(Full time) 2020 start
Languages and Cultures BA
Overview
Reach fluency in two languages with the opportunity to study a third through optional modules, if you wish. Your combined language degree allows you to choose from among nine languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
Starting your language from scratch, or with an A-level, either way you’ll reach a professional standard in both your chosen languages, through intensive learning practice and your residence abroad. The rich diversity of expertise in our School means you’ll choose from a wide range of topics including literature, world cinema, popular culture, history and politics. You’ll explore cultures and societies across the world, while focusing on the countries where your languages of choice are spoken. In your final year, you can enhance your translation skills or business language and will develop an independent project.
You’ll gain the language and professional skills to prepare you for an international career in many sectors.
You need to tell us your language combination when you apply. Input your chosen language in the Further Details section on your UCAS application.
With this degree you can choose to study from the following language combinations:
(A standing for Advanced and B for Beginner)
- Arabic and: French; German; Spanish A.
- Chinese and: French; German; Spanish A.
- French and: Arabic; Chinese; German; Italian B; Japanese; Portuguese; Russian A; Russian B; Spanish A; Spanish B.
- German and: Arabic; Chinese; French; Italian B; Japanese; Portuguese; Russian A; Russian B; Spanish A; Spanish B.
- Italian B (Beginners) and: French; German; Spanish A.
- Japanese and: French; German; Spanish A.
- Portuguese and: French; German.
- Russian A (Advanced) and: French; German; Spanish A.
- Russian B (Beginners) and: French; German; Spanish A.
- Spanish A (Advanced) and: Arabic; Chinese; French; German; Italian B; Japanese; Russian A; Russian B.
- Spanish B (Beginners) and: French; German.
Other language combinations are available where you apply directly to the named degree courses below:
- BA Arabic and Chinese
- BA Arabic and Japanese
- BA Arabic and Portuguese
- BA Arabic and Russian A
- BA Arabic and Russian B
- BA Chinese and Italian B
- BA Chinese and Japanese
- BA Chinese and Portuguese
- BA Chinese and Russian A
- BA Chinese and Russian B
- BA Chinese and Thai Studies
- BA Italian B and Japanese
- BA Italian B and Portuguese
- BA Italian B and Russian A
- BA Japanese and Russian A
- BA Japanese and Russian B
- BA Portuguese and Russian A
- BA Portuguese and Russian B
Specialist facilities
The world class Brotherton Library holds a wide variety of manuscript, archive and early printed material in its Special Collections– valuable assets for your independent research. Our additional library resources are also excellent, and the University Library offers a comprehensive training programme to help you make the most of them.
Our fully equipped Language Centre includes digital language labs, audio/video practice booths and Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL). We also have our Electronic Resource Information Centre, which features specialised computing facilities for translation studies, and Interpreter Training Suites offering you the chance to explore a career in interpreting.
Course content
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
<p><a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/languages-undergraduate/doc/landing-page-lcs-programme-catalogue/page/1">Information on typical modules for the different combinations of this course</a></p>Discovery modules
Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.
This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.
Learning and teaching
Our tutors are experts in their fields, and their teaching is informed by their own cutting-edge research.
We use a range of teaching methods to help you benefit from their expertise, including lectures, seminars, tutorials or occasionally workshops. However, independent study is also central to this degree, since it allows you to develop your skills in research and analysis. You will be able to apply your skills and knowledge in a Final Year Research Project on a topic of your own choice.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
We also use different types of assessment. Usually we use a mixture of exams and essays, but you may also be assessed on oral presentations or group work in some modules. Support will be on hand throughout your time at Leeds for example, youll be able to attend extra classes on exam technique, structuring an essay and public speaking if you need them.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: AAB-ABB Specific language requirements
Subject specific language requirements:
- Arabic: no specific requirements
- Chinese: GCSE 4/C in a foreign language
- French: A-level Grade A in French
- German: A-level Grade A in German
- Italian B (Beginners): no specific requirements
- Japanese: GCSE 4/C in a foreign language
- Portuguese: no specific requirements
- Russian A (Advanced): A-level Grade B in Russian
- Russian B (Beginners): no specific requirements
- Spanish A (Advanced): A-level Grade A in Spanish
- Spanish B (Beginners): no specific requirements
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the Schools Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
Were committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.
Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.
English language requirements
For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
How to apply
Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
You need to tell us your language combination when you apply. Input your chosen language in the Further Details section on your UCAS application.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2024
Fees
UK/EU: See fees section below
International: £19,500 (per year)
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will remain capped at £9,250 for 2023/24 and 2024/25. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.
Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for international students for 2023/24 and 2024/25 are available on individual course pages.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.
Financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Career opportunities
This degree allows you to gain proficiency in two major world languages. As well as demonstrating that you’re intellectually versatile, your degree will equip you with a wide range of skills across different disciplines that employers actively seek.
You’ll have good research skills, and you’ll be able to analyse complex information from multiple sources before drawing your own conclusions. You’ll then be able to communicate and defend your views clearly, either verbally or in writing. In addition, you’ll have strong research and organisational skills and be confident working independently or in a team. You will also have a strong understanding of cultural diversity, allowing you to work effectively with people whose backgrounds differ from yours.
All of these qualities are very attractive to employers, and graduates have pursued careers across the globe that reflect the diversity of their degrees. They’ve gone on to be successful in education, the media, law, publishing, the civil service, business and finance and the charity sector to name a few. Many others have also pursued postgraduate study, including further training in language-based careers such as translating and interpreting.
To find out more about graduate destinations in chosen languages, please see the relevant single honours pages.
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.
Study abroad and work placements
You'll spend a term and a year in countries where your chosen languages are spoken. It’s the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in another culture while sharpening and refining your language skills every day. For many of our students, it’s the highlight of their degree.
Normally, if you are studying one of your languages as a beginner, you’ll be spending your year abroad in the country where this language is spoken and your term abroad in a country where the other language is spoken. If you are taking two languages as an advanced student, you’ll choose which language to combine with your year abroad and which with your term abroad.
If your language combination includes Arabic, Chinese, Japanese or Russian, you’ll be spending your second year abroad and you will be studying an intensive language course.
For all other language combinations, you’ll be spending your third year abroad and, depending on your hosting country, you may be able to complete a work placement, undertake a British Council school assistantship or study at one of our partner universities.
On your term abroad, you may study at one of our partner institutions or complete a work placement. Whatever your options, you’ll gain a new perspective on cultures and societies across the world.
For details on the options available for each of your chosen languages please see the links below:
- Read more about Arabic Residence Abroad
- Read more about Chinese Residence Abroad
- Read more about French Residence Abroad
- Read more about German Residence Abroad
- Read more about Italian Residence Abroad
- Read more about Japanese Residence Abroad
- Read more about Spanish and Portuguese Residence Abroad
- Read more about Russian Residence Abroad
Work placements
Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.
Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.