International Business with Spanish

This module explores the diversity and complexity of national cultures and culturally diverse business practices and attitudes as they affect people and organisations. You will investigate comparative approaches to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Your learning will explore cross-cultural awareness, communication, lifestyle and give you the confidence needed to operate and work in engaging international settings.  

You’ll study topics, such as: 

• Spanish-speaking societies and social structures.   

• Cultural insights through literature, film, and media 

• Comparative Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion approaches 

• Academic integrity, assessment literacy and the use of artificial intelligence 

• Experience of diverse Spanish-speaking communities in non-European contexts. 

• Business, Human Resource and Management culture. 

• Opportunities to work and study in Spanish-speaking countries. 

• Responsible and sustainable working practices. 

This module introduces contemporary issues in business management, developing your awareness and understanding of factors affecting people and organisations in an ever-changing world. Teaching sessions will examine contemporary sources and debate current issues 

You’ll study topics such as: 

• Ethics and sustainability in business management 

• Geopolitics and globalisation 

• Changing business cultures and the role of stakeholders 

• Smart technology and big data 

• Business management research and approaches 

• Shifting communication channels 

• Economic controversies 

Module summary

Language study will develop your self-confidence, and intercultural skills. It will give you new opportunities for learning and working across cultures. Language skills are highly sought after by employers and give you a real advantage in whatever you hope to do in the future.

You will study your chosen language at the appropriate level based on your existing language ability – please refer to the individual module descriptors for each language and level for further details on the teaching and assessment.

This module introduces different types of businesses and organisations, focusing on operations, supply chain and marketing – developing academic literacy, business skills and future aspirations. You’ll work independently, within groups and in a real-world applied project, developing and applying academic and professional behaviours.   

You’ll study topics such as:  

• Organisational types, scale and span 

• Responsible and sustainable practice 

• Business functions 

• Marketing 

• Supply chain 

• Operations management 

• Excel  

• Academic skills and advising 

• Employability and entrepreneurial advice  

• Applied reflective practice 

Module summary

Language study will develop your self-confidence, and intercultural skills. It will give you new opportunities for learning and working across cultures. Language skills are highly sought after by employers and give you a real advantage in whatever you hope to do in the future.

You will study your chosen language at the appropriate level based on your existing language ability – please refer to the individual module descriptors for each language and level for further details on the teaching and assessment.

This module is a work experience module introducing you to the academic and practice-led perspectives of international entrepreneurship. You’ll develop additional enterprising skills through an enterprise residency placement, alongside research and practitioner-informed teaching.   

You’ll apply learning and study such as: 

• Entrepreneurial opportunities 
• Network ties 
• Internationalisation 
• Resources and capabilities 
• Entrepreneurial financing options 
• Business modelling activities 
• Online ideation simulation activities 
• Competences and skills 
• Communication skills 

This module explores managerial functions and develops awareness of the current challenges facing international management, including ethical and social responsibilities. Your learning will draw on research and examples of international practice shared by guest speakers. 

You’ll study topics such as: 

• International human resource management  

• People resourcing policies 

• Global supply chain structures and processes 

• Global markets 

• International business expansion 

• Export management 

This module is for undergraduate students to study abroad in their second year, Semester 2 (only for courses that offer this option). With this module, you can spend a semester at one of the University’s approved partner institutions worldwide – from Europe to the Americas, Asia Australia or Canada.  

Study Abroad plays an important role in the University's commitment to an engaging, challenging, and thriving learning culture. It offers opportunities to experience other academic cultures and foster intellectual maturity while enhancing co-curricular skills and students' long-term employability. 

Study abroad for credit is permitted on existing university-approved courses only. Students are awarded credits and grades at the partner institution, which are converted into Sheffield Hallam credits and grades on return and included in the Sheffield Hallam degree classification. 

Please check and refer to the webpage How study abroad works. You must submit a Learning Agreement outlining the modules you will be taking at the partner institution. The Learning Agreement will be signed off by your academic tutor to ensure that the Learning broadly covers the Learning Outcomes set out in your course curriculum during your study abroad.  

In this module, you will gain insight into the education and work cultures of Spanish-speaking countries by studying the relevant political, economic, social, and cultural issues that affect them. You will also learn to reflect on and articulate your employability skills, both orally and in writing. Moreover, this module will build on your existing language skills and help you develop an advanced, professional linguistic register. 

The content for this module will vary to reflect the relevant, changeable issues related to Spanish contemporary culture and business environments. You’ll study topics, such as: 

• The business and work environment in Spanish-speaking societies. 

• The education system in Spain. 

• Student life and experiences in Spain. 

• Government policy in relation to central issues such as sustainability and the environment. 

• Articulating employability skills in the target language. 

• Writing CVs and other application documents. 

• Job interview preparation. 

Module aim:    

The aim of this module is to enhance students’ professional development through the completion of and reflection on meaningful work placement(s).  

A work placement will provide students with opportunities to experience the realities of professional employment and experience how their course can be applied within their chosen industry setting.

The placement will: 

• Allow student to apply the skills, theories and behaviours relevant and in addition to their course 
• Enable students to enhance their interpersonal skills in demand by graduate employers – communication, problem-solving, creativity, resilience, team work etc
• Grow their student network and relationship building skills
• Provide student with insights into the industry and sector in which their placement occurs 
• Help student make informed graduate careers choices

Indicative Content:  

In this module students undertake a sandwich placement (min 24 weeks / min 21 hours per week) which is integrated, assessed and aligned to their studies.  

Their personal Placement Academic Supervisor (PAS) will be their key point of contact during their placement and will encourage and support students to reflect on their experience, learning and contribution to the organisation they work for.  

To demonstrate gains in professional development, students will be required to share their progress, learning and achievements with their Placement Academic Supervisor and reflect on these for the summative piece of work. 

This module uses theories and concepts to explain how companies design, control and manage international subsidiaries operating in ethically and politically complex environments. During large and small group teaching, you’ll draw on world events and corporate experiences to explain the context and mechanisms of international business. 

You’ll study topics such as: 

• Foreign direct investment 

• Entry strategy  

• Theories of the international firm 

• Subsidiary structure, management and dynamics  

• Political economy and society 

• Non-market/political strategies 

• Business ethics  

• Social responsibility 

This module applies your knowledge of contemporary international business, developing critical and analytical research skills to inform decision-making in a real-life setting. You’ll develop an individual consultancy project with others in small groups – based on a live company brief or your own venture – exploring relevant theories in large group sessions. 

You’ll apply learning and skills such as: 

• Consultancy research  

• Entrepreneurial projects 

• Project design and management 

• Identifying discipline-relevant frameworks and concepts 

• Research methods, including ethics   

• Business report writing 

• Personal and professional reflection  

This module aims to engage you with the greater socio-political and cultural contexts of global countries and communities where Spanish is spoken, while further increasing your Spanish language skills. The module will help you situate adjacent cultures and will facilitate a profound reflection on your own culture(s) and related contexts. This ensures a deep understanding of an important area of the globe, through comparative analyses, affording you a sound appreciation of historical and current issues in Spanish-speaking societies. 

You’ll study topics such as: 

• Significant controversies in history, society, and politics in Spanish-speaking countries and regions 

• Issues relating to the socio-economic environment with selected Spanish-speaking countries

• Migration flows, identity, and political and cultural debates

• Foundational events in the history of Spanish-speaking countries and their impact on the present

• Regional and minority identities

• Women’s rights in Spanish-speaking societies

• Geopolitics and governmental systems

• Popular culture and its links to socio-cultural and economic debates

Module summary

Language study will develop your self-confidence, and intercultural skills. It will give you new opportunities for learning and working across cultures. Language skills are highly sought after by employers and give you a real advantage in whatever you hope to do in the future.

You will study your chosen language at the appropriate level based on your existing language ability – please refer to the individual module descriptors for each language and level for further details on the teaching and assessment.