BA (Hons) Modern Languages
University of Portsmouth
Key Information
Campus location
Southsea, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 9,250 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
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* for UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students/EU residents | £16,200/year: international students
Scholarships
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Introduction
In 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, 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 3 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 in simulations, scenario exercises, television broadcasts and debates, so you’re ready to thrive in the wide world of work
- Choose to focus on the aspects of other countries that fascinate you – from their history and politics through to economics and business
- 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
Options to customise your degree
Initial Teacher Training (ITT)
You can combine your language studies with teacher training and school teaching placements by taking the Initial Teacher Training (ITT) pathway.
If successful, you'll save an extra year of study, get a £9,000 bursary in your final year of study and get Qualified Teacher Status for teaching jobs in England and Wales.
Gallery
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Curriculum
Modules
Year 1
Core modules
- Language, Society and Mind: An Introduction to Linguistics – 20 credits
- Nation, Language and Identity – 20 credits
- Researching Language and Professional Practice – 40 credits
Optional modules
- French Grade 1 and 2 – General Language – 20 credits
- French Grade 1 and 2 – Language in Use – 20 credits
- French General Language Grade 3 – 20 credits
- German Grade 1 and 2 – General Language – 20 credits
- German Grade 1 and 2 – Language in Use – 20 credits
- German General Language Grade 3 – 20 credits
- Language Project (French) – 20 credits
- Language Project (German) – 20 credits
- Language Project (Spanish) – 20 credits
- Mandarin Grade 1 and 2 – Language in Use – 20 credits
- Mandarin Grade 1 and 2 – General Language – 20 credits
- Spanish Grade 1 and 2 – General Language – 20 credits
- Spanish Grade 1 and 2 – Language in Use – 20 credits
- Spanish General Language Grade 3 – 20 credits
- Language, Learning and Teaching– 20 credits
- Investigating Language Practices - 40 credits
Year 2
Core modules
- Year Abroad Preparation - 0 credits
Optional modules
- Business and Markets in a Global Environment – 20 credits
- China and East Asian Economics – 20 credits
- Contemporary Populism: Friend or Foe of Democracy? – 20 credits
- Development and Democracy in Latin America– 20 credits
- East Asian States and Societies – 20 credits
- Empire and its Afterlives – 20 credits
- Engaged Citizenship In Humanities And Social Sciences – 20 credits
- France in the World: Global Actor or Global Maverick? – 20 credits
- France: The Making Of A Republic – 20 credits
- French General Language Grade 3 and 4 (Part 1) – 20 credits
- French General Language Grade 3 and 4 (Part 2) – 20 credits
- French General Language Grade 4 – 20 credits
- German General Language Grade 3 and 4 (Part 1) – 20 credits
- German General Language Grade 3 and 4 (Part 2) – 20 credits
- German General Language Grade 4 – 20 credits
- Germany in the American Century – 20 credits
- Intercultural Perspectives on Communication – 20 credits
- Introduction to Teaching – 20 credits
- Introduction to Translation – 20 credits
- Italian General Language Grade 3 and 4 (Part 1) – 20 credits
- Italian General Language Grade 3 and 4 (Part 2) – 20 credits
- Modern Foreign Language (IWLP) – 20 credits
- Language for Professional Communication 1 (French) – 20 credits
- Language for Professional Communication 1 (German) – 20 credits
- Language for Professional Communication 1 (Spanish) – 20 credits
- Language Project (French) – 20 credits
- Language Project (Spanish) – 20 credits
- Language Project (German) – 20 credits
- Managing Across Cultures – 20 credits
- Mandarin General Language Grade 3 and 4 (Part 1) – 20 credits
- Mandarin General Language Grade 3 and 4 (Part 2) – 20 credits
- People And Place: Understanding The Spaces We Inhabit – 20 credits
- People on the Move: Legacy, Integration and Development– 20 credits
- Politics and Culture of the Hispanic World in 20th Century Literature and Film – 20 credits
- Professional Experience - L5 - 20 Credits
- Rethinking Nazi Germany: Politics, History, Society – 20 credits
- Revolution and Repression: Spain – 20 credits
- Spanish General Language Grade 3 and 4 (Part 1) – 20 credits
- Spanish General Language Grade 3 and 4 (Part 2) – 20 credits
- Spanish General Language Grade 4 – 20 credits
- World and Transnational Cinema – 20 credits
Year 3
Core module
- Accredited Study Abroad – 120 credits
Year 4
Optional modules
- China and East Asian Economics – 20 credits
- Contemporary Populism: Friend or Foe of Democracy? – 20 credits
- Creativity in the Language Classroom – 20 credits
- East Asian States and Societies – 20 credits
- France in the World: Global Actor or Global Maverick? – 20 credits
- French General Language Grade 6 – 20 credits
- Gender, Language and Sexuality – 20 credits
- German General Language Grade 6 – 20 credits
- Germany in the American Century – 20 credits
- Holocaust Literatures – 20 credits
- Interpreting 1 – 20 credits
- Interpreting 2 – 20 credits
- Introduction to Teaching – 20 credits
- Italian General Language Grade 6 – 20 credits
- Language and Social Media – 20 credits
- Mandarin General Language Grade 6 – 20 credits
- Politics and Culture of the Hispanic World in 20th Century Literature and Film – 20 credits
- Professional Development: Recruiters and Candidates – 20 credits
- Professional Experience L6 – 20 credits
- Research Project – 20 credits
- Rethinking Nazi Germany: Politics, History, Society – 20 credits
- Revolution and Repression: Spain – 20 credits
- Spanish General Language Grade 6 – 20 credits
- Spoken Discourse in the Workplace – 20 credits
- Translation Theory and Practice – 20 credits
- Translation Theory and Practice (Chinese) – 20 credits
- Workplace Discourse – 20 credits
- Written Discourse in the Workplace – 20 credits
Year abroad
After your second year, you'll do work or study abroad placement based in one or more countries where your chosen language is spoken. The experience abroad will help you build linguistic and cultural fluency that will help you stand out to employers when you graduate.
We'll give you all the support you need before your year abroad to find work or a study abroad placement that fits your aspirations. You can utilise our links with universities and employers worldwide, including Germany, Spain, China, Taiwan, Latin America and Senegal.
You'll continue to get mentoring and support from us throughout your year abroad, to help you get the most out of your experience.
Career Opportunities
As early as 2014, UK Trade and Investment reported that the UK's lack of language skills led 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 post-pandemic 2021, the opportunity to work remotely from anywhere in the world has dramatically increased, and the globalization of trade continues to grow (according to the DHL Global Connectedness Index). The professional language skills you develop in 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.
What jobs can you do with a modern languages degree?
Roles you could go onto include:
- bilingual consultant
- multilingual project coordinator translator
- translator/interpreter
- diplomat
- journalist
- tourist guide
- market analyst
What areas can you work in with a modern languages degree?
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
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 after graduation, you'll get 1-to-1 support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to find your perfect role.
Facilities
Student Testimonials
English Language Requirements
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