About this course

With this BA Modern Languages degree you’ll develop advanced skills in 3 languages and learn about the societies they're rooted in. You’ll also spend a year living and working abroad, building your fluency and boosting your employment prospects.

Using our proven language development system, we’ll make sure you start at a level that matches your ability in your chosen languages. This ensures that you make rapid progress. You can also start a third language from scratch (this doesn't apply to English).

The languages offered are:

French
German
Spanish
Portuguese
Chinese
English, if you're a non-native English-speaker

You’ll have excellent resources to support you. The Centre for Language Study at the Avenue Campus has everything you need.

You’ll also have the freedom to tailor your degree to areas that interest you. You could, for instance, take modules from other subject areas, go deeper into Linguistics, or explore more about European and Latin American history and culture.

In your year abroad you can choose to:

work as an English assistant in a school
study at a university
take a work placement

Where you go will depend on the languages you choose. We have partner universities across Europe, but also further afield in Canada, Brazil, Mexico and China.

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.

Changes due to COVID-19

Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2021 to 2022. We're working hard to plan for a number of possible scenarios. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.

Find out more on our COVID advice page.

ODT

Download 2021-22 Course Description Document

Entry requirements

A-levels

ABB including two languages

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

More information about A-levels

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 two languages, 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, as follows: BBB including two languages

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in two languages

More information about International Baccalaureate Diploma

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.

BTEC

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.

More information about BTEC

Select additional entry requirements to display

Other requirements

UK students

International students

Other ways to qualify

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

Each year combines compulsory modules to build your mastery of your 3 chosen languages with a wide range of options. This allows you to tailor your learning to suit your interests and ambitions.

You can also take modules from different subject areas, or learn a fourth language. If you find a subject you love, you can even make it an official part of your degree as a minor subject.

To give you the best possible start, we use our system of 7 language levels to work out your proficiency in your chosen languages. We can then make sure our teaching develops your skills as effectively as possible.

Year 1 overview

We’ll introduce you to the study skills you’ll need as a Modern Languages student and you’ll take compulsory language modules to develop your speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in your 3 chosen languages.

You’ll then be able to choose from a wide range of optional modules. Topics could include:

applications of linguistics
modern French culture
The history and politics of the Hispanic world
German history, politics and society
modules from other subject areas, including other languages

Year 2 overview

You’ll continue to develop your language skills in your 3 chosen languages. You'll also take a module that prepares you for your year abroad, including the research project that you’ll do while you’re away.

You’ll be able to choose from a wide range of optional modules to tailor your degree to areas that interest you. These might include:

psycholinguistics
studying language structure
learning about culture through ethnography
the EU and European identity
gender, race and nation in modern Latin America
media perspectives on Germany after 1968
post-war French thought
modules from other subject areas, including other languages

Year 3 overview

You can spend this year abroad:

as an English language assistant in a school
studying on a university course
on an approved work placement

You’ll also do an independent study project.

Find out more about the year abroad.

Year 4 overview

We will support you in your return to university from your year abroad and we’ll help you to talk about your experiences in a way that enhances your employability. You’ll continue to develop your written and spoken language skills and you’ll be able to choose from a range of other module options.

Module choices may include areas such as:

a Modern Languages dissertation
language and identity among US Latinos
public service interpreting
language teaching
writing in a Second Language

exploring multicultural Germany
audiovisual translation
modules from other subject areas, including other languages

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

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)

How you'll spend your course time:

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:

23%

Scheduled learning & teaching

77%

Independent learning

How we'll assess you

composition portfolios
debates
dissertations
essays
individual and group projects
oral presentations
written and practical exams
written exams

Your assessment breakdown

Year 1:

42%

Written exam

39%

Coursework

19%

Practical exam

Academic support

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

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £9,250.
EU and international students pay £19,300.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.

Find out how to:

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 EU and international students

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

Modern Languages (BA)

About this course

Course location

Awarding body