The BSc International Management programme seeks to answer three key questions:   

• What is the role of management in understanding, anticipating, and adapting to current global challenges?
• How can organisations dynamically innovate and create new solutions to international problems – managing change both internally and externally?
• How can we transform management practice to contribute to a more socially just and sustainable world?   

This programme takes you further than traditional business and management programmes by viewing management through a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous international lens. In the context of a rapidly changing wider world, successful leaders must consider geopolitics, cross-cultural differences, and the influence of past and present global events to better anticipate, identify, and respond to future challenges for organisations.   

The UCL School of Management has designed this programme to provide a holistic view of the international business and management landscape, enabling you to develop both macro and micro skills - to evaluate geopolitical events and their impact, and develop cross-cultural management skills to organise, manage, and lead teams in uncertain international environments. Essentially, it seeks to transform existing management practices which view organisational management in isolation to the international context in which they operate.  

Upon successful completion of this programme, you will be able to:   

1. Apply the key principles of effective teamwork, management and leadership to international organisational contexts.   
2. Utilise creative and innovative thinking techniques for designing solutions to organisational issues.   
3. Develop cross-cultural management skills such as change management, teamwork, leadership, and diversity.  
4. Examine the ethical implications of decisions in management practice.  

You will be provided with a strong grounding in international business and management through modules covering organisational behaviour, marketing, operations and supply chain management, strategy, HR, data analytics, accounting, finance, and economics, all key areas necessary to master within management studies. You are then able to specialise in areas of international management which interest you by taking elective modules offered by other departments within UCL, such as The School of Slavonic and East European Studies, Geography, and Political Science, providing cross-departmental collaboration and knowledge transfer to enrich your programme and learning.   

Unique to this programme, you will be prepared for the world of international management through real-life organisational experiences and ‘live projects’. These include modules on ‘Management Consulting’ where you will work alongside a live organisation to help them solve real business problems they are facing, and the ‘Participatory Research Project’ in your final year, where you will source, work with, and advise an organisation on their live problem. You will also be strongly encouraged to embark on International Industrial Placement and Study Year Abroad opportunities in your third year. All of which involve working with organisations outside of the university and gaining real-world business skills and experience. 

Year abroad or year in industry

In Year One you will typically take 8 core modules. In Year Two you will typically take 7 core modules and 1 optional/elective module. Finally, in Year Three you will take 5 core modules - one of which is a 30 credit Extended Project (Participatory Research Project) in Term One and Term Two - and 2 optional/elective modules from the UCL School of Management and offerings from other departments within UCL, such as the School of Slavonic and East European Studies, Geography and Political Science.   

There are three potential pathways for the BSc International Management programme. You may choose to remain with the 3-year BSc in International Management; however, you are strongly encouraged to gain further international experience through a structured Study Year Abroad, or International Industrial Placement, before returning for the final year where you will use this experience to critically analyse the practical issues associated with managing in global environments. Both will help you to develop your resume, seek personal growth, and enjoy the challenges of adapting to new situations.  

International Industrial Placement:  

Suitable for: Pragmatic learners who wish to obtain hands-on learning, explore different roles in an organisation and see how theoretical concepts work in practice. This route is highly suitable for those wishing to expand their networks, industry contacts and professional relationships. This will help you to obtain:   

• Enhanced organisational knowledge - obtaining practical international work-based experiences  
• Networking opportunities - building international professional networks  
• Practical management skills - developing international management workplace skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving and change management  
• Further career opportunities - enhancing your employability portfolio   
• If you do undertake the International Industrial Placement opportunity, you must return to UCL to complete your final year - and be eligible for the relevant BSc award.   

You have the opportunity to source and select your own placement opportunities. Where this is not possible, the careers team may be able to provide further assistance. In advance of your placement starting you will be provided with preparation and training workshops, which include cultural orientation, professional development workshops, and guidance on adapting to the work culture in your host country. Taught courses in Years 1 and 2 (such as ‘Cross-Cultural Management’) are also designed to support this move. Each student will be allocated a personal tutor, and representatives from the School of Management will liaise with students and the companies to provide check-ins.  

Study Year Abroad: 

Suitable for: Adventurous learners who enjoy new experiences, travelling, exploring different cultures and diversifying their academic experience by taking advantage of unique courses at foreign institutions. Throughout, you can obtain further:   

• Cultural exposure – developing global awareness and intercultural communication skills   
• Global perspectives – to enrich your viewpoints and learn how to analyse issues from multiple angles  
• Personal growth – fostering independence, confidence and resilience  
• Academic diversification – accessing unique courses and opportunities, as well as exposure to different teaching styles and academic frameworks  
• If you do undertake the Study Year Abroad opportunity, you must return to UCL to complete your final year - and be eligible for the relevant BSc award.   

You will be provided with preparation and training workshops in advance of the Study Abroad Year starting, which includes cultural orientation, professional development workshops, and guidance on adapting to the culture in your host country.  

Please note that these placements are contingent upon the availability of places and the success of applications, and while there is support available to secure these places, the process is student-led and all costs are additional and covered by the individual. Please contact the programme administrators for more advice on funding and the support offered or visit the UCL Study Abroad Page. 

About the UCL School of Management 

Programme structure

Programme for Students Starting Year 1 in September 2025

The core modules in each year have been specifically designed to prepare you for the next stages of the programme. For example, Year 1 focuses on understanding the international organisational context by identifying key changes, issues, and challenges. Year 2 focuses on applying practical management skills, particularly in relation to intercultural communication and international leadership practice. Those who choose to embark on a Study Year Abroad or placement year in industry can benefit from the international experience it will provide. Finally, in the last year, you will have opportunities to use the skills gained throughout the programme to critically analyse the practical challenges and complexities of managing in global environments.   

The programme will provide you with a vast array of intellectual and academic skills, including a solid core in international business, project management and team-working, greater depth and breadth in international management capacities and a foundation in excellent cross-cultural leadership. You will develop the professional, personal and inter-personal skills to enable effective communication at all levels of an organisation.

Intellectual and Academic Skills:  

Practical and Transferable Skills:  

International Organisational Experience:  

You will also have access to the School of Management Global Business Primer, an exclusive online programme available to UCL School of Management students which gives an insight into best practices for working in an ever-changing global business environment.

Throughout the programme, you will be able to take advantage of extra-curricular activities  which reinforce your knowledge and afford the opportunity for you to work with academic and industry leaders. 

We actively encourage you to engage with UCL’s large and diverse range of societies or even join a society’s committee. It shows commitment and teamwork and can be a useful way to develop your managerial skills, too.  

The School of Management has its own student society whose core work consists of serving the best interest of the students of the school through a mixture of social and academic events including networking sessions and employer panel events. All students of the School of Management automatically become members of the School of Management society. 

Global Network  

UCL is London’s Global University with students from over 150 countries, providing you with a global network and perspective, helping you to better understand and appreciate the impact of the major issues facing the world.  By joining our global network, you will build a mindset to manage and understand the complex issues international businesses will face in the modern world, with tangible practical experience under your belt through the extra-curricular add-ons you can pad your programme with. 

Bloomberg: “Employees must combine local understanding with international expertise’  

PwC: “There is a need to be global and inclusive to operate and collaborate effectively with a mindset that transcends boundaries and embraces diverse perspectives” 

In the competitive, international market, we are acutely aware that it takes a little extra to stand out. As the academics leading this programme collaborate with industry leaders and our careers team work closely with employers to understand the skills they look for in graduates, we have developed this programme to introduce you to the diverse personal and practical transferable skills that are important to employers in the global marketplace, such as:  

As a student on this programme, you will benefit from a dedicated careers and employer engagement team for UCL School of Management undergraduates. Our Careers Consultants will help identify opportunities and prepare you to succeed in the competitive job market. You will benefit from careers coaching and guidance via 1:1s and group workshops, while our Employer Engagement Team facilitate connections with employers both in the UK and globally via bespoke employer event programmes. 

You can also benefit from enhancing your skills through access to online systems for enhancing CV skills (Vmock), recruitment skills (eCareersGrad), and interview preparation (CaseCoach). As well as further UCL and School of Management support through MyUCL careers, UCL careers portal, UCL Central events such as fairs, themed weeks, and network-building opportunities with guest speakers, industry events, employer presentations, global careers sessions, and alumni engagement events available exclusively to School of Management students before, during, and after your studies.  

The BSc International Management programme will leave you well-placed to meet the growing global demand for graduates in fast-moving sectors. Business Management and International Management graduates have nationally leading employment rates and starting salaries and amongst many others, they have secured careers with the world’s leading IT industry companies, with companies in the City of London and across the globe.  Alumni of the programme will also find themselves in key destinations such as global financial hubs, international business centres, and emerging markets.  

This programme will provide you with an excellent foundation for a broad spectrum of different international careers, including the pursuit of further academic study such as a postgraduate degree or doctoral research.  

The emphasis on creative, innovative and entrepreneurial thinking equips our graduates for roles in start-ups and innovative ventures. Armed with research and analytical skills, you will also be well-suited for positions requiring data-driven decision-making.  

Examples of roles that students may obtain on graduation may include:  

Our graduates are employed by some of the largest global companies. These include, but are not limited to: 

Fundamentally, we are looking for students who are interested, enthusiastic, excited (and perhaps with some healthy concern) about the rapidly changing nature of the world. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about re-thinking how management can be performed – moving away from outdated ‘command and control’ methods, and toward a more humane, culturally sensitive and relationship-focussed approach. 

Students should be joining the programme with an understanding of the challenges of the modern world (born from their own experience, and studies), and ready to learn and discuss contemporary issues to develop and build their understandings with us. As a School, we are hopeful for the future, and our goal is to cultivate a space where future leaders can drive meaningful change and a desire to shape a more equitable and sustainable world. 

When we assess your application, we will be seeking to learn:  

• Why do you want to study International Management at UCL as opposed to a more general Business and Management programme?  
• Your interpretation of why international management should be viewed holistically, perhaps relating to key global issues.  
• How your previous studies in the social sciences contribute to your enthusiasm for the programme  
• Evidence of undertaking specific organisational activities with tangible outcomes, as well as your aspirations.  

Successful candidates will be able to tangibly demonstrate:   

• A keen desire to learn leading international business and management theories and put them into practice  
• Global and cultural awareness  
• Critical and creative thinking  
• The ability to weigh evidence and make difficult decisions when necessary  
• Resilience  
• Personable skills   

Applying for BSc International Management  

You will need to apply for this programme through the UK Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) system. All application dates for UCAS can be found on their website.  

Scholarships are available through UCL for all years of study. Competition for scholarships is fierce, however, and to stand a chance of being chosen you will need to show evidence of commitment and the potential for high achievement. 

Application for scholarships and bursaries must be made either when confirming your place before the start of your studies, or else at the start of each year of study. 

Some of the scholarships available are:  

Further information about scholarships and funding can be found here.