BA (Hons) MODERN LANGUAGES

Would you like to help people, organisations and countries communicate more effectively? On this course, you’ll use exciting contemporary materials, state-of-the-art technology and study with native speakers and translation and intercultural communication experts to transcend language barriers as you develop your chosen language to a high level of competence. 

You’ll hone your ability to develop and present sophisticated arguments in English and in your second languages (choosing two from French, Japanese or Spanish), and learn to speak, understand and write with precision, variety, and accuracy. You’ll develop the skills for engaging in debates and supporting your opinions. By the end of your degree, you’ll be able to demonstrate critical thinking, sophisticated expression, and independence in your chosen language. These are key skills for many employers, as are the tremendous flexibility and adaptability that you’ll acquire on your year abroad. 

You’ll also discover new perspectives by exploring intercultural communication, translation and other applied language study which will help you to be effective in the communication networks of today’s globalised world. 

The year abroad is a compulsory element of our four-year language degrees. 

You’ll enhance your studies and boost your employability by studying or working abroad. This will be an opportunity to develop intercultural awareness, resourcefulness and flexibility along with your language skills. It’s also a great way to demonstrate your resilience, confidence, and ability to thrive in an international setting to future employers 

If you’re studying French or Spanish, you’ll have the option of taking up a teaching assistantship in Europe or a work placement, or of studying at one of our many partner universities. If you’re studying Japanese you’ll spend your time abroad studying at one of our Japanese partner universities. 

If you are a double honours student taking two of French, Spanish or Japanese from A level, you will normally split the year between two countries where those languages are spoken. 

If you are a double honours student taking one of your degree languages from below A level, you will normally spend your entire year abroad in the country of the weaker language. It is strongly recommended that you follow at least some modules in the stronger language in your university placement and/or spend the summer working or studying in the country of the other language. We can provide support and advice on this. 

About

Alongside developing your language competence, you’ll take modules that explore the role of language, translation and intercultural communication in today’s global communication networks. 

The language-learning element of your degree will involve translation from and to English, reading and listening comprehension, précis and paraphrase work, the study of different styles and registers, lexical exercises, and oral work. 

Since presentation skills are vital in the contemporary work environment, you’ll focus on vocal and physical projection, developing poise and managing nerves. You’ll also practise speaking from notes, improvisation, and structuring arguments coherently. 

In all of these activities, you’ll use contemporary rather than literary or historical materials. 

You can take another language as part of your degree or as a non-credit module with certification. Subject to availability, you can choose from Arabic, British Sign Language, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Russian and Advanced English. 

You’ll spend your third year in a country where your degree languages are spoken. During this year, you’ll deepen your experience of the language and culture by either studying at a local university, taking up a teaching assistantship or going on a suitable work placement. If you are studying Japanese, you will attend one of our partner universities in Japan. 

We have exchange links with many universities in France and Spain, as well as links with universities in Japan, Canada and Latin America, including Mexico, Uruguay and Chile. 

Placement Year and Study Abroad

The year abroad is a compulsory element of our four-year language degrees.
You’ll enhance your studies and boost your employability by studying or working abroad. This will be an opportunity to develop intercultural awareness, resourcefulness and flexibility along with your language skills. It’s also a great way to demonstrate your resilience, confidence, and ability to thrive in an international setting to future employers.
If you’re studying French or Spanish, you’ll have the option of taking up a teaching assistantship in Europe or a work placement, or of studying at one of our many partner universities. If you’re studying Japanese you’ll spend your time abroad studying at one of our Japanese partner universities.
If you are a double honours student taking two of French, Spanish or Japanese from A level, you will normally split the year between two countries where those languages are spoken.
If you are a double honours student taking one of your degree languages from below A level, you will normally spend your entire year abroad in the country of the weaker language. It is strongly recommended that you follow at least some modules in the stronger language in your university placement and/or spend the summer working or studying in the country of the other language. We can provide support and advice on this.

For further details, visit the Study Abroad section of our website. 

After the Course

You’ll graduate prepared for a whole host of career sectors, both in the UK and abroad. These include tourism, hospitality and leisure, human resources, marketing, sales, business, international banking, media, the civil service, local government and administration, teaching and education, translation and interpretation, international trade and business, journalism, arts administration and customer services. 

Alternatively, you could continue your studies with a Master’s degree such as our MA in Global Intercultural Communication, MA in Applied Translation Studies, or perhaps an MBA. Our Careers Service run an annual Arts and Humanities events programme. This includes alumni-led presentations and workshops across a range of sectors, including charities, politics and government, writing and communications, and museums and heritage. You’ll also benefit from our annual Careers Using Languages Fair, where we showcase the range of opportunities available to you. This is a great chance to meet employers and to hear alumni speak about their career paths since graduating. 

Career destinations

Examples of careers you could enter include: 

• Business and finance 

• Translation and interpreting 

• Information technology and telecommunications 

• Media 

• Teaching and education 

• Sales and marketing