BA (Hons) International Business with German
With over 100 million speakers, more people speak German as
their native language than any other language in Europe. It is an
official language of Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and
Liechtenstein, as well as Germany; it is also the native language
of a significant portion of the population in northern Italy,
eastern Belgium, Denmark, eastern France, parts of Poland, the
Czech Republic, Russia and Romania.
Why Combine German and International Business?
Germany is the largest economy in the European Union (EU) and
the third-largest in the world. It was the world’s largest
exporting nation from 2003 to 2008, ahead of the USA; in 2009 it
was narrowly beaten by China but still exported goods worth $521.6
billion.
- Germany remains the number one trade partner of many economies,
including Italy, France and Russia, and is the fifth largest
trading partner of the USA.
- Competition is high across Germany’s trading partners, for
almost identical products and services. Companies whose employees
have German linguistic skills and can demonstrate cultural
sensitivity to German business practices, therefore have an edge in
this highly competitive market.
- Germany is highly innovative: 4 of the world's 10 most
innovative companies are located in Germany, and with 12.7% of the
world's patent applications, the country ranks third in the world.
Two-thirds of the world's leading international trade fairs take
place in Germany, so there is no doubt that knowing German creates
business opportunities.
It is also a country that offers an attractive investment climate -
foreign firms are generally treated as equals to national firms
when investing. This further demonstrates the high level of
potential for students who have international business skills
allied to German linguistic competency.
International Business & German Course Details
You will study between 6-12 hours of German a week within the BA
(Hons) International Business degree, depending on your level of
linguistic proficiency and whether you take a second foreign
language. You may commence the study of German at beginner level;
no prior experience is required.
All classes are taught by native German
speakers and will ensure that you are well prepared for
the challenges of your study period abroad.
The one year study period abroad (SPA) can be taken as two
academic semesters in one partner institution, or spit between two
institutions, depending on your business specialisation and whether
you study a second foreign language.
During this time you will take international business classes
taught in German, alongside native German speaking students. You
will rapidly advance your linguistic competency as well as learning
more about German business practice and cultural sensitivities.
You will also have the opportunity to utilise you German
language skills through undertaking work experience in German
speaking environments - and this knowledge of German alongside
international business practices will greatly enhance your
employability.