About this course
On this integrated Masters degree you'll become fluent in both German and Spanish, and study contemporary culture, society, politics, history, literature and cinema. You'll specialise in linguistics and explore the structure, use and psychology of both languages. You'll also spend a year abroad in a German or Spanish-speaking country.
You’ll start at a level that matches your ability in spoken and written German and Spanish, which will help you to progress quickly. You’ll also have excellent resources to support you. Our Centre for Language Study has everything you need.
In Linguistics you'll study the nature of speech, the structure of language, phonetics, how languages are learnt and their social context. You’ll also have the opportunity to prepare a final year dissertation on a language or linguistics topic of specific interest to you, with guidance from a supervisor. The third year of the course is spent in a Spanish- or German-speaking country, giving you the opportunity to enhance your linguistic and cultural proficiency.
Most students of Spanish go to Spain, but you could spend a year in Spanish-speaking Latin America. Most students of German choose Germany, although Austria and Switzerland are also options.
You can download the course details, including modules, in the programme specificationPDF opens in a new window (PDF, 331.8 KB).
Location and awarding body
The course location is Avenue campus in Southampton. The awarding body is University of Southampton.
Entry requirements
A-levels
AAA including Grades AA in German and Spanish
A-levels additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass, with 36 points overall with 18 points at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in German and Spanish
International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information
Applications where Higher Level subjects have been studied without the full Diploma, will also be considered on a case by case basis.
BTEC
Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Diploma plus A in A level German and A in A level Spanish.
Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus A in A level German and A in A level Spanish.
Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus A in A level German and A in A level Spanish.
BTEC additional information
No additional information
Other qualifications
A-levels with Extended Project Qualification
For this programme we do not make an alternative offer, however we welcome applicants who have achieved a good grade in the EPQ
A-levels contextual offer
Students who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows:
AAB including Grades AB in German and Spanish
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) offer
Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) StatementPDF opens in a new window (PDF, 62.17 KB) for further information.
Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
BTEC (RQF) (reformed)
Distinction in the BTEC Extended Diploma plus A in A level German and A in A level Spanish.
Distinction in the BTEC Diploma plus A in A level German and A in A level Spanish.
Distinction in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus A in A level German and A in A level Spanish.
Access to HE Diploma
60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 45 must be at Distinction, plus AB in A level German and A level Spanish
Access to HE Diploma additional information
No additional information
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)
H1 H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 including German and Spanish
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)
A2 A2 A2 A2 A2 A2 including German and Spanish
Irish Leaving Certificate additional information
No additional information
Scottish Qualification offers
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF, 111.01 KB) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Cambridge Pre-U
D3 D3 D3 in three principal subjects including German and Spanish
Cambridge Pre-U additional information
No additional information
Welsh Baccalaureate
AAA from 3 A levels including Grades AA in German and Spanish
or
AA from two A levels including German and Spanish and A from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
Welsh Baccalaureate additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.
European Baccalaureate
83% overall including grade 8.5 in German and Spanish
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
English language requirements
All applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency. Applicants requiring a visa to study in the UK who do not offer GCSE English language (or GCSE English) at the required level will need to meet the following English language proficiency requirement. Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements.
Band C IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in all components
IELTS score requirements
- reading
- 6
- writing
- 6
- speaking
- 6
- listening
- 6
We also accept other English language tests.
Non-academic entry requirements
There are no additional requirements
International qualifications
Find a list of accepted international qualifications listed by country.
This is a list of the international qualifications that are recognised by the University of Southampton. If you are not sure that your qualifications meet the requirements of this course please contact our Admissions Teams.
Other ways to qualify
You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. Find out more about:
our Access to Southampton scheme for students living permanently in the UK (including residential summer school, application support and scholarship)
skills you might have gained through work or other life experiences (otherwise known as recognition of prior learning)
Find out more about our Admissions Policy.
Course structure
Each year combines compulsory modules to build your mastery of German and Spanish with a wide range of options.
You'll take Linguistics modules specific to German and Spanish, but also more general topics in areas such as psycholinguistics, discourse analysis, and phonetics. This allows you to tailor your learning to suit your interests and ambitions.
Your second year also includes preparation for your year abroad in year 3, when you'll study at one of our Erasmus exchange partner institutions and complete an independent research project. In year 4 you'll be encouraged to pursue your interests, including a dissertation.
You can also take courses from different subject areas or learn another language.
Year 1
You’ll develop your proficiency in speaking and writing German and Spanish with optional accelerated language modules. You'll take compulsory modules in topics such as:
the languages of the Spanish-speaking world
German linguistic studies
elements of linguistics - sound, structure and meaning
applications of linguistics
Year 2
You’ll continue to improve your German and Spanish language skills and have the opportunity to concentrate on your own particular interests. There will also be a module that prepares you for the year abroad.
Options include topics such as:
language and society in the German-speaking world
Spanish linguistics
language structure
psycholinguistics
gender, race and nation in modern Latin America
sound and voice
Year 3
You’ll spend a year abroad in a German- or Spanish-speaking country on a study placement at one of our specially selected partner universities.
Find out more about the year abroad.
You’ll also do an independent study project.
Year 4
You’ll do a dissertation and you’ll also choose options to explore your special interests - or even consider new directions after your experiences abroad.
Module choices include:
audiovisual translation
writing and written language
developing approaches to language teaching
intercultural communication
memory in national and transnational Contexts
nation, culture and power
transnational movement in the age of globalisation
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
Modules year 1
Compulsory modules
You must take the following compulsory modules in year 1:
- Elements of Linguistics - Sound, Structure and Meaning
- Introduction to German Linguistic Studies
- Applications of Linguistics
- Introduction to the Languages of the Spanish-Speaking World
Optional modules
You can choose from the following optional modules in year 1:
Modules year 2
Compulsory modules
You must take the following compulsory modules in year 2:
- Language and Society in German-Speaking World
- Exploring Spanish Linguistics
- Languages for Academic Study
Optional modules
You can choose from the following optional modules in year 2:
- German Accelerated Language Stages 3-4
- Spanish Language Stage 5
- Sound and Voice
- Psycholinguistics
- Syntax: Studying Language Structure
- Vienna and Berlin: Society, Politics and Culture from 1890 to the Present
- German Language Stage 4
- Spanish Language Stages 3/4 (Accelerated)
- Discourse Analysis
- Gender, Race and Nation in Modern Latin America
Modules year 3
Compulsory modules
You must take the following compulsory modules in year 3:
Modules year 4
Compulsory modules
You must take the following compulsory modules in year 4:
Optional modules
You can choose from the following optional modules in year 4:
- Second Language Learning
- Research Skills 1
- Audiovisual Translation
- Research Skills
- Cultural Flows
- Writing and Written Language
- Memory in National and Transnational Contexts
- Language in Society
- Nation, Culture, Power
- Teaching Foreign Languages to Younger Learners
- English as a World Language
- Research Skills 2
- Nation, Culture, Power
- Translation: Theory and Practice
- Intercultural Communication
- Transnational Movement in the Age of Globalisation
- Developing Approaches to Language Teaching
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)
Support for your studies
You'll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.
How you’ll spend your study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study, year by year:
Year 1
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 23%
- Independent study
- 77%
- Placement
- 0%
Year 2
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 24%
- Independent study
- 76%
- Placement
- 0%
Year 3
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 20%
- Independent study
- 80%
- Placement
- 0%
Year 4
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 20%
- Independent study
- 80%
- Placement
- 0%
Course leader
Vicky Wright is the course leader.
How we’ll assess you
We’ll assess you using:
- composition portfolios
- dissertations
- essays
- oral presentations
- written exams
Your assessment breakdown, year by year:
Year 1
- Written exam
- 33%
- Practical exam
- 28%
- Coursework
- 39%
Year 2
- Written exam
- 48%
- Practical exam
- 4%
- Coursework
- 48%
Year 3
- Written exam
- 37%
- Practical exam
- 16%
- Coursework
- 47%
Year 4
- Written exam
- 37%
- Practical exam
- 16%
- Coursework
- 47%
Careers
As a Modern Languages graduate, you can choose from a wide variety of employment options.
These will make the most of your skills in:
gathering and interpreting information
working with and leading teams
understanding and adapting to different cultures
Previous graduates have gone on to careers including:
translation
interpreting
teaching
marketing
publishing
international development
advertising, film and television
Many of our graduates go on to further study. Subjects taken include interpreting and translating, law, accountancy, management and international relations.
There is a compulsory employability module for all first-year students in the faculty.
Careers services at Southampton
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. 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.
Fees, costs and funding
UK/EU fees
You'll pay £9,250 in tuition fees for the academic year 2020 to 2021. This fee might change for further years of your course.
International student fees
You’ll pay £17,560 each year. This fee will stay the same throughout your studies.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.
Find out how to:
Extra costs you might have to pay
- Students studying or working in Europe
- Hardware
- Textbooks
- Laboratory Equipment and Materials
- Computer discs or USB drives
- Software Licenses
- Printing and Photocopying Costs
- ML Residence Abroad - Cost implications
- Students studying or working outside Europe
- Placements (including Study Abroad Programmes)
- Stationery
See the full list of extra items and costs in the programme specificationPDF opens in a new window 2020 to 2021 (PDF, 331.8 KB).
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
Bursaries, scholarships and other funding
If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 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 that's linked to your chosen subject area.
We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Support during your course
The Student Services Centre 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 international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
Life at Southampton
The University offers a friendly, diverse and welcoming home for you while you study. You'll work, live and socialise with students from more than 130 countries.
Clubs, societies and facilities
Our campuses have:
cafes and restaurants
bars
health centres
banks
a post office
student shops
a hairdresser
Our sports facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, a gym with 140 fitness stations, squash courts, a bouldering wall, outdoor pitches and much more. There are over 80 sports clubs you could join, and activity classes including yoga and spin.
We have an internationally known theatre, concert hall, art gallery and cinema showing everything from mainstream blockbusters to international arthouse classics. You could perform at a gig, concert or show, take part in an exhibition or join a writers’ workshop. Find out more about arts and culture at Southampton.
Whatever your passion or community, you can find like-minded people at one of the Students’ Union clubs and societies. There are more than 200 to join, and social activities in every hall of residence.
Support while you study
We aim to help you deal with any problems you might come across, so you can make the most of your time at university. We offer support with:
mental health, learning difficulties and disability
money and accommodation
childcare
computers and IT
How to apply
When you apply use:
UCAS Course Code: 1R57
UCAS Institution Code: S27
What happens after you apply
We will assess your application on the strength of your:
- predicted grades
- academic achievements
- personal statement
- academic reference
We aim to respond to you within 2 to 6 weeks with a decision about your application.
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.