BA International Business Management and Modern Languages (NR10)

2026 entry | view 2025 entry

Course summary

We live and work in a world characterised by rapid technological and societal change on a global scale. To be effective in business and management in a multinational environment requires an understanding of the cultural, linguistic, economic, political and social contexts in which organisations operate, both within and across national borders.

BA International Business Management and Modern Languages enables you to combine your study of business with the study of French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish.

All languages can be studied from beginners' level or post-A level (or the equivalent), apart from Portuguese, which is offered from beginners' level only.

The degree will help you develop the intellectual, analytical, critical and employability skills you will need to succeed as a manager or leader in many careers across different sectors. A knowledge of a language will allow you direct access to the cultural production, political debates and economic data from the culture(s) in which it is spoken.

All modern languages students have access to our state-of-the-art Multimedia Centre. You can also access extracurricular activities such as talks by visiting speakers, societies, language cafes, student newspapers, and talent shows.

Course structure

Your first year will introduce basic concepts and tools, both qualitative and quantitative, for the study of management. Alongside this, you will follow a structured language course in your chosen language and gain a grounding in key historical and cultural aspects of communities in which it is spoken.

In years two and four, through a combination of core and optional units, you will develop your understanding of international business management and gain some specialisation in an area of interest. At the same time, you will continue your language study and take a combination of core and optional units that extend your understanding of the cultures in which your language is spoken. Units may include history, literature, politics, linguistics, film and visual art.

In your final year, you will also undertake an individual research project in which you combine your linguistic, cultural and management competencies by exploring a case study of interest to you, leading to the development of a business plan.

Year three is spent abroad in a country where your language is spoken, refining your language skills and cultural knowledge and gaining valuable work experience. To find out more about studying abroad, visit the Centre for Study Abroad.

Teaching happens through lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, and one-to-one project supervision. Assessments may include presentations, essays, commentaries, exams, collaborative projects, debates, podcasts, video essays, and dissertations.

Check back soon to view the programme catalogue containing further details on the course structure and modules.

Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

AAA or A*AB
DDD in any Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma

Find out more about BTEC entry requirements
36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level
32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level

Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer
85% overall
Advanced Higher: AA and Standard Higher: AAAAB
Access to HE Diploma in Business, Humanities, Social Sciences, Psychology, Law or History (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above. plus proven capacity for language learning, usually through a B at A-level in a modern language.

More about Access to HE entry requirements
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales or the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

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