Program Overview

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French and International Business BA Honours

Overview

Our French and International Business BA will help you develop the skills and knowledge you'll need to succeed in the internationalised business world.

In today's global economy, language skills are of significant value to prospective employers when combined with business expertise. This combination can greatly enhance your career opportunities.

You’ll have the opportunity to study French language, culture and international business in an integrated way, exploring the relationships between these elements and the broader economic, financial and cross-cultural contexts in which they are produced.

Our comprehensive language training places strong emphasis on the use of language in a professional environment, while our business modules will allow you to gain a solid understanding of international business – a combination that will enable you to gain the real-world skills required to progress to a rewarding career.

The training you'll receive in cross-cultural communication will equip you with the flexibility, adaptability and creativity required in global interactions.

You'll also have the opportunity to benefit from experiencing life, culture and the world of work or study outside the UK by taking part in an optional year-long placement overseas. Study placements take place at a partner educational institution in a country where French is the official language.

Top Reasons to Study with Us

• Gain practical French language skills and intercultural awareness in simulated and authentic professional contexts
• Experience a sophisticated business environment – our state-of-the-art Bloomberg Financial Markets Suite allows you to gain first-hand exposure to technology that’s widely adopted in leading global investment banks in the major financial centres of the world
• Benefit from an (optional) international experience through a placement, study abroad and/or field trips. Previous field trip destinations have included Morocco, Hong Kong, France, Cuba and Argentina
• Receive tailored academic support and career planning through our tutorials
• Enjoy opportunities to practise one-to-one conversation with a native speaker through the Languages Plus programme

Course Structure

Our course focuses on active learning, through lectures, seminars, workshops, task-based and blended learning, designed to engage your interest and promote your learning.

You'll study with the latest technology and learning spaces and you'll get extensive hands-on experience with industry partners to prepare you for the real world.

You'll be taught by inspiring and experienced lecturers who will help you develop a wide range of soft skills including communication, critical thinking, problem-solving and time-management in highly interactive and engaging classes.

Assessment methods include e-portfolios, real-world simulation tasks, essays, reports, individual and group presentations and case studies, as well as time-constrained in-class tests and exams.

Years 1 and 2 will provide you with the skills and knowledge to undertake an optional year-long placement in an overseas, French-speaking destination, which could include studying at a recognised educational institution.

You can also choose to study an optional module from a range of topics across the University in each year.

Subjects of Study

• Year 1:
  • Foundations of Accounting and Finance
  • Global Business Environment
  • Introduction to the Study of Language and Culture
  • Introduction to Translation (available to intermediate students)
  • Marketing for International Business
  • Objects and Meaning: The Social Life of Material Culture
  • The French World and the Word
• Year 2:
  • Digital Business
  • Expressions of French Culture
  • International Business Practice
  • International Financial Analysis
  • International Organisational Behaviour
  • Language in the Public Space
  • Multilingual e-Collaboration: Transposing Current Affairs
  • Understanding Culture: Francophone Studies in Focus
• Year 3:
  • Comparative International Management
  • Final Year Project
  • Global Marketing Management
  • Identities on the Move: Francophone Studies in Focus
  • International Financial Management
  • Multilingualism in Society: Theory and Practice
  • Sex Strike: Gender and Protest
  • Strategic Perspectives
  • Themes in Contemporary French and Francophone Studies

Professional Experience or Study Abroad Year

Between Years 2 and 3, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a professional placement year in industry. Completing the placement year will lead to the final award Bachelor of Arts with Honours – French and International Business with Professional Experience.

Alternatively, you can undertake a period of study abroad at one of Westminster’s partner institutions. Successful completion will lead to the final award Bachelor of Arts with Honours – French and International Business with International Experience.

Careers

Past graduates of this degree have found successful employment in diverse sectors such as international business development, business consultancy, investment banking and marketing, where knowledge of specific languages is advantageous.

With a growing global network of 3,000 employers, our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you to achieve your full potential.

Transferable Skills

You'll gain the knowledge and experience to work in roles such as account manager, business development manager, compliance officer, cultural liaison officer and teacher.

Employers Around the World

The University’s Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.

Career Development

Our course aims to produce graduates with the knowledge, skills and experience that will enable them to become practising professionals and function effectively in an international work environment in the UK or abroad.

You’ll also develop the linguistic resources, strategies, intercultural awareness and flexibility essential for effective communication in professional and globalised environments, enabling you to contribute proactively to private, public or third-sector businesses and organisations, and to the wider communities within which businesses operate.

Increasing numbers of students also progress to further study after graduation, either taking professional qualifications or proceeding to a specialist Masters' degree in a relevant discipline. Previous graduates have been able to undertake further study at overseas institutions where tuition is in the language of their degree.

Job Roles

This course will prepare you for roles such as:

• Account manager
• Advertising executive
• Auditor
• Banker
• Business development manager
• Cultural liaison officer
• Exporter/Importer
• Fund manager
• Insurance broker
• Policy advisor
• Product manager
• Teacher

Graduate Employment

Graduates from this course have found employment at organisations including:

• BNY Mellon
• Harrods
• Hasbro
• HSBC
• IFS AB (Industrial and Financial Systems)

International Opportunities

Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for – so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.

Opportunities could include:

• Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
• Attending an international summer school or field trip
• Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad

International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.

Course Leader

Dr Jonathan Kasstan is a Senior Lecturer in French and Linguistics at the University of Westminster. He leads the Languages & International Business BA programme. He is a sociolinguistics who works with threatened and endangered language communities using quantitative, qualitative, and community-based research methods. He has published widely in these areas. He is currently involved in several ongoing, externally funded research projects, including: Towards safeguarding Chagossian Creole: Understanding how language attitudes and ideologies shape practice in exile and exodus (currently funded by the British Academy and Leverhulme Trust), and Universals of Linguistic Change in Language Obsolescence (previously funded by the Leverhulme Trust).

Course Team

• Dr Itay Lotem - Senior Lecturer
• Magali Brenac - Lecturer
• Dr Saskia Huc-Hepher - Assistant Head of School
• Dr Jonathan Kasstan - Lecturer in French and Linguistics
• Ahmed Saeed - Lecturer
• Dr Catarina Moura e Sa Cardoso - Lecturer
• Dawn De Kock - Senior Lecturer
• Dr Deborah Knowles - Staff
• Dr Ioannis Christodoulou - Senior Lecturer
• Dr Fernando Duran-Palma - Senior Lecturer
• Dr Federica Mazzara - Reader in Cultural Studies
• Dr Siavash Bakhtiar - Lecturer
• Hayet Bahri - Lecturer
• Ailu Hiew - Senior Lecturer

Entry Requirements

• UK:
  • A levels – BCC (104 UCAS Tariff points)
  • T levels – 104 UCAS Tariff points
  • International Baccalaureate – 104 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
  • BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM
  • BTEC Diploma – D*D
  • Access – 104 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course
• International:
  • International Baccalaureate – 104 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can refer to the UCAS calculator to determine your point score
  • We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications. Please see information on Country-specific entry requirements
  • We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London who provide International Foundation Certificate courses for students who don’t meet our entry requirements. Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Westminster. Find out about a range of university preparation courses that are accepted for entry.

English Language Requirements

• We are ideally looking for evidence of successful language learning, formal or informal, in the applicant’s personal statement. We accept students at Beginners’ and Intermediate levels. Proficient students (native speaker level) will be directed towards our BA in Languages and Translation as a more appropriate course.
• If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with a score of 5.5 in each component. Please note we accept a wide range of English language qualifications and assessments. Find out more at English language requirements.
• If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, then we offer online and on campus pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills to the required level before you start your course. Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.

Fees and Funding

• UK tuition fee: £9,535 (Price per academic year)
• International tuition fee: £17,000 (Price per academic year)

Teaching and Assessment

• Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application.
• Assessment methods include e-portfolios, real-world simulation tasks, essays, reports, individual and group presentations and case studies, as well as time-constrained in-class tests and exams.

Supporting You

• Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.
• Study support – workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
• Personal tutors – support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
• Student advice team – provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
• Extra-curricular activities – volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Course Location

• Teaching for this course will take place at both our Regent Street site and Marylebone Campus in central London.
• Located on one of London’s most vibrant streets, our 309 Regent Street location houses subjects including Criminology and Sociology, English and Creative Writing, History, Languages, Politics and International Relations and Visual Culture. Along with a city-centre location, the site boasts high-tech learning facilities, collaborative social spaces, gym facilities, and our Regent Street Cinema.
• Our Regent Campus is comprised of two sites, situated on and around Regent Street – one of the most famous and vibrant streets in London.
• Right in the heart of central London, our Marylebone Campus is home to the Westminster Business School and our Architecture, Planning and Tourism courses. Specialist workshops, dedicated digital and architecture studios, and our extensive Marylebone Library offer students everything they need for academic success.
• Marylebone Campus is opposite Baker Street tube station and within easy walking distance of Regent's Park and Marylebone High Street.