About this course

On this four-year degree you’ll develop your skills in French, German or Spanish.

You’ll sharpen your analytical thinking by exploring how language is formed, acquired, and evolves through use. You can study two modern languages alongside linguistics, building knowledge in the mechanics and social dimensions of language.

You’ll be guided by experienced language specialists as you work toward near-native fluency in both the written and spoken forms of your selected languages. At the same time, you’ll delve into core areas of linguistics such as:

sociolinguistics
psycholinguistics
phonetics
morphology
syntax
discourse studies
language impairments

The programme also includes opportunities to explore the cultural contexts of your chosen languages. These include topics like migration and diaspora, race and identity, gender and sexuality, as well as representations in film and collective memory.
For those considering careers in international communication, there are professionally oriented modules on offer such as Audiovisual Translation and Public Service Interpreting.

A key feature of the degree is the year abroad, where you’ll have the chance to live and work or study in a country where your chosen language is spoken. You’ll immerse yourself in the social, language and cultural life through a university placement, teaching assistantship or work experience. It’s an invaluable opportunity to grow your linguistic skills of the French, German or Spanish-speaking world.
This year can be spent in a single country or divided between two, with destinations available across Europe, North and South America.

Language study paths

These are the language combinations you can choose from:

BA Modern Languages (French and German) and Linguistics
BA Modern Languages (French and Spanish) and Linguistics
BA Modern Languages (German and Spanish) and Linguistics

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Course location

This course is based at Avenue.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

Download

ODT

Download 2025-26 Course Description Document

Entry requirements

Academic year filter options

A-levels

ABB including one named language

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Strong candidates with an A level in one language but with no previous knowledge of the other language may still apply for this programme. Students on this route would study accelerated language classes from beginner’s level.

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: BBB including one named language and grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in one named language

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Diploma plus B in one named language A level. Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus B in one named language A level. Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AB in one named language A level and one further A level.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Additional information

The University aims to recruit students from a wide range of backgrounds who we believe have the potential and motivation to succeed on our challenging programmes. We are committed to fair admissions and strive to ensure we give equal consideration to all applicants who possess the necessary knowledge and skills.

QCF BTEC

Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Extended Diploma plus B in one named language A level. Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Diploma plus B in one named language A level Distinction in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AB in one named language A level and one further A level.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

A-levels

ABB including one named language

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Strong candidates with an A level in one language but with no previous knowledge of the other language may still apply for this programme. Students on this route would study accelerated language classes from beginner’s level.

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: BBB including one named language and grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in one named language

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Diploma plus B in one named language A level. Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus B in one named language A level. Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AB in one named language A level and one further A level.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Additional information

The University aims to recruit students from a wide range of backgrounds who we believe have the potential and motivation to succeed on our challenging programmes. We are committed to fair admissions and strive to ensure we give equal consideration to all applicants who possess the necessary knowledge and skills.

QCF BTEC

Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Extended Diploma plus B in one named language A level. Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Diploma plus B in one named language A level Distinction in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AB in one named language A level and one further A level.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Course structure

On this course your time will be dedicated to developing proficiency in your selected language(s), while focusing on linguistics, cultural analysis, or the option to explore modules from other academic areas.

Year 1 overview

At the start of the programme, your existing language abilities will be assessed to ensure you're placed at the appropriate level, allowing you to build your skills effectively from the outset. You’ll engage in intensive, year-long double modules, addressing all core components of your chosen learning language.

You’ll begin with foundational modules covering areas such as language learning, the evolution of language and applied linguistics. You can then build your learning through taking non-credit academic development modules in topics like:

scholarly writing
citation practices
strategies for independent language learning
using library tools
engaging with academic literature
enhancing employability

Year 2 overview

You’ll develop greater fluency in French, German or Spanish through advanced study and regular practice. The course offers flexibility to choose at least three linguistics modules and two modules on language and culture.

As part of the course you can begin learning a new language, with options including:

French
Spanish
German
Portuguese
Mandarin
Japanese
Italian
Russian
Arabic

Students can explore interdisciplinary learning through optional modules in areas such as Digital Humanities.

Modules cover topics such as the power of language, language variation and change, phonetics and psycholinguistics. This includes language-specific linguistics.

Cultural and theoretical modules focus on how we interpret and interact with language and society

Year 3 overview

You’ll spend your third year abroad, immersing yourself in a foreign culture through various opportunities such as studying, assisting in teaching, or undertaking a work placement. You can learn more about this experience through our alumni stories on our About this Course section.

Your options include:

spending the entire year in a country where one of your chosen languages is spoken

dividing your time between two countries where your selected languages are spoken

You’ll work autonomously on assignments while abroad, deepening your understanding of both the language and the culture of your host country. You’ll submit a brief portfolio of work in both English and one of your chosen languages (French, German, or Spanish) to track your progress.

Throughout your time abroad, you will receive continuous support, with regular contact from course leaders and your Personal Academic Tutor.

Year 4 overview

After returning from your time abroad, you will continue to advance your studies in both language and linguistics. You’ll refine your skills in French, Spanish, or German as you approach the final stages of language mastery. You will also choose a minimum of two advanced linguistics modules that look at how language has shaped society and at least one module exploring language and culture.

You can choose to conduct research for your dissertation, drawing on the analytical and academic skills developed throughout your degree.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.

Choose from the study paths below to display modules on this page.

Select a study path

Your modules

Choose your study path

Modules will display here

For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

lectures
classes and tutorials
coursework
individual and group projects
independent learning (studying on your own)

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Course leader

Laurence Richard is the course leader.

Careers and employability

Employability skills

This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.

The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:

Research
Critical thinking
Self-management
Confidence
Communication
Teamwork
Creativity
EDI leadership
Adaptability
Problem solving
Resilience

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Download skills overview

Career pathways

Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:

Local government,

national government bodies,

Publishers,

Press Agencies,

Consultancies,

Think Tanks,

regional councils,

Hotels,

Travel Agencies,

museums,

Libraries,

universities,

schools,

colleges,

Private Language Schools.

Careers directly related to this course:

Translator
Interpreter
Digital copywriter
Editorial assistant
Journalist
Copy editor
Secondary school teacher
Web content manager
Social media content creator
English as a foreign language teacher

Wider career opportunities:

Advertising copywriter
Education consultant
Information officer
Marketing executive
Media researcher
Public relations officer
Social media manager
Local government officer
Records manager
User experience researcher

Example job titles of Southampton BA Modern Languages (Two Languages) graduates*:

Policy officer
Management trainee
Business development consultant
Communications project coordinator
Data analyst
Secondary school teacher
Paralegal
Staff writer
Recruitment consultant

Job prospects for BA Modern Languages (Two Languages) graduates

£30k

Average professional salary

79%

In a skilled profession or further study

91%

Graduate employment rate

*Example graduate job titles and job prospect statistics taken from The Graduate Outcomes Survey, which gathers information about the activities and perspectives of graduates 15 months after finishing their course.

Work experience opportunities

Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.

Careers services and support

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.

More about careers support

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £9,535.
EU and international students pay £23,400.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and standard exams.

Find out how to:

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £36,200 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Hub offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

When you apply use:

UCAS course code: R902
UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for this course

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

predicted grades
academic achievements
personal statement
academic reference

We'll aim to process your application within 2 to 6 weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.

Language selection

If we make you an offer which you accept, we’ll email you to confirm the language combination you want to study. We’ll be in touch no later than 2 months before the start of your course.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Related courses

Modern Languages (2 languages: French, German, Portuguese or Spanish) (BA) is a course in the Languages and linguistics subject area. Here are some other courses within this subject area:

e

BA

English and Modern Languages

BA

English Language and Linguistics

BA

English Language and Linguistics with Year Abroad

h

BA

History and Modern Languages

l

BA

Language, Culture and Communication

BA

Liberal Arts

m

BSc

Modern Languages and Business Management (1 language: French, German or Spanish)

MLang

Modern Languages and Linguistics (1 language: French, German or Spanish)

BA

Modern Languages and Linguistics (1 Language: French, German or Spanish)

BA

Modern Languages and Linguistics (2 languages: French, German or Spanish)

MLang

Modern Languages and Linguistics (2 languages: French, German or Spanish)

BA

Modern Languages and Philosophy (1 language: French or German)

BA

Modern Languages (2 languages: French, German, Portuguese or Spanish) (BA)

About this course

Language study paths

Learn more about this subject area

Languages and linguistics

Course location

Awarding body

Download the Course Description Document

Entry requirements

For Academic year 202526

A-levels

A-levels additional information

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Additional information

QCF BTEC

Access to HE Diploma

Access to HE additional information

Access Offer Contextual

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

Scottish Qualification

Cambridge Pre-U

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

T-Level

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

English language requirements

IELTS score requirements

For Academic year 202627

A-levels

A-levels additional information

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Additional information

QCF BTEC

Access to HE Diploma

Access to HE additional information

Access Offer Contextual

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

Scottish Qualification

Cambridge Pre-U

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

T-Level

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

English language requirements

IELTS score requirements

Got a question?

Course structure

Year 1 overview

Year 2 overview

Year 3 overview

Year 4 overview

Modules

Your modules

For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026

Year 1 modules

Academic Skills for Modern languages and Linguistics students

French Language Stage 4

German Language Stage 4

Introduction to French and Francophone Studies

Introduction to German Studies

Introduction to Spanish and Latin America Studies

Introduction to The Portuguese-Speaking World