Programme Overview
The Bachelor of Business in International Business equips students with the specialized knowledge and cross-cultural competencies required to manage and lead in a global marketplace. The programme explores how culture, language, political systems, geography, finance, and socio-economic factors shape international commerce, making it ideal for students with an outward perspective who aspire to work in multinational companies, manage diverse teams, or help domestic enterprises expand globally.
Practical Learning & Cross-Cultural Training
Learning focuses on analysing complex international business environments and adapting strategies to cross-border operational challenges. Through practical case studies, research projects, and collaborative coursework, students build key negotiation, cross-cultural communication, and managerial decision-making skills tailored for diverse global markets.
Coursework
The curriculum combines core business modules with specialized international studies and flexible elective options:
- International Business Strategy: Analysing global market mechanics, cross-border operations, and international enterprise expansion.
- International Marketing: Developing marketing strategies tailored to diverse cultural, regulatory, and consumer environments.
- International Business Culture: Understanding cross-cultural communication, managing diversity, and navigating international business etiquette.
- Business Research Methods & Electives: Training in data-driven decision-making alongside student-chosen electives aligned with individual career interests.
Career Opportunities
Graduates earn a versatile business degree that opens global career pathways across international commerce, trade, and consultancy:
- International Brand & Marketing Executive
- Global Supply Chain & Logistics Coordinator
- Export & International Trade Specialist
- Cross-Border Business Analyst & Consultant
- Human Resource & Cultural Diversity Manager
- Progression to Level 8 Honours Add-on Programmes & Postgraduate Study
Upon completion of the degree, graduates are fully prepared to navigate complex international business environments, support global expansion for domestic and multinational companies, or progress directly into advanced Level 8 honours degree studies.
Year 1
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Business Financial Accounting 1 (M) | Business Financial Accounting 2 (M) |
| Communications and Academic Writing (M) | Data Analysis for Business 1 (M) |
| Microeconomics (M) | Macroeconomics (M) |
| IT for Business 1 (M) | Management in Action (M) |
| An Introduction to Management Theory (M) | Business Psychology 1 (M) |
| Quantitative Techniques 1 (M) | Quantitative Techniques 2 (M) |
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
Year 2
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
|---|---|
| Business Cost Accounting (M) | Business Management Accounting (M) |
| Data Analysis for Business 2 (M) | Macroeconomy of Ireland (M) |
| Business Law 1 (M) | Business Law 2 (M) |
| Human Resource Management 1 (M) | Supply Chain Management (M) |
| Introduction to Marketing (M) | Contemporary Marketing Practice (M) |
| Business Psychology 2 (E) | Intermediate Financial Accounting 2 (E) |
| Intermediate Financial Accounting 1 (E) | Human Resource Management 2 (E) |
| IT for Business 2 (E) |
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
Year 3
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
|---|---|
| Organisational Behaviour 1 (M) | Work Placement (E) |
| International Business Culture (M) | Study Semester Abroad (E) |
| Business Finance (M) | Business Internship Project - International Business (E) |
| Global Market Assessment and Selection (M) | Business English 2 (E) |
| Managerial Economics (E) | Organisational Behaviour 2 (E) |
| Business Information Systems 1 (E) | Global Supply Chain Management (E) |
| Business English 1 (E) | Global Marketing Strategy (E) |
| Contemporary Issues in HRM (E) | |
| Purchasing and Supplier Management (E) |
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
Year 4
| Semester 7 | Semester 8 |
|---|---|
| Strategic Analysis (M) | Applied Business Solutions (M) |
| The Global Economy 1 (M) | The Global Economy 2 (M) |
| International Business (M) | Strategic Positioning (M) |
| Strategic Financial Management (M) | Industrial Relations 2 (E) |
| Enterprise Development I (E) | Organisational Behaviour 2 (E) |
| Industrial Relations 1 (E) | Corporate Finance (E) |
| Global Logistics (E) | Global Marketing Strategy (E) |
| Sustainable Marketing (E) | Enterprise Development II (E) |
| Business Information Systems 2 (E) | Global Supply Chain Management (E) |
| Business Information Systems 3 (E) | |
| Corporate Social Responsibility (E) |
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
What are the minimum entry requirements?
2 subjects: H5
4 subjects: O6/H7
English or Irish: O6/H7
Mathematics: O6/H7
What follow-on study opportunities are available?
Graduates who achieve a minimum of a second-class honours degree are eligible to apply to undertake a Research or Taught Masters at SETU or other institutions.
- Work Placement is an integral part of the course in Year 3.
- Maximum flexibility enables students to choose a specialty after Year 2.
- Exit Awards: Higher Certificate in Business (NFQ Level 6) after Year 2 and Bachelor of Business (NFQ Level 7) after Year 3.
What will I be able to do when I finish the course?
An International Business Degree enables graduates to embark on a career path with plenty of flexibility and variety. Graduates of this course will have excellent employment opportunities with global organisations and with domestic companies with international importing and exporting operations. Typical roles include international marketing, sales management and customer service management. Many graduates start their careers with domestic operations of an organisation and then progress to managing and co-ordinating global operations.
Stories
Course Leader
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