Why study international business?

Discover how an international business degree or Masters qualification can develop your ability to conduct business across the globe, opening you up to a range of careers where this knowledge can be put into practice

What is international business?

International business relates to the transactions between different countries for goods and services. These economic activities promote a greater cultural understanding between people from diverse backgrounds.

According to IMF (International Monetary Fund) data in 2025, the following countries now have economies ranked among the world's top ten:

China (2nd)
Japan (4th)
India (5th)
Canada (9th)
Brazil (10th).

This reflects that most gross domestic product (GDP) is generated outside the USA and Europe, with these nations making the most of international trade deals for their goods and services.

This trend is set to continue, with South Korea, Australia and Mexico not too far behind, taking up positions within the top 15.

Why choose an international business career?

International business is central to the success of many companies. The world is more connected than ever, so international trade and investment are crucial to more than just multinationals. Indeed, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) also want to know how to trade and operate abroad to grow. Read more about working for a small business.

In summary, students need to develop a global perspective to be successful in business. Studying international business allows you to see how globalisation has increased the 'connectedness' of businesses, markets, people, and information across countries.

Many employers with an international outlook seek graduates with the skills developed through international business courses. See our 7 skills for a successful management career.

What do international business degrees involve?

International business programmes give students an understanding of business management practices worldwide and prepare them for graduate careers working abroad or in organisations engaged in conducting business on a global scale.

Most employers expect candidates to be educated to degree level when recruiting for business jobs. A Bachelors degree in international business opens doors to opportunities in a range of areas and job sectors, including:

For example, the BA International Business at the University of Westminster takes three years to complete and requires grades BBC at A-level (112 UCAS Tariff points).

The course offers the opportunity to spend a year studying abroad and learn one of eight foreign languages alongside your degree through its Polylang (Modern Languages) programme. These include:

Arabic
Chinese
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Russian
Spanish.

You'll study compulsory modules, including:

Communication for Global Business
Global Business Environment
International Business Practice
International Organisational Behaviour
International Economy
Strategic Perspectives.

There are other undergraduate course options to consider across the UK:

BA International Business - De Montfort University, University of Strathclyde and the University of Westminster.
BA International Business Management - University of Lincoln, Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and the University of Northampton.
BSc International Business - Bayes Business School, University of Leeds and Loughborough University.

Discover what you can do with an international business degree.

Should I do a Masters in international business?

Studying for a Masters degree in international business is becoming increasingly popular, and postgraduate courses are available throughout the UK.

While not an essential requirement to secure a graduate job in the business world, a Masters in international business:

deepens your knowledge and understanding of global business markets
builds on your experience in the field
expands your network and list of contacts.

If you opt to study the one-year MSc International Business at Warwick Business School (WBS), you'll cover core units such as:

Fundamentals of Economic Behaviour
International Business Strategy
Marketing in an International Environment
Work and Human Resources in a Global Context.

For entry, you'll need a 2:1 in any subject. In 2025/26, tuition fees for UK students are set at £28,270.

The course teaches how companies design, implement, and manage international strategies while helping develop a critical awareness of the issues. Students will also learn about the links between strategy and performance and gain an understanding of the latest academic research.

WBS also offers Business in Practice as an alternative route to a dissertation. This involves a large-scale simulation project where more than 500 MSc students are placed into groups and compete to achieve the best performance.

You can also study an MSc in International Business at:

The MSc International Business Management is available at:

Search for postgraduate courses in international business.

What jobs are available for international business graduates?

These courses will give you a great entry point into the corporate world or the tools to set up your business.

Previous graduates at WBS have gone on to work for multinational organisations such as Accenture, Airbus, Deloitte, EY, IBM and PwC as:

Other possible job titles for those involved with international business include:

An international business degree can also launch your career in exciting, global locations such as:

You could also decide to continue your studies with a PhD before seeking a career in academia.

To stand out to employers, take advantage of all the opportunities your institution offers, including:

using your careers service
attending business events
volunteering as a student ambassador
taking up any opportunities to gain international experience.

Search business, consulting and management jobs.

Find out more

Learn about funding postgraduate study.
Consider studying for an MBA.
Gain an insight into the top UK business schools.