
International Business Management
One year to turn two completed years of study into a British BA (Hons) in International Business Management. Leadership, geopolitics, international trade and sustainable startup creation, taught by a faculty of practising executives and consultants. Degree awarded by London Metropolitan University, with September or January intake.

What is a Top-Up programme?
The learning experience you need for your future
If you have already completed two years of a university degree (120 ECTS) or hold an equivalent vocational qualification, including Higher Vocational Training, you can enrol on this programme. It is the perfect opportunity to earn an internationally recognised BA (Hons) degree in just one year of study.
A Top-Up is a high-quality, up-to-date and demanding programme taught by practising professionals. Get ready to work hard.
Are you eligible for this Top-Up?
A Top-Up is the final year you need. If you have already completed two years of a university degree, a Higher Vocational Training qualification (CFGS) or an equivalent professional qualification, you can go straight into the final year and graduate with a BA (Hons) from London Metropolitan University in just one academic year.
Entry requirements
- A minimum of 120 ECTS completed (or equivalent), including Level 5 studies
- IELTS 5.5–6 or TOEFL 79–80
- Applicants from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds are welcome; prior study in business is an advantage
- Previous academic or professional experience is assessed through certified official documentation
Whatever career you pursue, international experience, cross-cultural competence and the ability to do business across borders are essential. Sharpen your strategic skills and get ready to go global with the BA (Hons) in International Business Management.
This course is designed to give students who have already completed two years of a degree programme, or an equivalent vocational qualification, the opportunity to study in an international environment and earn a BA (Hons) from one of the UK’s leading universities.
The curriculum has been designed in collaboration with international business executives and consultants to create hands-on learning experiences based on real-world situations. You will learn to lead multicultural teams, manage strategic change and run global operations beyond national borders. Our approach ensures students are fully prepared to thrive in international business, whether leading multinational companies, working as consultants or starting their own business. The future is global.

Objectives
The aim of the Top-Up in International Business Management is to give you strong business skills and the ability to operate effectively within multinational organisations.
The programme will give you the advanced theoretical and practical knowledge and skills needed to operate in the global business environment. You will develop a truly global awareness of the realities facing international business managers.
Gain strong business skills and the ability to operate effectively within multinational organisations. The programme gives you advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of the global business environment and develops a real awareness of the challenges facing international managers.
Curriculum
7 modules, 60 ECTS, 1 year
Being a strong, innovative leader takes practice. In this module you will critically evaluate leadership theories and adapt different leadership styles to different cultures and organisational situations. You will focus on the essential role of leadership in times of change and innovation and develop an understanding of structured innovation processes. The module also explores incubation programmes in both the business and non-profit sectors, illustrating the growing importance of continuous learning, creative problem-solving and renewal in today’s organisations.
Gain a solid understanding of how geopolitical factors shape the global business environment. This course explores the interplay between politics, economics and international business, analysing how political decisions and geopolitical events affect business strategies and international relations. You will explore key topics such as global security, regional conflicts, strategic alliances between countries and economic blocs, and how these dynamics affect the management and operations of multinational companies.
This module critically evaluates the global context in which companies operate and manage their resources. It begins by examining trends in global integration and the relevance of national borders. It then analyses, from a strategic and operational perspective, the key issues arising from global economic interdependence, such as long-term competitiveness and sustainable growth. You will research and present the challenges managers face in international expansion, with a focus on growth sectors in emerging markets.
This module explores the fundamentals of marketing and sales in a global context. Marketing is crucial to the success of any organisation, essential for attracting and retaining customers and driving sustainable growth worldwide. By focusing on customer needs and product value, marketing creates demand, while sales drives purchases. Integrating both functions is vital to improving business performance in domestic markets and to identifying international opportunities. You will explore how both areas contribute to a company’s expansion and global market success.
Entrepreneurship drives innovation and economic growth. By developing the skills to create and manage startups, you will become a leader who can identify opportunities, create value and respond to market demands. Through design thinking and the stages of Inspiration, Ideation, Prototyping, Iteration and Action Planning, you will learn to solve complex problems with creative, user-centred solutions. The focus on sustainability ensures that you pursue both financial success and a positive contribution to society and the environment.
Master the art of navigating cultural complexity and become an inclusive and effective manager and leader! In this module you will examine cross-cultural management in both international and domestic contexts, drawing on insights from social anthropology, social psychology, organisational behaviour and management theory. Through the study of theories and conceptual frameworks, as well as hands-on case studies, you will deepen your understanding of how cultural differences shape communication, decision-making and collaboration within organisations.
In this year-long module you will choose a topic or problem and complete a research-focused dissertation. You will be expected to develop a comprehensive understanding of your field of study and to collect and analyse data samples effectively. You will use your analytical and critical thinking skills to reflect on relevant research questions, theoretical concepts or hypotheses, existing literature, ethical considerations, research methodologies and data analysis, independently and with discipline.
Career opportunities
This programme is for you if you aspire to management or leadership positions in international organisations.
- International operations director
- International business consultant
- Export manager
- Business development manager
- Entrepreneur with your own venture
- Market expansion analyst
International environment
A year in Santander, in a classroom with more than 20 nationalities
CESINE has been providing education in Business, Communication and Design for over 30 years. Top-Up programmes are studied in a truly international classroom, with a faculty of practising professionals and more than 2,500 agreements signed with companies. The school is part of the EFMD network, which brings together the world’s leading business schools.
Santander is one of the most highly regarded coastal destinations in northern Spain: beaches, mountains, a lively cultural scene and a university city on a human scale.





