Master's degree Applied Foreign Languages Track Starting an International Business
This programme is taught in French.
field(s) of training :
Arts, Literature, Languages
diploma level :
Master's degree (five-year degree)
duration of the program :
2 years
Course overview
You master two languages including English? You wish to use your language skills to support companies and help them starting an international business? With the master’s programme in Applied Foreign Languages, you can specialise in Starting an International Business!
This two-year full-time programme aims at training specialists to new international business techniques. Hence you will be able to assess geographical, economical, financial and competitive risks. To do so, the Starting an International Business programme provides courses in
- 2 foreign languages (including English)
- Fields of application (law, economy…)
- Transferable skills (management, computer science, communication…)
Welcoming international students
Since 2019, the University of Caen Normandy has been awarded the "Bienvenue en France" label by Campus France, highlighting the quality of the university's welcome for international students.
Application requirements
Entry requirements
To enter this master’s, you should
- Master skills in conceiving and monitoring a project (communication, organisation, informational intelligence, management…)
- Have a sufficient language level in English (B2) and the other language you will work in; if you come from a non-French-speaking country, have a sufficient language level in French (C1)
- Graduate from a degree in Applied Foreign Languages, or Human and Social Sciences, or Law, Economy and Management.
- Have a research project if you wish to specialise in research
Language proficiency requirements
Minimum French proficiency level required: C1
Minimum English proficiency level required: B2
Specific conditions
Entry requirements in Year 2
If you have completed Year 1 of this master’s, you will automatically enter Year 2.
If you have completed Year 1 of another master’s in Applied Foreign Languages, you can also apply to Year 2 in this master’s.
Apply and register
The registration process takes place in 3 steps:
Application process
Admission and registration requirements may vary depending on your nationality, country of residence, foreign secondary school leaving certificate, and the nature of your programme of study. Discover how to apply to the University of Caen Normandy.
Course structure
Courses
- Take place on site in the Campus 1 of the University of Caen Normandy
- Amount to 634 hours per year
- Are completed by two compulsory internships
Course units
You can attend the master’s programme Starting an International Business if you master the following languages:
- English (compulsory)
- German
- Italian
- Spanish
- Russian
The main courses of this programme focus on:
- Foreign Languages
- International Business
- Project Engineering
- Management
- Law
- Economy
- Information and Communication Technology
- International Marketing
Internships and placements
The master’s includes two compulsory internships, in a company or a laboratory:
- Year 1, 2nd semester, abroad:
- Short internship (2 months): 280-hour-long internship minimum between the 1st and the 2nd semester or after the 2nd semester
- Long internship (4 months): if you wish to specialise in research, and if your director of studies agrees, you can do a 560-hour-long minimum internship in a laboratory from January on
- Year 2, 2nd semester: 700-hour-long (5 months) from January on
Each internship will be evaluated through detailed written report and an oral presentation of this report.
Coursework and assessment
The course lasts 2 years and is divided in 4 semesters, each comprising several courses units. For each semester and in each unit, coursework is graded on a scale from 0 to 20, 20 being the best grade. Grade compensation is organized without eliminatory marks and on the basis of the general average obtained in every course unit:
- Over each semester
- Over the 2 semesters of year 1.
For Year 1, compensation will only take place if you have completed the unit dedicated to the internship.
To successfully complete a semester, you must have an average mark of at least 10 points out of 20. If you have not completed your semester, you can retake the courses units you failed; you do not have to retake the courses in which you have obtained at least 10 points out of 20.
Language
- French
- English
- German or Spanish or Italian or Russian
In Year 2, second language courses are not compulsory if:
- You have not completed Year 1 of an Applied Foreign Language master’s programme
- You are in adult education
Study abroad
How can you design European projects without knowing Europe? How can you imagine a sustainable future without working hand-in-hand with a worldwide network? How can you start a business abroad without knowing what being abroad involves?
You cannot fully grasp the requirements of a globalised world without having experienced first-hand immersion within a foreign culture. As such, the 2nd semester of Year 1 entirely takes place abroad. You will study abroad and do an internship, either short or long.
You can choose your destinations between:
- Erasmus+ European exchange programme: 35 destinations within 18 various countries: German, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Spain, Finland, Italia, Lapland, Latvia, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, Switzerland, Turkey
- University exchanges through networks and programmes such as the Quebec student exchange programme (BCI), the ISEP and Asia Exchange: Africa, South America, Asia, Australia, Canada, United States, Europe, United Kingdom… You can’t speak Thai, Korean or Norwegian? Don’t worry: many universities offer courses in English.
Do I need to speak the language of the country? No, many universities offer courses in English.
Is going abroad expensive? It may be, depending on the destinations. You can go abroad for less than 500 euros, and you can benefit from cumulative financial supports (including scholarships).
When can I go abroad? In Year 2, you can do your end-of-studies internship abroad.
You want to learn more about financial supports or discover other ways to go abroad? Read more (all resources are in French) on the dedicated page of the Faculty of Foreign Languages and or that of the Service for the international mobility programmes, which co-organises study exchanges and international internships. You will also discover the experiences of other students who took these opportunities!
Learning outcome
By the end of this course, you will acquire knowledge and skills in
- Writing, synthesis, teamwork
- Your speciality languages
- Economy and law related to starting or managing a business abroad
- Design and lead a project of starting a business abroad
- Assess the opportunity of starting a business abroad (market study, socio-economic environment, politic environment of the country, potential partnerships study, reporting…)
- Risk management
- Build and support the company
- Lead international negotiation and organise joint ventures
- Transfer skills and knowledge (outsourcing, franchise…)
- Find new suppliers
- Advise and support companies in the creation of their international business
Further study
Once you’ve obtained your master’s, you can pursue doctoral studies in business creation strategies, risks management or economic issues in foreign countries.
Careers
With an expertise in foreign languages applied to the creation of a business abroad, you can work in:
- Import/export businesses
- Industries and companies with an international activity
- Banking industry
- Organisms specialised in company consulting and support
- Chambers of commerce of industry
- Companies providing support and services for internationalisation
Notable positions include:
- Business engineer
- Export businessperson
- Head of business or franchise development
- Business director
- Export development officer
- International development officer
- Strategy consultant
- International marketing officer
- Project negotiator
- Negotiator
Address
Université de Caen Normandie
UFR Langues vivantes étrangères
Département des Langues étrangères appliquées
MLI · Maison des langues et de l’international
Esplanade de la Paix · CS 14032 · 14032 CAEN cedex 5
France
Course leader
formation : Amy Wells · amy.wells@unicaen.fr