Business Management and Modern Languages

The Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and Modern Languages at the University of Essex offers students a unique opportunity to combine comprehensive business studies with fluency in one or more modern languages. This interdisciplinary programme is designed to equip graduates with a strong foundation in key areas of management, including marketing, finance, human resources, and strategic planning, while also developing linguistic skills and cultural understanding across diverse regions. The programme emphasizes practical learning, critical thinking, and cross-cultural communication, preparing students for successful careers in international business environments.

Throughout the course, students will engage with core modules that cover essential business principles, such as organizational behaviour, managerial economics, and business ethics. Simultaneously, they will undertake language modules that enhance their proficiency and intercultural competence in their chosen language(s), which may include French, German, Spanish, or other modern languages available through the university’s language centre. The curriculum is carefully structured to allow students to apply their language skills in real-world contexts, including international internships, study trips, and collaborative projects with global partners.

The programme also offers opportunities for specializations within specific sectors of business, such as entrepreneurship, consulting, or digital marketing, alongside their language studies. Students benefit from the university’s vibrant international community, modern facilities, and connections with local and global businesses, enabling them to gain practical experience and industry insights. Additionally, the programme encourages the development of transferable skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and effective communication, crucial for international career success.

Graduates of this programme are well-positioned to pursue careers in multinational companies, diplomatic services, international NGOs, or to undertake postgraduate studies in business or language-related fields. The University of Essex’s Business Management and Modern Languages degree aims to produce versatile, culturally aware professionals capable of thriving in the globalized economy. Through a combination of academic rigor, practical experience, and language mastery, students graduate prepared to meet the challenges of an interconnected world with confidence and competence.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 11950 Year (Non-EEA)

• English

Course Content

The special characteristics of our courses are flexibility and choice. In your first year, you usually take four or five modules that include pre-requisite(s) for your course but, in many cases, mean you can try subjects you have not come across before. If you are taking a humanities or social science, then you have the greatest choice, as most of our first-year modules do not assume any specialist knowledge.
With a small number of exceptions, if you successfully complete the first year of your BA, then you are qualified to enter the second year of that course and a range of other courses: for example, if you take economics, politics, philosophy and sociology, then you have a choice of at least nine possible single or joint honours courses at the end of your first year. This means you can change your course, providing you have taken the appropriate pre-requisites and places are available. We offer a range of optional modules in your second- and final-years and most courses allow you to undertake a final-year project, an individual piece of research on a topic that interests you.
We operate a credit framework for our awards, which is based on principles widely used across the UK university sector. Each module has a credit rating attached and our standard three-year course consists of 360 credits (120 credits in your first year, and 240 credits across your second and final years).
Please note that module information on our course finder provides a guide to course content and may be subject to review on an annual basis.

Year 1

Introduction to Accounting;
Introduction to Management; and
two language options

Year 2

Organisational Behaviour;
International Business Environment;
two language options; and
two management options

Year 3

Year abroad

Year 4

Business Strategy;
Advanced Organisational Behaviour;
two language options; and
two management or outside options

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

• A-levels: AAB-ABB
• IB: 33-32 points, including Standard Mathematics Grade 4 if not taken at the Higher Level (we consider IB certificates at the Higher Level on a case-by-case basis)
• GCSE Mathematics: C
• GCSE English: C
• One language must be taken as the major language. If French or Portuguese is taken as the major language, you will need to have A-level French or Portuguese/Spanish (or equivalent). German, Italian, and Spanish may be studied from scratch.
• If you are interested in studying a language for which you consider yourself to be a native speaker, please contact our Undergraduate Admissions Office.
• BTEC qualifications, in relevant disciplines, will be considered on an individual basis, depending on the units studied. The standard required is generally at Distinction level.
• Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 6 level three credits at distinction and the remainder at merit (or above).

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each component (or equivalent). Different requirements apply for second year entry.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Essex.

Funding

For up-to-date information on funding opportunities at Essex, please visit: www.essex.ac.uk/studentfinance.

The Business Management and Modern Languages program at the University of Essex is an interdisciplinary degree designed to equip students with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in both business management and modern languages. This program aims to prepare graduates for dynamic careers in international business, global marketing, management consultancy, translation, and diplomatic services, among others. Throughout the course, students will develop a solid understanding of core business principles, including organizational behavior, strategic management, marketing, finance, and human resource management. Simultaneously, the program emphasizes the acquisition of proficiency in one or more modern languages, allowing students to communicate effectively in diverse cultural and professional environments.

The course is structured to provide a balance between theoretical learning and practical application. Students benefit from modules such as international business strategies, business law, entrepreneurial innovation, and digital marketing, combined with language modules focusing on language proficiency, intercultural communication, translation, and cultural studies. This integrated approach ensures that students are not only competent in business practices but also sensitive to cultural nuances, enhancing their employability in international contexts.

The program is highly suitable for students who wish to study abroad, as the university offers opportunities for Erasmus exchange and partnerships with institutions worldwide. This experience immerses students in different cultures and languages, further enhancing their global outlook and career readiness. Additionally, the university provides excellent support through language development centers, career services, and industry links, enabling students to gain relevant work experience and build professional networks.

Graduates of this program often pursue careers in multinational companies, NGOs, government agencies, or start their own enterprises. They are well-prepared to navigate complex intercultural business environments, analyze global markets, and develop strategic solutions that account for cultural differences. The program’s focus on bilingual or multilingual capabilities also opens doors to translation, interpretation, and linguistic consultancy roles.

The university's campus facilities include modern language labs, business simulation rooms, and extensive online resources, all designed to support effective learning. The program typically spans three years for full-time students, with options for placements and year abroad components that enhance experiential learning. Career prospects post-graduation are bolstered by the university’s strong industry links, alumni network, and dedicated employability services, ensuring students are ready to meet the demands of a competitive global job market.