BA (Hons) Global Communication with Business Management with a Placement Year
Course
options
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Arts
- UCAS Course Code
- Q9NP
- Typical Offer
- BBB
- Contextual Offer
- BCC
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
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Why you should choose us
Course Overview
Ever wondered how successful communication transcends cultural and linguistic barriers? Ever considered how global companies manage their diverse workforces, or what makes for successful communication in business?
On our Global Communication with Business Management with a Placement Year degree, you’ll work with experts in the fields of business, language, and intercultural communication to explore key global challenges. You’ll develop your understanding of global business and discover the essentials of business, marketing, and intercultural communication. You’ll discover the importance of global communication and intercultural awareness for today’s individuals and businesses.
Your intercultural training will invite you to challenge yourself and the cultural stereotypes that create barriers to successful communication. You’ll develop your understanding of how global businesses manage workforces with widely differing languages, values, and business practices. You’ll then have the chance to put your skills to the test by spending an optional semester abroad. You can also study a language, such as Arabic, BSL, Chinese or German, subject to availability. You’ll also have the exciting opportunity to put your skills to the test in your third year by spending 9-12 months on a placement, gaining invaluable work experience and employability skills.
You’ll develop project management, interpersonal, and leadership skills. You’ll be encouraged to form links with local businesses, schools, and charities in and around the vibrant city of Norwich. By applying your theoretical knowledge to a variety of real-world situations, you’ll develop a wide range of valuable skills essential for success in today’s globalised world.
Our graduates go on to a wide variety of careers, including in business and marketing, language services, media industries, and teaching.
Placement Year
This version of the degree gives you the opportunity and support to greatly enhance your employability by securing and undertaking a 9-12 month placement in the third year of your degree. You'll be expected to source your own work Placement with the support of UEA's Career Central Service and your School. Find out more about this exciting opportunity on our Placement Years in Arts and Humanities page.
Study and Modules
Structure
A combination of core and optional modules will give you a solid foundation in intercultural communication and business management. You’ll be introduced to the constantly changing world of business management, and to methods that help you investigate language, media and culture. You’ll also be able to choose from optional modules to learn about digital media industries and cultures, explore the importance of humanitarian communication, or work on an applied business project.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You’ll be taught by leading language and communication specialists and scholars through a combination of lectures, interactive seminars, oral classes, and workshops. You’ll undertake independent self-study and groupwork as you build key academic skills that you’ll rely on later in your degree.
Assessment
In your first year, you’ll be assessed via a range of activities, such as a case study report, group projects and individual written and spoken coursework. In this year, assessment focuses on ensuring you’ve the key skills and knowledge in intercultural communication and the business environment to progress to your second year.
Structure
In your second year, you’ll begin the process of specialisation. Core modules will enable you to continue to develop as a global citizen and intercultural communicator, applying your skills to practical projects and enhancing your employability while also gaining a deeper understanding of the way intercultural communication is shaped by media, international corporations, and political ideologies. In your business modules, you'll choose from topics on management and organisation or principles of marketing. You’ll also develop expertise in the areas that interest you most in intercultural communication, choosing from modules in global cultures, language and society and digital media. Via these modules, you’ll continue to refine your mediation skills and intercultural awareness. You can also choose to study a language. You might even elect to spend your spring semester abroad.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 20, Max Credits: 60)Optional C Modules
(Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
As you start to specialise in your degree through optional modules, you’ll take classes in smaller group sizes. You’ll learn through a combination of both theory- and practice-based instruction. Through a variety of activities, you’ll further develop your research, writing, groupwork and presentation skills.
Assessment
In your second year, you’ll encounter a diverse range of assessments, depending on your modules. These may take the form of essays, reports, presentations, a marketing exam, group projects, or creating a management scenario.
Structure
Your third year will be spent on your placement, gaining invaluable insight into the world of work while applying the skills you've developed during your first two years of study.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You’ll spend your third year on a placement. UEA’s well-established connections throughout the UK and beyond will help you find a placement but securing one will ultimately be up to you. On your year on placement, you’ll be assigned a placement mentor who will regularly review your progress with you. You’ll have access to support from UEA, too, to help make sure you’re getting the most out of your experience.
Assessment
You won’t complete traditional assessments but will be asked to reflect on your placement experience, demonstrating your increased knowledge of the business industry.
Structure
In your final year, you’ll examine the complexity of intercultural business encounters, taking away skills that you can apply in real-world contexts. In a module designed to develop your leadership skills, you’ll assess specific issues of global concern and use the range of skills you’ve acquired throughout your degree to suggest solutions. At the same time, you’ll continue to specialise with a range of optional modules. At this stage of your degree, options will include topics in business ethics, marketing communications, brand management, as well as modules in digital media. You may also choose to develop your research skills by writing a dissertation under expert supervision.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 60)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Depending on the modules you choose, you’ll engage in a range of learning activities, including case study work, practical projects, and advanced essays. You may have the opportunity to work with local and international organisations. If you take the optional dissertation module, you’ll create a piece of independent work produced over an extended period, spending most of your time researching your chosen subject.
Assessment
In your final year, you’ll engage with a wide variety of assessment activities, depending on your module choices. Alongside essays and presentations, you’ll complete a case study on intercultural communication in a business environment and a global leadership project. You may also create a report on business ethics, an entrepreneurial business proposal, or a brand analysis and relaunch presentation and strategy report. Assessments are designed to help you hone your skills in your areas of specialisation and prepare for your future.
Employability
After the Course
With this degree, you’ll be equipped to enter a whole host of career sectors, both in the UK and abroad. These include tourism, hospitality and leisure, human resources, marketing, sales, business, international banking, media, the civil service, local government and administration, teaching and education, international trade and business, journalism, arts administration, and customer services.
Alternatively, you could continue your studies with a Masters degree such as our MA in Global Intercultural Communication or MA in Applied Translation Studies, or an MBA. To get your career off to the best start, our Careers Service run an annual Arts and Humanities events programme. This includes alumni-led presentations and workshops across a range of sectors, including charities, politics and government, writing and communications, and museums and heritage.
You’ll also benefit from our annual Careers Fair, where we showcase the range of opportunities available to you. This is a great chance to meet employers and to hear alumni speak about their career paths since graduating.
Careers
Examples of careers you could enter include:
- Communication
- Human resources
- Consultancy and PR
- Business and finance
- Mediation and training
- Sales and marketing
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4.
In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Contextual Offers
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
A levels
BBB
Contextual offer: BCC
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDM
Contextual offer: DMM
Access to HE Diploma
Access to Humanities & Social Sciences Pathway. Pass Access to HE Diploma with Merit in 45 credits at Level 3
Contextual offer: Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Merit in 30 credits at Level 3 and Pass in 15 credits at Level 3
T levels
Obtain an overall Pass including a B in the core of the T Level and a Merit in the Occupational Specialism. We accept: Any subject
Foundation Year options:
If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes such as - Global Communication with Business Management with a Foundation Year
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
31 points overall
Irish Leaving Certificate
2 subjects at H2, 4 subjects at H3
Scottish Highers
AABBB
Scottish Advanced Highers
CCC. A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Progression
Once enrolled onto a course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4.
In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students.
A levels
BBB
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDM
International Baccalaureate
31 points overall
- UEA International Study Centre
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, UEA International Study Centre offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, UEA International Study Centre offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.
-
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Progression
Once enrolled onto a course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information: