International Business with Languages (BSc (Hons))

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). 

Academic Programme Catalogue

See the Academic Programme Catalogue for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year-to-year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.

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.

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 wide 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.

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, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK.

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.

Full module information is detailed in the section below.

Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements

At least six subjects must be presented. 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.

EU/EFTA/UK Qualifications

EU/EFTA/UK applicants presenting an equivalent school-leaving qualification should review the EU/EFTA/UK Applicants page for information on equivalent grades and how to prove their level of English.

Mature Students

To compete through the mature entry route, applicants must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the application year and apply online via the CAO by 1 February. The application should include a statement of interest and may be called for interview. Leaving Certificate Maths (or equivalent) 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.

QQI FET Entry

Applicants who meet the required level of distinctions in required subjects can apply for entry to this course using specific QQI FET qualifications. Please review the Programme Requirements on our Information for QQI FET Applicants page for information on related QQI courses, and visit Access UCC’s QQI/FET Entry section for further support. 

Non-EU Candidates

Non-EU candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to Irish university primary degree level. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. To verify if you meet the minimum academic requirements for this programme please visit our qualification comparison pages.

For more detailed entry requirement information please refer to the International website .

Non-EU Applications

For full details of the non-EU application procedure please visit our how to apply pages for international students. In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

Not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above.

For more information please contact the International Office.