French, German, Italian and Spanish

Progress to B2 level on the CEFR scale by the end of the year. You will develop a range of oral, aural, written and reading skills in an integrated way that embraces techniques of linguistic mediation and the plurilingual contexts of each language. By the end of the year, you’ll be able to understand the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics and interact with native speakers in a range of situations. You will be able to produce clear, detailed texts on a wide range of subjects including explaining viewpoints on topical issues.

The study of cultural, social, and historical context is embedded in the language learning within overarching themes. You will begin by exploring social justice and move on to studying cultural translation.

Please note: Italian is not available for students taking a joint degree with a language and a non-language subject.

Chinese, French, German, Italian, Spanish

In this year-long module you will progress to B1/B2 on the CEFR scale and HSK 4/5 for Chinese.

By the end of the year, you’ll be able to understand the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in fields of specialisation. You will be able to interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity with native speakers, including facilitating intercultural encounters.

You will be exposed to a wide range of authentic materials in the target language, varying in terms of content, format and register aimed at broadening and deepening your understanding of different aspects of modern society, politics and culture, global issues and institutions.

The study of the cultural, social and historical context is embedded in the language learning within overarching themes. You will begin with a focus on issues relating to people, power and places, and move on to exploring centres, peripheries and mobilities.

Please note: Italian is not available for students taking a joint degree with a language and a non-language subject.

In this module, you will explore some of the key ethical challenges that businesses and management face today. Engaging in lively debates, you will discuss the responsibilities of corporations towards both local and global societies. You will analyse in depth the factors that contribute to or hinder ethical decision-making and critically evaluate the role of business and the wider economy in promoting a just, fair and equitable world.

Using contemporary examples and recent theoretical developments, you will examine the ethics of global production and consumption. You will investigate how various international organisations attempt to stimulate and regulate responsible business conduct. Additionally, you will challenge existing business practices that affect nature, our planet and its future, envisioning possible alternatives.

Through a critical and reflective approach, this module will develop your appreciation of the ethical implications of management and its impact on people, society, and the planet.

This module introduces the functioning of the global business environment and the implications for business. It uses relevant conceptual and analytical economic tools grounded in international political economy.

You will cover a range of important topics in international economics, including globalisation, the determinants of trade patterns and trade policies, exchange rate determination, the global factory and global supply chains, the growth of emerging economies, international knowledge flows, regionalism, and climate change.

This module provides an in-depth exploration of some key contemporary marketing topics, allowing students from a wider business background to then study further strategic marketing modules. You will gain a deeper understanding of the following:

• consumers and consumer behaviour
• effective marketing communications
• the contemporary challenges facing marketers and organisations.

This module will help you understand people and how they are managed and controlled in the workplace. It will draw on concepts from social and organisational psychology and explore how these ideas have been applied in designing management and work practices. You will be introduced to practices such as psychometric personality testing, as well as various motivation techniques. You will also explore new forms of control and how work changed from something we do, to who and what we are.

We will examine how managers and management practices shape the meaning and identity of employees using corporate culture, workspaces and work environments, humour and emotions to align individuals with organisational goals.

Spend an academic year abroad engaging with the communities of the relevant language (s) studied. This can be at a partner university, working in industry, with an NGO or other charitable projects, in an entrepreneurial activity or teaching English as a foreign language. A combination of activities is also possible.

If you have educational needs, you may complete the year with online work or placement based in the UK if the work utilises the language you are studying.

You design your Global Engagement Year during your second year, supported by a series of workshops and one-to-one sessions with a pre-departure supervisor. Once abroad, you will remain in contact with the supervisor and produce a reflective portfolio in the language(s) studied as you progress.

Chinese, French, German and Spanish

Build on the language competencies and expertise you have gained during the Global Engagement Year and progress to C1/C2 on the CEFR level for the European languages or HSK 6/7 for Chinese.

By the end of the year, you will be able to understand and produce a wide range of complex, longer texts, recognise implicit meaning and show controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

You will be able to express yourself spontaneously, flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. You will cover areas such as future threats to specified language communities, opportunities to advocate and promote languages, and adaptation to changes to living languages, such as shifts in formal and informal communication and preservation or borrowing from other languages.

The study of the cultural, social and historical context is embedded in the study of the language under umbrella themes. You will begin by exploring routes, origins and tongues and then move on to studying bodies.

Can global sustainable development be effectively managed? If so, who should be responsible for it?

The UN Sustainable Development Goals represent the most recent effort to balance environmental, social, and economic priorities in a world experiencing rapid change in both ecological and material conditions. You will explore various perspectives and positions regarding sustainable development: what it is, how it is distributed, what it could become, and what kind of sustainability we can realistically achieve.

We will examine how businesses and management interact with nature, while critically assessing the political, ecological, social, and economic interconnections and their implications. Through comparative analyses, case studies, and reflective inquiries, you will develop the ability to think critically, establish connections, and take meaningful action toward creating sustainable futures.

You will explore how domestic and international political environments impact businesses and organisations. Drawing on the knowledge you have gained throughout your studies, you will examine current affairs and geopolitical issues across the globe and discuss their implications for management decision-making.

The module responds to debates and events in real-time, using a range of current examples. We will discuss and debate the impact of foreign policies and political decisions on global trade, as well as the implications of conflicts across different regions on business strategies and geo-politics.

We will analyse the global influence of various economic actors, the rise of new political movements, and the impact of technology on the global business environment. This module will equip you with the skills to navigate the complex political landscape and dynamics that influence management strategies and decisions.

You will explore what makes brands powerful and how they create value in competitive markets. This module introduces you to strategic approaches to brand development, positioning and identity. You will consider how brands connect with audiences emotionally and culturally, and how ethical branding and inclusivity are increasingly central to long-term brand success.

Explore how organisations operate across borders and adapt their marketing strategies to different international contexts. You will examine global trends, cultural influences and the challenges of managing global brands. This module encourages you to think critically about ethical and sustainable practices in global markets and prepares you for roles in multinational environments.

In this module, you will learn about managing people in international businesses. You will explore how cultural differences, regulations, and employee expectations are experienced and managed when companies operate across international borders. By examining examples from various sectors, including manufacturing and professional services, you will gain insights into the design, implementation, and impact of different people management strategies. Additionally, you will examine how different groups experience human resource management practices and develop an understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusion.

This module critically examines the relationship between technology, power, and society. You will challenge the conventional view of technology as a neutral force, exploring its profound impact on work, organising, and social inequalities, including those related to gender, race, disability, and coloniality. You will investigate the complex interaction between technological development and societal structures.

You will learn to analyse dominant narratives surrounding technology, examining diverse perspectives. A key focus will be on developing your ability to critically examine the discourses and applications of technology. This will encourage you to question your own assumptions and those of others.

By the end of the module, you will gain tools to contextualise how technology is discussed, deployed, and experienced within contemporary organisations and society.

Strategic management involves making deliberate choices that shape an organisation’s direction and scope, ultimately enhancing its ability to create value and achieve long-term success. In today’s rapidly changing business environment, the ability to strategise—process complex information, think creatively, and persuade others—is an essential skill. These abilities influence a firm’s short-term performance and long-term survival, impacting a wide range of stakeholders.

This module provides you with an in-depth understanding of strategy. You will learn to critically analyse real-world business decisions using contemporary strategic management thinking. Through interactive lectures, case analyses, and discussions, you will explore how firms position themselves in competitive markets, manage resources, and adapt to external changes. You will also examine how artificial intelligence is transforming strategy making, from predictive analytics to automation. By the end of the module, you will be prepared to tackle complex strategic challenges and make informed, impactful decisions in your future career.

In an increasingly competitive world, marketing plays a crucial role in shaping the direction and strategy of global and national organisations to create sustainable success. This module challenges you to think at a higher level about how marketing supports organisational goals. You will explore how strategic thinking influences decisions around product portfolios, markets and customer relationships. As you examine contemporary challenges such as sustainability and competitive disruption, you will build your ability to evaluate and develop integrated marketing strategies.