This varied degree will allow you to develop Chinese language skills and gain an understanding of global business management. You don't need to have any prior knowledge of Chinese, although if you do we can normally accommodate your needs.
Core modules will develop your written and spoken Chinese as well as introducing you to key issues in international business management. Then you'll build on these by selecting from optional modules that allow you to pursue your interests, from the political economy of East Asia and transnational corporations to contemporary Chinese literature. You could even look at Japanese politics or Buddhism.
China is one of the world's biggest economic powers, and its language is increasingly important for business. This degree will allow you to become proficient in Chinese and understand how businesses run profitable, sustainable and competitive foreign operations. But you'll also see the world from a fresh perspective and discover a unique culture.
With over fifty years of acquisitions, the Chinese collection housed in the Brotherton Library is one of the best collections of modern Chinese books in the country. The University Library also has impressive holdings of books in English about China, backed up by a wide range of digital materials.
As well as our great library resources, Leeds has state-of-the-art facilities to support language students. Our fully equipped Language Centre includes digital language labs, audio/video practice booths and Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL).
If you're interested in translation studies, we offer specialised computing facilities in our Electronic Resource Information Centre. What's more, if you'd like to explore a career in interpreting you can get a taste of this in our Interpreter Training Suites.
Accreditation
Our International Business degrees are accredited by the Institute of Export which allows you to acquire an exporting qualification after your studies and strengthens your job prospects in international trade.
Course content
A joint honours degree allows you to study the same core topics as students on each single honours course, but you'll take fewer options and discovery modules so you can fit in both subjects.
You'll spend your first year studying core modules that introduce you to the principles of international business management, as well as developing your speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in Chinese. You'll also have a choice of optional modules exploring elements of Chinese and East Asian culture and study one of our Cornerstone modules, helping to bring the two subjects together.
It's all preparing you for the following year, which you'll spend studying at a Chinese university to deepen your cultural awareness and improve your language skills. When you return you'll have a new perspective to bring to your studies.
Over the next two years, you'll balance advanced language classes with core modules on topics such as management in international business and the global economy. A bigger variety of optional modules will allow you to follow your own interests in topics as broad as Chinese history, Cantonese, Asia-Pacific politics and Sino-Japanese relations.
In your final year, you can specialise in an international business topic of your choice when you apply your skills to a dissertation.
Course structure
These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: AAB
excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking.
GCSE: 6/B in Mathematics and 4/C in a foreign language.
Career opportunities
A Joint Honours degree in Chinese and International Business equips you with a wide range of skills.
You'll have a thorough understanding of international business management, and be able to communicate in a major world language. But you'll also have transferable skills such as teamwork, presentation, research and analysis. Spending a year abroad will demonstrate that you're independent, adaptable and resilient, and you'll have the organisational skills needed to manage two different subjects. All of these qualities are valued by employers.
Graduates have pursued a wide range of careers in management, business and finance, marketing, journalism, education and the civil service among others. Many have also gone on to postgraduate study or further training in language-specific areas such as translation or interpreting.
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That's one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.
Study abroad and work placements
After your first year you'll have the opportunity to spend a year studying at a university in either mainland China or Taiwan.
You'll take language courses provided by our partner universities, a great opportunity to improve your spoken and written Chinese. But for many, it's the highlight of their course because of the opportunity it gives them to be surrounded by Chinese culture and get a real sense of life in the country.
Read more about Residence Abroad in East Asian Studies
