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BA (Hons) International Business with Modern Languages

Develop the skills to thrive in global business with the BA (Hons) International Business with Modern Languages. Gain expertise in business strategy, cross-cultural communication, and fluency in a modern language to excel worldwide.

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Course overview

Graduates with a global mindset, an understanding of cross-border commerce and trade, and experience of different cultures are highly sought after.

Studying BA (Hons) International Business with Modern Languages will equip you with the knowledge and skills to excel in a global environment. You’ll learn about all aspects of business, from finance to marketing through an international lens, and will discover how to effectively manage people from different cultures and backgrounds.

Our study abroad options will broaden your horizons, as you immerse yourself in a truly enriching and life-changing adventure.

Work placement opportunities in both the UK and overseas further boost your international business career prospects.

Why choose this course?

Explore new cultures, study and work abroad, and launch your global career with our BA (Hons) International Business with Modern Languages degree.

Choose a three or four-year route: we are one of the few universities offering two years of study abroad in up to three different countries. With over 100 partners in 38 countries, you will benefit from unrivalled international experience.

Leverage our strong industry connections to open doors to exciting opportunities and leave your mark on the global stage: 93% of Herts graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2021/22).

Thrive in a vibrant and connected international student community: you’ll be supported through our cross-year buddy scheme and alumni mentors, offering invaluable networking and career prospects.

Extracurricular opportunities will further develop your skills, boosting your CV and strengthening your network: take part in the national University Business Challenge or join our Enactus society, organising projects that make a difference every day.

You'll receive excellent support from our staff community team to help you with any academic and personal challenges.

Professional accreditations

European Foundation for Management Development

We are one of only 12 universities in the UK, and 96 schools worldwide, with accreditation from the globally recognised European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD). EFMD is a mark of high quality and integrity in global business practice and ethics, demonstrating high standards of education and dedication to student service.

Transatlantic Business School Alliance

We also partner with The Transatlantic Business School Alliance (TABSA) program, which offers a life-enhancing opportunity for you to further develop your language skills and pursue a dual degree with a partner institution in Europe or the US (an additional language is not always required for US institutions).

Your future career

Differentiate yourself in the global job market with a comprehensive skill set and firsthand experience of international living and studying. 93% of Herts graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes, 2021/22).

Possible roles for employment for international business graduates include:

  • sales manager
  • international business consultant
  • trade analyst
  • business development manager
  • group marketing executive
  • strategy consultant

Join our prestigious alumni network, comprising professionals in senior positions at renowned organizations such as Michael Page, Google, H&M, Amazon FBA, Legal & General, Virgin Atlantic, Clifford Chance, Thomson Reuters, Novartis Biome, British Board of Film Classification, OnePLM Ltd, Computacenter, Netgem, and Mondelez International. This course opens up countless opportunities!

Graduate equipped with the cultural exposure and business acumen necessary to launch a successful global career. We also provide support to enhance your CV through personal development opportunities, both domestically and internationally.

What you'll study

Our BA (Hons) International Business with Modern Languages degree will give you an excellent foundation in business and management, with a strong global focus throughout. You have the opportunity to take a language in all years.

Study plan overview – three year programme

In your first year, you'll benefit from a complete programme of enrichment activities to further increase your knowledge and practical experience.

In your second year, you have the opportunity to study abroad in English (Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, Asia or Australia). You are required to study abroad for one semester and ideally, you'll be away for the whole year.

In your final year, you'll be back on campus and will start to tailor your degree from a wide range of optional subjects, again all with a worldwide focus.

Study plan overview - four year programme

In your first year, you'll benefit from a complete programme of enrichment activities to further increase your knowledge and practical experience.

In your second year, you will have the opportunity to study abroad in English (Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, Asia or Australia) for one or two semesters.

In your third year, you can study abroad with the option of a work placement (Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia, Middle East, Africa, Australia) or a year-long placement if you have studied abroad in your second year.

The work placements can also be in the UK, in internationally facing roles and would need to be approved by the placements team.

In your final year, you'll be back on campus and will start to tailor your degree from a wide range of optional subjects, again all with a worldwide focus.

This international business with modern languages degree ensures you are well prepared for an international career, with many graduates working overseas. It also suits those seeking a career in the UK, meeting the needs of employers after graduates with a global mindset and a language.

There are also opportunities to further your personal development through placements, internships, study abroad and Future Success team events.

What if I need support?

You'll benefit from dedicated support teams within the Business School, including Academic Support, Wellbeing, and a personal tutor who will assist you in adjusting to the demands of university learning and living.

Additional support is available from our Student Success team, which focuses on inclusive learning, as well as our dedicated Future Success network, which helps with work experience, placements, and graduate jobs.

You can join and engage with the Business School Student Voice community, consisting of a team of student representatives who regularly meet with staff to provide feedback and ensure the effectiveness of teaching.

Our in-house Centre for Academic Skills Enhancement (CASE) is available to all Business School students, offering additional support in areas such as academic writing, numeracy, and referencing.

Optional sandwich year

Graduate with invaluable work experience alongside your degree and stand out from the crowd. This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a year in industry, typically between your second and third years of study. It’s a chance to explore career possibilities, make valuable contacts and gain sought after professional skills.

Research shows that over 70% of employers prefer students with work experience, which is why we believe work placements are career gold. Our Careers and Employment service are here to support you explore your options and make valuable contacts for your future career.

You’ll pay no tuition fee for this year and won’t need to worry about the details of your placement until your second year of study.

Study Abroad offers the opportunity for an amazing experience, which will help make you stand out from the crowd. With more and more companies working internationally, experience of living in another country can make a great impression on future employers.

This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a sandwich year abroad. The University has partnerships with over 150 universities around the world, including the USA, Canada, Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and closer to home in Europe.

If you study abroad between your second and third year of study, you’ll pay no tuition fee to the partner university and no tuition fee to us either. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it.

Graduate with invaluable work experience alongside your degree and stand out from the crowd. This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a year in industry, typically between your second and third years of study. It’s a chance to explore career possibilities, make valuable contacts and gain sought after professional skills.

Research shows that over 70% of employers prefer students with work experience, which is why we believe work placements are career gold. Our Careers and Employment service are here to support you explore your options and make valuable contacts for your future career.

You’ll pay no tuition fee for this year and won’t need to worry about the details of your placement until your second year of study.

Find out more about work placements

Study Abroad offers the opportunity for an amazing experience, which will help make you stand out from the crowd. With more and more companies working internationally, experience of living in another country can make a great impression on future employers.

This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a sandwich year abroad. The University has partnerships with over 150 universities around the world, including the USA, Canada, Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and closer to home in Europe.

If you study abroad between your second and third year of study, you’ll pay no tuition fee to the partner university and no tuition fee to us either. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it.

Find out more about study abroad options

Where you'll study

You'll be taught on our modern de Havilland Campus, with our 24/7 Learning Resources Centre, offering open and private study spaces. You also get online self-study materials to further support you.

There are dining options, a bar, and a recreational space on campus where you can shoot some pool or play video games. It also houses Hertfordshire Sports Village, featuring a gym, swimming pool, coffee shop and climbing wall.

Discover the Enterprise Hub, a vibrant destination where local firms and students work and learn in comfort.

The Student Union bar and additional facilities are only a 20 minute walk (or short bus ride) away at our second campus, on College Lane. Student housing is available at both campuses.

A train to central London takes just over 20 minutes, and you are also conveniently located on the A1(M) with access to the road network, making travel quick and convenient.

Who you'll learn from

Your teachers include doctoral staff and industry experts who will impart their knowledge and experiences. They will ground your education in solid business principles and case studies that will be valuable throughout your career.

The teaching approach emphasizes proactive learning, drawing from real-life experiences and scenarios shared by your tutors and alumni.

The faculty covers various interest areas and backgrounds, including information technology, marketing, consumer behaviour, psychology, employee well-being, and work-life balance.

To provide extra support with academic writing, numeracy, and referencing, we have our in-house Centre for Academic Skills Enhancement (CASE), which is open to all Business School students.

Additionally, you have access to an academic support team, a well-being team, and a personal tutor who will help you navigate university learning and living.

Working together, your teaching and support team is committed to assisting you in realising and achieving your full potential.

How we support our students

At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible.

We offer a range of support services, from childcare to counselling, ensuring that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying, having fun, and have the support you need.

Entry requirements

The University of Hertfordshire is committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. The entry requirements listed on the course pages provide a guide to the minimum level of qualifications needed to study each course. However, we have a flexible approach to admissions and each application will be considered on an individual basis.

Typical offer (UCAS points)(enter tariff range)
Typical A Level offer(enter range)
Typical IB offer(enter range)
Typical BTEC offer(enter range)
Typical T Level offer(enter range)
GCSEEG: Grade 4/C in English Language and 4/D Mathematics
Access coursesEG: An overall merit profile in 45 credits at Level 3.
Additional informationFind out more about our standard and contextual Undergraduate Entry Requirements.

English language

All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.

If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.

Additional information

Find out more about International Entry Requirements.

Typical offer (UCAS points)112 – 218
Typical A Level offerBBB - ABB
Typical BTEC offerDDM
GCSEEnglish Language 4/C and Maths 4/C
Additional informationFind out more about our standard and contextual Undergraduate Entry Requirements.

English language

All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.

If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.

Additional information

Find out more about International Entry Requirements.

Ready to apply?

UK and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK
Start date Study typeApply
September 2025  Full time Apply via UCAS
Full time with placement year Apply via UCAS
Full time with study abroad year Apply via UCAS

International and EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Apply through our international/EU application portal

Fees and funding

At Herts, we’re dedicated to providing world-class teaching supported by industry-level facilities and incredible social spaces. We believe cost shouldn’t be a barrier to higher education, and we strive to keep both our standard and additional costs as low as possible.

Study typeFees
UK studentsFull time£9,535 for the 2025/2026 academic year
EU studentsFull time£15,965 for the 2025/2026 academic year
International studentsFull time£15,965 for the 2025/2026 academic year

Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

Scholarships, grants  and bursaries

Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for a non-repayable scholarship, grant or bursary to support your studies.

Disabled Students' Allowance

The Disabled Students’ Allowance can cover any study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long term illness or any other disability.

Student loans

Find out about securing a student loan, from how much you could be eligible for to when you need to start making repayments.

Accommodation costs

We offer a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

Additional course fees

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet.

More about the course

Course fact sheets
BA (Hons) International Business Download PDF
Programme specifications
Languages Programme Download PDF
BA (Hons) International Business Download PDF
Additional information

Applications open to international and EU students

Yes

Course length

Full Time, 3 YearsSandwich, 4 Years

Not ready to apply?