Degrees Offered

• BSc Honours International Business with French (UCAS Code: N1R1)
• BSc Honours International Business with Spanish (UCAS Code: N1R4)

Contact Information

For entrance requirements:
E: admissions@qub.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)28 9097 3838

For course information:
The Programme Director 
Queen's University Management School 
T: +44 (0)28 9097 4200 
E: nicola.holmes@qub.ac.uk 
W: www.qub.ac.uk/qums

Entrance Requirements

BSc Honours
International Business with French 4 yrs (N1R1)
International Business with Spanish 4 yrs (N1R4)

Entrance Requirements

A-level: ABB/AAB + GCSE Mathematics grade B.

For French option: normally A-level French or AS-level French grade B.
For Spanish option: normally A-level Spanish or AS-level Spanish grade B or GCSE Spanish grade B or evidence of linguistic ability in another language.

Note: if the language is studied at a higher level then the grade required at that level must be achieved.

Irish Leaving Certificate: B2B2B2B2B2B2/AB2B2B2B2B2 + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade B in Mathematics

For French option – Higher Level grade B1 in French
For Spanish option – normally Higher Level grade B2 in Spanish or Ordinary Level grade B in Spanish or evidence of linguistic ability in another language

Note: if the language is studied at a higher level then the grade required at that level must be achieved.

There are no specific subjects required and it is not necessary to have previously studied Business Studies or Management.

For students whose first language is not English
An IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs

If you are an international student and you do not meet the English Language requirements, you should consider a preparation course at INTO Queen's University Belfast, which will develop the language skills you need to progress. INTO Queen's University Belfast is based on the University campus and offers a range of courses. For a full list click here

The Subject

Today, businesses operate in an inherently global marketplace and are increasingly looking to expand beyond national boundaries for continued growth and success. This type of expansion requires a detailed understanding of business theory and practice, knowledge of how and when to adapt market offerings to the diverse needs, wants and demands of international business customers, and an awareness and ability to be sensitive to differences in culture and language.

Course Content

This four-year BSc Honours degree in International Business with a Modern Language is delivered by Queen's University Management School (Major) and the School of Modern Languages (Minor). 

Currently two language options are offered: 

• French (Intermediate and Advanced) 
• Spanish (Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced) 

Students must successfully complete 19 modules to graduate - six in each of the first, second and fourth years of study. In each of these years, students study four Management and two Language modules. 

Students must also successfully complete one Management module in Year 3 (which is spent on placement) in order to progress to the final year of study. Management modules studied include: 

Year 1 
Accounting for Non-Specialists 
Economics of Organisations 
Global Business Environment 
Management and Organisations 
Plus two language modules 

Year 2 
International Business 
Principles of Marketing 
Plus two optional modules 
Plus two language modules 

Year 3 
Applied International Business 
International Business Strategy 
Plus two optional modules 
Plus two language modules

This four-year BSc Honours degree in International Business with a Modern Language is delivered by Queen's University Management School (Major) and the School of Modern Languages (Minor).

Currently two language options are offered:

• French (Intermediate and Advanced)
• Spanish (Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced)

Students must successfully complete 19 modules to graduate - six in each of the first, second and fourth years of study. In each of these years, students study four Management and two Language modules.

Students must also successfully complete one Management module in Year 3 (which is spent on placement) in order to progress to the final year of study. Management modules studied include:

Year 1
Accounting for Non-Specialists
Economics of Organisations
Global Business Environment
Management and Organisations
Plus two language modules

Year 2
International Business
Principles of Marketing
Plus two optional modules
Plus two language modules

Year 3
Applied International Business
International Business Strategy
Plus two optional modules
Plus two language modules

'The International Business with Spanish degree offers the opportunity to work in international business; what I am looking forward to most is spending a year working in a business and getting to apply the knowledge I am learning as well as immersing myself in a new culture.'

Sarah Stubbs
Donaghadee, Northern Ireland

Learning and Teaching

Queen’s University Management School is one of the largest Schools in the University with more than 1300 full-time undergraduate students and 300 plus postgraduate students.  The School has been delivering high quality programmes for more than 40 years and was one of the first schools in the UK to introduce undergraduate management education.  Since then, QUMS has been developing and enhancing its teaching portfolio for both local and international students and boasts students from more than 20 different nationalities. 

In recent years, the School has benefited from significant investment resulting in many new academic appointments and state-of-the-art facilities including computer teaching labs with specilaised software and a Trading Room in Riddel Hall.  In addition, the new McClay library houses an excellent selection of Management and related texts and there are extensive IT facilities throughout the campus. 

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential.  In line with this, one of QUMS’ primary objectives is to deliver innovative learning and teaching programmes that provide students with the competences and skills to make a positive contribution to business, economic and civic life.

On the BSc International Business with Spanish programme we achieve these goals by providing a range of learning environments which enable our students to engage with subject experts both academic staff and industry guest speakers, develop skills and attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world-class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this degree programme are:

• Lectures: these introduce foundation information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading.  As the module progresses this information becomes more complex.  Lectures, which are normally delivered in large groups to all year-group peers, also provide opportunities to ask questions and seek clarification on key issues as well as gain feedback and advice on assessments.  Additional lectures are also delivered by employer representatives and staff from a number of organisations are involved in the delivery of International Business with Spanish workshops and problem solving sessions. In addition to the academic content of the lectures and workshops, this enables employers to impart their valuable experience to QUMS International Business with Spanish students, introduces important local employers to our students and allows our Business students to meet and engage with potential future employers. 
• Seminars/tutorials: a significant amount of teaching is carried out in small groups (typically 15-20 students). These sessions are designed to explore, in more depth, the information that has been presented in the lectures.  This provides students with the opportunity to engage closely with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of their peers. During these classes, students will be expected to present their work to academic staff and their peers.
• Computer-Based Practicals: these provide students with the opportunity to develop technical skills and apply theoretical principles to real-life or practical contexts.
• Site Visits: to demonstrate the practical relevance of management theory site visits to local organisations are an integral feature of this programme. 
• E-Learning technologies:information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online.  A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree programme through the use of, for example, interactive support materials, podcasts and web-based learning activities.
• Self-directed study:  this is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.
• Work placements: The BSc International Business with Spanish programme has a compulsory placement year with an accounting organisation in the host country.  This begins after all Level 2 modules have been successfully completed. The dedicated Placement Office within the School facilitates students in sourcing and securing appropriate placements and provides appropriate support whilst the student is with the host organisation. The purpose of this compulsory placement year is to allow the students to practice and finely hone their language skills in an accounting related environment.
• Student Support Systems: QUMS has an active and co-ordinated student support system to assist students in making the transition from school to university. This includes:
• assigning each student an Adviser of Studies to assist with the choice of modules at the beginning of each academic year;
• assigning each student a Personal Tutor (an academic member of staff) when they begin the degree programme.  The Personal Tutoring System includes individual scheduled appointments with personal tutors, small group tutor meetings (4-5 students) and e-mail contact to discuss academic matters, academic performance, skills development, careers and/or prospective placements and issues related to University policies and practices.  Students meet their Personal Tutor at induction and during the first and second year of study they are expected to meet with their Personal Tutor at least once per semester.
• A Peer Mentoring Scheme whereby students in second and third year of their degree programme volunteer to mentor Level 1 students. Developing the programme themselves, with support from academic staff in QUMS, the mentors organise informal meetings, regular contact and a series of events ranging from ice-breaker type events to employer-led sessions with the Level 1 students.
• a formalised induction for all undergraduate students.  For Level 1 students, this includes several half-day sessions the week before the programme begins to allow students to familiarise themselves with the campus and the degree programme.  During Level 1 there are a number of follow-up sessions throughout the year. Topics such as academic writing, referencing, plagiarism, communication skills, examination preparation and managing time effectively are all covered in these practical sessions.
• Personal Development Planning to encourage students to engage in independent learning.

Assessment and Feedback

Assessment (general):  The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each module.  Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction. International Business with Spanish modules are typically assessed by a combination of continuous assessment and a final written unseen examination. Continuous assessment consists of: Accounting class tests, computer generated practical experiments where students have to manipulate and interpret management-related data, case study research and analysis of a particular organisation and its international business issue, academic essays exploring a specific current issues such as international marketing, business ethics etc., small group project and presentations whereby groups of three/four students work on a particular business-related task and Language refinement exercises including report and essay writing and individual and group presentations in the target language

Feedback (general):  As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and peers.  University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

• Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted. 
• Face to face comment.  This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
• Placement employer comments or references.
• Online or emailed comment.
• General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
• Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid.  In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time. 
• Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
• Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work. 

Careers

Those pursuing a career in International Business with Spanish should enjoy working with people as they will have to generate information from a wide variety of sources as they attempt to improve the business (entering new global markets or developing new products or becoming more competitive internationally etc) or solve a specific management related issue.  They should be effective communicators as they will be expected to engage with a range of stakeholders including senior management, consumers and consumer groups, government representatives and policy makers, as well as employees and peers.  Further, graduates need to have an appreciation of the potential differences in national cultures and their impact on the business environment.

Students interested in pursuing a career in International Business with Spanish must be prepared to take on challenges and be able to adapt to a constantly changing and dynamic business environment.  To assist this, core transferable skills acquired throughout the degree programme include the ability to learn independently, problem solve, understand management and related information and work productively as part of a team as well as developing competence in a second language.

Graduate Careers and Achievements

A degree in International Business with Spanish from Queen’s offers a firm base securing an excellent graduate position or further academic study. Career options are extremely varied and the employment opportunities for our International Business with Spanish graduates remain strong.  The first cohort of graduates from this programme completed their studies in July 2012 and have secured a range of positions in local, national and multinational organisations.

Recent placement providers include Amadeus in Barcelona and Madrid, Training Express, Madrid.

Students from this programme have secured either graduate positions or have undertaken placements in advertising, human resources, recruitment, training and development, marketing, export marketing, new product development, market research, brand management, operations management, supply chain management, quality management, business development, accounting, finance, management consultancy. 

The Prospects website provides further information regarding the types of jobs that attract BSc International Business with Spanish graduates.

Further study is also an option open to BSc International Business with Spanish graduates. Students can choose from a wide range of Masters programmes as well as a comprehensive list of research topics, as shown on the Queen’s University Management School website.

Other Career-related information: Queen’s is a member of the Russell Group and, therefore, one of the 20 universities most-targeted by leading graduate employers.  Queen’s students will be advised and guided about career choice and, through the Degree Plus initiative, will have an opportunity to seek accreditation for skills development and experience gained through the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer.  See Queen’s University Belfast fullEmployability Statementfor further information.

Degree Plus and other related initiatives:  Recognising student diversity, as well as promoting employability enhancements and other interests, is part of the developmental experience at Queen’s.  Students are encouraged to plan and build their own, personal skill and experiential profile through a range of activities including; recognised Queen’s Certificates, placements and other work experiences (at home or overseas), Erasmus study options elsewhere in Europe, learning development opportunities and involvement in wider university life through activities, such as clubs, societies, and sports. 

Queen’s actively encourages this type of activity by offering students an additional qualification, the Degree Plus Award (and the related Researcher Plus Award for PhD and MPhil students).  Degree Plus accredits wider experiential and skill development gained through extra-curricular activities that promote the enhancement of academic, career management, personal and employability skills in a variety of contexts.  As part of the Award, students are also trained on how to reflect on the experience(s) and make the link between academic achievement, extracurricular activities, transferable skills and graduate employment. Participating students will also be trained in how to reflect on their skills and experiences and can gain an understanding of how to articulate the significance of these to others, e.g. employers.

Overall, these initiatives, and Degree Plusin particular, reward the energy, drive, determination and enthusiasm shown by students engaging in activities over-and-above the requirements of their academic studies.  These qualities are amongst those valued highly by graduate employers.

Special Features

Placement Year Abroad: Year 3 is spent abroad on a compulsory international work placement in a region of the globe where the language being studied is the dominant tongue. 

This is an integral part of the degree, providing students with the fluency and confidence to communicate and work effectively in an international business environment. 

Examples of placement opportunities include Alcatel-Lucent, Citibank and HEC (Paris), Amadeus (Madrid), Training Express (Barcelona and Madrid), Martin Howard Associates (Barcelona), RBC Dexia and KMPG (Luxembourg).

Last updated 11.09.13