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Commerce with Spanish
Course Overview
Commerce with Spanish allows students to further their language skills and live abroad while gaining valuable experience of international business. It is the ideal qualification for students who want to build a career in another European Union country or in an international firm.
- Graduates of this programme not only have a great business qualification but also an international language. This international experience and qualification is highly sought after in today’s competitive global job market.
- The large range of subjects in the first two years of the programme give students a broad knowledge of business and allows them to decide which area of business is best for them.
- In third year, students spend a year abroad studying modules in languages and business at an approved university. Students have the opportunity to study abroad at some of the world’s most elite universities and business schools, and gain an alternative perspective on education in another country. The international year provides students with the opportunity to experience a new culture and build a network of global connections. You will also develop your cross-cultural awareness and communication skills.
Why study Commerce and Spanish in NUI Galway?
Regular exercises in written Spanish and weekly spoken language sessions develop an active command of the language with an emphasis on the business world. Courses are also offered in different aspects of social and economic life in Spain such as government structure, economic sectors and cases of successful Spanish companies.
Business subjects are taught through English.
Applications and Selections
Who Teaches this Course
Requirements and Assessment
Key Facts
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 A-Levels - Grade C in a continental language
Planned Change to Additional Requirements for CAO 2026 Onwards
Please note there is a planned change to the additional requirements for students applying through the CAO from 2026 onwards:
For Leaving Certificate - H4 in Spanish
For A-Levels - Grade C in Spanish
This planned change will not impact students applying through the CAO in 2024 and 2025.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Duration
4 years
Next start date
September 2025
A Level Grades (2024)
universityofgalway.ie/alevels
Average intake
15
QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes
Closing Date
NFQ level
Mode of study
ECTS weighting
Award
CAO
GY204
Course code
Course Outline
.
Curriculum Information
Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Glossary of Terms
- Credits
- You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
- Module
- An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
- Subject
- Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
- Optional
- A module you may choose to study.
- Required
- A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
- Required Core Subject
- A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
- Semester
- Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.
Year 1 (60 Credits)
OptionalSH140: Intermediate Spanish Language - 10 Credits - Semester 1OptionalSH102: Spanish Language I (Beginners) - 10 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredMG3116: Management: Enterprise and Society - 5 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredEC139: Principles of Microeconomics - 5 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredAY104: Introduction to Financial Accounting - 5 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredMA119: Mathematics for Business - 5 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredMS120: Business Information Systems - 5 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredMK3106: Introduction to Marketing - 5 Credits - Semester 2
RequiredST1120: Data Science for Business Analytics I - 5 Credits - Semester 2
RequiredMS1100: Information Management for Business - 5 Credits - Semester 2
RequiredEC141: Principles of Macroeconomics - 5 Credits - Semester 2
RequiredAY105: Introduction to Management Accounting - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Year 2 (60 Credits)
RequiredMG3121: Leading Individuals, Teams and Projects - 5 Credits - Semester 3RequiredMK206: Consumer Behaviour - 5 Credits - Semester 3
RequiredST2120: Data Science for Business Analytics II - 5 Credits - Semester 3
RequiredEC2100: Applied Microeconomics for Business - 5 Credits - Semester 3
RequiredSH212: Economic And Social Spanish I - 5 Credits - Semester 3
RequiredAY207: Management Accounting I - 5 Credits - Semester 3
OptionalMG3118: HRM & Decent Work - 5 Credits - Semester 4
OptionalLW190: Business Law 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 4
OptionalEC247: Introduction to Financial Economics - 5 Credits - Semester 4
OptionalAY208: Business Finance I - 5 Credits - Semester 4
OptionalEC259: Economics of Public Policy - 5 Credits - Semester 4
OptionalAY209: International Financial Reporting I - 5 Credits - Semester 4
OptionalMG2101: Entrepreneurial Venture Development - 5 Credits - Semester 4
OptionalEC2101: Macroeconomics and the Business Environment - 5 Credits - Semester 4
OptionalMS2100: Cybersecurity - 5 Credits - Semester 4
OptionalMK2102: Marketing & Sustainability - 5 Credits - Semester 4
OptionalBSS2104: Introduction to Sustainability 2 - 5 Credits - Semester 4
OptionalMG3117: Intercultural Encounters - 5 Credits - Semester 4
RequiredSH216: Spanish Language II (Applied) - 15 Credits - Semester 4
Year 4 (60 Credits)
OptionalAY321: Management Accounting II - 5 Credits - Semester 7OptionalEC369: Money And Banking - 5 Credits - Semester 7
OptionalAY308: Taxation I - 5 Credits - Semester 7
OptionalMS325: Contemporary Project Management - 5 Credits - Semester 7
OptionalMS414: Business Intelligence and Analytics - 5 Credits - Semester 7
OptionalMS218: Database Technologies - 5 Credits - Semester 7
OptionalMS323: User Experience Design - 5 Credits - Semester 7
OptionalAY325: International Financial Reporting II - 5 Credits - Semester 7
OptionalMK314: Media & Marketing Communications - 5 Credits - Semester 7
OptionalIE309: Operations Research - 5 Credits - Semester 7
OptionalEC345: Health Economics - 5 Credits - Semester 7
OptionalMS321: Web & Interactive Media Design - 5 Credits - Semester 7
OptionalMK3101: Cases in Marketing Strategy - 5 Credits - Semester 7
OptionalEC3101: Microeconomics and Public Policy - 5 Credits - Semester 7
OptionalEC388: Environmental And Natural Resource Economics - 5 Credits - Semester 7
OptionalEC3105: Econometrics - 5 Credits - Semester 7
OptionalMK3104: Marketing Research - 5 Credits - Semester 7
OptionalMG3111: Entrepreneurial Finance - 5 Credits - Semester 7
OptionalMG3113: Megatrends - 5 Credits - Semester 7
OptionalST311: Applied Statistics I - 5 Credits - Semester 7
OptionalMS3110: The Future of Technology in Work and Society I - 5 Credits - Semester 7
OptionalMG3120: Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Business - 5 Credits - Semester 7
OptionalMK3107: Customer Experience Design - 5 Credits - Semester 7
OptionalMG3126: Supply Chain Management - 5 Credits - Semester 7
OptionalMG3124: Human Resource Management: Global Practice - 5 Credits - Semester 7
RequiredEC423: Ireland in the Global Economy - 5 Credits - Semester 7
RequiredSH355: Economic And Social Spanish III - 5 Credits - Semester 7
OptionalAY319: Taxation II - 5 Credits - Semester 8
OptionalAY322: Management Accounting III - 5 Credits - Semester 8
OptionalEC386: Public Economics - 5 Credits - Semester 8
OptionalAY314: Business Finance II - 5 Credits - Semester 8
OptionalMK341: Brand Management - 5 Credits - Semester 8
OptionalMK303: Global Marketing - 5 Credits - Semester 8
OptionalAY326: International Financial Reporting III - 5 Credits - Semester 8
OptionalEC362: Economics Of Financial Markets - 5 Credits - Semester 8
OptionalMK3103: Digital Marketing Planning - 5 Credits - Semester 8
OptionalMS319: Enterprise Systems - 5 Credits - Semester 8
OptionalMG323: International Business - 5 Credits - Semester 8
OptionalEC3102: Macroeconomics and Public Policy - 5 Credits - Semester 8
OptionalMS4101: Implementing Digital Innovation - 5 Credits - Semester 8
OptionalEC3100: Economics and Philosophy - 5 Credits - Semester 8
OptionalMK3105: Marketing Analytics - 5 Credits - Semester 8
OptionalME353: Quality Systems - 5 Credits - Semester 8
OptionalMG3114: Founder Selling - 5 Credits - Semester 8
OptionalEC429: Marine Economics - 5 Credits - Semester 8
OptionalEC3106: Behavioural Finance - 5 Credits - Semester 8
OptionalST312: Applied Statistics II - 5 Credits - Semester 8
OptionalEC3104: Agricultural and Food Economics - 5 Credits - Semester 8
OptionalEC357: Development Economics - 5 Credits - Semester 8
OptionalMG3122: Future of Work - 5 Credits - Semester 8
OptionalMG3125: Entrepreneurial Leadership and Management:Startup to Scaleup - 5 Credits - Semester 8
RequiredSH3105: Spanish Language III (Applied) - 15 Credits - Semester 8
RequiredMG3119: Strategy - 5 Credits - Semester 8
RequiredMG3109: Innovation, Creativity and Enterprise - 5 Credits - Semester 8
Further Education
Graduates can also go on to select from a range of postgraduate programmes in their chosen discipline at the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics.
Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the BComm (International) at the J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics are highly successful and sought after in all areas of Business. Graduates go on to work in a variety of careers including • EU institutions such as The European Central Bank, The Diplomatic Service and The European Parliament • Accounting - both professional practice and industry. • Management Consultancy • Taxation • Commercial Advisory Services • Economic Policy Advisory Services • Marketing • Human Resource Management • Information Systems Management • Finance (including Banking & Insurance) • Information Systems Management.
Graduates with a degree in Spanish also often work as teachers or they find employment in areas such as journalism, television, radio, media, arts administration, interpreting, technical translation, multilingual secretarial and reception work, tourism and the diplomatic service.
Graduates with good language skills are in demand by local, national and multinational businesses.
Why Study Spanish?
- Spanish is one of the three most commonly spoken languages in the world, with over 400 million speakers.
- Learning Spanish opens up access to many other countries, new markets and exciting cultures The ability to converse and write in Spanish offers a clear advantage to those working in areas such as business, tourism, education and information technology, to name but a few.
- Knowledge of Spanish will offer enhanced employment opportunities both in Ireland and around the world.
- You can study Spanish at NUI Galway even if you have no previous knowledge of the language.
Study Abroad
In the Third Year students follow courses in Spanish and in the area of business studies at a university in Spain, Mexico and Chili. Their studies are supervised by their coordinator in Spanish at NUI Galway and by coordinators in our partner universities.
Students find this year stimulating and enjoyable; working side by side with Spanish-speaking students they benefit greatly, both intellectually and personally, from the experience.
Students may be attached to one of the following universities: Alcalá de Henares, Deusto (Bilbao), Granada, León, Salamanca, Valencia and Valladolid in Spain, FEN in Santiago de Chile or UNAM in Mexico City.
Click here to see where your Commerce degree can take you in the world!
BComm (General) and BComm (Global Experience) –Spanish Option
The Spanish language option is also open to first year students of the general BComm programme at Beginners and Advanced level. Students who pass their first year Spanish examination and after consultation with the Spanish department can then choose to transfer to second year BComm International with Spanish.
Who’s Suited to This Course
Learning Outcomes
Transferable Skills Employers Value
Work Placement
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
Fees: Tuition
Fees: Student Contribution
Fees: Student levy
Fees: Non EU
EU Fees are comprised of Tuition + Student Contribution Charge + Student Levy* €140. *Payable by all students and is not covered by SUSI. Further detail here.
For 25/26 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 3.4% per annum for continuing years fees**.
**Excludes Full-Time EU Undergraduate fees. These are fixed and do not change.
Find out More
- J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, University of Galway
- T + 353 (0)91 492 612
- E business@universityofgalway.ie
What Our Students Say
Aidan O'Sullivan-Ryan | Private Equity & Real Estate Financial Auditor at Deloitte
The three biggest benefits from travelling to Chile are: 1) I now have friends all over the world and have a greater understanding of each culture 2) My Spanish has improved drastically! Also, I now see the difference in how Spanish is spoken in different areas. 3) I had three months to travel through South America during which I travelled through Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina with friends I had made during my first semester. Words can't describe how incredible that was.
Jack Murray | Final year student
The lecturers and tutors at NUI Galway are very engaged in delivering quality teaching and making sure that all students are satisfied with their learning. Studying the Spanish language opens up an incredible amount of opportunities in both the professional and social spheres. The teaching was done in a very intuitive way, using spoken classes as well as the grammar/writing classes to cover all aspects of the language and assure a deep understanding of it and its many facets. The economic and social Spanish classes also gave an insight into a complex and interesting culture. I spent my year abroad in Chile and it was without a doubt the most fulfilling and interesting year of my life. I met many amazing people, saw otherworldly landscapes and learned about a completely different business culture, all the while perfecting my Spanish. I feel this course has prepared me well for the working world by teaching me the values of being flexible and incorporating many elements into my work ethic, I feel I could adapt to almost any professional situation coming out of university.
Sarah Whelan | HR Generalist at Arup Engineering Consultants
...I chose the B Comm International with German at NUI Galway. Being in a global business world also means that having a language other than English is very important. The B Comm International has definitely helped me develop my language and business skills. Along with learning all the important business terms in German, I also improved my writing and spelling skills in German. The course coordinator was fantastic. She gave us so much help and advice. All the lecturers were always very approachable and helpful...