation Y & Z consumers, and the media and messages most likely to appeal to them.
This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.
Students with HND merit standard or Foundation Degree in a related field can join the programme directly on Level 6 and top-up their qualification to an honours degree in one year.
Please note continuing students and direct entry students will study a different set of modules.
Continuing students
You will study one of three optional modules plus the common modules listed below.
The module aims to provide you with an opportunity to integrate the knowledge acquired during the programme and apply this to a consultancy project for a real organisation. This consultancy project provides a vehicle for participants to develop and demonstrate key employability skills, relate theory to practice, and undertake a significant piece of assessed work commensurate with a capstone module.
You will work on behalf of an external organisation, which has identified a business problem or question, requiring a solution, working in a small group of typically 4 individuals (you will select their own team members), participating in group and individual activities. The host organisation will provide a project briefing and review; students will be supported by appropriate academic input and guidance from Newcastle Business School in the form of a mentor and via the Business Clinic.
The Dissertation takes an enquiry research-based approach, providing you with the opportunity to examine, in-depth, an HRM or Management-related problem or issue of direct interest and/or that faces you from with your working life or work placement. Initial weekly lectures build from Level 5 ‘Management Research and Analysis. You then work guided by your supervisor to confirm your research area, generate empirical (primary) or secondary data, analyse this data and draw theoretically informed conclusions. Supervisors are appointed in line with NBS policy, which recognises the requirements of professional bodies (CMI and CIPD) and AACSB accreditation.
The module aims to equip you with the necessary intellectual and practical skills for undertaking your individual learner-led, responsible, ethical investigation, while concurrently you will further develop key transferable, employability and enterprise skills including problem-solving and analysis, creative-thinking, time and project management, negotiation, communication (written, aural and verbal), persuasion and influence, discovery, initiative.
The Management Enquiry module is your chance to undertake your own independent investigation into an applied business problem or issue. It builds on the knowledge you’ve already developed in the HRM or Management programmes, with initial lectures introducing you to the underpinning knowledge and theories needed to get you started. Associated workshops then support you in putting this knowledge into practice, covering such topics as critically reviewing the literature, ethical research, and quantitative and qualitative research and analysis techniques.
Once you’ve submitted your enquiry proposal, you’ll work through one-to-one or small-group supervision with your allocated supervisor. They’ll provide you with ongoing formative feedback on your progress as you engage with the Management Enquiry process. Supervisors will be appointed in line with NBS policy which recognises the requirements of professional bodies (CMI and CIPD) and AACSB accreditation.
Direct entry students
Students directly joining on Level 6 will study the below modules plus common modules listed below.
This module equips you with the necessary knowledge and transferable skills to enhance your employability, future career development and academic studies for your final year of undergraduate study.
The module has been designed to develop your academic skills to support your current studies and ensure your transition into higher education. You will enhance your academic writing skills, develop your critical thinking ability, understand the role and value of research and understand how to effectively use academic journals, all within the context of business and management.
This module will also support your future employability and career development, exploring and reflecting upon your knowledge, skills, personality, values and interests to support you in making well-informed career choices.
This module will help you draw on your range of knowledge and skills developed during your studies to review research literature and evaluate business and management responses to a contemporary issue. You will undertake an individual investigation into an applied business problem related to your programme specialism.
Upon successful completion of the module, you will have an advanced understanding of a business topic of contemporary interest and a practical understanding of how to use research in evidence-based decision-making in a global business world. This module will make you aware of current issues and areas of importance within your chosen academic discipline, thus giving you an advantage in the employment market.
The focus on the contemporary knowledge base, supported by investigative study skills, will be useful for those students aspiring to higher-level studies such as Masters’ programme.
This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.
Common modules (all students)
In this module, you will learn about the context of responsible strategic thinking and how to identify and explore sustainable business opportunities as a source of competitive advantage.
Working together with your academic tutor and your peers, you will engage in theoretical debates and challenge current business thinking and practices to further advance the application of responsible strategy within the complexities of the global business environment. You will gain an insight into responsible decision making and how it impacts internal and external stakeholders.
The module will make use of digital learning tools to support the students’ learning and skills development.
Successive crises and organisational failures demonstrate that the conventional management of organisations and their people is not wholly effective. Transforming Self and Organisations will support you to develop alternative approaches through a research-rich curriculum that will develop your understanding and application of critical management tools and perspectives. By exploring identity, aesthetics, power and culture, you’ll develop your capabilities for questioning the neoliberal status-quo and the politics of managerialism and performance-driven agendas.
You’ll interrogate and challenge typically taken-for-granted assumptions within organisations to recognise the inherent power and control that exists, and then propose change within these organisations to prioritise fairness, justice, equality, diversity and sustainability. Your learning will place you in good stead to bring about future organisational transformation. These critical perspectives on organisations may also cause you to challenge your own assumptions, values and beliefs.
Globalisation and huge advances in technology have created opportunities for organisations – but they’ve also exposed them to threats and challenges. Effective project management can be a key tool for ensuring that organisations adapt to a fast-changing environment. It also supports the delivery of improved products, services and processes, and allows for the successful execution of organisational strategy. What’s more, effective project managers are crucial to organisations seeking to successfully achieve their performance objectives.
This module seeks to develop you as a project management practitioner. You’ll acquire knowledge and skills to plan and manage various aspects of a project, such as its stakeholder relationships, scope, cost, schedule and risk, and in doing so will enhance your employability. Working as a team, you’ll have the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills to a specific project and use advanced IT software to manage a project more effectively.
Marketing thrives on data. All business types – large e-commerce, small business or personal website – rely on countless marketing tools to capture and use relevant data.
In this module, you will explore contemporary digital media channels and how to use them to understand the way people interact with your business. You will also develop your ability to use real data and turn it into actionable information to create an integrated marketing campaign as part of a national student competition.
All modules on this course are core and 20 credits unless otherwise stated.
The course information displayed on this page is correct for the academic year 2025/26. We aim to run the course as advertised however, changes may be necessary due to updates to the curriculum (due to academic or industry developments), student demand or UK compliance reasons.
*Please note yearly fees may increase in line with inflation & Government guidelines.
Your tuition fees cover far more than your time in class with our expert academics, it covers the cost of providing you with excellent services and student experience.
Please note that your tuition fees do not include the cost of course books that you may choose to purchase, stationery, printing and photocopying, accommodation, living expenses, travel or any other extracurricular activities. As a Northumbria University London Campus student, you will have full access to our online digital library with over 400,000 e-books and 50,000 electronic journals.
The modules you will study do not require you to purchase additional textbooks although we recommend you allow an additional £250 for the duration of your studies should you choose to purchase any additional reading materials.
Students from the UK may be able to receive financial support from the Government to help fund your studies, subject to your eligibility. You can learn more about Student Finance and check your eligibility on the Student Finance website.
Northumbria University is committed to providing the best possible experience to all our students. To ensure you secure your place with us, we require our international students to pay a deposit towards their fees. More information on this can be found on our Finance page.
For information about any available scholarships or bursaries, please visit our Scholarships and Bursaries page. Eligibility criteria may vary, so we recommend reviewing the details for each option to see if you qualify.
If you need support to spread the cost of your tuition, you may be eligible for our payment plan. For more information and to check your eligibility, please visit our Dates and Fees page.
For more information on tuition fees, student finance, and payments, please visit our Finance page.
Enquire now to find more information about the course, studying with us, the application process, and to ask any other questions you may have.
Once you’re ready to apply, if you are a UK or a Home student, you will need to apply via UCAS. If you are an international student, you can apply to us directly following the instructions below.
UCAS applications – UK/ Home students
To apply through UCAS, you will need to use the following codes:
Institute code: N77
Course code: N1N0 (level 6), N1N1 (level 5)
Campus code: L
Find out more about applying through UCAS here
Direct applications – international students
We strongly recommend that you submit your application as early as possible to allow you to complete all of the preparations needed to study in the UK. After receiving an offer it can take time to arrange your finances and apply for your visa and it is important that you arrive in good time to enrol on your course. Please refer to the Dates and Fees page.
You can apply online to study the BSc (Hons) Global Business Management. This method allows you to upload your supporting documents at the time of application and automatically receive your student application number.
*Please note: to join the first year of this programme you’ll need to apply to the International Year One in Business.
Please note: For applications, you will be redirected to the Northumbria website to select which intake you would like to apply for.
| Apply now |
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| Year Zero entry* |
*Please note: to join Level 3 of this programme you’ll need to apply to the International Foundation in Business Management.
**Please note: to join Level 4 of this programme you’ll need to apply to the International Year One in Business.
For us to assess your application in a timely manner, it is important that you provide us with the following documents:
You can check more information on how to apply here, including guidelines for the application forms.
At Northumbria University London we welcome applications from disabled students and are committed to ensuring an equal and accessible application journey. Your application will be considered on an equal basis to all other applications. Please contact us if you require any assistance. This website is continually optimised to adhere to accessibility best practice guidelines; tools to assist users with specific accessibility requirements have also been provided. More information is available in our accessibility statement.
Undergraduate degrees
UK/Home Fee: £9,790 per year (26/27)
International Fee: £21,500 per year (26/27)
Entry points directly onto Year 2 and 3 available
IELTS 6.0 with no single element below 5.5, or equivalent
Full-time classroom
1-2 years (depending on entry point)
Coursework
Available
Available
Available
January, September