Program Overview

Business Management and Modern Languages & Cultures BA

The University of Sheffield offers a unique undergraduate program that combines the study of Business Management with Modern Languages and Cultures. This four-year degree provides students with a truly global focus, enabling them to study key areas of business management alongside one or two modern languages.

Course Description

The program allows students to choose from a range of languages, including Catalan, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. Students will develop a deep understanding of the language, culture, and history of their chosen language(s), as well as key areas of business management, such as corporate social responsibility, marketing, operations, and supply chain management.

Modules

The course structure includes a mix of core and optional modules, with students taking a combination of business management and language modules in each year. In the first year, students will take core business management modules, such as Introduction to Management, and a core language module, such as French Beginner Intensive or German Advanced. Students will also have the option to select 20 credits of Languages for All modules in their chosen language.

In the second year, students will take example core modules, such as Business Strategy, Essentials of Marketing, and International Business. They will also continue to study their core language, selected in year one, and have the option to select 20 credits of Languages for All modules.

In the third year, students will spend the year abroad, studying or working in one or two countries, immersing themselves in the culture of their chosen language(s). In the fourth year, students will take example core modules, such as International Marketing, Internationalisation Strategies, and Project in Languages and Cultures. They will also continue to study their core language and have the option to select 20 credits of Languages for All modules.

Learning and Assessment

Students will learn through a mix of lectures, seminars, and language classes, with language teaching in small groups to provide tailored support. The university invests in creating the right environment for students, with outstanding facilities, study spaces, and support, including 24/7 access to the online library service.

Assessment methods vary across the course and include taking sit-down exams, developing a portfolio, writing essays, taking part in group projects, or giving individual presentations. Students will be assessed on the core skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

Entry Requirements

The standard offer for this course is ABB at A Level, typically including a modern foreign language. Alternative qualifications, such as the International Baccalaureate, BTEC Extended Diploma, or Access to HE Diploma, are also accepted. Students must also meet the English language requirements, with a GCSE English Language at grade 4/C or an IELTS grade of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component.

Graduate Careers

Graduates of this program are excellent communicators, adaptable, and culturally aware. They work in business and banking, translating and interpreting, intelligence services, journalism, teaching, publishing, and international sales and marketing. Many go on to further study.

The Management School's dedicated employability team offers careers support, enabling students to find graduate jobs or internship opportunities and develop essential skills through workshops with industry experts.

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for 2026 entry have not been confirmed, but the 2025 annual tuition fee is £9,535 for home students and £23,810 for overseas students. The university offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to support students, including automatic scholarships worth up to £10,000 for overseas fee-paying students.

Study Abroad

The third year of the degree is spent studying or working overseas in one or two countries, providing students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture of their chosen language(s) and hone their language skills by living alongside native speakers.

University Rankings

The University of Sheffield is a leading centre for modern languages and cultures research, with 90% of its research rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. The Management School is triple crown accredited, with a strong reputation for teaching and research.

Student Profiles

Students have praised the variety and flexibility of the course, with the opportunity to study a range of modules and develop a deep understanding of their chosen language(s) and business management. The university's student-run language societies and cultural events also provide a vibrant and supportive community for students to engage with.