BA Modern Languages and Business

Compulsory modules

Developing Professional Excellence

Develop the key skills and competences you need to thrive in your studies and career, for instance communication, business writing and time management skills. You will also learn other key career and employability skills to help you with internships, placements or graduate position applications.

Business in Practice: Markets, Marketing and Management

The aim of this module is to provide students with a foundation in business and management practices and theories. These provide the necessary context when students specialise in their later studies.

Business in Practice: Accounting for Managers

The aim of this module is to provide students with a foundation in how businesses use accounting information. It will introduce students to management accounting and financial accounting, and it will provide the necessary foundation in accounting to allow them to specialise in their later studies.

Business in Practice: Data Analytics

Acquiring, managing, and analysing data is an important business activity that allows organisations to make strategic use of their data assets.

You'll also take at least one of the following:

Beginners French, German, Italian or Spanish Language

If you have no experience of the language, this module will develop your skills to a level comparable to level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference. You’ll learn the basics and gain the proficiency needed to undertake a degree in or involving the language. 

Intermediate French, German, Italian or Spanish Language

If you have a good GCSE grade or AS level in the language, this module will develop your skills to a level comparable to B1 of the Common European Framework for Reference. You’ll learn the speaking and writing skills required to study the language to honours degree level.  

Advanced French, German, Italian or Spanish Language I

If you’ve achieved an A level in the language, this module will develop your skills to a level comparable to level B1.2/B2.1 of the Common European Framework of Reference. You’ll advance your written and spoken skills, enabling you to study the language to honours degree level. 

Further compulsory modules will depend on your chosen core language(s):

Ideas of Frenchness

Gain a foundation in the history, culture, literature and ideas of France and the Francophone world, helping you to understand key ideas and developments that shaped the concept and perception of ‘Frenchness’. 

The Making of Contemporary Germany

You’ll analyse and assess social and political developments in Germany since 1945, interacting films, official documents, media discourse, documentaries, national symbols, and song lyrics to identify themes of the historical period. 

Making Italians: A Journey in the History and Culture of Modern Italy

Explore the history and culture of modern Italy, from unification to the present. You’ll consider what and who contributed to the birth of Italy, including how they shaped the political landscape of the Fascist regime and the Republic.   

Introduction to Spanish and Latin American Culture

Using short stories, poetry, documentaries, films, and popular music from Spain and Latin America, you’ll analyse culture in the Hispanophone world, identifying themes of national identity, resistance, cultural and social revolution, power, and religion.

These are the modules we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they're informed by the latest teaching and research methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Building Competitive Advantage: Business Strategy and Operations

Taught in two halves, the first half of this module introduces the concept of competitive advantage, why it's important, and how it can be achieved through business strategies. The second half of the module focuses on operations management: how an organisation manages its resources to create and deliver services and products. You'll gain insight into how different functions work together to develop and sustain competitive advantage. 

Managing Work and People: Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources Management

Examine the main concepts, principles and practices in the management of work and people in organisations. You'll explore the observable, practical elements of people management, as well as the underlying theories of organisational behaviour and management studies. 

You'll also take at least one of the following:

Intermediate French, German, Italian or Spanish Language

Develop your language skills and advance your proficiency to undertake your final year. Upon successful completion, you’ll have achieved the equivalent of level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference.  

Advanced French, German, Italian or Spanish Language I

Develop your language skills to a level comparable to level B1.2/B2.1 of the Common European Framework of Reference. You’ll advance your written and spoken skills, enabling you to study the language to honours degree level.  

Advanced French, German, Italian or Spanish Language II

Further develop your speaking and writing skills to achieve the language level required to your final year. Upon successful completion, you’ll achieve the equivalent of level B1.2/B2.1 of the Common European Framework of Reference. 

Further compulsory modules will depend on your chosen core language(s), for example:

How to Think in French

Strengthen the links between the linguistic and cultural study of French language and achieve ‘thinking in French’. You’ll focus on French rhetoric and style and how writing and thinking are taught within the French education system. You’ll also explore the way ideas about the French have developed and have been debated over time.

Cinema of Germany

Cinema has become a site of identity discourse for many Germans. You’ll analyse and assess films produced between the First World War and unification, relating these to changing political regimes and the wider cultural context of Germany. 

Optional modules

Science, Perversion and Dream in Global Fantastic Literature

You’ll examine how French, Hispanic, Italian, and German literary traditions have impacted global fantastic literature, considering the usage of Gothic, grotesque, supernatural and uncanny elements in selected key texts. 

Society, Thought and Art in Modern Europe

Discover the birth of modern humanity in late 18th-century Europe and the revolutionary changes that Enlightenment and Romanticism intellectual movements brought in all spheres of thought and social life. You’ll also explore how different European nations contributed to innovation, how modernity diffused beyond the Western world, the transformations brought by non-European influences, and the leading role of art in the modernisation process.

Unity, Nationalism and Regionalism in Europe

Discover how modern ideas of nation, national identity, the nation-state and nationalism have shaped modern Europe and the rest of the world from the 18th century to the present day. You’ll examine the impact of the idea of the nation and the persistence and profound significance of regionalist tendencies across Europe. You’ll also explore the dynamic relationship between nationalism and other ideologies of community and identity.

Marketing Essentials

This module discusses and analyses marketing theories, as well as strategic marketing tools and techniques used in the business world. You'll explore the elements needed to develop a marketing strategy, including assessing your competitors and customers, market trends, brand positioning, the "marketing mix", and organisational capabilities. 

Branding Theory and Practice

Examine two key issues within marketing: branding and the preparation of a branding orientated project. You'll gain in-depth understanding of the theories and practices related to brand management, and the process of building a strong brand. The project will provide an opportunity to apply the concepts you've learned in a creative team task. 

Management Accounting

Gain an understanding of the techniques, principles and underlying concepts of management accounting. You'll explore how organisations use financial information in decision-making, planning, control, and performance evaluation.

Sales and Business Development

Explore different sales approaches and sales models, with a specific focus on direct and online sales. You'll gain an understanding of how sales activities can influence decisions related to marketing, logistics, manufacturing, finance, and resource capability.

Practice of Entrepreneurship

This practical, interactive module will teach you key entrepreneurial concepts, such as design thinking, business model creation, entrepreneurial finance, and marketing. Working in a team, you'll identify and develop a new business opportunity, and then test your idea through ‘lean start-up’ experiments.  

Global Ecologies: Discourse, Environment and Society 

Explore case studies of climate discourse and activism from around the world. You’ll gain the skills needed to think critically about environmental issues and discourses and their wider implications.

International Corporate Financial Reporting

Build on the knowledge and skills acquired in the Year 1 module "Business in Practice: Accounting for managers". You'll look closely at the content and application of a range of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). 

Firms in the Global Economy

This module offers an integrated perspective on the role of nations and firms in the global economy and serves as an introduction to international business and economics. It revolves around the key questions of why and how firms go abroad and what are the consequences of international business activity for the nations, firms and people of the global economy.  

Business Ethics 1

Study and debate the ethical issues that corporate decision-makers face in developing policies about employees, shareholders, customers and broader stakeholders. You’ll utilise both theory and case study as you focus on topics such as ethical theory, buyer/supplied relationships, and the ethics of globalisation and financial issues.   

Introduction to the Management of Information Systems

Become acquainted with the management of business Information Systems (IS) and learn the interplay between management, organisational, and information technology IS dimensions. As you learn their capabilities and limitations, you’ll gain a conceptual foundation to different information systems and consider their purpose from a business perspective.  

Business Applications Development

Develop the skills and knowledge required to manage and analyse data. You will study key computing concepts, learn to design and implement different types of databases, and critically evaluate the usability and user experience of applications.  

These are the modules we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they're informed by the latest teaching and research methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Study Year Abroad

On the Year Abroad, you expand your linguistic skills and intercultural understanding in the language you study while doing a work placement at a company or studying at a partner university. The Year Abroad is organised by the Department of Languages and Cultures which runs preparation sessions throughout Part 2 and supports your preparation process as well as your stay abroad. 

For more information, visit the website for the Department of Languages and Cultures. 

Compulsory modules

Future Worlds in Film

Explore genre features, contexts, and aesthetic genesis of science-fiction films from different traditions and periods. You’ll analyse formal and thematic features of the films and identify central ethical questions they raise, evaluating each film in its specific cultural, political, and social context.

Identity and Conflict in Modern Europe

Explore the diversification, evolution and fluidity of definitions of modern notions of race, gender, and how individual and collective identities have been redefined by intellectuals and ideologies. You’ll be encouraged to engage with competing and conflicting visions and values both through set case studies and group projects.

Language and Power

Language is a powerful tool that can construe reality, challenge power, harm and discriminate individuals and foster social cohesion. You’ll investigate a range of genres, discourse, and theoretical approaches to disclose a text’s underlying ideological stance. 

Leading Self with Impact

You'll also take at least one of the following:

Advanced French, German, Italian or Spanish Language I

Increase your competence in spoken and written language. Upon successful completion, you’ll achieve the equivalent of level B1.2/B2.1 of the Common European Framework of Reference. 

Advanced French, German, Italian or Spanish Language II

Consolidate your language skills and achieve the equivalent of level B2.2 of the Common European Framework of Reference upon successful completion. 

Advanced French, German, Italian or Spanish Language III

Advance the spoken and written language skills you developed during your year abroad to express yourself fluently. Upon successful completion, you’ll achieve the equivalent of level C1/C2 of the Common European Framework of Reference. 

Further compulsory modules will depend on your chosen core language(s), for example:

Crisis, Change, Opportunity: Italy from 1968 to the Present 

Discover themes and events that have contributed to change in modern Italian society. You’ll examine how moments of crisis engendered long-lasting change whilst fostering opportunity in terms of identity, citizenship, and nationhood. 

Narrating the Colombian Conflict 

Investigate the history of the Colombian armed conflicts, from the 1940s civil war to the present day war on drugs. Through the analysis of interdisciplinary historical and cultural texts, including essays, fiction, films and new media, you’ll explore the role stories play in both justifying conflict and creating the possibilities for peace. 

Optional modules

Digital Marketing

An introduction to digital marketing and the increasingly important role of technology in both marketing practice and society. You will learn to implement digital marketing approaches, understand the key strategic drivers behind the growth of the digital economy, and gain practical experience of digital platforms used to implement marketing strategies.

Advanced Management Accounting

Develop further understanding of the role of management accounting in organisational decision making, planning, control and performance management. 

Project Management

In this hands-on module, you'll work on project-based group activities to develop a practical understanding of the tools and techniques used in project management. You'll also explore the core theories that underpin the project management process. 

Digital Entrepreneurship

Explore how entrepreneurial digital companies develop their products, compete in hyper-competitive markets, and monetise their products. You'll examine the marketing methods used by digital entrepreneurs, approaches to customer development, and data-driven decision making processes.  

Strategy and International Business

Study the strategic issues confronting managers of multinational enterprises (MNEs) both within the firm and in the global marketplace.  You’ll examine factors that influence the development and the competitive positioning of MNEs and gain an understanding of both the external business environment and internal nature of the firm and its strategy.  

Institutions and Emerging Firms

Explore frameworks that allow description and understanding of national institutions and competitive dynamics related to emerging economies such as China, Russia, Brazil, India and South Africa. You’ll gain understanding as to how managers can address challenges of different national institutions in product markets, labour markets and financial markets in the face of competition.  

Service Operations

Covering key concepts and theories within the area of service operations and management, this module will introduce you to particular challenges facing service organisations in an era where services contribute more to gross domestic product (GDP) than manufacturing. You’ll be provided with theoretical and practical grounding  to work within service organisations or service business units within manufacturing organisations.  

New Directions in Business and Corporate Social Responsibility

Develop your awareness of contemporary debates and practices of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as you consider challenges such as reducing poverty, protection vulnerable ecosystems and facing up to global climate change. You’ll consider the wider role of business in society and global sustainable development and focus on specific areas of corporate responsibility.  

International Marketing

Gain an in depth understanding of the complexity and variety of factors playing a role in designing and implementing international marketing programmes. This module will stimulate your critical and independent thinking as you consider topics from theoretical and empirical perspectives and the implications for marketing operations of organisations trading across cultures.  

International Human Resource Management

Learn the key concepts for understanding international human resource management. You'll explore the practice of managing human resources in international businesses and consider variations in the practice of managing human resources in different countries and cultures. 

Financing Entrepreneurship

Become acquainted with the various forms of financing for entrepreneurship including debt, equity financing, non-for-profit and alternative financing. You will gain an in depth understanding of the entrepreneurial ecosystem approach and develop skills of cost-benefit analysis of a project and a financial appraisal of new ventures.   

Private Equity and Venture Capital

Become familiarised with private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) fund raising and investment processes. You’ll develop an appreciation of the practical aspects of investing by PE and VC firms and understand the dynamics between venture capital investors and the entrepreneur.   

Information Systems and Digital Business

Gain an in depth understanding of the structure and function of information processed and presented by IT systems in organisations. You’ll acquire the ability to plan and develop information system solutions to support digital transformation of organisations with the awareness of social and technological changes and advances. 

The Dark Side of Marketing

Explore the conflicts, controversies and moral challenges in the world of marketing – and challenge the way you think about the subject. You'll examine the effects of marketing on consumers’ physical and mental well-being, as well as the alleged exploitation of vulnerable consumers. This module combines marketing with other subject areas, including science, nutrition and law. 

Social Enterprise

This interactive module offers an experiential introduction to social entrepreneurship. You’ll embark on a journey exploring social enterprise from conception through to design and delivery. Additionally, you’ll explore opportunities and challenges surrounding social enterprises and the impact of various stakeholders on the development, survival, and growth of such organisations.  

Corporate Strategy

Gain an understanding of corporate strategy and how practical business strategists create advantages and differentiate themselves from competitors. Learn how choices of diversification, vertical integration, acquisitions, and the allocation of resources can make businesses competitive. Additionally, you will craft and evaluate the overarching strategy of a multi-business firm to improve its long-run performance.

Technology Advisory Practices

Develop your ability to address complex business problems involving the use of technology and identify appropriate options and formulate recommendations. You’ll have the opportunity to work closely with a group of peers to apply technology advisory practices to a contemporary business case and gain business and academic skills applicable to different areas of advisory practice.  

Fairness

Study how fairness shapes our understanding of justice and morality as you delve into different theories that ask the importance and relationship of fairness to concepts such as justice, impartiality, need, and deservingness. You’ll examine real word examples such as global poverty, climate change, and the intersection of fairness and moral demandingness. 

Intellectual Property Law

Gain an in-depth knowledge on the law of copyright, performers’ rights, trademarks and passing off. You’ll identify and explore rationales of intellectual property protection and learn to assess their practical, day-to-day implementation to  understand the interface between legal rules and physical realities. 

Commercial Law

Study the fundamental principles of commercial law through a critical examination of relevant case law, legislation, business practice, academic work, historical influence and public policy. You’ll primarily focus on the law surrounding contracts for the sale of goods, with particular reference to commercial transactions in England and Wales.  

Company Law

Discover the fundamental principles of company law in England and Wales as you consider the formation, structure, operation and activities of companies. You’ll consider the regulation of companies and engage deeply with case law, legislation and legal reform.     

These are the modules we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they're informed by the latest teaching and research methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.