1. University of Manchester
  2. Program
  3. Bachelors
  4. BSc International Business, Finance and Economics

BSc International Business, Finance and Economics

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Manchester

Program Overview

The IBFE program is interdisciplinary, combining economics, finance, and international business. Key economics-related areas include:​

  • Microeconomics and Macroeconomics: Fundamental economic principles and theories.
  • Applied Economics: Practical application of economic concepts.
  • Quantitative Methods: Mathematics and statistics tailored to economics.​

The program also emphasises the importance of understanding changing economic contexts and offers the opportunity to learn a foreign language. Wide choice of languages – up to 15 offered. Exemptions from professional exams (e.g., CIMA, ACCA – depending on electives)

Year 1 – Foundation in Economics & Finance

  • Microeconomics 1 
  • Macroeconomics 1 
  • Finance and Innovation in International Business 
  • Financial Reporting, Introductory Management Accounting, Financial Decision Making
  • Maths and Statistics – course determined by prior academic background
     

Year 2 – Intermediate Concepts & Strategy

  • Managerial Economics I 
  • Foundations of Finance A
  • Fundamentals of Strategy
  • Optional: Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Mergers & Acquisitions, Intermediate Management Accounting
  • ​Students may take up to 10 credits from broader university electives or language study. 

Year 3 – Advanced Topics & Specialization

  • Managerial Economics II
  • International Finance
  • International Business Analysis Project
  • Optional: Financial Derivatives, Advanced Corporate Finance, Contemporary Financial Reporting, Business Law 2
  • ​Final year allows deep specialization with 60 credits of electives.
     

Teaching & Assessment Methods

  • Lecture + Seminar Model: ~2 hours lectures + 1 hour seminar biweekly per unit
  • Group Projects, Case Studies, Presentations
  • Assessment Mix: Essays, tests, reports, MCQs, weekly assignments + exams
  • Feedback: Via non-assessed tasks, academic advisors, and PDPs

 Global & National Rankings

  • Top 6 in the UK for Economics (QS 2024)
  • Global Top 30 for Economics & Econometrics
  • Alliance Manchester Business School is triple-accredited (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA)
  • Home to 4 Nobel Prize winners in Economics

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Internship Opportunities

  • ​Summer Internships: Available for students before their final year. 
  • International Summer Internships: Opportunities to gain global experience.
  • Manchester Graduate Talent (MGT): Graduate internships offered by the university. 
  • Alliance MBS’s Employer Partners
  • IBFE students previously worked with: Financial institutions (Barclays, RBS),, Consulting firms (PwC, KPMG), Government economic research agencies

Academic & Research Projects

  • International Business Analysis Project (Final Year): Apply macroeconomic, financial, and business theories to real-world firms (e.g., Lehman Brothers, GlaxoSmithKline)
  • Managerial Economics and Corporate Finance units: Include practical financial analysis and policy evaluation tasks
  • Independent research options available (in Year 3 electives)

 Research Opportunities

  • Informal participation in department-led economics research (case-study based)
  • Faculty are active in applied economics, financial economics, and macroeconomics — students gain exposure through seminar work and projects

Study Abroad / Exchange

  • Optional Year Abroad (partner universities worldwide, all English-taught)
  • Languages offered: Up to 15 (French, Spanish, Mandarin, etc.)
  • Adds global exposure for roles in multinational finance and policy settings

Progression & Future Opportunities

Postgraduate Education

  • MSc Finance, MSc Economics, MSc International Business, MSc Financial Economics
  • MSc Public Policy or Development Studies (with Economics emphasis)
  • Research degrees (MPhil, PhD in Economics or Financial Studies)
  • The program is strong preparation for CFA, CIMA, and ACCA (exemptions available for selected units)

Common Industries:

  • Economic consultancy
  • Banking and financial services (corporate, investment, retail)
  • Management consulting
  • International trade and regulatory bodies
  • Central banks, public policy think tanks, and multilateral institutions (e.g., IMF, OECD)

Notable Employers of IBFE Grads:

  • KPMG, PwC Cyprus, RBS, Grant Thornton, Zolfo Cooper, Barclays, EY, UK Government Economic Service

Graduate Salary Estimates (Unofficial):

  • £32,000 – £42,000/year starting for finance/consulting roles
  • Higher for investment banking or Big 4 consulting placements

Career Services: Alliance MBS provides dedicated services:

  • Sector-specific career fairs (e.g., Banking, Economics, Policy)
  • Career mentorship and employer networking events
  • CV/resume workshops, mock interviews, application guidance
  • Access to Manchester Graduate Talent (MGT) internships

Program Key Stats

£31,500
£ 29
Sept Intake : 14th Jan


42 %

Eligibility Criteria

AAA
3.0
36
80

N/A
N/A
6.5
90

Additional Information & Requirements

Career Options

  • International Business Analyst – Provide economic insights for cross border business operations
  • Trade Analyst – Study global trade patterns and policies
  • Financial Analyst – Evaluate international financial markets and business risks
  • Economic Consultant – Advise firms on foreign market entry and economic risk
  • Corporate Strategist – Plan international expansion and global business positioning
  • Risk Analyst – Assess financial exposure in global markets
  • Management Consultant – Solve operational issues in multinational firms
  • Diplomat or Trade Officer – Work on international trade deals and economic diplomacy
  • Multinational Account Manager – Manage finance operations across borders
  • Development Finance Analyst – Support infrastructure and enterprise in emerging markets
  • NGO Economist – Evaluate international development programs
  • Global Supply Chain Analyst – Use economic analysis to improve logistics and sourcing
  • Academic – Research and teach global business and economic integration
  • International Marketing Analyst – Use economic data to shape global branding
  • Entrepreneur – Launch export oriented or finance driven international startups

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