Skip to main content Skip to navigation

Modern Languages and Economics (BA) (Full-Time, 2021 Entry)

If you would like to study at Warwick, there are other courses available for 2025 entry.

Explore our undergraduate courses for 2025 entry


UCAS Code
R9L1

Qualification
Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Duration
4 years full-time, normally including a year abroad

Start Date
27 September 2021

Department of Study
School of Modern Languages

Location of Study
University of Warwick


On our Modern Languages and Economics (BA) degree you will split your time equally between Modern Languages and Economics. Studying Modern Languages will equip you with excellent communication, research, critical and evaluative skills, all of which are highly sought after by employers.


Course overview

On this degree you’ll split your time equally between Modern Languages and Economics. Studying Modern Languages will enable you to gain expertise in two languages. Choose one language from: French, German, Italian or Spanish. Choose the second language from Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian or Spanish. As well as studying the foundations of economics, you’ll develop your linguistic and intercultural skills. You’ll normally spend your second or third year abroad, consolidating and enhancing your learning.


Course structure

This joint degree enables you to acquire an in-depth knowledge of two languages while developing your ability as an analyst of international economic phenomena. 50% of your degree will be in Economics where you will study the choices of consumers, corporations, governments, networks and nations, developing a deep knowledge of global and local economic trends, institutions and policies. The other 50% of your degree will be in the School of Modern Languages. Each language represents 25% of the degree. Your first language must be post A level (or equivalent) in French, German, Italian or Spanish. Your second language is selected from Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian or Spanish.

You can spend your year abroad either in one country for the whole year, or you can split your time between your two languages.


How will I learn?

We employ a variety of teaching styles, including: lectures; seminars and written and spoken language classes in small groups. You will spend the rest of your time studying independently, preparing for classes, reading and analysing materials set for study, writing essays and working on your language skills.


Class size

Seminars of around 15 students.


Contact hours

17 hours per week.


How will I be assessed?

We will track your progress through language assignments, essays, presentations, portfolio submissions and examinations (written and oral). Throughout your course you will receive detailed, personalised feedback to help you to improve your skills. The final degree classification is determined by your intermediate- and final-year marks; each of these years contributes 50%.


Your year abroad

We strongly recommend that students take a year abroad, if they are able to. Students may move to a three-year degree if circumstances do not permit them to complete a year abroad. In such cases, there will be further language reinforcement work and students will be encouraged to spend time abroad in other ways, during vacation times.

You will usually spend your year abroad doing one of three things:

  • Working as a language assistant teaching English in a primary or secondary school
  • Studying full-time at a partner university in your chosen country
  • On a work placement

The year abroad options are flexible so we recommend you check the department's subject pages for more details.

General entry requirements

A level:

  • AAB to include A in a language
  • You must possess an A level in your first language choice (French/German/Italian/Spanish)
  • You must also have a GCSE Mathematics grade A/grade 7 or equivalent

IB:

  • 36 to include 6 in a Higher Level language
  • You must be taking your first choice language (French/German/Italian/Spanish) at Higher Level
  • You must also have a GCSE Mathematics grade A/grade 7 or a 5 in Higher Level/6 in Standard Level Maths

BTEC:

  • We welcome applications from students taking BTECs alongside an A level in their first language choice (French/German/Italian/Spanish)
  • You must also have a GCSE Mathematics grade A/grade 7 or equivalent

At what level can I learn each language?

Your first language must be post A level French, German, Italian or Spanish

Your second language if it is French, German, Italian or Spanish can be taken at any level (dependent on prior qualifications/experience)

Chinese

Mandarin Chinese can be taken from beginner, intermediate or post A level (or equivalent) level maximum

Applicants with Mandarin Chinese language ability above this level, including native speakers, would not be able to study this language

Arabic, Japanese or Russian

These languages can usually only be taken at beginner’s level

If you have any prior learning of the language please contact ugadmissions at warwick dot ac dot uk before applying

Additional requirements:

You will also need to meet our English Language requirements.


International Students

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

Find out more about international entry requirements.


Contextual data and differential offers

Warwick may make differential offers to students in a number of circumstances. These include students participating in the Realising Opportunities programme, or who meet two of the contextual data criteria. Differential offers will be one or two grades below Warwick’s standard offer (to a minimum of BBB).


Warwick International Foundation Programme (IFP)

All students who successfully complete the Warwick IFP and apply to Warwick through UCAS will receive a guaranteed conditional offer for a related undergraduate programme (selected courses only).

Find out more about standard offers and conditions for the IFP.


Taking a gap year

Applications for deferred entry welcomed.


Interviews

We do not typically interview applicants. Offers are made based on your UCAS form which includes predicted and actual grades, your personal statement and school reference.

Year One

You can choose one of the following languages for your first language:

  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Spanish

You can choose your second language from the following options:

  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Spanish
  • Arabic
  • Chinese
  • Japanese
  • Russian

If you choose to study Arabic, Japanese or Russian, the course aims to bring you to B2 standard (CEFR) in this language which approximates to A level by the end of the degree. If you have any prior learning of the language please contact ugadmissions@warwick.ac.uk before applying

If you choose to study Chinese, you will study to post-GCSE or post-A level (or equivalent) level maximum. This course is not suitable for applicants with language ability above this level, including native speakers.

  • Culture module from Language 1
  • OR Culture module from Language 2
  • OR a translation module
Economics 1

You'll develop an understanding of fundamental and intermediate concepts in micro- and macroeconomic analysis, equipping you with a range of appropriate analytical skills, including descriptive, graphical and mathematical methods. This will develop your ability to analyse economic trends, institutions and policies and the capacity to apply analytical techniques to real-world problems.

Quantitative Techniques

This module combines two modules: Mathematical Techniques and Statistical Techniques. You will cover topics ranging from algebra and calculus to distributions and hypothesis testing, which will provide you with key skills and knowledge that will then applied in many other modules. In addition, you will be introduced to some advanced statistical software packages, which will help you learn about a range of techniques to analyse data and different ways in which you can present data.


Intermediary year

This might be your second year or your third year, depending on when you choose to take your year abroad.

Continue learning your chosen language.

Continue learning your chosen language.

Economics 2

You'll develop deeper understanding of some of the key economic concepts but will also be introduced to new concepts in both micro- and macroeconomic analysis. These include material drawn from general equilibrium, welfare economics, game theory, risk and uncertainty within microeconomics and three equation macro model, open economy macroeconomics and the labour market within macroeconomics. It will introduce you to the analysis of public policy issues such as market failure, insurance, monetary unions and fiscal policy, and will give you a range of tools to analyse economic problems. Your analysis will be underpinned by a rigorous theoretical understanding acquired on the course.

Econometrics 1

You'll be equipped with important skills of both academic and vocational value, being an essential part of the intellectual training of an economist and also useful for your future career. This includes an awareness of the empirical approach to economics; experience in analysis and use of empirical data; understanding the nature of uncertainty and methods of dealing with it; and using econometric software packages as tools of quantitative and statistical analysis. With the required necessary skills and knowledge to critically appraise work in applied economics, you'll have a good grasp of the dangers, pitfalls and problems encountered in applied modelling. You will then be able to apply this knowledge to a research project of your own.


[content page="https://warwick.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/module-marketing-data" term="ec203"]description

Year Abroad (Year Two or Three)

You do not have any core modules during your year abroad


Final Year

Continue learning your chosen language.

Continue learning your chosen language.

Research in Applied Economics

You will have the opportunity to deepen and consolidate your knowledge by applying your understanding of economic theory to a research question that arouses your curiosity. You will use a combination of economic analysis and statistical and econometric techniques to formulate and pursue your research interest, supported by lectures on research methodology and supervision by a member of academic staff, who will support your research towards an independent project. The work will increase your confidence in formulating economic questions, and the scientific method of developing a suitable approach, conducting a literature review and data searches, identifying and testing hypotheses and using your findings to construct coherent, persuasive scholarly arguments, presented in both written and oral form.

Examples of optional modules/options for current students:

Explore optional modules in Modern Languages

Tuition fees

Find out more about fees and funding.


Additional course costs

There may be costs associated with other items or services such as academic texts, course notes, and trips associated with your course. Students who choose to complete a work placement or study abroad will pay reduced tuition fees for their third year.


Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship 2021

We believe there should be no barrier to talent. That's why we are committed to offering a scholarship that makes it easier for gifted, ambitious international learners to pursue their academic interests at one of the UK's most prestigious universities. This new scheme will offer international fee-paying students 250 tuition fee discounts ranging from full fees to awards of £13,000 to £2,000 for the full duration of your Undergraduate degree course.

Find out more about the Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship 2021

Your career

This degree course was only recently introduced, so our first cohort of students have not yet graduated.

However, graduates from other Modern Language courses like this one have gone on to work for employers including:

  • Amazon
  • British Airways
  • Civil Service
  • Grayce Consulting
  • HM Revenue and Customs
  • HSBC
  • Ipsos Mori
  • Lidl
  • NBC Universal
  • Save the Children International
  • The Department for International Trade

They have pursued careers such as:

  • Business and financial project management professionals
  • Chartered and certified accountants
  • Financial accounts managers
  • Human resources and industrial relations officers
  • Management consultants and business analysts
  • Public services associate professionals
  • Teachers and other educational professionals

Helping you find the right career

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant to support you. They offer impartial advice and guidance, together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

  • What are you doing after Warwick? Career planning for final year language students
  • Careers in the Public Sector
  • Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
  • Completing effective CVs and Application Forms for students from the School of Modern Languages
  • Reflecting on Your Year Abroad
  • Languages Alumni Evening

Find out more about careers support at Warwick.

Isabella, current student

"Friendly and easy to talk to"

"The department is incredible, they’re always on hand to help me whether it was with my year abroad queries or just general language-related issues. The best thing about them is that they’re really friendly and easy to talk to."

Isabella

BA Modern Languages

About the information on this page

This information is applicable for 2021 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.