Overview
On this BA (Hons) Modern Languages degree course, you'll study one language in-depth, immersing yourself in the culture, history and identity of the communities that speak it. In an increasingly global world, equip yourself with the ability to connect with millions of people in their native language.
You'll have the choice to work towards fluency in one of the following languages:
- French – spoken by 267 million people worldwide
- German – spoken by 135 million people worldwide
- Spanish – spoken by 543 million people worldwide
- Mandarin Chinese – spoken by 1,120 million people worldwide
Boost your language and cultural studies with a year abroad on a study or work placement, in a country or region that speaks your chosen language. Previous students have experienced life in Germany, Spain, China, Taiwan, Latin America and Senegal.
Wherever you choose to go, this course and the year abroad will transform your passion for language into practical multilingual skills you can use to build your career in any field – from teaching to international management and finance, or media and marketing.
Course Highlights
- Take a work or study abroad placement in year three, to fully absorb the history and culture of another country and develop the skills and experience you need to build a career across borders
- Put your language skills into practice through subtitling and translation scenarios, and making your own TV reports
- Opt to focus on the aspects of other countries that fascinate you – from their history and politics, through to economics and business
- Join the optional Teacher Training pathway to launch a career as a Modern Foreign Language teacher
- Take advantage of our Institution-Wide Language Programme and learn an additional foreign language for free as part of your degree, choosing from Arabic, British Sign Language, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin or Spanish
- Choose to mix and match optional modules, or tailor your course by selecting modules specifically within one of four specialisms: teaching and education, translation and interpreting, culture and linguistics, business and industry
Careers and Opportunities
As early as 2014, UK Trade and Investment reported that the UK's lack of language skills was leading to a 3.5% loss in national income through trade. This highlights the need UK companies have for bilingual and multilingual employees.
Fast forward to a post-pandemic 2021, the opportunity to work remotely from anywhere in the world has dramatically increased and globalization of trade continues to grow (according to the DHL Global Connectedness Index). The professional language skills you develop on this course could set you apart in a global job market, whether you plan to work in the UK after graduation or pursue a career abroad.
Roles you could go onto include:
- bilingual consultant
- multilingual project coordinator translator
- translator/interpreter
- diplomat
- journalist
- tourist guide
- market analyst
This degree broadens your options so you can pursue almost any career. Learning a second language is useful in all sectors, including:
- marketing
- journalism and the media
- international management
- translation and interpreting
- teaching
- tourism
- finance
You could also continue your studies at postgraduate level with a Master's in a subject such as Translation Studies or Applied Linguistics and TESOL.
Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.
Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.
