Modern Languages BA

This Modern Languages degree allows you to study two languages, with the opportunity to study a third through optional modules.

Whether you’re starting your language from beginners’ level, or with an A-level, you’ll reach a professional standard in your chosen languages through intensive learning practice and your residence abroad – where you’ll spend a term and a year in the countries where your chosen languages are spoken.

You’ll choose from a range of topics including literature, 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, with the opportunity to enhance your translation skills or business language.

Your independent research project in your final year will be an opportunity to conduct and present your own research.

Depending on your chosen language combination, you may also be able to study discovery modules to study subjects outside of your degree.

Languages available at beginners level:

Arabic* | Chinese* | Italian* | Japanese* | Portuguese* | Russian | Spanish | Thai*
*If you have previous knowledge, contact us.

Languages available post-A level:

French | German | Russian | Spanish

Available language combinations:

• Arabic and: French; German; Spanish A.
• Chinese and: French; German; Spanish A.
• French and: Arabic; Chinese; German; Italian; Japanese; Portuguese; Russian A; Russian B; Spanish A; Spanish B.
• German and: Arabic; Chinese; French; Italian; Japanese; Portuguese; Russian A; Russian B; Spanish A; Spanish B.
• Italian 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; Japanese; Russian A; Russian B.
• Spanish B (Beginners) and: French; German.

A – Advanced level (A level or an equivalent qualification is required)
B – Beginner level

You’ll need to tell us your language combination in the Further Details section of your UCAS application.

We also offer the following language combinations. You will apply directly to the named course:

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

A – Advanced level (A level or an equivalent qualification is required)
B – Beginner level

Specialist facilities

Course structure

Details of typical modules/components for our courses will now be published after July 1st (instead of May 1st), due to current limitations as a result of covid-19. These details may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

<p>View <a href="http://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/languages-undergraduate/doc/ba-modern-languages-modules/page/1">information for typical modules/components</a> studied on this degree.</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

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 various types of assessment. Exams and essays are a significant part of this, but in some modules you may also be assessed on components such as group work, reports, or oral presentations. We offer support in these areas as well – for example, we run extra classes on skills such as public speaking, structuring essays and exam technique that you’ll be able to attend throughout your time at Leeds.

Entry requirements

A-level: ABB

Where a post-A level language route is taken, an A grade in the relevant language is expected.

Where a beginner language route is taken, another language A level or GCSE is expected.

• Access to HE Diploma

  Pass diploma with 60 credits overall, including at least 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. An interview and a piece of written work may also be required.

  This course has additional subject-specific requirements. Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.

• BTEC

  We will consider the level 3 QCF BTEC at Subsidiary Diploma level and above in combination with other qualifications. Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.
  

• Cambridge Pre-U

  Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

• International Baccalaureate

  Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

• Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)

  Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

• Welsh Baccalaureate

  The Welsh Baccalaureate is not typically included in the academic conditions of an offer made to you for this course. If you choose to undertake the Welsh Baccalaureate we would strongly encourage you to draw upon these experiences within your personal statement, as your qualification will then be taken into account both when your application is initially considered by the selection panel and again when reviewed by the admissions tutor at the time your A-level results are passed to us.
  

• Other Qualifications

  European Baccalaureate: contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re 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.

Typical Access to Leeds can be two grades lower than the published entry requirement for each course. Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.

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: See fees section below

International: £20,250 (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.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year

Your course includes a compulsory residence abroad, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

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.

You’ll gain the language and professional skills to prepare you for an international career in a wide range of sectors.

This Modern Languages degree allows you to gain proficiency in two major world languages.

As well as demonstrating that you’re intellectually versatile, your languages degree will equip you with a wide range of skills across different disciplines that employers are looking for.

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 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’ll 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.

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.

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:

• Arabic Residence Abroad

• Chinese Residence Abroad

• French Residence Abroad

• German Residence Abroad

• Italian Residence Abroad

• Japanese Residence Abroad

• Spanish and Portuguese Residence Abroad

• 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.