Do you have a passion for language learning, intercultural communication, and the study of cultures and societies? Are you looking to study one or two languages, with a focus on understanding how languages help us communicate and establish our identities?
The degree in Modern Languages and Linguistics (50% Modern Languages, 50% Applied Linguistics) combines specialist language learning with the application of linguistic knowledge and theory to solve real-world problems. Modern Languages looks at the very heart of how we communicate with other people and societies, focusing on the different nuances and cultural debates that can shape our interactions with one another. Meanwhile, your Linguistics modules will help you build an interdisciplinary foundation from leading research in language and communication. Then you will apply your learning to explore, challenge, understand, and address problems and find meaningful solutions.
Our flexible programme allows you to acquire an in-depth knowledge of one language and its related cultural contexts, or study two languages, while exploring the social contexts of language in general. 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 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 you have studied. The specialist communication, research, critical and evaluative skills you will gain are all highly sought after by employers.
This Joint Honours degree is split 50:50 between Modern Languages and Linguistics. The degree will enable you to gain expertise in one language and its related culture, or in two languages, while exploring the social contexts of language as well as how language is acquired.
You can choose one of two different routes on this degree:
On route one (one language), you specialise in one language and its related cultural contexts.
On route two (two languages) you focus on two languages.
Both routes enable you to spend half your time studying in the Centre for Applied Linguistics (CAL). On route one you can choose from: French, German, Italian or Spanish. This route enables you to select cultural modules related to that language and/or selected from the wide range of thematic options offered across the School. On route two you choose Language 1 from: French, German, Italian, or Spanish. Language 2 will be selected from: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish.
On both routes, you will normally spend your second or third year abroad, consolidating and enhancing your learning. If you are taking two languages, you can split the year between your languages.
Entry requirements
A level typical offer
ABB to include a language. For the 2-language pathway, you must possess an A level in Language 1 (French, German, Italian or Spanish).
A level contextual offer
We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is BBB. For the 1-language pathway you will need grade B in a modern foreign language or Latin/Ancient Greek. For the 2-language pathway you will need grade B in the language chosen as Language 1 (French, German, Spanish or Italian).
For the one-language route, you can study French, German, Italian, or Spanish at any level.
For the two-language route, one of your languages must be post A level French, German, Italian or Spanish. Your other language can be at any level (dependent on prior qualifications/experience)
Mandarin Chinese can be taken at beginner, intermediate or post A level (or equivalent) level 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.ukLink opens in a new window before applying to check your suitability.
We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.
International Baccalaureate (IB) typical offer
32 to include 5 in a Higher Level language. For the 2-language pathway, you must be taking the language chosen as Language 1 (French, German, Italian or Spanish) at Higher Level.
International Baccalaureate (IB) contextual offer
We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is 30. For the 1-language pathway you will need 5 at Higher Level in a modern foreign language or Latin/Ancient Greek. For the 2-language pathway you will need 5 at Higher Level in the language chosen as Language 1 (French, German, Spanish or Italian).
For the one-language route, you can study French, German, Italian, or Spanish at any level.
For the two-language route, one of your languages must be post A level French, German, Italian or Spanish. Your other language can be at any level (dependent on prior qualifications/experience)
Mandarin Chinese can be taken at beginner’s, intermediate or post A level (or equivalent) level 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.ukLink opens in a new window before applying to check your suitability.
We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.
At what level can I learn each language?
For the one-language route, you can study French, German, Italian, or Spanish at any level.
For the two-language route, one of your languages must be post A level French, German, Italian or Spanish. Your other language can be at any level (dependent on prior qualifications/experience)
Mandarin Chinese can be taken at beginner’s, intermediate or post A level (or equivalent) level maximum. If you have Chinese at A level (or equivalent), please contact ugadmissions@warwick.ac.ukLink opens in a new window 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.ukLink opens in a new window before applying to check your suitability.
BTEC
We welcome applications from students taking BTECs alongside an A level in a language; if you select the 2-language pathway, you should have an A Level in your choice of Language 1 (French, German, Italian or Spanish).
Scotland Advanced Highers
AB in two Advanced Highers including a language, where you have achieved BBB in three further Highers subjects. For the 2-language pathway, you must possess an Advanced Higher in your first language choice (French, German, Italian or Spanish).
Welsh Baccalaureate
BBB in three subjects at A level including a language, plus grade C in the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales. For the 2-language pathway, you must possess an A level in your first language choice (French, German, Italian or Spanish).
Access to Higher Education Diplomas
We will consider applicants returning to study who are presenting a QAA-recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma on a case-by-case basis.
Typically, we require 45 Credits at Level 3, including Distinction in 33 Level 3 credits and Merit in 12 Level 3 Credits. We may also require subject specific credits or an A level to be studied alongside the Access to Higher Education Diploma to fulfil essential subject requirements.
We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.
Warwick may make differential offers to students in certain circumstances, such as those who have participated in a Widening Participation programme or who meet the University’s contextual data criteria. These offers are usually one or two grades below Warwick’s standard offer.
Do you offer foundation programmes?
All students who successfully complete the Warwick International Foundation Programme (IFP) and apply to Warwick through UCAS will receive a guaranteed conditional offer for a related undergraduate programme, for selected courses only. Further details are available in the standard offer and conditions for the IFP.
Can I take a gap year before starting my course?
Yes, Warwick welcomes applications for deferred (gap year) entry.
Will I need to interview for this course?
Warwick does not typically interview applicants. Offers are made based on the UCAS application, including predicted and achieved grades, the personal statement, and the school reference.
In your first year you will take a module in your chosen language (French, German, Italian, or Spanish) and one module focusing on the cultural contexts of that language. You will also take three core modules from Linguistics:
Linguistics: Understanding Language
Language in Society
Research, Academic and Professional Skills
In your intermediate year you will continue to study your chosen language. You will select further modules from the wide range of options available across the School of Modern Languages and Cultures.
You will take the following Linguistics modules:
Phonetics and Phonology
Morphology and Syntax
Sociolinguistics
You will also have a choice between two modules:
Intercultural Business Communication
Qualitative Research
You will spend your second or third year abroad consolidating your linguistic and intercultural skills. You will continue to study your chosen language in final year and will be able to choose from the full range of final-year modules available in the School.
In Linguistics you will study 'Communication Modes' and a further module of your choice. You will also complete a Linguistics dissertation.
Route Two
In your first year you will take two language modules. 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.
You will also take three core modules from Linguistics:
Linguistics: Understanding Language
Language in Society
Research, Academic and Professional Skills
In your intermediate year you will continue to study your chosen languages. You will take the following Linguistics modules:
Phonetics and Phonology
Morphology and Syntax
Sociolinguistics
You will also have a choice between two modules:
Intercultural Business Communication
Qualitative Research
You will spend your second or third year abroad consolidating your linguistic and intercultural skills. You will continue to study your chosen languages in final year.
In Linguistics you will study 'Communication Modes' and a further module of your choice. You will also complete a Linguistics dissertation.
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.
A note on culture and translation modules
For those studying one language, culture or 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.
On 26 November 2025, the UK government announced that the tuition fee cap for UK undergraduate students for the 2026-27 academic year would increase to £9,790 from the 2025-26 rate of at £9,535.
Students who qualify for government-regulated fees are classed as ‘Home’ students for fees purposes. In future years, fees for continuing students may be subject to an increase in fees in line with any inflationary uplift as determined by the UK Government (if permitted by law or government policy).
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.
If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.
You will repay your loan or loans gradually once you are working and earning above a certain amount. For students starting their course after 1 August 2023 (on Student Finance England’s Plan 5), you will repay when your income is over £25,000 a year.
Repayments will be taken directly from your salary if you are an employee. If your income falls below the earnings threshold or you stop working, your repayments will stop until your income goes back up above this figure.
Access thousands of part-time opportunities through our agency Unitemps (such as office work, retail jobs or helping at events)
Choose to apply for a job as one of our Student Ambassadors to share your own experience at events like Open Days
There are many different funding routes available, including a number of bursaries and scholarships for full-time undergraduates. If you struggle to meet your essential living costs, our Student Funding team will be on hand to offer advice and support.
Provides additional financial support for qualifying Home students from lower income families of up to £2,500 for eligible students
This bursary is paid directly into your bank account in three equal termly instalments to help with the costs of studying
There is no application for this bursary as your details will be provided directly from the student support awarding bodies (Student Finance England, Student Finance Northern Ireland, and Student Awards Agency Scotland)
A number of scholarship opportunities are open to full-time undergraduate students. These include sporting and musical bursaries, and scholarships offered by commercial organisations.
If you experience financial difficulties during your studies, you may be eligible for Hardship Funding from the University, in the form of an Emergency Loan and/or a non-repayable award
There are no scholarships available for your School or Department; however, there are other scholarships you may be eligible for - please see our Scholarships webpages for more information.
Tuition fee
If you are an overseas student enrolling in 2026-27, your annual tuition fees will be as follows:
Band 1 – £27,870 per year (classroom-based courses, including Humanities and most Social Science courses)
Band 2 – £35,530 per year (laboratory-based courses, plus Mathematics, Statistics, Theatre and Performance Studies, Economics, and courses provided by Warwick Business School, with exceptions)
Overseas Tuition fees for 2027-28 academic year have not been set. In future years, fees for continuing students may be subject to an increase in fees in line with an inflationary uplift. Please check our website for updates about 2027-28 fee rates before you apply.
If you are an EU student and eligible for student finance, you may be able to get a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your fees, please visit our Student Funding webpage for guidance for students ordinarily resident outside of England.
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.
If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.
Eligibility for student finance will depend on certain criteria, such as your nationality, residency status, course, and previous level of study. The information below is based on the package of financial support available to students starting their course in 2026.
Eligible European Union (EU) Undergraduates can apply for a loan to help with the cost of Tuition Fees. Eligible EU students who meet additional residency criteria may also be eligible for a loan to assist with living costs.For more information please see Student Finance for Undergraduates - EU StudentsLink opens in a new window.
Access thousands of part-time opportunities through our agency Unitemps (such as office work, retail jobs or helping at events)
Choose to apply for a job as one of our Student Ambassadors to share your own experience at events like Open Days
If you are an international student, you may be eligible for financial help from your own government, from the British Council or from other funding agencies. You can usually request information on scholarships from the Ministry of Education in your home country, or from the local British Council office.
A number of scholarship opportunities are open to full-time undergraduate students. These include sporting and musical bursaries, and scholarships offered by commercial organisations.
If you experience financial difficulties during your studies, you may be eligible for Hardship Funding from the University, in the form of an Emergency Loan and/or a non-repayable award.
As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.
For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue.
Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2025/26 year of study). Information about module specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:
We employ a variety of teaching styles within the School of Modern Languages and Cultures, including:
Lectures
Seminars (consisting of around 15 students and focussing on student participation)
Written and spoken language classes in small groups
Online learning materials for you to engage with in your own time
You will spend the rest of your time:
Studying independently
Working on group projects
Preparing for classes
Reading
Analysing materials set for study
Preparing written assignments, such as essays, close analyses, and presentations
Working on your language skills
Seminars of around 15 students.
14 hours per week.
We will track your progress through:
Language assignments
Essays
Presentations
Portfolio submissions
Examinations (written and oral)
To help you improve your skills, you will receive detailed and personalised feedback throughout your course.
Your intermediate and final year marks each contribute 50% of your final degree classification.
The Year Abroad is a distinctive and invaluable part of any degree in Modern Languages, as it enables you to further refine your skills through linguistic and cultural immersion. If you are unable to spend a year abroad, you may transfer to a three-year degree. In such cases, you will be required to complete further language reinforcement work. You will also 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
A languages degree will equip you with skills applicable to a wide variety of different jobs and career paths. Our students often go on to careers using their languages after graduation. They also develop transferrable communicative and analytical skills that are highly sought after by employers.
Graduates from Modern Language courses 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
Our School has a dedicated, professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant to support you. They offer impartial advice and guidance, together with workshops and events to boost your employability. Previous examples of workshops and events include:
What are you doing after Warwick? Career planning for final year language students
Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
Completing effective CVs and Application Forms for students from the School of Modern Languages and Cultures
Our Student Opportunity (Careers) department offer a wide range of workshops, from developing confidence and interview techniques to learning how to articulate what you have to offer in order to impress potential employers. Online resources are also available, including training in drafting CVs and covering letters, practice aptitude and psychometric tests, practice online interviews, and other resources to help you research job opportunities. The myAdvantage databaseLink opens in a new window also advertises job, placement and internship vacancies that are from employers who are targeting Warwick students for their recruitment.
Life at Warwick
This is where your journey begins. Our campus is the heart of it all. It’s more than just a campus - it's the places you visit, the people you meet, the fun that you have; the experiences you have here will be transformative.
Within a close-knit community of staff and students from all over the world, discover a campus alive with possibilities.
Our campus is where all the elements of your student experience come together in one place. You won't be short of ways to spend your time on campus - whether it's visiting Warwick Arts Centre, using our incredible sports facilities, socialising in our bars, nightclub and cafés, or enjoying an open-air event. Or if you need some peace and quiet, you can explore lakes, woodland and green spaces just a few minutes’ walk from central campus
Follow our students around campus on our social channels to see their experiences first-hand.
Teaching facilities
Our campus is designed to cater for all of your learning needs. You will benefit from a variety of flexible, well-equipped study spaces and teaching facilities across the University.
Oculus, our outstanding learning hub, houses state-of-the-art lecture theatres and innovative social learning and network areas
Different study spaces offering you flexible individual and group study spaces, computers, printing and scanning facilities, multimedia resources and more
Supporting you
Our continuous support network is here to help you adjust to student life and to ensure you can easily access advice on many different issues. These may include managing your finances and workload, and settling into shared accommodation. We also have specialist disability and mental health support teams.
Whether you live in a campus residence or in partnership accommodation off campus, you’ll be part of a community to get the most from your experience at Warwick.
Societies and sports play a huge part in community life at Warwick. With over 300 to choose from, getting involved is one of the easiest ways to make friends and share in experiences. Whether you’re into films, martial arts, astronomy, gaming or musical theatre, you can instantly connect with people with similar interests.
Your university experience is defined by far more than your course or the career path you follow. At Warwick, it’s where you discover who you could become.
74th
Warwick is ranked 74th in the world and top 10 in all major UK league tables
Our alumni community still call Warwick home. From a few hundred in 1965 to more than 310,000 alumni, and it's ever-growing.
As Warwick graduates, our students have access to employability support for two years after graduation, including access to careers appointments, job vacancies and professional networks.
(Daily Mail’s University Guide 2025 - "Academic strength spans the arts, humanities and languages...")
Join us at one of the best universities in the UK for Modern Languages, with an excellent reputation for employability. Study one, two or three languages and cultures, or combine languages with other subjects.
The department recently moved into our Faculty of Arts Building.
As an Arts student at Warwick you’ll find your home amongst excellent teaching, learning and social spaces, including specialist facilities, all designed to support collaborative working and to enable your creativity and innovation to flourish.
The sustainably built, eight-storey building is located next to the refurbished Warwick Arts CentreLink opens in a new window in the heart of the University’s creative and cultural arts quarter.
This information is applicable for 2027 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 web page 'Important information to consider before making an application' in advance of applying to Warwick.
Next steps
Experience campus at an Open Day. Can't visit? Receive regular email updates or ask current students and staff questions about life at Warwick.
