Enter OTP
If you’ve ever thought about combining your passion for languages with a solid business education, this degree at Leeds is made for you. It’s the perfect choice if you’re excited about working internationally, want to travel, or see yourself thriving in global companies where both communication and cultural awareness really matter.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1
You’ll get a strong start in business by learning the essentials of international business and how organisations work. Alongside that, you’ll dive into your chosen language — whether you’re starting fresh or continuing from school — with intensive classes designed to quickly build fluency. Culture modules also bring your language to life, with topics like literature, cinema, or politics from the countries where it’s spoken.
Year 2
Your business knowledge deepens as you explore areas like global supply chains, digital technologies, and the international economy. At the same time, your language skills will become much more advanced, and you’ll start looking at real-world themes, like how business and culture intersect. This is also when you’ll begin preparing for the big adventure of your degree — the year abroad.
Year 3
This is the highlight: a year living, studying, or working abroad in a country where your language is spoken. You’ll immerse yourself in daily life, sharpen your language skills, and get first-hand experience of international business and culture. It’s not just academic learning — it’s personal growth, independence, and memories you’ll carry forever.
Year 4
Back in Leeds, you’ll bring it all together with a final year project that can focus on either business or your language, or even combine the two. You’ll also have the freedom to choose advanced modules — maybe business ethics, social media management, or translation and interpreting — depending on your career goals.
Focus areas
International business strategies, cross-cultural communication, advanced language skills, organisational behaviour, business ethics, and the digital world of work.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, you’ll be fluent in a modern language, confident in analysing business challenges, skilled in intercultural understanding, and ready to bring fresh ideas to global workplaces.
Professional alignment
This degree is designed with employability in mind. The compulsory year abroad, option of work placements, and the chance to tailor your final project mean you’ll graduate with not just knowledge, but experiences that employers really value.
Reputation
Leeds is consistently ranked among the UK’s most sought-after universities by top employers. The unique mix of business and languages makes graduates stand out, especially for international roles in companies, governments, and NGOs.
This degree isn’t just about lectures and essays — Leeds makes sure you actually live the language and see how business works in practice. From day one, you’ll be learning in spaces designed to help you practise speaking, interpreting, and working with digital tools. On top of that, the compulsory year abroad means you won’t just be studying international business, you’ll be living it.
Here’s how it plays out in real life:
You’ll train in digital language labs and use audio/video booths to sharpen your speaking and listening — it feels a bit like being in a professional interpreting studio.
With CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning) software, you can keep practising at your own pace, outside class.
Many modules involve group projects and presentations, so you’ll develop teamwork and communication skills employers love.
Your year abroad is the ultimate practical experience: study, work, or teach in a country where your language is spoken, and come back fluent and culturally confident.
The Language Zone is your go-to hub on campus — magazines, films, computers, and conversation groups where you’ll swap languages with other students.
For deeper research, the Brotherton Library and other specialist libraries give you access to everything from rare manuscripts to international business case studies.
If you choose translation or interpreting modules, you’ll get to practise in specialist Interpreter Training Suites and translation labs, which are set up like real professional facilities.
A degree in Modern Languages and Business from Leeds opens doors to careers that are truly global. Employers value graduates who can not only understand business but also communicate across cultures — and that’s exactly the edge you’ll have. Many of our students go on to roles in international business development, marketing and communications, translation and interpreting, or even positions in the public sector and NGOs where cultural awareness is vital.
Here’s how Leeds helps you make that leap from university to career:
The Careers Centre is with you every step of the way, offering one-to-one advice, CV feedback, interview practice, and exclusive networking with Leeds alumni worldwide.
With more than 650 employers visiting campus each year — from Unilever and PwC to Jaguar Land Rover and AstraZeneca — you’ll have plenty of chances to connect directly with recruiters.
Salary insights: Business graduates from Leeds report a median salary of £31,500 just 15 months after finishing their degree, with strong growth as they build experience.
The latest Graduate Outcomes survey shows that a large majority of Leeds business graduates secure highly skilled jobs soon after graduating.
And of course, your year abroad is an unbeatable experience — employers love to see that you’ve lived, studied, and maybe even worked in another country.
Further Academic Progression:
If you want to keep studying, Leeds gives you fantastic options. Many graduates choose a master’s in translation, interpreting, or international business, while others branch into language technology, intercultural studies, or even teacher training. And if you discover a real passion for research, you could continue on to a PhD, exploring everything from global trade to cultural studies in your chosen language.
A-levels: AAB (with B in chosen language if post-A level; GCSE in a modern language for Chinese/Japanese; no prior language needed for other beginners).GCSE - Maths grade 5/B is required.IB: 35 points with 16 at HL (Maths SL 5 or HL 4 if GCSE not met; HL 5 in chosen language if post-A level; GCSE in a modern language for Chinese/Japanese; no prior language needed for other beginners).IELTS - 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. TOEFL iBT - 80 overall and no less than 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 19 in writing. For India - 75–90% in Standard XII, with English at Standard XII required; sometimes Standard XII Maths is also needed instead of Standard X Maths.Indian students: English requirement: Standard XII English 70–75% (depending on board), or IELTS 6.0, or GCSE English grade C/4, or an equivalent qualification.USA students (AAB requirement) - High School Diploma with two Honors classes at A, plus either one AP (grade 4), one IB HL course (grade 5), or one Dual Enrolment course (grade B).USA students - High School Diploma with a minimum 3.0 GPA and two Honors classes (grades A+ to B).USA students - AP exam at grade 4 or 5, covering any language or subject-specific requirement; APs can replace one Honors class if necessary.USA students - IB Higher Level course (grade 4–6) to meet subject-specific requirements or replace an Honors class.USA students - SAT II (grades 650–750), or a two-year Associate Degree (3.0+ GPA) may also be considered to meet general or subject-specific requirements.USA students: English requirement can be met with Grade 12 English (2.0 GPA / 70%), AP English (grade 3+), SAT 1290 (650 Reading/Writing + 620 Math), ACT 26 in English, or a two-year Associate Degree with 3.0+ GPA.Students outside the USA: Minimum of three AP subjects with grades 4 or 5, fulfilling any subject-specific requirements.You must indicate your chosen language combination when applying. Please enter your language choice in the Further Details section of your UCAS application.For this course, students have the option to take a work placement and also the opportunity to study abroad as part of their degree.International business development managerMarketing executiveTranslatorInterpreterCommunications officerPublic relations specialistManagement consultantInternational sales executivePolicy advisorNGO project officerSupply chain and logistics managerExport managerHuman resources officerTeacher (languages or business)Cultural liaison officer
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University of Leeds
