Understanding the Course:

NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO NEW INTAKE OF STUDENTS TO THIS PROGRAMME FOR SEPT. 2012.

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The BA in International Business and Languages (French and/or German and/or Spanish) degree enables you to gain knowledge of a comprehensive range of business subjects and fluency in two European languages.

You study in France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Spain or Mexico in third year and so immerse yourself in the language and culture of the host country and pursue your business studies in that language.

The BA in International Business and Languages degree offers you unrivalled academic, social and cultural experiences. Your international expertise and strong language ability will make you a highly attractive prospect to employers in Ireland and beyond.

About You:

NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO NEW INTAKE OF STUDENTS TO THIS PROGRAMME FOR SEPT. 2012.

You want to study business and you're good at languages too. Why not study both?

Languages are back on the business agenda and there are now more opportunities than ever for business-savvy graduates who speak a foreign language. The International Business and Languages (IBL) degree has enjoyed remarkable success with graduates flourishing in many industries across many countries. The opportunities are vast and will take you anywhere you want to go.

Borders are no longer a barrier to trade, with small, large and multinational companies trading freely on a global scale. International employers based in Ireland or abroad really place value on business graduates' ability to speak German, Spanish or French.

This degree prepares you for a successful and varied career by combining a thorough business grounding with a high level of written and oral fluency in two languages. There's also the great opportunity to study abroad at one of our partner institutions in Europe or Central America.

A successful IBL student is dynamic and highly motivated, with strong communication skills, and excellent language learning ability. If that sounds like you then read on.

GCE Requirements::

French/German OR French/Spanish language combination: GCE A Level D or GCE AS Level C or GCSE C Mathematics and GCE A Level C French German/Spanish Language Combination: GCE A Level D or GCE AS Level C or GCSE C Mathematics and GCE A Level C German or Spanish

Course Structure:

You will be introduced to the core business subjects in Years 1 and 2.

During second year you also choose which language you wish to major in, and the country where you want to study for a year.

For your language modules you can choose from the following:

• International Business with two of French, German or Spanish
  If you take French, it must be at intermediate (post-Leaving Certificate or equivalent) level. German and Spanish can be taken either at beginner's or intermediate level. It is not possible to take two languages at beginner's level.

Third year involves a year of language and business studies at a partner institution abroad.

We are particularly proud of the calibre of our Erasmus exchange partners who rank among the top academic institutions in their respective countries.

Year abroad destinations include Belgium, Mexico, Spain, France, Germany and Austria.

When you return home for your final year you can draw from your experience and decide which business area to specialise in, be it finance, law, marketing, human resource management, and management and information systems. Specialist subject options are also offered in the language and cultural field.

View the subjects currently taught on this course (2012 - 2013)

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time in IBL and it has given me a qualification that I feel will attract many employers. I couldn't recommend the course and the staff more and I feel the blend of a solid base in business, a high proficiency in foreign languages and a specialism in one business area is a combination that will really set me apart from others competing for the same positions."
Neil Bruton,
Graduate of International Business and Languages (French/Spanish), 2008

"IBL allowed me to develop my business acumen, my language skills and my cultural awareness. I majored in German and took French as a minor language. I am currently working for the French Bank Société Générale (Corporate and Investment Banking) in the Frankfurt office. Further rotations will take me to Paris and London. I have so many fond memories of the time I spent in DCU… the academic staff and all my fellow classmates helped to make my college years the best of my life."
Shane Michael Kelly,
Graduate of International Business and Languages (French/Spanish), 2006

"I chose IBL because I wanted a course that would allow me the best of both worlds: languages and business. In today's world, a business degree isn't always enough and a well-rounded and well-travelled individual with a foreign language can have a greater appeal for an organisation. IBL has offered me a good grounding in all business aspects yet allowing me to differentiate myself from others in my chosen specialisms of French and Finance. "
Marie-Claire Fidgeon,
Graduate of International Business and Languages (French/German), 2005

Career Prospects:

Your impressive competence in languages, business and cultural awareness is a combination that is particularly attractive to employers.

Graduates of International Business and Languages enjoy successful careers in areas including international marketing, international relations, accounting, diplomacy, management, and international finance.

Among the companies for which they work are Accenture, Central Bank of Ireland, Diageo, Department of Foreign Affairs, Food Safety Authority, Enterprise Ireland, German-Irish Chamber of Commerce, Kepak, Mitsubishi Motors Europe, and The Financial Times.

This course is also suitable for those who ultimately wish to pursue a career in teaching Business as it is recognised by the Teaching Council for purposes of teaching business, accounting and economics.

GCE Requirements::

French/German OR French/Spanish language combination: GCE A Level D or GCE AS Level C or GCSE C Mathematics and GCE A Level C French German/Spanish Language Combination: GCE A Level D or GCE AS Level C or GCSE C Mathematics and GCE A Level C German or Spanish

Entry Requirements:

French/German OR French/Spanish language combination:

Leaving Certificate: In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply:
OC3 or HD3 Mathematics and HC3 French

FETAC Level 5: No Entry Path

Transfer Applications:Holders of a HETAC Higher Certificate/National Certificate or Bachelor (Ordinary) Degree/ National Diploma with Merit or Distinction (in Business Studies, Marketing or related subjects) who can demonstrate competence in French and German OR French and Spanish commensurate with one year full-time post-leaving certificate study, may be considered for admission into the second year.

German/Spanish Language Combination:

Leaving Certificate: In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply:
OC3 or HD3 Mathematics and HC3 German or Spanish

FETAC Level 5: No Entry Path

Transfer Applications:Holders of a HETAC Higher Certificate/National Certificate or Bachelor (Ordinary) Degree/ National Diploma with Merit or Distinction (in Business Studies, Marketing or related subjects) who can demonstrate competence in German and Spanish commensurate with one year full-time post-leaving certificate study, may be considered for admission into the second year.

EU Transfer Applicants
Apply directly to DCU by the 1st July
Make an Application
Candidates required to apply through the CAO can apply online at http://www.cao.ie/
Candidates required to apply directly to DCU can download, print and complete a direct application form by clicking here

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