Undergraduate degrees
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YoutubeOpen the door to a world of possibility and opportunity with a degree in Modern Languages from the University of Reading.
Our degree courses provide you with a breadth of cultural exposure and knowledge development across a range of areas, including language, literature and history. You can learn a language from beginner's or intermediate level and will graduate with many transferable skills, the technical and intellectual training valued by employers, and fluency in your chosen language(s).
At Reading, you can Study a modern language degree from beginner's, intermediate or advanced level
By following one of our specialist accelerated language-learning modules you can learn our core languages (French, German, Italian and Spanish) from beginner's level to near-native standard*.
Join our lively, multicultural community
Our highly flexible degree courses give you the opportunity to shape your programme to your interests, and our wide range of language degrees, including joint courses, allows you to combine your language studies with another subject.
You will spend your third year abroad either working, studying or teaching. The Year Abroad provides evidence of self-reliance, adaptability and enterprise which makes you highly attractive to employers. Our student success is demonstrated with 89% of leavers in work and/or study 15 months after the end of their course from the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017/18*.
Join a supportive and culturally diverse community and receive excellent support and guidance from our world-class academics.
Read more about our Department in our Brochure.
*Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017/18; First Degree and other undergraduate responders from Languages and Cultures.
Contains HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2020. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data.
"Doing a language becomes part of you, it stays with you for life. It's something that you've always got and no one can ever take it away from you. They say speaking a language is like having a second soul."
Our courses
Our four core languages (French, German, Italian and Spanish) can be studied on their own, combined with each other, or with a variety of other disciplines.
Many of our degree programmes also enable you to take up one of our 'additional' languages (including Arabic, British Sign Language, Mandarin Chinese, Modern Greek, Japanese and Russian).
For more information about our undergraduate course options, please see our Languages Course Options Table (PDF).
| Course |
Core Languages |
Optional Additional Language | Year Abroad | Entry Level** | Graduation Level |
|
BA Modern Languages - 4 Year
|
One core language:
|
|
Year Abroad immersed in core language | Core language from beginner level |
Core Language: C1/C2 Proficient User Additional Language: B1 Independent User
|
| BA Modern Languages - 4 Year
|
Two core languages:
Note: languages are equally weighted |
|
Half-a-year Abroad in each core language country Or Year Abroad in the beginner core language country |
Only one core language can be taken from beginner level, the other has to be taken from intermediate or advanced level |
Core Language: C1/C2 Proficient User Additional Language: B1 Independent User
|
|
BA Modern Languages - 4 Year
|
Three core languages:
Note: languages are equally weighted
|
Additional languages are not available on this three-language course. |
Half-a-year Abroad if one language is started from beginner Half-a-year Abroad in one of the other language countries |
Only one language can be taken from beginner level; the other two must be taken from intermediate or advanced level |
Core Language: C1/C2 Proficient User
|
| BA Modern Languages - 3 Year*** |
Choose one, two or three languages from:
|
You may study up to two Additional Languages
|
8 weeks to be spent in countries or contexts where the core language of study is spoken. Further language opportunities can be experienced with academic placements embedded in culture modules. |
Core language from:
• Intermediate level: (GCSE in one of the languages offered (grade A)). • Advanced level If studying three core languages, at least one of them has to be taken from Advanced level. Additional languages can be taken from beginner's level. Additional languages are not available if studying three core languages |
Core Language:
C1/C2 Proficient User Additional Language: B1 Independent User |
|
Joint Language Degrees (French, German, Italian, Spanish) with other subjects |
Joint courses are available with subjects such as:
|
|
Year Abroad full year in countries where the chosen core language is spoken |
French, German, Italian and Spanish can be taken from beginner's level and no previous language qualifications are required. You may commence one of these languages at intermediate level or advanced level if you have studied it before. |
Core Language C1/C2 Proficient User Additional Language: B1 Independent User
|
* Competency:
See Common European Framework Reference
**Entry Levels:
- Beginner level = Languages can be studied without previous language experience
- Intermediate Level = for students with a GCSE or equivalent in the language
- Advanced Level = for students with an A Level or equivalent in the language
***BA Modern Languages 3 Year
This course is only available to students who are unable to go on a year abroad because of demonstrable special circumstances. Please contact the Department for details about BA Modern Languages 3 Year entry requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I learn two languages from beginner's level?
Yes, although only one will be a core language. Your second beginner's language will be one of our additional languages.
If I learn two languages from beginner's level, with what level will I graduate in each language?
The core language will be near-native proficiency; the additional language will be independent level.
If I studied French, Italian and Spanish as three core languages, where would I go on my year abroad?
You will spend a year abroad in two different countries. Half a year will be spent in a country speaking your beginner's level language (if you started a language from beginner's level), and you can choose where to spend the other half of your year abroad.
I want to study core French and core German: can I learn both from beginner's level?
No, only one core language can be studied from beginner's level.
Can I study French and History with Russian?
Yes, subject to availability.
OUR EXCITING range of modules
Our extensive selection of optional modules allows you to tailor your degree to suit your interests. From French children's literature to revolution in Latin America and world cinema, follow the link below to discover our diverse range of cultural modules.
Research-led teaching
Your tutors form a diverse and international community and their research regularly informs your learning.
combining a language with another subject
A joint degree course gives you the opportunity to study two subjects all the way through university. Complement your language choice with another subject of interest.
citizens of the world
All our degree courses enable you to experience life in another country. Immerse yourself in a new culture and perfect your language skills.
Career planning and preparation
Throughout your degree you will have the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge and experience valued by employers in a wide variety of fields.
2021/22 courses:
BA Modern Languages 4 Years
You will be able to study one, two or three core languages choosing from French, German, Italian or Spanish, and enter these languages as a complete beginner, or at intermediate or advanced level. You will reach near-native proficiency by the time you graduate and you will also be able to explore the culture of the countries where the language is spoken.
You can also opt to combine one or two core languages with one of our wide range of additional languages, starting it as a beginner and carrying it forward throughout your degree. For your additional language you can choose from Arabic, British Sign Language, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Japanese, Italian, Modern Greek, Spanish or Russian.
BA Modern Languages 3 Years is also available to students who are unable to go abroad in their third year because of demonstrable special circumstances.
Modern Languages with QTS
This is not a direct entry degree course. All students have the opportunity to transfer to the BA Modern Languages with QTS course at the beginning of the second year after demonstrating a strong commitment to teaching during their first year of study.
French Degrees:
- BA French and Economics
- BA French and English Literature
- BA French and History
- BA French and International Relations
- BA French and International Development
- BA French and Management
- BA French Studies and English Language
- BA International Management and Business Administration with a Modern Language
- BA International Management and Business Administration with a Modern Language with Placement Year
- BA International Management and Business Administration with a Modern Language with Study Year Abroad
German Degrees:
- BA German and Economics
- BA German and English Literature
- BA German Studies and English Language
- BA German and History
- BA German and International Relations
- BA German and Management
- BA International Management and Business Administration with a Modern Language
- BA International Management and Business Administration with a Modern Language with Placement Year
- BA International Management and Business Administration with a Modern Language with Study Year Abroad
Italian Degrees:
- BA Italian and Classical Studies
- BA Italian and Economics
- BA Italian and English Literature
- BA Italian Studies and English Language
- BA Italian and History
- BA Italian and International Relations
- BA Italian and Management
- BA International Management and Business Administration with a Modern Language
- BA International Management and Business Administration with a Modern Language with Placement Year
- BA International Management and Business Administration with a Modern Language with Study Year Abroad
Spanish Degrees:
- BA Spanish and Economics
- BA Spanish and English Literature
- BA Spanish and History
- BA Spanish and Management Studies
- BA Spanish and International Development
- BA Spanish and International Relations
- BA Spanish Studies and English Language
- BA International Management and Business Administration with a Modern Language
- BA International Management and Business Administration with a Modern Language with Placement Year
- BA International Management and Business Administration with a Modern Language with Study Year Abroad
2022/23 courses:
- BA Modern Languages (4 years)
- BA Modern Languages (3 years)
- BA International Management and Business Administration with a Modern Language
- BA International Management and Business Administration with a Modern Language with Placement Year
- BA International Management and Business Administration with a Modern Language with Study Year Abroad
- BA Modern Languages and Business
- BA Modern Languages and Economics
- BA Modern Languages and English Language
- BA Modern Languages and English Literature
- BA Modern Languages and History
- BA Modern Languages and International Relations
- BA French and International Development
- BA Italian and Classical Studies
- BA Spanish and International Development
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