REPORT ON PROGRAMME VALIDATION
Part 1
Q3
Programme details
Programme title
BA (Hons) in International Business and
Languages
Nature and duration of programme
4 years full-time
DIT awards sought
BA (Hons) in International Business and
Languages
Classifications of awards
BA (Hons): with classifications of First Class
Honours; Second Class, Upper Division; Second
Class Lower Division; Pass
BA and Higher Certificate: without classification
Parallel award sought from other award body
Professional/external accrediting body
None
None
Background
In 1984 a full-time, two-year Certificate Course in Lanaguages and Business Studies was
established. It was upgraded in 1990 to a three-year Diploma. Today, the BA in International
Business and Languages is a 4 year full-time programme jointly developed by the School of
Languages and the School of Marketing.
Stated aims and learning outcomes of the programme
The following are the key Aims and Objectives of the Programme:
 To develop the individual student academically and professionally for a career in
international business using their language expertise, through the provision of a
quality twin-disciplinary education to honours undergraduate level.

To provide an attractive suite of modules which will appeal to students who are
interested in using their foreign language skills in the work place.

to develop a high level of communication skills in the students’ major language

to familiarise students with the cultures of the language(s) studied and deepen
their understanding of how cultural variation affects the way business operates in
an international environment

to develop in students a confidence in their ability to act as facilitators between
their own and foreign cultures, so that they may seek employment in companies
which place a high value on physical and cultural mobility

to cultivate in the students the business acumen necessary for the development and
implementation of successful and innovative business strategies in an international
environment

to develop in students the analytical, conceptual and critical skills which will
enable them to adopt a strategic perspective of the business industry
Learning outcomes
Knowledge
On completion of the BA (Hons) International Business and Languages, students
can be expected to demonstrate:
 A high level of working knowledge of the target language particularly when
applied in the context of business

A detailed theoretical and practical knowledge of international business and
business practice.

A thorough understanding of the role, constituents and operation of the business
sector.

A thorough understanding of the strategic issues in international business.

An understanding of the broad field of management theory, concepts and methods.

An understanding of intercultural communication and how cultural variation
affects the way business operates in an international environment particularly
where the student’s major language is spoken
Know how and skills:
On successful completion of the BA (Hons) International Business and Languages,
the student will be able to:
 Demonstrate a high level of ability in their major language studied,.

Adapt and adopt different learning styles through experiential learning during the
year abroad.

Contribute to further research in the business sector.

Exercise judgement in the planning, design and analysis of the business sector,
particular its strategic and international dimensions.
Competence:
On successful completion of the BA (Hons) International Business and Languages,
the student will be able to:
 Conduct independent research of business issues and apply solutions.

Conduct research and operate in a professional environment through the target
language

Apply concepts and skills learned in a variety of contexts.

Work independently.

Work effectively as part of a team, as a team member and a team leader.

Think critically and objectively.

Operate independently and professionally.
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
Demonstrate advanced technical and professional knowledge of the target
language, by communicating professionally and effectively through the language
in an applied business context

Apply knowledge and competencies to new situations
These learning outcomes are integrated into the Programme content. The specified
learning outcomes have been incorporated throughout each year of the Programme
and across a range of module areas. This approach again aims at achieving synthesis
and serves to reinforce essential areas in the mind of each student.
Programme structure
The programme is of four years’ duration and is modular in format. The third year of the
programme consists of study abroad in the country of the major language.
Entry Requirements
The entry requirements for the programme shall be:
(a) Irish Leaving Certificate in six subjects with at least two at HC3 in Higher Level.
Results must include:

Irish or English;

at least a Grade C3 Honours Level for students applying to DT555 i.e. BA (Hons)
French and International Business;

at least a Grade C3 Honours Level in the student’s major language i.e. French, German
or Spanish;

at least a Grade D3 in Ordinary Level Mathematics
or
(b) an equivalent qualification
The programme is designed for non-native speakers of the major language. Spelling and
grammar are core competencies in the language modules of this programme.
There is no advanced entry to year 3 of the programme.
Student assessment
In accordance with the General Assessment Regulations of the Institute (June 2009).
Derogations from the General Assessment Regulations:
Part 2
None sought.
Validation details and membership of panel
Wednesday 28th April 2010
Venue: Boardroom DIT Kevin Street
09.30 hrs
Refreshments (tea/coffee) served. Introductory meeting of Review Panel with
College Directors and Heads of School and key members of the programme
committee.
10.00 hrs
Private meeting of Panel.
11.00 hrs
Meeting of Panel with Heads of School, Heads of Department, Chairperson and
appropriate members of the Programme Committee to discuss specific issues
raised by the Panel.
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12.00 hrs
Refreshments (tea/coffee) served. Meeting of Panel with staff teaching on
the programme to discuss such matters as syllabi, teaching methods and
assessment issues.
13.00 hrs
Lunch.
14.00 hrs
Panel visits facilities available to the programme.
14.30 hrs
Meeting with students/graduates of existing programme.
15.00 hrs
Private meeting of Panel to consider draft report.
16.00 hrs
Final meeting of Panel with the College Director, Heads of School, Heads of
Department and the Chairperson of the Programme Committee to present the
Panel’s findings.
Membership of the Panel
External Members
Professor Brian Fynes
Professor of Supply Chain Management, School of
Business, Smurfit Graduate Business School,
University College Dublin
Professor John Kinsella
Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and
Cultures, National University of Ireland, Maynooth
Nicola Horgan Rogers
Business Consultant, Dublin
Internal Members
Tom Dunne (Chair)
Head of School of Real Estate and Construction
Economics, DIT Bolton Street
Brian McGillion
Street
School of Accounting and Finance, DIT Aungier
Carmel Gallagher
School of Social Sciences and Law, DIT Mountjoy
Square.
Representative from the Office of the Academic Registrar
Nicole O’Neill
Part 3
Quality Assurance Officer, Office of the Academic
Registrar
Comments on documentation and arrangements for event
Documentation provided
The documentation provided for the Validation Panel included the Background Information
and the Programme Document for the proposed programme, and extracts from the Handbook
for Quality Enhancement setting out procedures and other matters associated with the
validation of programmes.
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Part 4 Findings of the Panel
Recommendations of Panel in relation to awards sought
The panel would like to commend the staff on their well thought out and comprehensive
programme documentation and their enthusiasm for the programme. In particular the panel
would applaud the Schools ability to manage this programme jointly.
The Panel is pleased to recommend to Academic Council continuing approval of the BA
(Hons) International Business and Languages at level 8 within the National Framework of
Qualifications subject to 2 conditions and with some recommendations.
Conditions
- Compensation and re-assessment rules need to be clarified in the programme
document.
-
The programme document for the English stream should be provided to the panel for
their consideration.
Recommendations
The programme committee could consider revising the programme:
- To incorporate strong analytical decision making perspective across all business
modules.
- To ensure that there is an appropriate workload to ECTS ratio for each module
across the programme.
- To look at the equality of the student experience across the language streams.
- To consider the issue of compulsory attendance for language modules.
- To provide more tutorial support to students.
- To ensure that students receive the appropriate level of research skills, research
methods should be integrated into relevant modules across the programme.
The panel notes that the student experience of the year aboard varies substantially. The panel
commends the programme committee for being prescriptive about the type of Business
modules undertaken on the year abroad; further consideration should be given to being even
more prescriptive to ensure students undertake a diverse range of business modules. The
programme committee should give more consideration to the language acquisition to be
achieved on this year and students should be facilitated and encouraged to undertake
appropriate national language proficiency tests. The programme committee needs to be more
prescriptive about requirements for the country notebook. Consideration should be given to
providing students with more business vocabulary in the target language prior to their year
aboard. Consideration could be given to including work experience as part of the year
abroad.
Student representatives need to be encouraged to engage with the programme committee. The
role of stream tutors is very important to encourage the engagement of student
representatives.
The panel notes that the programme has a high attrition rate and that the programme
committee should liaise with the student retention office to identify the trends behind this.
Consideration should be given to inclusion of further formative assessment in year 1.
The quality of the learning environment on the Kevin Street campus needs to be improved.
The programme committee could liaise with the careers service to provide students with the
skills to best market the learning experience they receive on this programme.
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