Enter OTP
4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
University of ManchesterIf you’re curious about how businesses operate across borders and want to understand the economics that drive them, this degree is a great fit. The course combines management skills with international business economics and builds in a year-long professional placement, so you’ll graduate with both knowledge and real-world experience.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1:
Your first year is about building a strong base. You’ll cover the essentials of management, accounting, and marketing, while also getting introduced to economics and quantitative methods. For example, you’ll study Fundamentals of Financial Reporting, Economic Principles: Microeconomics, and Quantitative Methods for Business and Management. This mix gives you a broad view of how businesses actually run.
Year 2:
In second year, you’ll start focusing more on international business economics. Core modules like International Business and Economic Analysis I dive deeper into how firms and markets work globally. Alongside that, you can choose optional units — whether that’s finance, law, strategy, or even a new language — so you can shape your studies to fit your goals.
Year 3 (Placement):
This is your chance to put everything into practice. You’ll spend a year working in industry with one of Manchester’s partner organisations — past students have landed placements at big names like Deloitte, Unilever, and Porsche. It’s a real boost for your CV and gives you a taste of what it’s like to apply your degree in the workplace.
Year 4:
In your final year, you’ll specialise even further in international business economics. You’ll take advanced modules such as International Finance or Advanced Corporate Finance, alongside options in areas like strategy, sustainability, or data analytics. You can also choose to complete a dissertation or project if you want to explore a topic in depth.
Focus areas
“Global business and economics, financial analysis, international trade and investment, professional work experience, data and decision-making skills.”
Learning outcomes
“Graduate with the ability to analyse international markets, understand how firms and economies interact, apply economics to real-world business problems, and bring both academic knowledge and professional experience to employers.”
Professional alignment (accreditation)
Depending on the options you choose, you may qualify for partial exemptions from professional accounting and economics exams — a helpful step if you’re aiming for professional qualifications later.
Reputation (employability rankings)
Alliance Manchester Business School has a global reputation and is consistently ranked among the UK’s top business schools. Employers know this degree delivers — recent graduates have gone on to roles at companies like KPMG, Microsoft, and Unilever, proving the strong career prospects.
One of the best parts of studying Management (International Business Economics) at Manchester is that it’s not just classroom learning. You’ll be using dedicated business school libraries, computer labs, and digital tools right from your first year. On top of that, the industrial/professional placement year gives you the chance to step into a real company, test out your skills, and see how business decisions actually play out in practice. Along the way, you’ll have the support of academic advisors and structured personal development plans to help you build confidence and prepare for your career.
Here’s a taste of what that looks like in practice:
Eddie Davies Library – a business-focused library inside Alliance Manchester Business School, stocked with specialist books, case studies, and journals tailored for management and economics students.
University of Manchester Library – one of the largest academic libraries in the UK, giving you access to millions of books, e-journals, and databases, plus study spaces for group projects or quiet work.
Computer clusters & digital tools – available across campus and in halls, where you’ll use software for data analysis, quantitative methods, and business modelling. Free WiFi across campus means you can study and collaborate anywhere.
Personal Development Plans (PDPs) – built into the course to help you track and grow skills like teamwork, leadership, and time-management, all of which employers value.
Academic advisors – dedicated staff who support you through each year of your degree, especially helpful when planning for your placement year.
Placement year – a full year working in industry with one of Manchester’s many employer partners, where students have landed roles at companies like Deloitte, Unilever, and Porsche. It’s your chance to apply everything you’ve studied to real-world projects and return for final year with hands-on experience.
One of the biggest advantages of this degree is how well it prepares you for life after university. Because you’ll graduate with both academic expertise and a full year of professional experience, employers see you as “work-ready” from day one. Typical career paths for our graduates include roles like Management Consultant, Financial Analyst, Business Development Manager, and even Economic Policy Advisor — all jobs where international business knowledge really matters.
And Manchester makes sure you’re supported every step of the way:
Personalised career support – through the university’s CareerConnect platform, you’ll find internships, graduate jobs, mentoring schemes, and networking events with top employers. The Careers Service is known for being one of the most comprehensive in the UK.
Strong early career results – within 15 months of finishing, Manchester economics graduates are earning an average salary of around £32,000, a solid start that shows how valued they are in the job market.
Real industry links – your placement year is more than just “experience.” Past students have worked with employers such as Deloitte, Unilever, and Porsche, building contacts and often securing job offers before graduation.
Professional recognition – by selecting certain course units, you can gain exemptions from professional accounting and economics exams, giving you a real head start if you’re aiming for chartered status later on.
Graduate outcomes – most graduates are either in skilled roles or further study within 15 months, highlighting just how strong Manchester’s reputation is with employers worldwide.
Further Academic Progression:
If you’d like to keep going after your bachelor’s, you’ll have plenty of options. Many students stay on for a Master’s in areas like Economics, Finance, or International Business, while others dive into research with a PhD. And if professional qualifications are your goal, the exemptions you earn here can save you time and money on the road to becoming chartered.
A-level – AAA in three full A-levels; subject choice and preferred combinations may be prioritised.IB - 36 points overall, with 6,6,6 in Higher Level subjects. EPQ is valued but not required; it can strengthen applications, especially if grades are slightly below the usual offer.English language requirements – GCSE/IGCSE English B/6 or IELTS 6.5 (min 6.0 each component) or equivalent.TOEFL iBT - Minimum overall 90, with at least 20 in each section. (TOEFL Home Edition is not accepted.)India – 80–95% in Standard XII (CBSE/ISC or State Boards: Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat). USA - A-level AAA equivalent: High School Diploma with GPA 3.0+, plus AP exams 5,5,5, or SAT 1290, or ACT 27; courses should cover equivalents of GCSE English and Mathematics/Science.Management ConsultantFinancial AnalystBusiness Development ManagerEconomic Policy AdvisorInvestment Banking AnalystCorporate Finance Associate Market Analyst International Trade SpecialistRisk AnalystBusiness EconomistStrategy Consultant
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