Modern Languages and History with a Year Abroad

Put your fascination with the past to good use by studying Modern Languages and History with a Year Abroad at Swansea University. You’ll build skills valued by employers across a range of sectors, while exploring the human condition from the Middle Ages to the present.

Modern Languages and History explores subjects including women’s history and gender, modern British social history and the history of religion, health and medicine, stretching from the Middle Ages to the Modern era. You will also study the rich diversity of your chosen language (French, German, or Spanish), as well as modules in cultural studies, film, history, translation and language teaching.

Studying this degree course opens up a range of exciting career opportunities by helping you to develop skills which are highly valued by employers.

Based at our stunning Singleton Park campus, in parkland overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula, our Modern Language and History course at Swansea University is highly regarded by students and employers.

Modern Languages at Swansea is ranked:

• 1st in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction (Guardian University Guide 2025)
• 1st for Learning Opportunities (NSS 2024)*
• 2nd for Teaching (NSS 2024)*
• 2nd for Student Voice (NSS 2024)**
• 5th in the UK Overall (Guardian University Guide 2025)

A. Based on the average positivity score across questions 5 to 9 in the NSS 2024 when ranked against universities featured in the Times Good University Guide.
B. Based on the average positivity score across questions 1 to 4 in the NSS 2024 when ranked against universities featured in the Times Good University Guide.
C. Based on the average positivity score across questions 22 to 25 in the NSS 2024 when ranked against universities featured in the Times Good University Guide.

History at Swansea is ranked:

• Top 15 in the UK for Student Experience (Times Good University Guide 2025)
• Top 25 in the UK for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2025)

You’ll be taught by staff with expertise in British, European, and American history, from the Middle Ages to the modern day, on topics including gender, sexuality, and inequalities; heritage and history in the workplace; medicine, health, and disability; and war, violence, and peace.
The course also includes a year spent studying abroad. The Year Abroad offers you the opportunity of studying at one of our partner institutions in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, Germany or Austria. Alternatively, you may choose to work as an English Foreign Language teacher through the British Council. For students of Spanish, there are additional opportunities available in Latin-America. Spending a year abroad, either on a paid work placement or studying in one of our partner institutions is an exciting and valuable opportunity which will further boost your student experience and employment prospects.

Your early studies will introduce you to the history of Medieval Europe, the Early Modern Era, as well as modern European and British history.

These modules will be complemented by appropriate language modules – either advanced (post-A level) or at beginner’s level, as well as cultural modules relating to the French, German or Spanish, with further options in teaching and pedagogy, translation, or additional languages such as Catalan, Italian, and Portuguese.

As part of this programme, you will spend a year abroad between your second and final year, broadening your skills and experience. Our partner institutions span the globe, with opportunities varying each year. If you wish to receive more information, please get in touch with us at study@swansea.ac.uk

We offer a variety of assessment methods within our programmes. In addition to traditional examinations and essays, examples of alternative assessment include:

• Presentations
• Group Work
• Oral Examinations

Throughout your undergraduate Modern Languages and History degree, you will develop excellent research and analytical skills and learn to present your ideas effectively both verbally and in writing.