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Modern Languages

  • BA (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time
  • 21 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
University Park Campus
More about University of Nottingham

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

Studying languages is both fascinating and challenging. In today’s complex world, language skills are more important than ever before. They break down barriers, allow us to connect globally and see the world from a different point of view.

During this degree, you will have the opportunity to hone these skills by spending a year abroad immersing yourself in your chosen languages and cultures. Many of our students say the year abroad is their course highlight and find that they return more independent and confident, with experiences and skills that make them stand out to future employers.

You may study two or three languages on this course, one of which can be from ‘beginner’ level. The languages on offer are:

French
German
Mandarin Chinese
Portuguese
Russian
Serbian/Croatian
Spanish

Why choose this course?

  • Great teaching - 91% of students from the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures said the teaching staff were good at explaining things (NSS 2024)

  • Go beyond the language - study all aspects of your language’s culture, from contemporary media to remembering the past

  • Tailor the course to your interests or career aspirations through module selection

  • Increase your employability - open up job opportunities with foreign language skills

  • Year abroad - spend a year abroad immersing yourself in your chosen languages and cultures

  • A great track record - 85% of students from the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures graduated with either a 1st or 2:1 in 2023

  • Work with our dedicated Faculty of Arts Placements Team to assist with your employability skills development via a range of placements, internships and volunteering opportunities

Language pathways
There are two pathways for most of the languages offered: ‘beginner’ and ‘post A-level'. These are taught separately over the first two years. By the time you return from your year abroad, all students will be at a similar level and so for most pathways final year students take the same language modules.

The combination of languages you choose is up to you, but due to timetabling and the nature of language learning there are a few restrictions:

  • You may only start one language as a beginner

  • Portuguese and Serbian/Croatian may only be started as a beginner

Engaged Arts
All students within the Faculty of Arts can select ‘Engaged Arts’ modules where you’ll approach real world challenges across contemporary themes such as sustainability or equity and justice. These modules have been newly designed to help you gain the skills and analytical abilities that employers are looking for.

Have you seen our latest rankings?

  • Top ten for French Studies in the UK - Daily Mail University Guide 2025

  • Top ten for Iberian Studies in the UK - Daily Mail University Guide 2025

  • 3rd for East and South Asian Studies in the UK in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

  • 4th for Asian Studies in the UK - Complete University Guide 2025

  • Top ten for German in the UK in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

  • Top ten for Russian and East European Languages in the UK - Complete University Guide 2025

You can also access this course through a Foundation Year. This may be suitable if you have faced educational barriers and do not expect to meet the entry requirements for direct entry to a degree course. Please see the UCAS page for the relevant Foundation Year course for further information.

Subject options

This course offers the following subject options:

  • French and Beginners' German
  • French and Beginners' Portuguese
  • French and Beginners' Russian
  • French and Beginners` Spanish
  • French and German
  • French and Hispanic Studies
  • French and Portuguese
  • German and Beginners' French
  • German and Beginners' Russian
  • German and Beginners` Spanish
  • German and Hispanic Studies
  • German and Russian
  • Hispanic Studies and Russian
  • Portuguese and Beginners' Spanish
  • Russian and Beginners' French
  • Russian and Beginners' German
  • Spanish and Beginners' French
  • Spanish and Beginners' German
  • Spanish and Beginners' Russian
  • Spanish and Portuguese

Modules

For detailed information about the modules you will study, please visit the course page: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/courses/UG/Modern-Languages-BA-Hons-U6UMODLA.html

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • University Park Campus

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 21 September 2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
R900
Institution code:
N84
Campus name:
University Park Campus
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Nottingham has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
R900
Institution code:
N84
Campus name:
University Park Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff Not accepted

A level ABB

Including 1 language from French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Russian or Spanish.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) DDD

Unfortunately we are unable to accept this qualification on its own due to the subject specific requirements at A Level. A Level grade B in one of French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Russian or Spanish.

Access to HE Diploma D: 24 credits M: 21 credits P: 0 credits

Unfortunately we are unable to accept this qualification on its own due to the subject specific requirements at A Level. A Level grade B in one of French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Russian or Spanish.

Scottish Higher ABBBB

This qualification is only acceptable when combined with Scottish Advanced Highers at grades AB including 1 language from French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Russian or Spanish.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) DD

and A Level grade B in one of French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Russian or Spanish.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Applications are assessed on an individual basis.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) D

and A Level grades BB including one of French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Russian or Spanish.

Scottish Advanced Higher AB

Including 1 language from French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Russian or Spanish. This qualification is only acceptable when combined with Scottish Higher grades ABBBB.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 30 points

or 655 in 3 Higher Level Certificates including Higher Level 5 in one from French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Russian or Spanish or Standard Level 6 (B Programme) in one from French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Russian or Spanish.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales A - B

This qualification is considered alongside other UoN accepted qualifications such as A Levels including 1 language from French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Russian or Spanish.

Extended Project A

If you have already achieved your EPQ at Grade A you will automatically be offered one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject.

If you are still studying for your EPQ you will receive the standard course offer, with a condition of one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject if you achieve an A grade in your EPQ.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal D3, M2, M3

Including M2 in 1 language from French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Russian or Spanish.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE English grade 4 (alpha grade C)

AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies (Core Maths) A

If you have already achieved your Core Maths qualification at grade A you will automatically be offered one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject. If you are still studying for your Core Maths qualification you will receive the standard course offer, and also an alternate offer with a condition of one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject if you achieve an A grade in your Core Maths qualification.

Core Maths qualifications offered by other exam boards are also considered for an alternative offer.

European Baccalaureate - 75% overall including at least 8.0 in 1 language from French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Russian or Spanish.

University of Nottingham’s Arts and Humanities Foundation Year Progression Options

Degree courses in the Faculty of Arts are also available as progression routes from our Arts and Humanities Foundation Year (Y14F). This may be suitable if you have faced educational barriers and do not expect to meet the entry requirements for direct entry to a degree course. Please see the UCAS page for the Foundation Year course for further information.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We consider applicants solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential – we use exam grades to prioritise applicants but look at a range of factors and aim to give everyone an equal opportunity to show their achievements.

We understand that background and personal circumstances can have an impact on academic performance at school or college. Applicants who are eligible under our contextual admissions policies may be considered for a reduced contextual offer.

Learn more on the University of Nottingham website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

View undergraduate tuition fees for UK and international students: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/fees/tuitionfees/202526/undergraduate.aspx

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