International Business and Modern Languages

International business and modern languages is a degree built on the conviction that genuine cross-border commercial capability requires more than business knowledge: it requires the ability to communicate, negotiate, and build relationships in the language of the people you are working with. Language learning at degree level develops far more than vocabulary and grammar. It develops cultural intelligence, the capacity to understand how other people see the world, what they value, and how they communicate meaning, including the things that get lost in translation.

At the University of Exeter, this three-year full-time programme combines rigorous study of international business with development of proficiency in at least one modern language. You will examine international trade, cross-border strategy, global marketing, multinational finance, and the institutional frameworks that shape how business is done across different national contexts. Your language studies run alongside this business education, developing from your current level toward professional competence in written and spoken communication.

A sandwich year places you in a professional environment for an extended period, a year abroad immerses you in a language and business culture directly, and work placement experience is integrated throughout.

Graduates are sought after by multinational corporations, international trading organisations, financial institutions with global operations, management consultancies, and government and diplomatic bodies concerned with trade. The combination of business acumen and genuine language ability is one of the most effective differentiators a graduate can have in a competitive international labour market. Postgraduate study in international management, languages, and area studies is a natural progression for those who wish to deepen their expertise.