Course Structure

Course Content

This four-year BA Honours degree in Modern Languages with Business is delivered by the School of Arts, English and Languages (Major) and Queen’s Business School (Minor).

Currently four language options are offered:
• French (Beginners and Advanced)
• Irish (Beginners and Advanced)
• Portuguese (Beginners)
• Spanish (Beginners and Advanced)

Year 1 overview

In first year, you will choose your main language pathway: French, Irish, Portuguese or Spanish. You will take a year-long module designed to develop the key language skills you need to start to learn about the culture and context of the language. You will also take foundational modules in business, and select from a range of optional modules.

You can choose to take another year long module in a second language instead of the optional modules. Beginners' options are available for students who have GCSE or AS level in that second language.

Year 2 overview

In year 2 you will build on your initial learning, developing more complex language skills and intercultural awareness as well as a greater depth of knowledge and awareness of business themes.

Year 3 overview

In year 3 all students will spend around 8 months on placement, working or studying in a country that uses your main language choice. Students of Irish will be working in the Irish medium sector.

Year 4 overview

In final year, students consolidate the learning from their year on placement developing high level language and intercultural skills and taking strategic business modules.

Contact Teaching Hours

Large Group Teaching

6 (hours maximum)
hours of lectures

Personal Study

24 (hours maximum)
22–24 hours studying and revising in your own time each week, including some guided study using handouts, online activities, etc.

Medium Group Teaching

4 (hours maximum)
hours of practical classes, workshops or seminars each week

Small Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial

2 (hours maximum)
hours of tutorials (or later, project supervision) each week

Learning and Teaching

On the BA Modern Languages with Business programme we provide 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:

Adviser of Studies

Assigning each student an Adviser of Studies to be a key point of contact throughout each year. Students meet their adviser of studies at induction and will be given contact information and guidance on how to arrange a meeting if needed.

Computer-Based Practicals

These provide students with the opportunity to develop technical skills and apply theoretical principles to real-life or practical contexts.

E-Learning technologies

Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Canvas. 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.

Induction

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.

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 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 students, introduces important local employers to our students and allows our students to meet and engage with potential future employers.

Peer Mentoring Scheme

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, 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.

Personal Development Planning

To encourage students to engage in independent learning.

Placement Year

Students must complete around eight months on an international placement, usually in a country which speaks your chosen language. Students of Irish will spend their placement in an Irish-medium professional environment, be that in the Gaeltacht or outside the Gaeltacht

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.

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.

Student Support Systems

AEL and QBS have an active and co-ordinated student support system to assist students in making the transition from school to university.

Work placements

The BA Modern Languages with Business programme has a compulsory placement year with a business organisation in the host country. This begins after all Level 2 modules have been successfully completed. The purpose of this compulsory placement year is to allow the students to practice and finely hone their language skills while gaining experience of working in a business role.

Assessment

Details of assessments associated with this course are outlined below:

• 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. Modern Languages with Business modules are typically assessed by a combination of continuous assessment and examinations.
  
  Assessments can consist of: 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 issues, academic essays exploring a specific current issues such as international marketing, business ethics etc., small group projects 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

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.

Modules

Entrance requirements

A-level

ABB + GCSE Mathematics grade B/6 + see below regarding language requirements

There are four language options available French, Irish, Portuguese and Spanish. Applicants will study one language.

Post A-level options are available in French, Irish and Spanish. Applicants should have A-level grade B in their chosen language.

Beginners options are available in French, Portuguese and Spanish. Applicants should have GCSE grade B/6 in their chosen language or GCSE grade B/6 in another modern language (not GCSE English Language).

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

Irish Leaving Certificate

H3H3H3H3H3H3/H2H3H3H3H3 + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade O3 in Mathematics + see below regarding language requirements.

There are four language options available French, Irish, Portuguese and Spanish. Applicants will study one language.

Post A-level options are available in French, Irish and Spanish. Applicants should have Higher Level grade H3 in their chosen language.

Beginners options are available in French, Portuguese and Spanish. Applicants should have Ordinary Level grade O3 in their chosen language or Ordinary Level grade O3 in another modern language (not English).

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

BTEC Level 3 Extended/National Extended Diploma

QCF BTEC Extended Diploma (180 credits) at Level 3, with overall grades D*DD + GCSE Mathematics grade B/6.

RQF BTEC National Extended Diploma (1080 Guided Learning Hours (GLH) at Level 3), with overall grades D*DD + GCSE Mathematics grade B/6.

NB Language requirements must also be satisfied - please see A-level entry requirements.

Graduate

A minimum of a 2:2 Honours Degree + GCSE Mathematics grade B/6.

NB Language requirements must also be satisfied - please see A-level entry requirements.

Note

All applicants must have GCSE English Language grade C/4 and GCSE Mathematics grade B/6 or equivalent qualifications acceptable to the University.

All applicants must meet the language requirements - please see A-level entry requirements.

How we choose our students

Applications are dealt with centrally by the Admissions and Access Service rather than by individual University Schools. Once your on-line form has been processed by UCAS and forwarded to Queen's, an acknowledgement is normally sent within two weeks of its receipt at the University.

Selection is on the basis of the information provided on your UCAS form. Decisions are made on an ongoing basis and will be notified to you via UCAS.

For last year's entry, applicants for this BA programme offering A-level/BTEC Level 3 qualifications must have had, or been able to achieve, a minimum of five GCSE passes at grade C/4 or better (to include English Language). Performance in any AS or A-level examinations already completed would also have been taken into account and the Selector checks that any specific entry requirements in terms of GCSE and/or A-level subjects can be fulfilled.

For applicants offering Irish Leaving Certificate, please note that performance at Irish Junior Certificate (IJC) is taken into account. For last year’s entry applicants for this degree must have had, a minimum of 5 IJC grades C/Merit. The Selector also checks that any specific entry requirements in terms of Leaving Certificate subjects can be satisfied.

Offers are normally made on the basis of three A-levels. Two subjects at A-level plus two at AS would also be considered. The offer for repeat candidates is set in terms of three A-levels and may be one grade higher than that asked from first time applicants. Grades may be held from the previous year.

Applicants offering two A-levels and one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent qualification), or one A-level and a BTEC Diploma/National Diploma (or equivalent qualification) will also be considered. Offers will be made in terms of the overall BTEC grade awarded. Please note that a maximum of one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent) will be counted as part of an applicant’s portfolio of qualifications. The normal GCSE profile will be expected.

Access courses, BTEC Extended Diplomas, Higher National Certificates, and Higher National Diplomas can be considered, provided the subject requirements are also fulfilled.

The information provided in the personal statement section and the academic reference together with predicted grades are noted but, in the case of BA degrees, these are not the final deciding factors in whether or not a conditional offer can be made. However, they may be reconsidered in a tie break situation in August.

A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking would not normally be considered as part of a three A-level offer and, although they may be excluded where an applicant is taking four A-level subjects, the grade achieved could be taken into account if necessary in August/September.

Candidates are not normally asked to attend for interview.

If you are made an offer then you may be invited to a Faculty/School Visit Day, which is usually held in the second semester. This will allow you the opportunity to visit the University and to find out more about the degree programme of your choice and the facilities on offer. It also gives you a flavour of the academic and social life at Queen's.

If you cannot find the information you need here, please contact the University Admissions Service (admissions@qub.ac.uk), giving full details of your qualifications and educational background.

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

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English Language Requirements

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

Career Prospects

Employment after the Course

Students from this programme are extremely well places to secure either graduate positions or undertake 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.

Degree Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1	£4,855
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2	£4,855
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1	£9,535
EU Other 3	£20,800
International	£20,800

¹EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

² EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

³ EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

Tuition fee rates are calculated based on a student’s tuition fee status and generally increase annually by inflation. How tuition fees are determined is set out in the Student Finance Framework.

Additional course costs

Students undertake a placement in year 3 and are responsible for funding travel, accommodation and subsistence costs. These costs vary depending on the location and duration of the placement.

Students who undertake optional study tours are expected to make a contribution, of approximately £150.

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

Scholarships

Each year, we offer a range of scholarships and prizes for new students. Information on scholarships available.

How to Apply

Application for admission to full-time undergraduate and sandwich courses at the University should normally be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full information can be obtained from the UCAS website at: www.ucas.com/applying.

When to Apply

UCAS will start processing applications for entry in autumn 2027 from early September 2026.

The advisory closing date for the receipt of applications for entry in 2027 is Wednesday 13 January 2027 (18:00). This is the 'equal consideration' deadline for this course.

Applications from UK and EU (Republic of Ireland) students after this date are, in practice, considered by Queen’s for entry to this course throughout the remainder of the application cycle (30 June 2027) subject to the availability of places. If you apply for 2027 entry after this deadline, you will automatically be entered into Clearing.

Applications from International and EU (Other) students are normally considered by Queen's for entry to this course until 30 June 2027. If you apply for 2027 entry after this deadline, you will automatically be entered into Clearing.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as is consistent with having made a careful and considered choice of institutions and courses.

The Institution code name for Queen's is QBELF and the institution code is Q75.

Further information on applying to study at Queen's is available at: www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/How-to-apply/

Apply via UCAS 

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study. Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

Additional Information for International (non-EU) Students

1. Applying through UCAS
   Most students make their applications through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) for full-time undergraduate degree programmes at Queen's. The UCAS application deadline for international students is 30 June 2027.
2. Applying direct
   The Direct Entry Application form is to be used by international applicants who wish to apply directly, and only, to Queen's or who have been asked to provide information in advance of submitting a formal UCAS application. Find out more.
3. Applying through agents and partners
   The University’s in-country representatives can assist you to submit a UCAS application or a direct application. Please consult the Agent List to find an agent in your country who will help you with your application to Queen’s University.

Download Undergraduate Prospectus