What will I study? 

The Bachelor of Commerce (International with German) combines a strong foundation in core business disciplines with advanced German language skills and a year abroad in a German-speaking country. This 4-year degree prepares students for international careers across diverse sectors by blending business expertise with cultural and linguistic fluency. 

Year 1 

In first year, students gain a broad understanding of business fundamentals while starting intensive German language training. You will develop analytical, communication and problem-solving skills essential for success in business and international environments. Modules include: 

• Principles of Microeconomics / Macroeconomics
• Introduction to Financial Accounting / Management Accounting
• Business Information Systems
• German
• Data Science for Business Analytics
• Foundations of Marketing Thought 

Year 2 

Second year deepens your business knowledge and further develops your German fluency. You will explore applied areas such as business finance, human resources and consumer behaviour. Modules include: 

• Applied Microeconomics for Business
• Business Finance I
• Consumer Behaviour
• German
• HRM & Decent Work 

Year 3 

Third year is spent studying at a partner university in Germany or Austria. You will take business modules through German and experience life in a new academic and cultural environment. This immersive year abroad builds independence, adaptability and intercultural communication skills.

Year 4 

In final year, you return to Galway to complete advanced business modules, including strategy and innovation. You will also continue studying German and have opportunities to specialise further through optional modules aligned with your career goals. Modules include: 

• Strategy
• Innovation, Creativity and Enterprise (ICE)
• German
• Ireland in the Global Economy
• Optional modules in areas such as Marketing Management, Business Law or Digital Business 

Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

• Spend a full academic year at a leading partner university, studying business through German and immersing yourself in German culture.
• Combine a business degree with advanced German skills - ideal for careers in European trade, international business, or global organisations.
• Gain practical experience and creative problem-solving skills in the Innovation, Creativity and Enterprise (ICE) module during final year.
• Enjoy small-group German classes that focus on interactive learning and building real communication confidence.
• German is the language of Europe’s largest economy - open doors to opportunities in sectors like finance, manufacturing, tech, and EU institutions.
• Personalise your degree with optional modules in areas such as sustainability, digital business, economics, and marketing.
• Develop strong digital and analytical skills through modules like Business Analytics and Business Information Systems, preparing you for data-driven careers. 

Graduates of the BComm (International with German) are in high demand both in Ireland and internationally, especially given Germany’s status as Europe’s largest economy and a key global trading partner.  

With strong business expertise and professional fluency in German, graduates are well equipped for diverse and exciting careers in: 

• European institutions - including the European Central Bank, European Parliament, and European Commission
• Finance and banking - particularly in multinational banking, investment analysis, and financial services linked to German-speaking markets
• Export and international trade - working with companies trading across Europe and beyond
• Management consultancy - advising global firms on strategy, operations, and market entry
• Marketing and communications - with multinational companies serving German-speaking customers
• Supply chain and logistics - coordinating international operations across Europe
• Technology and digital industries - especially in roles needing language skills and cross-cultural communication 

With ongoing globalisation and the importance of EU markets, demand continues to rise for professionals who can navigate both business and language contexts, making graduates of this degree highly employable across a broad range of sectors. 

This degree also offers an excellent foundation for further study or professional qualifications in areas such as international business or European affairs. 

The BComm (International with German) programme includes a mandatory full academic year abroad in Year 3, offering you the chance to live, study, and fully immerse yourself in a German-speaking country. 

Built into the Programme 
Your year abroad is an essential, integrated part of your degree. You’ll combine business modules with intensive language learning in a real-world environment, helping you grow both personally and academically while gaining a global perspective on business. 

Where Can You Go? 
You can apply to study at one of our partner universities in Germany or Austria, including: 

• Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
• EBS Business School Rheingau, Wiesbaden, Germany
• Universität Bamberg, Germany
• Universität Nürnberg, Nürnberg, Germany
• Hochschule Pforzheim, Pforzheim, Germany
• Universität Trier, Germany
• Fachhochschule Bochum, Bochum, Germany
• University of Graz, Graz, Austria 

Please note: Partner universities may vary from year to year based on available agreements. 

Language of Instruction 
All modules during your year abroad are taught in German, allowing you to significantly improve your fluency and confidence while continuing your business education within a new academic system. 

What Will You Gain? 
Your year abroad is an opportunity to: 

• Deepen your German language skills through real-life use
• Experience life in a different culture
• Gain valuable insights into German and Austrian business practices
• Develop key skills such as independence, resilience, and adaptability
• Build an international network of friends and professional contacts
• Travel across Europe, exploring new places and broadening your horizons
• Enhance your CV with a unique, globally recognized experience 

Financial Support 
Most students receive Erasmus+ funding to help cover travel and living costs. Additional financial supports may also be available depending on your host country and institution. 

Why It Matters 
This international experience is far more than a degree requirement - it’s a life-changing adventure that boosts your employability, sharpens your intercultural skills, and prepares you to succeed confidently on the global stage.

• Dr Thomas Wilks  
• Dr Jeannine Jud
• Dr Sharon Walsh  
• Ms Mary Cosgrove  
• Dr Shekhar Misra  
• Prof Willie Golden  
• Dr Davood Roshan Sangachin
• Dr Yixin Qiu
• Ms Mary Barrett
• Dr Sinead Duane
• Dr Aidan Kane
• Dr Jason Harold 
• Dr Gerard Turley
• Ms Nicola Murphy
• Dr Rehman Mian
• Dr Edel Doherty  
• Dr Josephine Igoe
• Dr Maeve O'Sullivan  
• Colm O H Eocha  
• Dr Gesche Kindermann  
• Dr Michael Lang 

Learning and Assessment  

The BComm (International with German) blends business education with German language and cultural learning. Students divide their time between business lectures, small-group German classes, and practical projects, developing strong skills for careers in international business. 

How Will I Learn? 

1. Business Lectures - Core business modules are delivered through lectures, building foundational knowledge in areas like economics, marketing, management, and digital business.
2. Small-Group Language Classes - German language modules focus on communication skills, fluency, and confidence, taught in small classes for personalised learning and close interaction with lecturers.
3. Innovation and Enterprise - Modules such as ICE (Innovation, Creativity and Enterprise) challenge students to work on real-world business problems alongside industry mentors, encouraging creative thinking and teamwork.
4. Year Abroad - In Year 3, students study at a partner university in Germany or Austria, fully immersing themselves in both business and language modules while experiencing life and study in a different cultural and academic system.
5. Practical Application - Many modules include case studies, simulations, group projects, and business presentations, enabling students to apply theory to practical business contexts. 

How Will I Be Assessed? 

1. Continuous Assessment - Coursework includes essays, projects, presentations, language exercises, and group assignments, allowing students to receive ongoing feedback and develop skills progressively.
2. Examinations - Written exams are held at the end of each semester, assessing knowledge across both business disciplines and German language proficiency.
3. Oral Assessments - German language learning includes oral exams, debates, role-plays, and presentations, helping students build fluency and confidence in spoken German.
4. Project Work - Business modules frequently involve practical projects where students analyse real companies, solve business challenges, or develop innovative business ideas.
5. Year Abroad - Assessment during the year abroad is based on successfully completing academic requirements at the partner university and typically carries pass/fail credits toward the BComm degree. 

Second-Year BComm (International with German) Students Win Enterprise Prize 

Second-year BComm (International with German) students Saoirse Conlon, Aisling Conroy, Adele McHugh, Liam Dempsey, and Patrick Mannion, along with their lecturer Dr. Thomas Wilks,  won Second Prize in the 2025 Goethe-Institut Irland Unternehmen Deutsch (Enterprise Germany) competition. 

Their innovative marketing pitch, delivered entirely in German, proposed a new food app for Lidl Ireland. The idea impressed Lidl’s Employer Brand Specialist, who is bringing it forward to the company board for consideration. 

The team’s project stood out among 214 students from five Irish institutions and was judged by the Ambassadors of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland to Ireland, and the outgoing President of the German-Irish Chamber of Industry and Commerce. 

Final-Year BComm (International with German) Students Win First Prize 

Final-year BComm (International with German) students Claddagh O’Reilly, Hanna Fairchild, and Brendan Gunning, along with their lecturer Dr. Jeannine Jud, won First Prize in the Centre for Irish-German Studies Video Competition. 

Their video on Roger Casement’s German Connections was praised by Derek Scally of The Irish Times for making history engaging and relevant. 

Judged by the German and Irish Ambassadors, the Director of Education for the Goethe-Institut, and the German-Irish Chamber of Industry and Commerce, their project took first place and a €1,000 prize. 

 

BComm (International with German) Student Wins GILBA Prize 

Aideen Bolger, third-year BComm (International with German) student, was awarded the 2024 German-Irish Lawyers and Business Association (GILBA) Student Award for excellence in German. 

Course queries: 
E: business@universityofgalway.ie 

Q: Do I need to have studied German before?
A: Yes. You will need to have studied German for the Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) to join this programme. Entry Requirements: H4 in German (Leaving Certificate) or Grade C in German (A-Levels). 

Q: Can I choose where I study abroad for my year in Germany or Austria? 
A: You can indicate your preferred partner universities when applying for the year abroad. However, partnerships may change each year and placements depend on availability, so your first choice might not be guaranteed. The International Office and lecturers will support you throughout the process. 

Q: How many contact hours can I expect per week? 
A: Typically, you will have around 16–20 hours weekly, including business lectures, small-group language classes, tutorials, and workshops. 

Q: What kind of language support is available if my German needs improvement? 
A: You’ll have access to small-group language classes, conversation practice with native speakers, language labs, and supportive lecturers who help you improve your skills and confidence. 

Q: What will the year abroad involve?  
A: During Year 3, you’ll study at a partner university, taking both business and German language modules, fully immersing yourself in the culture and gaining valuable international experience. 

Minimum Entry Requirements

Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 level in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, another language, Mathematics, and any two other subjects recognised for entry purposes. 

Additional Requirements

For Leaving Certificate - H4 in German 
For A-Levels - Grade C in German 

Alternative Pathways 

The Access Centre at University of Galway provides a number of alternative entry routes to undergraduate programmes. See below some useful links: 

• QQI/FET/FETAC Places 

• Mature Students 

• Access and Foundation programmes 

• HEAR Scheme 

• DARE Scheme 

Other Qualifications 

If you are a school leaver presenting results other than Leaving Cert results, please review the entry requirements relevant to you:  

• A Level students 

• International Baccalaureate students  

• EU students 

For applicants whose first language is not English, it is important to check our English Language Requirements.  

Admissions Office  

Our Admissions Office provides additional detail relevant to CAO applicants including key dates, FAQs and instructions for non-school leavers. 

Irish and European (EU/EFTA/UK) Applicants 

Apply via the CAO. See the CAO Handbook for useful information on applying through the CAO.  

Mature Applicants  

Apply via the CAO by 1 February. To apply for a place as a mature student, you must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the year of entry. Further information available here.  

QQI/FET/FETAC Applicants  

Apply via the CAO. See our QQI/FET/FETAC Applicants page for information on places available and entry requirements

Fees for Academic Year 2025/2026

Course Type	Year	EU Tuition	Student Contribution	Non-EU Tuition	Levy	Total Fee	Total EU Fee	Total Non-EU Fee
	All	€2,598	€3,000	€19,000	€140	€3,140	€5,738	€19,140

• Most EU students applying through the CAO will be eligible for the ‘Free Fees Initiative’. You can find out more here.
• If you are eligible for a means tested SUSI grant this may cover 100% of this Student Contribution Charge. If you are 100% eligible SUSI will pay the Student Contribution Charge of €3,000 on your behalf. 
• The Student Levy It is payable by all students and it is not covered by SUSI
• Where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 3.4% per annum for continuing year fees. This applies to non-EU fees.
• You can find additional detail on the Fees Office webpage including FAQs and how fee status is assessed.

Application Process 

Students applying for full undergraduate degree programmes from outside of the European Union (EU), and who are liable for full non-EU tuition fees, should apply online via Apply to University of Galway. Our application portal opens on the 1st October each year for each the following September.   

Further Information 

Please visit the international application webpage for further information on closing dates, documentation requirements, application fees and the application process.

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