Modern Languages

Languages open doors to a variety of career paths. Our aim at the School of Modern Languages is for you to become a ‘global citizen’ who thinks critically, understands cultural diversity and has a wealth of transferable skills.

On our 4-year BA Modern Languages programme, you’ll develop high-level communication and critical-thinking skills, and foster resilience and independence through time spent in immersive foreign language contexts.

You can choose to study one or two of the seven different languages we offer*. These include:

• Chinese

• French

• German

• Italian

• Japanese

• Portuguese

• Spanish

We run 2 programme pathways. One for those with an A-level or equivalent competence in a modern language (Upper Elementary) and one for those with limited or no knowledge of a modern language (Elementary).

You’ll explore the languages you’re studying and their social, political, historical and cultural contexts from a global perspective. Through a variety of language learning resources and materials, and range of student-centred learning activities, you’ll develop your reading, writing, oral, listening and mediation skills.

An integral part of this programme is the opportunity to spend time working or living abroad to experience life in the culture of the language(s) you are studying. You’ll have the choice of either studying at a partner university or completing a work placement in each semester.

On completion of this programme, you’ll be a confident and independent user of one or 2 modern foreign languages, able to speak and write fluently and accurately, and read, understand and analyse complex texts in those language(s) and in English with confidence.

It’s important to remember that studying languages is not just about the language itself, it involves the integrated study of language, culture and society. Our programme offers challenging and stimulating modules with a strong emphasis on cultural diversity, and celebrates cultural and linguistic mobility.

*Please note: Chinese and Japanese cannot be studied together.

Distinctive Features

• A dynamic experience: learn from native and near-native speakers, with blended learning and digital technologies embedded in teaching and learning activities.

• Extra-curricular activities: A vibrant programme supports your language learning and immersion into the culture (e.g. conversation classes with exchange students, language cafes and student language societies).

• Focus on the future: a structured skills programme embeds academic, transferable and employability skills into learning from the very beginning.

• Employability opportunities: the option of taking a credit-bearing work placement.

• The world is your classroom: spend your third year studying or working in the countries of your chosen languages.

• Be a language mentor and ambassador: work with local schools and communities to promote language learning.