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Brighton | International Business Foundation Factsheet

International Business Foundation

Overview

The International Business Foundation is a pre-university programme students can take in 3 terms (Standard programme) or in 2 terms (Accelerated programme).

It will set you up for success in your business degree.

And will give you the practical business experience you need to succeed in business on the world stage.

This course is for:

  • Students who want a recognised, stand-alone business qualification, or to progress to a degree focused on business or management.
  • Students who have completed 11 – 12 years of high school

There are benefits of starting in September and completing the Foundation in 3 terms rather than 2:

  • Gives students a head start in understanding business topics and so they will be better prepared for the exam units in January/April in both knowledge and academic skills.
  • Students better equipped for following January/April academic writing & presentation skills.
  • Students potentially have an extra unit to use towards the IBF qualification
  • UCAS support - More preparation time for deciding on university choices and applications.

Information about both versions, including start dates and locations, is detailed in two separate sections below.

Learning outcomes

  • Raise academic qualifications to UK university entrance level
  • Raise English to university level, if it is not your first language
  • Understand sales and marketing, finance,operations and product development

Standard programme (3 terms)

Key Facts

Start Dates:

  • 7 September 2026

Colleges:

  • Brighton

Entry level:

  • Academic: Completed 11-12 years of schooling
  • English: IELTS 4.5 or equivalent

Minimum age:

  • 16.5

Length:

  • 1 Academic Year (3 terms)

Lessons:

  • Average 21 hours per week (plus homework and private study)

Course content

Term 1

  • Communication and Research Skills (CRS):
    Research Assignment & Presentation. This module provides an introduction to Academic Writing and Presentation skills, focusing on building academic language, research, referencing and planning skills needed for Academic Research Assignments. September starters can use this module to contribute to the final qualification.
  • Introduction to Business:
    Students are provided with an overall introduction to business topics that will be further explored in more detail in later modules. The module is designed to build the students' critical analysis skills, introduce business theory and vocabulary, and provide the student with an overall understanding of business topics and working with case studies.
  • IELTS:
    IELTS skills and language building in preparation for the Academic IELTS exam
  • Mathematics:
    Studying for an IGCSE mathematics qualification needed for university application

Term 2

  • Marketing for International Business (MIB):
    Research Assignment & Presentation. This module aims to introduce students to the main concepts of Marketing, analysing, evaluating and applying theory to International Business scenarios. Students will research an International Business and prepare a research assignment and presentation for assessment.
  • Purpose & Functions of International Business (PFIB):
    Exam - Business Theory & Case Studies This module aims to introduce students to the main concepts of Purpose of Functions of International Business and applying them to real-life scenarios. The module is assessed by an examination including a case study on which students need to apply their knowledge.
  • Communication and Research Skills & IELTS:
    Supporting module – Academic Language & Research Skills IELTS skills and language building - students will be entered for the IELTS exam if needed.
  • Mathematics:
    Studying for IGCSE qualification needed for university application.

Term 3

  • Entrepreneurship (ENT):
    Assignment Written Research Assignment Entrepreneurship aims to introduce students to the main concepts, motivations and challenges for entrepreneurs, analysing, evaluating and applying concepts toInternational Business scenarios. Students will research an entrepreneur running an international business prepare a research assignment for assessment.
  • Finance and Human Resources (FHR):
    Exam Business Theory & Case Studies This module aims to introduce students to the main concepts of Finance and Human Resources and applying them to International Business. The module is assessed by an examination including a case study on which students need to apply their knowledge.
  • Communication and Research Skills & IELTS:
    Kings Supporting module IELTS skills and language building - students will be entered for the IELTS exam if needed.
  • Mathematics:
    Studying for IGCSE qualification needed for university application

Accelerated programme (2 terms)

Key Facts

Start dates:

  • 4 January 2027

Colleges:

  • Kings Brighton

Entry requirements:

  • Completion of 11 – 12 years of schooling with documented proof of good results
  • Minimum IELTS 5.5 (5.5 in Reading and Writing) or equivalent

Minimum age:

  • 16.5

Length:

  • 2 terms

Lessons per week:

  • Average 21 hours per week, plus homework and private study

Total tuition hours:

  • Minimum 450 hours

Course content

Term 1

  • Marketing for International Business (MIB):
    Research Assignment & Presentation. This module aims to introduce students to the main concepts of Marketing, analysing, evaluating and applying theory to International Business scenarios. Students will research an International Business and prepare a research assignment and presentation for assessment.
  • Purpose & Functions of International Business (PFIB):
    Exam - Business Theory & Case Studies This module aims to introduce students to the main concepts of Purpose of Functions of International Business and applying them to real-life scenarios. The module is assessed by an examination including a case study on which students need to apply their knowledge.
  • Communication and Research Skills & IELTS:
    Supporting module – Academic Language & Research Skills IELTS skills and language building - students will be entered for the IELTS exam if needed.
  • Mathematics:
    Studying for IGCSE qualification needed for university application.

Term 2

  • Entrepreneurship (ENT):
    Assignment Written Research Assignment Entrepreneurship aims to introduce students to the main concepts, motivations and challenges for entrepreneurs, analysing, evaluating and applying concepts toInternational Business scenarios. Students will research an entrepreneur running an international business prepare a research assignment for assessment.
  • Finance and Human Resources (FHR):
    Exam Business Theory & Case Studies This module aims to introduce students to the main concepts of Finance and Human Resources and applying them to International Business. The module is assessed by an examination including a case study on which students need to apply their knowledge.
  • Communication and Research Skills & IELTS:
    Kings Supporting module IELTS skills and language building - students will be entered for the IELTS exam if needed.
  • Mathematics:
    Studying for IGCSE qualification needed for university application

Why choose the International Business Foundation?

Expert and specialist preparation

The International Business Foundation is an intensive Level 3 Course. The syllabus is written in conjunction with business departments at UK universities to ensure students benefit from the ideal preparation for business-related degrees.


Progression

Recent alumni

Below are some of the recent students who took the International Business Foundation, including information about the university they progressed to and the degree course they are doing.

Guillaume Duchene

  • International Business
  • University of Essex

Binh Duong Duong

  • Global Business Management
  • Coventry University

Boris Surov

  • Politics with Business Management
  • Queen Mary University of London

Htet Han Thar

  • Global Business Management
  • Coventry University

Victoria Orr Llado

  • Politics and International Relations
  • University of Aberdeen

Kevin Carvalho

  • Business Management with Marketing
  • Bournemouth University