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4. International Business with Languages

About This Course

Fact File

• Title

  International Business with Languages

• Code

  CK215

• College

  Business and Law

• Duration

  4 Years

• Teaching Mode

  Full-time. See Additional Teaching Mode Information for more info.

• Qualifications

  BSc (Hons)

• Fees

  €3,138 See Fees and Costs for full details.

• Entry Requirements

  See Requirements for full details.

• CAO Points

  2022: 467

• CAO Points Range

  467-625

Course Outline

Our BSc International Business with Languages programme combines comprehensive business education with the study of a language and culture – including a placement abroad. This exciting new four-year programme will provide you with key insights into international business management and contemporary issues in the global economy.

On this programme you will study at the Cork University Business School, one of Ireland’s leading business schools, alongside internationally recognised faculty from across the University. Combining business subjects with the study of your chosen language and culture, this new degree will equip you with the skills and knowledge to work in a fast-changing global business environment.

• Our BComm (International) degrees are being phased out and, in 2022, students can apply for the BSc International Business with Languages degree through the Central Applications Office (CAO). If you need information for programme transfer please contact the CK215 programme director.

Programme Content

The business subjects on offer cover all the major areas of business including accounting, finance, food business, business economics, business information systems, business law, management and marketing. These subjects will equip you with the skills and knowledge to work in a fast-changing global environment. To succeed in international business, it is important to develop a global mindset, understanding different cultural approaches.

You will complement your international business knowledge with the study of your chosen language – French, German, Irish, Italian or Spanish. You will develop language proficiency and cultural understanding, enhanced by a year of studying abroad in one of our partner business schools.

We emphasis not only the acquisition of language skills but a profound understanding of the country itself – its markets, its social structures, and its place in this world – so ultimately you graduate from UCC as a true global citizen.

Year 1 Core Modules

• AC1102 Financial Accounting (5 credits)
• BU1001 Professional Development for International Business (5 credits)
• BU1002 Business & Economic Decision-Making (5 credits)
• EC1202 Economic Reasoning for Business (5 credits)
• IS1001 Digital Business Technologies & Trends (5 credits)
• LW1108 Introduction to the Legal System (5 credits)
• MG1004 Principles of Management & Organisation (5 credits)
• MG1006 Principles of Marketing in International Environments (5 credits)

Elective Modules: you choose modules to the value of 20 credits from your chosen language pathway. The languages currently on offer include French, German, Irish, Italian, and Spanish.

With the exception of French and Irish, all languages have a beginner's stream. You will study cultural and social issues to complement your language skills and provide an important context for understanding international business. 

Year 2

Modules include the following: International Business; the International Economy; Analytics for International Business; Sustainability in International Businesses; Responsible Leadership and Communication; Research Methods for Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis; Introduction to Business Law; Introduction to Management Accounting; and advanced language modules including electives on relevant topics in Literature and Culture, based on your chosen language pathway.

Year 3

You will spend the year abroad at one of our partner institutions relevant to your chosen language pathway, studying international business through your chosen language.

Year 4

In Year 4 you will undertake your International Business Strategy Capstone project (BU4001) and choose your international business elective modules from across disciplines in UCC, including modules in Finance and Information Systems; Food Business and Development; Business Economics; Management and Marketing; and Literature and Culture (based on your chosen language pathway).

• See the College Calendar for more detailed information on the programme and the Book of Modules for a more detailed description of programme modules.

Additional Teaching Mode Information

This four-year degree course will enable you to develop your knowledge and understanding of the exciting issues in international business, as well as in the language, literature, culture, and society of your chosen language pathway.

The course comprises a variety of delivery methods and you will be expected to spend a minimum of six hours a week on self-directed study (homework, e-learning, reading). You will study a broad range of business subjects, with a global focus, such as economics, management, marketing, and accounting, with the potential to focus on specific subjects later in the programme based on your career plans.

All language classes are taught in small groups and are learner-centred. Language teaching accounts for approximately three contact hours a week and, as your course progresses, you will have the option of studying a range of aspects of society and culture to complement your new or existing linguistic skills. In all of this teaching, you will have plenty of contact with your lecturers.

Course Practicalities

Your studies will involve a range of different types of teaching and learning, spanning small group classes and courses that combine lectures with tutorials where you can begin to apply the knowledge you acquire. Cork University Business School is committed to providing a supportive and challenging learning environment, where you can realise your full potential.

Connected Curriculum

Our learning approach also reflects our commitment to the Connected Curriculum where we emphasise the connection between students, learning, research and leadership through our vision for a Connected University. Our staff are at the forefront of this integrative approach to learning and will support you in making meaningful connections within and between disciplines such as business, law, management, technology, culture, and languages.

College of Business and Law Available Scholarships

We support our student community by offering scholarships and bursaries to the best and brightest prospective and current students. Please see the College of Business and Law Scholarships & Prizes page for more information.

Why Choose This Course

This course is ideal if you want to combine your interest in international business and languages. It is the only course in the Cork University Business School that has a year of study abroad as an integral element of the programme. If you want to develop an international outlook, practical skills that are in demand from employers in global markets, and an appreciation of other languages, cultures, and literature then this course is ideal for you.

This is a genrealist business programme which means we can facilitate your interests: so after Year 3 you might decide to specialise in business and go into industry; or study economics to become a business or financial consultant; or take the languages route and work in the European Commission or become a languages and business teacher – with your newfound global mindset the possibilites are vast.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

An integral part of the programme is the study year abroad in Year 3. You will spend a year at one of our partner universities to study international business in an immersive environment. You will gain an international perspective on business issues and, at the same time, strengthen and develop your language skills and cultural appreciation. Depending on your chosen language, it is possible to spend your study year in one of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Latin and South America, Spain, and the UK.

Skills and Careers Information

Throughout this course you will learn how to work between and across languages and cultures, developing an enhanced set of communication and intercultural skills. You will emerge as a business-ready graduate, with the practical business and language skills that are in high demand from national and international employers. Ireland is part of the global economy and, because of your international outlook, a wide variety of careers will be available to you in Ireland and overseas, including finance, marketing, management, retail, accounting, advertising, tourism, teaching, human resources, project management, and consulting.

A variety of master’s programmes in related disciplines (Business and Language) are available to you as a graduate of this programme. Graduates have gone on to master’s degrees in International Management & Marketing, Business Economics, and Human Resource Management, for example.

Cork University Business School and the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures provide a range of Postgraduate programmes and a number of our graduates have also pursued the Professional Master of Education (PME) programme which is a full-time teacher education course, with the intention of teaching business and a language at second-level.

Requirements

Leaving Certificate entry requirements:

Minimum grade H3 in a language other than English and minimum grade H5 in one other subject. Minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. Subjects must include Irish, English, Mathematics, another language, and two other subjects recognised for entry purposes.

In addition:

• To study French requires a H3 in French
• To study Irish requires a H2 in Irish
• To study a language at non-beginners’ level, a minimum grade H4 in that Language in the Leaving Certificate is required.

All languages (except French and Irish) have a beginner's stream if you do not meet the specific grade for the language you wish to study.

English	Irish	Maths	Other Language	Additional Requirements
O6/H7	O6/H7	O6/H7	O6/H7	H3 in a language other than English

 

Mature students:

Applicants should apply directly through the CAO, include a statement of interest and may be called for an interview. Leaving Certificate Maths is recommended. A H3 in a language other than English in the Leaving Certificate is required (HB3 if presenting a pre-2017 Leaving Certificate). To study a language at non-beginners level, a minimum grade H4 (or equivalent) in that Language in the Leaving Certificate is required.

Other qualifications: EU/EFTA/UK students presenting an alternative school-leaving qualification (e.g. A-levels or International Baccalaureate) or QQI/FE course should visit our EU/EFTA/UK Applicants pages for further information. 

International Students should visit the International Education website.

Fees and Costs

Course fees include a tuition fee, student contribution fee, and capitation fee. The state will pay the tuition fees for EU students who are eligible under the Free Fees Scheme. The annual student Contribution and Capitation Fees are payable by the student. In 2022/23 the Student Contribution Fee will be €3,000 and the Capitation Fee will be €138.

Please see the Fees Office for more information.

How Do I Apply

EU Applicants: Application to Year 1 of the degree programme is made directly through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Applicants should apply online at www.cao.ie. The normal closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of entry. 

Non-Eu Applicants: please consult the Non-EU Applicants page.

Mature Applicants:  Application is made through the CAO and the closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of proposed entry. Find out about the mature entry requirements here.