Your Privacy

We use cookies, which are small text files placed on your computer, to allow the site to work for you, improve your user experience, to provide us with information about how our site is used, and to deliver personalised ads which help fund our work and deliver our service to you for free.

The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalised web experience.

You can accept all, or else manage cookies individually. However, blocking some types of cookies may affect your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.

You can change your cookies preference at any time by visiting our Cookies Notice page. Please remember to clear your browsing data and cookies when you change your cookies preferences. This will remove all cookies previously placed on your browser.

For more detailed information about the cookies we use, or how to clear your browser cookies data see our Cookies Notice

Manage consent preferences

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems.

They are essential for you to browse the website and use its features.

You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. We can’t identify you from these cookies.

Functional Cookies

These help us personalise our sites for you by remembering your preferences and settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers, whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, then these services may not function properly.

Performance Cookies

These cookies allow us to count visits and see where our traffic comes from, so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are popular and see how visitors move around the site. The cookies cannot directly identify any individual users.

If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site and will not be able to improve its performance for you.

Marketing Cookies

These cookies may be set through our site by social media services or our advertising partners. Social media cookies enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They can track your browser across other sites and build up a profile of your interests. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to see or use the content sharing tools.

Advertising cookies may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but work by uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will still see ads, but they won’t be tailored to your interests.

APPLY

Study Modern Languages, why & how to study

Modern Languages combines the study of French, German, Spanish, Italian and more, where you learn how to interpret different languages and cultures.

CHOOSING A COURSE POSTGRADUATE UNDERGRADUATE

Tamsin Mosse 06 Oct 2023

Bookmark article

Modern languages students working around table with laptops

What’s Modern Languages?
What Modern Languages degrees can you study?
What do you need to get onto a Modern Languages degree?
What topics does a Modern Languages degree cover?
How will you be assessed?
Why study Modern Languages?
Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Modern Languages degree?
What do Modern Languages graduates earn?
What jobs can you get as a Modern Languages graduate?
What are the postgraduate opportunities?
Similar subjects to Modern Languages
Have any questions?

What’s Modern Languages?

Modern Languages is the study of two or more languages and their histories, societies, politics and cultures. You'll develop your speaking, reading, listening and writing skills and may even have the chance to learn something new like Arabic or Mandarin at beginner level.

Learning foreign languages opens the doors to many different careers including an international career in a translating or interpreting-related field.

What Modern Languages degrees can you study?

Undergraduate Modern Languages degrees on offer in the UK include:

Most options include an integrated foundation year or year abroad as part of the course.

What do you need to get onto a Modern Languages degree?

Must have

Most undergraduate Modern Languages courses ask for around 104–152 UCAS points. This could include the qualifications below:

A Levels: ABB–BCC
BTECs: DDM–DMM
Scottish Highers: AABB–BBBB
International Baccalaureate: 33–28
Universities will usually ask that you have studied French, German or Spanish

Good to have

Studied any foreign language, English, history, politics or sociology at A Level or equivalent
Volunteering, work experience or time spent in a country that speaks the language you’re learning
Shadowing or work experience at a translation company
Membership of a language club or society

What topics does a Modern Languages degree cover?

Typical modules for courses in this subject include:

French studies
German studies
Russian studies
Spanish studies
Written and oral skills
History, politics, culture and society
Intercultural communication

How will you be assessed?

Depending on your modules, you could be assessed through:

Written exams
Oral exams
Essays
Coursework
Commentaries
Dissertations
Portfolios

Why study Modern Languages?

Career-specific skills:

Communication in a foreign language
Cultural sensitivity
Gathering and interpreting information

Transferable skills:

Written and oral communication
Time management
Independent working
Flexibility
Problem-solving
Memory
Critical thinking
Presentation
Attention to detail

Professional accreditations:

Chartered Institute of Linguists

Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Modern Languages degree?

Some universities offer students specific scholarships, bursaries, or grants so it’s worth checking if you are eligible, how to apply and what it covers such as materials, tuition fees and/or living costs.

What do Modern Languages graduates earn?

When starting as a graduate translator, you can expect an entry-level salary of around £18,000.

The average salary for a translator in the UK is around £25,000. Salaries can be higher than £40,000 for those with lots of experience in high-level positions.

What jobs can you get as a Modern Languages graduate?

Modern Languages graduates go into professional jobs in fields like media, finance, government, commerce and education in companies all over the world, such as PwC, Sony and ASOS. Examples of roles that graduates go into: