This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits:
- In Stage 1, you’ll study a 60-credit introductory business management module. You’ll choose your language and study two 30-credit language modules.
- Next, in Stage 2, you’ll study your second 60-credit business management module and a 60-credit module in your chosen language.
- Finally, in Stage 3, you’ll study your last 60-credit business management module and another 60-credit module in your chosen language.
You’ll choose which language to combine with business management – French, German or Spanish.
For modern language modules, your choice at Stage 1 will depend on your current level of language proficiency. If you are unsure about your current level, you can use our languages self-assessment quiz or see Entry requirements for more advice.
In the second and third stages, you’ll divide your study equally between business management and your chosen language.
We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which the University might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us. This description was last updated on 14 March 2023.
Accessibility
We make all our qualifications as accessible as possible and have a comprehensive range of services to support all our students. The BA (Honours) Business Management and Languages uses a variety of study materials and may have the following elements:
- Studying a mixture of printed and online material – online learning resources may include websites, audio/video media clips, and interactive activities such as online quizzes.
- Using mathematical and scientific expressions, notation and assorted techniques.
- Working in a group with other students.
- Using and producing diagrams or screenshots.
- Undertaking practical work.
- Finding external/third party material online.
- Using specialist software, for example Adobe Connect.
- continuous and end-of-module assessment in the form of online quizzes, recorded presentations, essays, short answer questions, and in some cases an examination.
- Using feedback: continuous assessment involves receiving detailed feedback on your work from your tutor and using this feedback to improve your performance.
For more detailed information, see the Accessibility Statements on individual module descriptions. If you feel you may need additional support, visit Disability support to find more about what we offer.
Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment
This qualification develops your learning in four main areas:
- Knowledge and understanding.
- Cognitive skills.
- Practical and professional skills.
- Key skills.
The level and depth of your learning gradually increases as you work through the qualification. You’ll be supported throughout by the OU’s unique style of teaching and assessment – which includes a personal tutor to guide and comment on your work; top quality course texts; elearning resources like podcasts, interactive media and online materials; tutorial groups and community forums.
Read the detailed learning outcomes here
Credit transfer
If you’ve already completed some study at another university, you may be able to count it towards your Open University qualification – reducing the number of modules you need to study.
You should apply for credit transfer before you register, at least 4 weeks before the registration closing date. Just tell us what you studied, where and when, and we’ll compare this against the learning outcomes for your chosen course.
For more details and an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.
Classification of your degree
On completing this course, we’ll award you a BA (Honours). Your degree title will show your language choice:
- BA (Honours) Business Management and French.
- BA (Honours) Business Management and German.
- BA (Honours) Business Management and Spanish.
The class of honours (first, upper-second, lower-second or third) will depend on your grades at Stages 2 and 3.
You’ll have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
International recognition
If you intend to use your Open University qualifications to seek work or undertake further study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether your intended qualification will meet local requirements for your chosen career. Find out more about international recognition of Open University qualifications.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.
However, there’s a choice of starting points in the modern language element – your choice will depend on your current level of confidence and proficiency.
Beginners’ or intermediate languages module?
How to choose the right level
Unless you have prior knowledge of your chosen language equivalent to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level A2, we recommend you start Stage 1 with a beginners’ module.
Beginners’ and intermediate language modules are both 30-credit modules, and both start in October and end in June. Intermediate modules follow on from the learning in beginners’ modules, so you should not study them in the same language concurrently unless you already have significant knowledge of the language.
Our self-assessment quiz can help you decide between starting with beginners’ or intermediate French, German and Spanish, and provide guidance on choosing the right modern language level for you.
Contact us if you’d like to speak to and adviser.
How much time do I need?
- Most of our students study part time, completing 60 credits a year.
- This will usually mean studying for 16–18 hours a week.
- The 30-credit beginners’ and intermediate modules in French, German and Spanish, however, are not designed to be studied at the same time.
Find out if you have enough time to study with our time planner
Preparing for study with an Access module
Students who start their study with an Access module are more likely to be successful when they advance to Stage 1 of their qualification. They’re specially designed to give you a gentle introduction to OU study, boost confidence in your study skills, and help you gain a broad overview of your chosen subject area.
You’ll also benefit from:
- feedback from your tutor through regular one-to-one phone tutorials
- support from a dedicated team throughout your study
- detailed written feedback on your work.
The Access module we’d recommend studying in preparation for this qualification is our:
Arts and languages Access module
What you will study
This multidisciplinary module is an ideal starting point if you have little or no previous knowledge of the arts, humanities and languages. It's perfect preparation for your study with The Open University as you'll develop both your subject knowledge and your study skills. From the perspective of its central theme, ‘popular protest’, it explores a range of subjects, including art history, English, English language studies, history, and popular music, all through its central theme of ‘popular protest’. The module also offers an opportunity to explore other subjects, such as modern languages, classical studies, religious studies and creative writing.
View full details of Arts and languages Access module
Y031
Science, technology and maths Access module
What you will study
This multidisciplinary module is an ideal starting point if you have little or no previous knowledge of the sciences, technology and mathematics. It’ll help develop your study skills in advance of your OU qualification, and you get to explore a number of STEM subjects including science, engineering and design, environment, mathematics, and computing and IT.
View full details of Science, technology and maths Access module
Y033
Skills for career development
You’ll develop a broad set of employability skills, including the ability to:
- Understand key business functions such as marketing, human resources, information management, accounting and finance, and operations in their wider organisational and social context.
- Put together reasoned arguments and question assumptions.
- Draw together, analyse and critically evaluate information and data, using a range of research methods.
- Understand the nature of leadership skills and behaviours within organisations.
- Communicate effectively, clearly and accurately with others.
- Use information and communication technology (ICT) effectively.
- Manage time and work independently and as part of a team.
- Take responsibility for your own personal development, set realistic objectives and meet your own goals.
- Manage and motivate yourself.
- Plan, organise and prioritise your work, evaluate and reflect on it.
Career relevance
The skills and knowledge you’ll develop will equip you to follow a number of career paths, and are recognised by employers as having great value for work in management and business. Your understanding of another language and the cultures that use it, enhances that value – widening your opportunities in the international market. A qualification in business management with a language can lead to opportunities in a wide range of areas such as:
- Middle and senior management positions across all sectors.
- Advertising and marketing.
- Accountancy.
- Human resources.
- Banking, including investment banking.
- Sales and retail.
- Management consultancy.
- Business journalism.
- Transport and logistics.
- Translation and interpreting.
- Editing and publishing.
Other careers
Employers are keen to utilise the commercial awareness that business graduates offer, as increasing globalisation and continual changes in technology, communications, financial services and distribution of goods and services open up new business opportunities. They value applicants who can communicate well, analyse, evaluate and present ideas and arguments effectively. This awareness can also lead to opportunities in specialist areas concerned with offering guidance to managers, such as management consultancy or business journalism. If you want to work as a translator in your chosen language, this degree will allow you to develop a business specialism.
Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline, particularly in business, finance, management consultancy and the public sector. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.
Exploring your options
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you’ll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice, including: online forums, website, interview simulation and vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
In the meantime, if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we’ve put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point (note that some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree):
- Business development officer
- Recruitment consultant
- Marketing executive
- Publicity officer
- Risk analyst
- Advertising account manager
- Management consultant
- Business journalist
- Accountant
- Human resources manager
- Sales and retail manager
- Business analyst
- Translator or interpreter
- Logistics manager
- Travel agency manager
- Editor