International Business
Commerce graduate Luke Gillespie enjoys some sightseeing on the MGMT 228 Culture Study Tour to China.
Qualifications
Overview
Aotearoa New Zealand organisations are becoming increasingly globalised and need well-prepared graduates able to operate with confidence in the international business environment.
This major provides the opportunity to gain skills relevant for conducting business in a global, multicultural economy.
You will study activities and transactions that involve:
- the crossing of borders both from the viewpoint of a firm and the individual
- decision making and management in cross-cultural settings
- how firms can configure their activities to achieve their owners' objectives in an evolving operating environment
- the strategic and cross-cultural aspects involved in international business
- the market for foreign exchange, currency risk, and hedging
- the viewpoint of a country, the reasons for and the welfare effects of international trade, and trade policies such as tariffs and export subsidies.
You will also study an approved foreign language and/or culture course. International Business students are encouraged to spend a semester studying at an overseas partner university. This provides a great opportunity to learn about a different culture, gain insight into different business environments and practices, and form new contacts.
There are no formal requirements for those wishing to study International Business. An interest in social sciences such as psychology, sociology, political science, economics, and education is advantageous as these areas are present in all areas of management.
Good communication skills, both written and interpersonal, are important. Those who have studied English to an advanced level at school will benefit from the skills they have developed. A sound understanding and previous study of statistics is also useful.
Former studies in a foreign language would be beneficial and allow the inclusion of more advanced language courses as part of this major. This would enhance your immersion in a language and culture, and make an exchange semester even more productive.
UC offers a major and a minor in International Business as part of the Bachelor of Commerce. You can also study this subject as a minor within the Bachelor of Arts.
100-level courses
The first-year, 100-level courses required to complete a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in International Business are:
- ACCT 102 Accounting and Financial Information
- ECON 104 Introduction to Microeconomics (or ECON 199, a STAR course for secondary school students)
- INFO 123 Information Systems and Technology
- MGMT 100 Fundamentals of Management
- STAT 101 Statistics 1
- One of MKTG 100 Principles of Marketing or MATH 101 Methods of Mathematics or MATH 102 Mathematics 1A (or MATH 199, a STAR course for secondary school students)
- 30 points in a single subject from Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian, or Spanish.*
* Language and cultural courses
We recommend that if either English or te reo Māori is your native language, and you do not have prior exposure to a foreign language, that you take language courses. You will be directed to the appropriate level of courses based on an assessment of your language ability. This will be carried out by the relevant language department. The selected language or cultural courses must be approved.
Native speakers of a foreign language are not permitted to take courses in that language/culture for credit towards the major.
Finance and/or Marketing and Strategy pathways
There are at least four distinct pathways in the International Business major, depending on what you wish to specialise in and whether you want to take part in an international exchange.
- If you wish to specialise in Finance with or without an international exchange you need to complete MATH 101 Methods of Mathematics or MATH 102 Mathematics 1A (or MATH 199 STAR course).
- If you wish to specialise in Marketing and Strategy with or without an international exchange you need to complete MKTG 100 Principles of Marketing.
For the complete, three-year Bachelor of Commerce International Business major degree plan, and minor courses, see the UC Business School | Te Kura Umanga website.
200-level and beyond
Later courses provide a more detailed treatment of the topics introduced at 100-level. These include international management, international entrepreneurship, and international marketing.
International exchange
During your first year, you are encouraged to apply for an international exchange, taken in Semester 2 of your second year. Courses credited from other universities will be complementary to the International Business major and allow progression.
You will need to apply by 1 July in your first year at UC. (Note: some applications are as early as 31 May.) For further information consult the interactive degree plans for the International Business major.
You are encouraged to go on exchange to a country whose language/culture you have studied. However, this may not be possible due to restrictions placed on the number of students that can go to a particular exchange university. You are not able to go on an exchange in your country of origin.
In some circumstances it may be best for you to go on your international exchange in your third year. In this situation, if you wish to complete your degree in three years, it is crucial to choose an exchange university that offers courses which are direct substitutes for the required third-year International Business major courses.
While only 30 points of language and cultural studies are required, further language and/or cultural studies would be highly beneficial.
Graduates will have completed coursework covering financial accounting, marketing, microeconomics, and international management. They will have specialised knowledge and an understanding of the international business environment. Graduates' advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in International Business will prepare them well for higher-level employment opportunities or for entry into advanced research degrees.
Typical job opportunities include import/export agent, foreign currency investment advisor, foreign sales representative, and international management consultant. Frequent employers include government departments, banks, import/export corporations, multinational manufacturers, consulting firms, international non-governmental organisations, electronics and transportation companies, and tourism and hospitality organisations.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree in International Business.
Contact us
Department of Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Phone +64 3 369 3888
Email studybusiness@canterbury.ac.nz
Location
Reception Level 2, Meremere Building – see campus maps
Postal address
College of Business and Law | Te Rāngai Umanga me te Ture
University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
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