International Business with Language: University of Birmingham

Degree: BSc
Address: Birmingham Business School, University House, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham B15 2TY, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Duration: 4 years
Telephone: +44(0)121 414 6225
Fax: +44(0)121 414 7380
Website: http://www.business.bham.ac.uk

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This programme combines a broad-based business degree with the opportunity to develop a good working knowledge of a foreign language. Whether in Europe or further afield, there are enormous advantages in possessing this combination of skills.

The languages available to study within this degree are French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Russian and Chinese (Mandarin). You will spend one-third of your time studying your chosen language, and all language tuition will have a business focus. All languages (except French, at the time of writing) offer beginners’ streams.

First year

In addition to the study of your language, this year lays a foundation for the study of business. It introduces the key areas of management, marketing, economics, finance, law, and analytical techniques and IT for business. The year complements, but does not duplicate, the content of the Business Studies A level.

Second and fourth years

In these years you begin to have some choice within the themed structure of the programme. The modules offered will change from time to time, as they are developed to reflect the ever-changing world of business. This ensures a breadth to your business and language education, whilst allowing a degree of specialisation in those areas in which you are particularly interested.

The year abroad

This year is essential for developing fluency in your language and is spent at a partner university. You study business in your chosen language and undertake project work for your degree. Exchanges in the EU are operated as part of the Erasmus programme and you will be eligible for a small EU grant. It may also be possible to undertake a work-based placement.

Teaching and assessment

In addition to formal lectures there are small group classes, individual and group exercises and presentations. Assessment is by a mixture of written examinations, essays and project work.

Career opportunities

This is a long-established programme, which is recognised by major employers from all sectors of the economy. Because of this, our students find employment in many areas of business.
Professional accreditation: depending on the options you choose, you may be able to gain partial exemption from the examinations of professional bodies such as CIM, CIMA and ACCA. This will depend on the options chosen in your second and final years.

Entry requirements

Number of A levels required: 3
Typical offer: AAB–ABB
Required subjects and grades: GCSE Mathematics at grade A if not offered at AS or A2 level; GCSE English at grade B if not offered at AS or A2 level. Some combinations of A level subjects are not acceptable for our entry requirements. For a current list please see our website www.business.bham.ac.uk (applicants should check this website regularly to keep up to date with developments)
General Studies: not accepted as one of three A2s, but a good performance may be taken into account if you fail to meet the conditions of the offer and have General Studies as a fourth A2
International Baccalaureate Diploma: 33–36 points

Other qualifications are considered – see the entry requirements section for full details

Additional information

You will normally need a B at A2 level in your chosen language. If you have not studied this language previously, you will need to prove some language competence (usually by having an A level in another foreign language, but an AS level or GCSE may be considered). Applicants who choose the French option, however, must have a B in A level French. Please remember to enter your choice of language under ‘further details’ in the choices section of the UCAS application form.

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