International Business and Management with a Modern Language
International business and management with a modern language is a programme that prepares graduates to operate effectively in global organisations by combining business education with genuine linguistic competence. International business is not simply domestic business conducted across borders: it involves navigating differences in legal systems, cultures, regulatory environments, and business practices, and those differences matter more when you have the linguistic ability to engage with partners, clients, and colleagues in their own language rather than relying on English alone. The degree gives you both the management frameworks and the language skills to operate with confidence in international contexts.
At the University of Reading, this three-year programme includes a sandwich year with work placement, a year abroad, and a work placement, giving you extensive professional and international experience before you complete your degree. Your language study is available in a range of modern languages, allowing you to build linguistic competence to an advanced level alongside your business education. Reading's Henley Business School and its modern languages faculty together provide a strong environment for both strands of the degree, and the combination of professional placements with international study gives you a profile that is highly attractive to employers in international business contexts.
Graduates move into roles in multinational organisations, international trade, financial services with global operations, consulting, marketing, and management across a wide range of sectors. The language skills provide particular value in organisations with operations in the country or region associated with your chosen language, whether that is Germany, France, Spain, China, or another market. Export development, international project management, global account management, and business development are all natural career directions.
Postgraduate study in international business, management, or a related field is another route for those who wish to deepen their qualifications.