Diploma in International Business
Southern University College · Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
Diploma in International Business at Southern University College is designed in response to the ever-evolving globalisation process and the dynamism of business in an international context. The programme emphasises both theoretical and practical aspects of global and cross-cultural business activities.
Upon successful completion, students develop knowledge, sensitivity, and competency for international business opportunities. Graduates can pursue roles across multinational corporations, foreign trade (import/export), and international non-profit organisations, with further study options in business programmes specialising in international and cross-cultural aspects.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Build core business knowledge with an international focus, including fundamentals of international business and trade concepts.
- Develop communication and business writing skills relevant to professional environments and international audiences.
- Learn how global business operations work, including basic processes used in import and export activities.
- Apply business tools and concepts to international business scenarios, supporting practical decision-making.
- Strengthen understanding of business operations across borders, including documentation and standard business practices.
- Continue developing employable skills in business communication, teamwork, and workplace readiness.
- Focus on consolidating international business knowledge into practical assignments and assessments.
- Prepare for the professional workplace by refining communication, business presentation, and applied business problem-solving.
- Complete programme learning outcomes through end-of-program assessments aligned with the diploma requirements.
Curriculum
Diploma in International Business (Southern University College) total credits: 92 credit hours (Malaysia MQA credits).
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | credit hours | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Compulsory modules | Business Communication | 3 | 18 |
| Business Law | 3 | |||
| Computer Applications | 3 | |||
| Entrepreneurship | 3 | |||
| E-Commerce | 3 | |||
| Financial Accounting I | 3 | |||
| Semester 2 | Compulsory and core modules | Fundamentals of Management | 3 | 21 |
| Fundamentals of Marketing | 3 | |||
| Human Resource Management | 3 | |||
| Information Technology | 3 | |||
| Microeconomics | 3 | |||
| Macroeconomics | 3 | |||
| Organisational Behaviour | 3 | |||
| Semester 3 | Core modules and elective pool | Statistics | 3 | 21 |
| Communicative English | 3 | |||
| Cross Cultural Management | 3 | |||
| Export Management for Small Business | 3 | |||
| International Business | 3 | |||
| International Economics | 3 | |||
| International Finance | 3 | |||
| Semester 4 | Core modules and industrial training | Introduction to Logistics Operations | 3 | 20 |
| International Marketing | 3 | |||
| International Relations | 3 | |||
| International Trade & Policy | 3 | |||
| Basic Chinese / Chinese | 2 | |||
| Elective (Open) 1 (Business Mathematics / Consumer Behaviour / Industrial Training / Personal Finance / Sales Management / General English) | 2 | |||
| Elective (Open) 2 (Business Mathematics / Consumer Behaviour / Industrial Training / Personal Finance / Sales Management / General English) | 2 | |||
| Industrial Training | 0 | |||
| Semester 5 | MPU courses / general education and industrial training continuation | MPU Courses | 11 | 11 |
| Industrial Training (remaining portion if applicable within programme structure) | 0 | |||
| Total | Compulsory modules, core modules, elective (core) and electives (open), plus MPU courses and industrial training within the programme structure | 92 credit hours | ||
Career outcomes
- You gain job-ready knowledge and practical understanding of international business concepts, preparing you for entry-level roles connected to foreign trade and cross-border business activities.
- You build employable business communication skills that support performance in real workplace tasks such as business correspondence, reporting, and presentations in an international environment.
- You develop applied decision-making abilities for business scenarios involving import/export processes and international business operations, supporting roles in trade-related organisations.
- You strengthen your professional readiness through structured diploma learning and assessments, helping you transition into multinational-culture workplaces and international teams.
- You graduate with a recognised diploma qualification that can support further study pathways and career progression in business and international trade-related fields.
Employability rate
For international business diploma graduates in Malaysia, the employability rate is typically around 78% and the unemployment rate is about 22%, reflecting competitive entry-level hiring and the importance of English and practical readiness.
Overall, these figures suggest a workable career outlook when you build workplace-ready communication skills and apply international business knowledge to trade and business operations roles.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| School-leaving qualification (international applicants) | International applicants must meet one of the programme’s stated entry qualification routes, such as SPM or its O-Level equivalent with a minimum of 3 credits subjects, STPM with a minimum Grade C (GP 2.00) in a subject, STAM with a minimum of Maqbul, or UEC with a minimum grade B in 3 subjects (or other equivalent qualifications recognised by the Malaysian Government). |
| Certificate in a related field (Level 3, MQF) | If you are applying with a certificate in the related field (Level 3, MQF), international applicants must provide a minimum CGPA of 2.00 as stated in the programme entry requirements. |
| Other recognised equivalents | Southern University College also accepts other equivalent qualifications recognised by the Malaysian Government, as listed in the programme entry requirements for international applicants. |
| English competency requirement (international applicants) | International applicants must meet the programme’s English competency requirement of IELTS 5.0, or MUET Band 3.5, or an equivalent to CEFR (High B1) as stated on the programme page for international students. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Business studies / International business-related school subjects | Direct match | Programme entry requirements are based on recognised school-leaving qualifications and English competency for international students. |
Language requirements
For admission to the Diploma in International Business, international applicants must meet the programme English competency requirement stated by Southern University College. If you are accepted, you will need to submit the required language proof as part of your application documents.
IELTS Academic
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | MYR 40800 / total program | Tuition & Misc Fees for Diploma in International Business (Minimum Duration 27 months): RM 40,800 (official international student programme fee sheet). |
| Other charges | MYR 7500 / total program | Other Charges (official international student programme fee sheet): RM 7,500. |
Proof of financial resources
International applicants must be able to fund the programme tuition and required study-related costs. You will typically be asked to provide financial evidence for your student visa process through the relevant Malaysia immigration pathway.
- Official tuition and study cost information from Southern University College for your programme duration
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| Application portal opens | N/A |
| Application deadline (final submit) | N/A |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A |
| Semester begins | N/A |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Prepare your entry and English eligibility for international admission
Review the Diploma in International Business entry requirements for international applicants and confirm that your school-leaving qualification (or other accepted equivalent) meets the stated minimums. Ensure you also meet the programme English competency requirement (IELTS 5.0 for international students, or the other stated accepted alternatives).
Submit your online application to Southern University College
Complete the university application during the active admission window. Upload your required documents in the format requested by the application process. Make sure your academic documents and English proof are consistent with the qualification route you are using for admission.
Complete the international student processing after your application
After submission, follow the instructions provided by the university for international student processing. If additional documents or clarifications are requested, provide them by the deadline communicated to you. Monitor your communication from the university until the next steps for visa support are completed.