Course overview

The BSc (Hons) Business and International Relations course provides a comprehensive understanding of business and management alongside a profound understanding of global politics. You will gain a strong foundation in management principles and business concepts, including strategic decision-making. You will also explore major issues in international affairs such as concepts and theories of international relations, global security studies and international political economy. Understanding how business and politics intersect on a global scale will provide you with a solid starting point for your future career.

You will be taught by research-active staff who are experts in their respective fields and who constantly update their teaching based on the newest research findings.

The integrated placement year will bridge the gap between theory and practice, and provide you with invaluable real-world experiences in the UK or abroad, equipping you with the skills and insights you need for a range of professional roles within business, government or advocacy.

“A placement year gives you an idea of what you want to do as a career, especially if you are unsure of your future career path. I would also recommend registering for Aston’s societies as you can use them to sell yourself as well. I was vice president of UNICEF on campus, which was something I used to sell myself in interviews and which helped me to secure my placement.”

Astou Camara

BSc (Hons) Business and International Relations

Service consultant and project support officer, Airswift

Why Business and International Relations at Aston University?

Experiential learning

Experience learning by doing with innovative modules like the award-winning EuroSim module

Safe in our hands

Aston University was ranked 15th overall in the UK for International Relations (Guardian, 2026)

Recognised for quality

Aston Business School is proud to be among 1% of business schools worldwide with triple accreditation

Gold standard teaching

Aston University was awarded Gold - the highest possible rating for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)

Top 100 in Europe

Aston Business School ranked 15th in the UK and 90th in Europe (Financial Times European Business Schools ranking 2025)

Top 5% in the world

Top 5% of global evaluated institutions (QS World University Rankings 2026)

Gain insights into global politics

Hear from Dr Balazs Szent-Ivanyi as he discusses the key benefits of studying politics and international relations at Aston University.

Careers and Placements

Whatever your Aston University journey, we're here to help. Discover what's possible with Careers and Placements.

Simba's journey beyond graduation

After Aston, I went on The Apprentice

Course description

ASTON POWER SKILLS

Built into every undergraduate degree

Gain the skills employers look for worldwide.

AI & Digital

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Inclusive Leadership

Environmental Sustainability

Discover Power Skills

Course description

BSc (Hons) Business and International Relations

Our BSc (Hons) Business and International Relations degree at Aston University focuses on key contemporary issues in international relations and policy, such as security, globalisation and international political economy. It is strongly geared towards increasing your employability; your knowledge of international affairs and their impact on business will give you the edge over other business graduates

What we will provide
First-class teaching in the UK’s second-largest city, delivered by a diverse array of staff who will inspire and excite you. You will benefit from applied learning, research-informed teaching and authentic assessment. As a student on this programme, you will be one of the first to know about advancements in topical research by staff across the department, even before it is published.

We are also an Adobe Creative Campus meaning you will have access to top-notch software licenses, including Adobe and Solidworks, commonly used in industry.

What you will provide
It is important you learn how to adapt a growth mindset to your studies – understanding that intelligence and success come from applying yourself, a willingness to learn and an ambition and drive to excel.

What skills we teach
In addition to acquiring essential skills in business and management, your will gain an in-depth knowledge of contemporary politics in a global context. You will have the opportunity to produce a substantial piece of individual work in the form of a dissertation on an agreed topic of your choice.

Placement year
We all know that taking a placement year will boost your employability – it’s what makes Aston University graduates some of the most employable in the country. It’s for this reason that we encourage every student to take one. The placement year gives you the chance to put theory into practice, gain relevant work experience, and develop professional and transferable skills.

The placement year is compulsory for BSc (Hons) Business and International Relations students. International students can request permission to opt out of the placement year, but we strongly recommend that it is completed where possible.

Career prospects
As an Aston University Business and International Relations graduate, you will be equipped for a range of different career options. Our recent graduates have gone on to work across the public, private and third sectors for organisations including: Sainsburys, Jaguar Land Rover, Highways England, Lloyds Banking Group and the Civil Service.

How you will learn

Our teaching approach is innovative, comprehensive, and practical, emphasising real-world application. The BSc (Hons) Business and International Relations programme employs diverse teaching methods, including lectures, tutorials, seminars, project work and independent study. At the start of your course, you will be allocated a personal tutor who can offer individual study advice and guidance.

Our emphasis is on practical knowledge application, with guest lectures from prominent business leaders and mentoring programs offering unique insights. Our renowned Visiting Professors, top UK business figures, share their expertise and expectations from students and graduates.

Complementing traditional teaching, our virtual learning environment provides electronic support materials. You'll have access to the University Library's extensive collection of over 25,000 books and electronic journals. University-wide services like the careers service, Jobshop, counselling and advice services, sports facilities, and Chaplaincy enhance your overall university experience and prepare you for your professional career.

In your final year, you will undertake a major piece of independent research in the form of a dissertation. You will have the opportunity to choose from a range of optional modules including EuroSim, where students compete in an international intercollegiate negotiation simulation.

What you will learn

Driven by the needs of society and future employers, our course provides you with a comprehensive understanding of key business, management and international relations theories and concepts and an ability to critically analyse these, alongside the opportunity to specialise in areas of business and international relations that interest you.

First year

In your first year, you will develop a fundamental knowledge of business and international relations. You will explore basic theories and methods for analysing management, business and international affairs. You will also gain data analysis, problem solving and communication skills while fostering collaboration, time management and independence.

Second year

In your second year, you will delve deeper into international relations and management theories, applying them to real-world scenarios. You will acquire knowledge in strategic decision-making within companies and comprehend diverse political systems, power dynamics and contextual factors. Additionally, you will develop independence, versatile communication and critical thinking skills.

Placement year

The Aston University placement year forms an integral part of your educational journey and gives you the chance to put theory into practice, gain relevant work experience, and develop professional and transferable skills. Our award-winning careers and placements team are on hand to support you through every step of your placement journey.

Final year

In your final year, you will complete a research dissertation on an international relations topic of your choice, showcasing your ability to conduct independent research with a clear consideration of ethics, theory and methods. You will specialise in topics you enjoy most by choosing from a range of optional modules.

My placement year in the Netherlands

Lauren Shipstone completed her placement year abroad at Dremel - a multinational brand of power tools and division of Bosch. Her placement year "massively improved" her confidence and communication skills.

Discover Lauren's journey

Course objectives

Provides you with an intellectually rigorous and up-to-date education in international relations and business administration which will help you to identify and achieve your personal, academic and professional goals.
Enables you to analyse and understand global political and security challenges, international political institutions and structures, and their impact on the business environment
Develops your ability to recognise and analyse the economic, technical, financial, social and organisational parameters within which modern managers make decisions.
Offers you the opportunity to obtain relevant industrial experience or study abroad through a placement year.
Equips you with the knowledge and skills to pursue a variety of business and management roles boosting your employability by offering a valuable international perspective.
Provides you with an excellent learning experience that draws on the research and consultancy of Aston University academic staff.

Modules

Modules and learning outcomes

Year 1 modules

In your first year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Ideas that Shape Society	15
Understanding International Relations	15
Accounting for Business	15
Principles of Operations Management	15
The Making of the Modern World	15
What's Trending? Debating the Challenges of Our Time	15
Information Systems for Business	15
Principles of International Business	15
Total	120

Year 2 modules

In your second year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Project Management	15
Strategic Analysis and Leadership	15
Theories and Issues in International Relations	15
Digital Organisations and The Future of Work	15
Digital Strategies for the Modern Enterprise	15
Global Security Studies	15
Total	90

In term 1 you will choose one of the following optional modules:*

Module Title	Credits
International Climate Politics	15
International Political Economy	15

In term 2 you will choose one of the following optional modules:*

Module Title	Credits
East Asian Politics and Society	15
European Politics and Society	15
North American Politics and Society	15
Politics and Society of the Middle East	15
South Asian Politics and Society	15

*Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

Placement year modules

You will spend your third year on placement. You will be fully supported throughout the process by our award-winning Careers and Placements team.

Placement year

Module Title	Credits
Integrated Placement Year	120

Final year modules

In your final year you will study the following core module:

Module Title	Credits
Strategic Management and Innovation	15
Research Skills and International Relations Dissertation	30
Total	45

In term 1 you will choose one of the following optional Business modules:*

Module Title	Credits
Critical Issues and Decision Making in HR	15
Responsible Leadership	15
Technology and Practice of eCommerce	15

In term 1 you will choose one of the following optional International Relations modules:*

Module Title	Credits
EuroSim: Learning Negotiation Through Simulation Games	15
Politics and Islam: Past and Present	15
Technology and Digital Politics	15
Understanding Foreign Policy	15

In term 2 you will choose two of the following optional Business modules:*

Module Title	Credits
Business Ethics	15
Governance, Ethics and Sustainability	15
Implementing Business Decisions	15
Managing Legal and Employment Relations at Work	15
Strategic HRM	15

In term 2 you will choose one of the following optional International Relations modules:*

Module Title	Credits
African Politics: From the Colonial Period to the Present Day	15
Gender and Politics	15
Politics of Development	15
Writing and Reporting of Conflict and Violence	15

*Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

We regularly review our modules to provide the best possible teaching and learning experience, incorporating academic developments, student feedback and employer feedback.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any changes to modules at the earliest opportunity by updating our course webpages.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints may mean it isn’t possible to take some module combinations. The structure of some courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

ASTON POWER SKILLS

Built into every undergraduate degree

Gain the skills employers look for worldwide.
As an Aston student, you will develop expertise in four key areas:

AI & Digital

Join the rise of the humans. Don't fear AI, master it and use it for good. Develop digital skills for the future, whatever career you want to pursue.

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Don't follow the rules, rewrite them. Today’s fast-changing world needs original thinkers. Creators. Innovators. Risk takers. So get ready to think smart and reach the next level.

Inclusive Leadership

Make space for every voice to be heard. Be the one who brings people together with a shared vision. Learn to break down barriers and be the leader the future needs.

Environmental Sustainability

It's not game over for our planet. It's game on. Together we can create a greener tomorrow. The world urgently needs graduates who can shape more sustainable and ethical ways of working. The future depends on it.

Entry requirements

A Levels

BBC (standard offer)
BCC (with EPQ minimum grade B)
BCC (contextual offer)
Contextual offers

Aston Ready is our contextual offer scheme that could reduce your undergraduate offer by one or two grades. Assessed at the point of application, there are no additional forms to fill in.

Contextual offer criteria

BTEC Extended Diploma – DDM (standard offer)

The University also accepts the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate/BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma and BTEC Level 3 National Diploma/BTEC Level 3 Diploma for entry onto degree programmes, provided that they are studied in combination with other qualifications that are equivalent to three full A2 Levels.

29 points overall in the IB diploma with grades 5,5,4 in 3 higher level subjects.

You must also have Standard Level grade 4 in Mathematics and grade 5 in English Language.

We accept the QAA-recognised Access Diploma which must consist of 45 credits at Level 3.

You must obtain a minimum of 15 credits at distinction and the rest must be at merit or distinction.

Please note that we do not accept the English and Maths components within the Access qualification and you must meet the GCSE entry requirement.

The following T Levels are accepted qualifications for this course:

Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction - grade D
Digital Production, Design and Production - grade D
Education and Childcare - grade D
Onsite Construction - grade D
Building Services Engineering for Construction - grade D
Digital Business Services - grade D
Digital Support Services - grade D
Health - grade D
Healthcare Science - grade D
Science - grade D
Accounting - grade D
Finance - grade D
Management and administration - grade D
Design and development for engineering and manufacturing - grade D
Maintenance, installation and repair for engineering and manufacturing - grade D
Legal Services - grade D

GCSE Maths – grade C/4
GCSE English Language or English Literature – grade C/4

Year 1 entry: We may consider applicants for year 1 entry who are undertaking a first year degree elsewhere. You must meet the GCSEs and A Level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.

Year 2 entry: Please note that second year transfers are not part of the standard admissions process and is up to the discretion of the admissions team and tutor. Applications are only considered if there is space on that year of the programme. Typically, applicants for second year entry must meet the GCSEs and A Level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. Alongside this you must have successfully passed (or be expected to pass) your first year with 120 credits on an equivalent programme at another recognised university with very similar module content. The equivalency of the programme is reviewed by the Admissions Tutor and you will be required to provide an official copy of the programme specification of this. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.

Year 3 entry onwards: We will not be able to consider any application for Year 3 or final year.

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year. Based in the centre of Birmingham, Aston is not only a great place to study, it’s also a great place to live.

Qualifications in your country

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.

English language requirements

International students can enter at Year 2 of this course having completed an undergraduate year one programme at the required academic level with approved teaching partners ONCAMPUS Aston or NCUK.

Aston University provides a range of opportunities for international students to join our community and study on our campus. A key part of our strategy is our relationships with teaching partners, providing multiple pathways to Aston.

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and, as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability. Our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Find out more about applying

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

The fees set out below are not confirmed. We will update this webpage with the confirmed fees for 2027/28 by 31 July 2026.

UK students
(2027/28)

First year tuition fee:	£10,050*
During placement year:	£1,250*

International students
(2026/27)

First year tuition fee:	£22,575**
During placement year:	£2,500**

*UK students (Home Undergraduate):

Subject to parliamentary approval, the first year tuition fee will be £10,050, increasing annually in line with inflation for subsequent academic years.

On 20 October 2025, the Government announced that tuition fees in England will be increased annually in line with inflation, starting in 2026. The Government have since confirmed that it intends to determine the inflation-linked increase using the Retail Price Index, although this is subject to parliamentary approval.

According to the Department for Education’s Policy Paper published on 26 November, the annual tuition fee for the Programme commencing in the academic year 2027/28 is expected to be £10,050, subject to parliamentary approval. If you are holding an offer at Aston, when the annual tuition fee for your Programme for the 2027/28 academic year has been confirmed, we will write to update you. We will also provide as much information as we can about the inflation-linked increase in tuition fees for future academic years.

The duration of your programme is set out at the top of this webpage and you will be responsible for the payment of an annual tuition fee in each of these years. The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees annually in accordance with its terms and conditions and subject at all times to the maximum tuition fee caps set by Government from time to time. Please note that our current Terms and Conditions are for 2026 entry. We expect to publish our 2027 entry Terms and Conditions in summer 2026. This means that your total tuition fee may be higher than stated above. An increase in fees will allow the University to cover the increased costs of delivering the course and ensure it is able to maintain high standards of education and facilities.

Placement year fee

The placement year fee stated here is for September 2026 entry for this course. The updated placement fee for September 2027 entry will be updated on this page by 31 July 2026.

**International students (Overseas Undergraduate):

The first year tuition fee and placement year fee are not confirmed. The annual tuition fee and placement year fee stated here are for the September 2026 entry for this course. The updated fees for September 2027 entry will be updated on this page by 31 July 2026.

The duration of your programme is set out at the top of this course page and you will be responsible for the payment of an annual tuition fee in each of these years. The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees annually in accordance with its terms and conditions and subject at all times to the maximum tuition fee caps set by Government from time to time. Please note that our current Terms and Conditions are for 2026 entry. This means that your total tuition fee may be higher than stated above, but your total tuition fee will never increase by more than 6% year on year. An increase in fees will allow the University to cover the increased costs of delivering the course and ensure it is able to maintain high standards of education and facilities.

Placement year fee

The placement year fee stated here is for September 2026 entry for this course. The updated placement fee for September 2027 entry will be updated on this page by 31 July 2026.

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs.

Explore our scholarships

Assessment

You will be assessed through a combination of written and oral examinations, class tests, individual and group coursework, projects, presentations and practical assessments. Special emphasis will be placed on authentic assessment.

Career prospects

Our BSc (Hons) Business and International Relations programme will prepare you for a range of careers across the public, private and third sectors. Our graduates are among the highest paid in the country, earning on average £33,200 three years after graduating, and £42,000 five years after graduating (Longitudinal Education Outcomes, 2025).

The transferable skills that our business and international relations programmes provide mean that our graduates are successful in finding employment in a wide range of roles such as:

Finance executive
Data insight consultant
Internal auditor
Sales executive
Graduate content specialist
Marketing executive
Commercial trading executive
International project manager
Policy officer
Business engagement executive
Product analyst

Our graduates have gone on to work at companies such as Sainsburys, Jaguar Land Rover, Toyota, Softcat, Highways England, Lloyds Banking, National Express, BT, O2, IBM, J.P.Morgan, Microsoft and the Civil Service.

Forbes 30 under 30

Aston University Business and International Relations graduate and award-winning cocktail entrepreneur named in Forbes 30 under 30 list.

Be part of our community

Once you have joined us at Aston University, you’ll always be part of our community, even beyond graduation.

Alumni services

Sunjay's journey beyond graduation

After Aston, I worked with Kylie Minogue

Christine's journey beyond graduation

After Aston, I founded a global football franchise

Frequently asked questions

Why study politics or international relations?

Why study politics and international relations? Dr Laura Southgate, a lecturer at Aston University, explains the benefits of studying this discipline.

How will a placement year benefit me?

Whether you choose to study abroad or do a work placement, Aston University’s links with employers and universities around the world mean you will have a wide range of options to boost your employability and explore the world of work.

Our work placements give you the opportunity to apply what you have learnt on your course while gaining valuable professional and paid experience. It can enhance your graduate employment prospects and help you to make more informed career decisions. Around one in five of our placement students are offered graduate jobs by their placement employer.

Find out more

Is Birmingham a good place to study?

Our campus is based in the centre of Birmingham, the youngest major city in Europe and a great place to live, work and study.

Great music and entertainment with a vibrant nightlife. Bars, clubs, pubs, live music, festivals, concerts. Whatever your tastes, there's something here for everyone.
Fantastic food. Birmingham's diverse community means you can try anything from the famous Balti triangle, the Chinese Quarter, high street chains, halal and vegan food, and Michelin-star dining.
World-class shopping. The Bullring and Grand Central is a shopper's paradise. From the world's biggest Primark to luxury brands at the Mailbox.
Arts and culture. Museums, galleries, theatres, concerts and Birmingham's art collection is as wide as it is impressive - not to be missed.
Green, open spaces. One of the greenest cities in Europe, Birmingham has hundreds of publicly accessible parks and green spaces across the city.
Sporting action. Birmingham has some of the most exciting venues for watching or participating in sport in the UK.

Discover Birmingham