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Modern Languages BA

Undergraduate

Year abroad

Start date

27 September 2027

Study location

University of Warwick

Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Department

School of Modern Languages & Cultures

Duration

4 years full-time, normally including a year abroad

Course overview

Do you have a passion for language learning, intercultural communication, and the study of cultures and societies? Are you looking to study multiple languages within a flexible degree structure? A Modern Languages degree at Warwick enables you to study two or three languages and the cultural contexts in which they are spoken. The course includes a year studying or working abroad to boost your skills and employability.

You will have access to outstanding facilities and resources. This includes flexible collaborative and individual learning spaces, as well as a vast selection of print, digital and multimedia learning materials.

You will graduate as a highly qualified linguist, with advanced intercultural skills and a sophisticated understanding of key concepts and debates in the cultures you have studied. The specialist communication, research, critical and evaluative skills you will gain are all highly sought after by employers.

Modern Languages students and staff talking

This flexible degree programme allows you to study two or three languages alongside an exploration of the cultural contexts where they are spoken. Alongside your language study, you will gain a sophisticated understanding of the cultures and societies linked to one or more of your languages, and you have the opportunity to study thematic modules across cultures.

You can choose one of two different routes on this degree:

  • On route one you study two languages, a culture module relating to Language 1 and a further culture or translation module from across the School, which may relate to either one of your languages. This route gives you more space to explore and think critically about aspects of the cultures and societies in which your languages are spoken. 50% of your time will be devoted to language learning and the other 50% of your time will be spent studying culture modules focused on your first language and/or selected from within the School. You can choose your first language from: French, German, Italian or Spanish. Your second language can be selected from: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish.
  • On route two you study three languages, and alongside your language learning you will study a culture module from across the School, relating to one of your languages. This route gives you the chance to diversify your portfolio of linguistic and cultural expertise by taking up a new language to complement those you have studied before. 75% of your degree will be devoted to language learning and the remaining 25% of your time will be spent studying culture modules focusing on one or more of your languages. You can choose two languages from: French, German, Italian or Spanish. Your third language will be selected from: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish.

For the three-language route, we normally expect you to study two languages at Advanced level: please get in touch with the Director of Admissions if you do not have an A-level in both Language 1 and Language 2.

We offer a wide range of culture modules within the School of Modern Languages and Cultures, studying different aspects of the cultures and societies in which your languages are spoken. The full range is open to you on both routes of this course.

Your second or third year is normally spent abroad, either as a language assistant, or working or studying at one of our partner universities. This is an invaluable opportunity to immerse yourself in the linguistic and cultural contexts where your chosen languages are spoken, enhance your language skills and build international connections.

You will have access to outstanding facilities and resources. This includes flexible collaborative and individual learning spaces, as well as a vast selection of print, digital and multimedia learning materials.

You will graduate as a highly qualified linguist, with advanced intercultural skills and a sophisticated understanding of key concepts and debates in the cultures where your languages are spoken. The specialist communication, research, critical and evaluative skills you will gain are all highly sought after by employers.

Entry requirements

Modules

Route One - studying two languages

On the first route in the BA Modern Languages, you will choose two languages.

  • Language 1 must be post A Level (or equivalent) French, German, Italian or Spanish.
  • Language 2 can be either French, German, Italian, Spanish or Mandarin Chinese, Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese or Russian. Of these, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Mandarin can be taken at Beginner or Advanced level, whereas Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese or Russian will normally be taken at Beginner or post-GCSE level.

In your first year, in addition to your language modules, you will take a culture module related to Language 1 and can choose whether to take a further culture module in that language, or a culture module from your Language 2 (if French, German, Italian or Hispanic Studies), or a cross-school module in Translation Studies.

In each on-campus year of your degree you will continue with your two languages. Each year, you will take a culture module related to Language 1 and then select further culture or Translation Studies modules from the wide variety of options available across the School.

You will normally spend your second or third year abroad consolidating your language learning. You can choose whether to spend the whole year in one destination, or to split the year between countries where your two languages are spoken.


Route Two - studying three languages

On the second route in the BA Modern Languages, you will choose three languages.

  • Language 1 and Language 2 must normally be post A Level (or equivalent) French, German, Italian or Spanish.
  • Language 3 can be French, German, Italian, Spanish or Mandarin Chinese, Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese or Russian. Of these, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Mandarin can be taken at Beginner or Advanced level, whereas Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese or Russian will normally be taken at Beginner or post-GCSE level.

In your first year, in addition to your language modules, you will take a culture module related to Language 1 and can choose whether to take a further culture module in that language, or a culture module from your Language 2 (if French, German, Italian or Hispanic Studies), or a cross-school module in Translation Studies.

In each on-campus year of your degree you will continue with your three languages. Each year, you will take a culture module related to Language 1 and then select further culture or Translation Studies modules from the wide variety of options available across the School.

You will normally spend your second or third year abroad consolidating your language learning. You can choose whether to spend the whole year in one destination, or to split the year between countries where two or all three of your languages are spoken.


A note on the languages

Mandarin Chinese can be taken at Beginner, Intermediate or post A Level (or equivalent) maximum. If you have Chinese at A Level (or equivalent), please contact ugadmissions@warwick.ac.uk before applying to check your suitability. Applicants with Chinese language ability above A Level (or equivalent), including native speakers, would not be able to study this language.

Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese or Russian can usually only be taken at Beginner or Intermediate level. If you have any prior learning or qualifications in the language, please contact ugadmissions@warwick.ac.uk before applying to check your suitability.

If studying three languages, two of your languages should be chosen from French, German, Italian or Spanish.

A note on culture and translation modules

For those studying two languages, culture and translation modules are available in all years of the course. Cultural modules either relate to French, German, Italian or Spanish, or they are of a cross-cultural nature, embracing multilingual perspectives on a topic. Translation modules are available with Chinese, French, German, Italian or Spanish.

Note that the module catalogue is subject to change for future years of study, as we evolve our courses in response to the latest developments in academia and industry.

Which route are you interested in?

  • Route One: study two languages, exploring associated cultures and societies
  • Route Two: study two languages and selected cultural contexts, with a third language in addition

Route One: Year 1

Choose a further culture option from Language 1 or 2, or a Translation Studies module

Route Two: Year 1

Choose a cultural option in Language 1, or 2 or a Translation Studies module

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