International Business and Languages
International business and languages is a degree that reflects the reality of global commerce: that operating effectively across national borders requires not just business expertise but genuine linguistic competence and cultural understanding. Speaking the language of your clients, partners and colleagues is a commercial advantage, and understanding the cultural contexts that shape business practice in different countries goes far deeper than knowing which fork to use at dinner.
At the University of Portsmouth you will study this three-year full-time programme, combining core business management content with the study of modern languages and their associated cultural and commercial contexts. The business strand covers strategy, marketing, finance, international trade, organisational behaviour and global supply chains, while the languages component develops communicative competence alongside cultural knowledge. The programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad and an embedded work placement, giving you professional experience in a business environment, study experience in another country and international exposure that collectively make you a considerably more rounded graduate than the academic content alone would produce.
Portsmouth's international student community and its connections with businesses operating in European and global markets enrich the learning environment.
The degree develops language proficiency, commercial analytical thinking, cross-cultural communication and the international confidence that global business roles increasingly demand. You will also develop project management, teamwork and independent research skills through the range of activities the programme includes.
Graduates pursue careers in international business development, export management, marketing communications, supply chain and logistics management, diplomatic and governmental roles, consultancy and international trade. The language competence combined with commercial training is valued by multinational companies, trading organisations and international institutions. Postgraduate study in international business, European studies, translation or management is a natural option for those wishing to develop further.