Our BA Modern Languages lets you choose one or two from French, German, Russian, Spanish and Portuguese, with the option of taking a further language as a minor subject after your first year – including Catalan, Chinese (Mandarin), Modern Arabic or Japanese.
No prior knowledge of any language is required, unless you intend to study two languages in which case you will need a minimum of a GCSE in one of the languages you wish to study. We stream many of our language classes, from beginner to native speaker, so you’ll be taught at the right level.
You’ll combine practical classes in written and spoken language with understanding the wider context – the history and society of the nations that speak your chosen languages, their literatures and their roles around the world.
You’ll expand your horizons with modules that go beyond the obvious: students of French can study Mauritian creole, or the quirks of Belgian culture; students of Portuguese can learn about Brazilian cinema; students of Russian may perform a play in the language even in their first year; options in Spanish range from modern Cuban poetry to colonialism; and students of German are immersed in Austrian and Swiss cultures, too.
You’ll spend your third year studying or working overseas, an exceptional opportunity to put your languages to the test and develop your intercultural competence.
You’ll be asked to let us know your preferred language choices as part of the offer-making process after we’ve received your UCAS application, so we can confirm any one language or two language combination you want to take will be possible.
The following are some example narratives for you to get an understanding of routes through our BA in Modern Languages
Aisha’s story
‘I’ve taken German to A-level, and I’m really passionate about it. So I want to focus on it as much as possible at degree level.’
Application
First Year
Second Year
Third Year
Final Year
Bayan’s story
‘I’ve taken German to A-level, and I want to take it further. I want to try out another language at university as well, but I’m not sure if I want to commit half my degree course to it.’
Chrysi’s story
‘I’ve taken French and Spanish to A-level, and I want to take them both further. I’d also be interested in taking another language at some point.’
David's Story
‘I’ve taken German to A-level, and I’d like to take Russian alongside it. I’m not expecting to take a third language in the future, but I’m not ruling it out just yet.’
Elena's story
‘I’ve taken French to A-level, and I want to pick up Spanish as well.’
Francis’s story:
‘I’m a heritage speaker of Spanish, and I want to develop this into a degree.’
Find out more