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BA MODERN LANGUAGES (4 YEARS)

  • UCAS code
    R900
  • Typical offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2021
  • Course duration
     4 years
  • Year of entry
    2021
  • Course duration
     4 years
View all

COVID-19 update


Find out about how we'll be delivering our courses in 2020.

Specialise in one language or combine two or three languages and expand your knowledge of the associated cultures. Our BA Modern Languages enables you to become fluent in your chosen language(s) and to hone your intercultural skills.

Our flexible BA Modern Languages gives you the opportunity to either specialise in one core language, or to combine two or three languages. You can decide to study one, two or three core languages, choosing from:

  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Spanish

You can start these core languages from beginner, intermediate or advanced level. The study of core languages includes language modules, but also cultural modules that develop your understanding of the cultures of the countries in which the language is spoken, from their literary and cinematic traditions to their history, politics and linguistics. The number of ‘cultural’ modules you will take depends on whether you are specialising in one specific language, or combining two or three core languages. Find our more about our core languages and the modules on offer: French Studies, German Studies, Italian Studies, Spanish Studies.

Our programme also allows you to combine up to two core languages with our additional languages. Choose from Arabic, British Sign Language, Chinese (Mandarin), Japanese, Modern Greek or Russian (subject to availability). The study of additional languages focuses on developing your linguistic proficiency, and you will reach independent-user competency by the time you graduate.

Language levels and requirements

Our four core languages (French, German, Italian and Spanish) can be taken from beginner's level and no previous language qualifications are required. You may commence one or more of these languages at intermediate or advanced level if you have studied it before. If studying more than one core language, only one core language can be studied from beginner’s level. By the time you graduate you will have achieved near-native proficiency.

Our additional languages start at beginner’s level only, and enable you to achieve independent-user level by the time you graduate.

Year Abroad

Expand your linguistic skills and intercultural understanding in one or two of your core languages by spending a year abroad. You can choose to study at a partner university, go on a work placement or work as a language teaching assistant. If you choose to study more than one core language, you will have the chance to prioritise the core language that you started at beginner level.

Qualified Teacher Status

Alongside your degree, and depending on your chosen combination of languages, you can train for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), a qualification that will enable you to teach in secondary schools in England and Wales.

If you opt into the Initial Teacher Training (ITT) modules, you will be interviewed during your first year and must demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching. You will also need to satisfy the requirements set by the Department for Education.

For more information, please visit the Department of Languages and Cultures website.

Overview

Our flexible BA Modern Languages gives you the opportunity to either specialise in one core language, or to combine two or three languages. You can decide to study one, two or three core languages, choosing from:

  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Spanish

You can start these core languages from beginner, intermediate or advanced level. The study of core languages includes language modules, but also cultural modules that develop your understanding of the cultures of the countries in which the language is spoken, from their literary and cinematic traditions to their history, politics and linguistics. The number of ‘cultural’ modules you will take depends on whether you are specialising in one specific language, or combining two or three core languages. Find our more about our core languages and the modules on offer: French Studies, German Studies, Italian Studies, Spanish Studies.

Our programme also allows you to combine up to two core languages with our additional languages. Choose from Arabic, British Sign Language, Chinese (Mandarin), Japanese, Modern Greek or Russian (subject to availability). The study of additional languages focuses on developing your linguistic proficiency, and you will reach independent-user competency by the time you graduate.

Language levels and requirements

Our four core languages (French, German, Italian and Spanish) can be taken from beginner's level and no previous language qualifications are required. You may commence one or more of these languages at intermediate or advanced level if you have studied it before. If studying more than one core language, only one core language can be studied from beginner’s level. By the time you graduate you will have achieved near-native proficiency.

Our additional languages start at beginner’s level only, and enable you to achieve independent-user level by the time you graduate.

Year Abroad

Expand your linguistic skills and intercultural understanding in one or two of your core languages by spending a year abroad. You can choose to study at a partner university, go on a work placement or work as a language teaching assistant. If you choose to study more than one core language, you will have the chance to prioritise the core language that you started at beginner level.

Qualified Teacher Status

Alongside your degree, and depending on your chosen combination of languages, you can train for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), a qualification that will enable you to teach in secondary schools in England and Wales.

If you opt into the Initial Teacher Training (ITT) modules, you will be interviewed during your first year and must demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching. You will also need to satisfy the requirements set by the Department for Education.

For more information, please visit the Department of Languages and Cultures website.

Entry requirements A Level BBB | IB 30 points overall

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we will guarantee you a place if you achieve one grade lower than the published offer.

Typical offer

BBB

International Baccalaureate

30 points overall

GCSE

To study two core languages: minimum GCSE grade B (or 6) is required in at least one of the core languages of choice (French, German, Italian, Spanish).

To study three core languages as major subjects: minimum GCSE grade B (or 6) is required in at least two of the core languages of choice (French, German, Italian, Spanish).

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDM

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0, with no component below 6.0

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.

  • Learn more about our International Foundation programme

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

  • Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Structure

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3
  • Year 4

Core modules include:

  • Language modules in French, German, Italian and/or Spanish (depending on your chosen core language(s).

    Please note that all modules are subject to change.

    Optional modules may include:

    At least one cultural module focusing on the countries where your core language(s) is/are spoken, for instance:

    • The Making of Modern France (if studying French as a core module)
    • Icons of Modern Germany (if specialising in German)
    • Making Italians: a Journey in the History and Culture of Modern Italy (if choosing Italian as a core language)
    • Introduction to Spanish and Latin American Culture (if Spanish is taken as a core language).

    The number of ‘cultural’ modules you will take depends on whether you are specialising in one specific language, or combining two or three core languages. Find our more about our core languages and the modules on offer: French Studies, German Studies, Italian Studies, Spanish Studies. 

    Core modules may include:

    • Language modules in French, German, Italian and/or Spanish (depending on your chosen core language(s)

    Please note that all modules are subject to change.

    Optional modules may include:

    • At least one cultural module focusing on the countries where your core language(s) is/are spoken, for instance:
    • Global French Life-Stories (if studying French as a core module)
    • Glorification, Denial and Contempt ; reconstructing Austria’s Past (if specialising in German)
    • Italian Cinema (if choosing Italian as a core language)
    • Culture and Revolution in Modern Latin America (if Spanish is taken as a core language).

    The number of cultural modules you take in any one particular language depends on whether you are studying this language on its own, or in combination with others. For more information about modules on offer in each language please check our dedicated pages:French Studies, German Studies, Italian Studies, Spanish Studies. 

    You may choose to take one or more of our ‘comparative’ modules, which enable you to study the literature, cinema or history of not one but several countries in a comparative fashion, for example:

    • Society, Thought and Art in Modern Europe
    • Unity, Nationalism and Regionalism.

    Year abroad.

    If you are studying more than one core language you will have the opportunity to split your year abroad between different linguistic spheres, or – if you started one of your core languages from beginner’s level - you can choose spend the whole year in a country where the language you started from beginner’s level is spoken.

    We offer a range of destinations that currently includes:

    • If you are taking French as a core language: Montpellier, Paris, Geneva, Toulouse, La Réunion
    • If you are taking German as a core language: Augsburg, Regensburg, Vienna, Potsdam, Graz, Tübingen
    • If you are taking Italian as a core language: Florence, Siena, Naples, Padua, Bologna, Pisa, Rome
    • If you are taking Spanish as a core language: Havana, Madrid, Sevilla, Oviedo, Mexico (Puebla), Salamanca

    Core modules may include:

    • Language modules in French, German, Italian and/or Spanish (depending on your chosen core language(s)

    Please note that all modules are subject to change.

    Optional modules may include:

    At least one cultural module focusing on the countries where your core language(s) is/are spoken, for instance:

    • French Popular Music and Society
    • Migration in Germany
    • Crisis, Change, Opportunity: Italy from 1968 to the Present
    • Writers and Publishers in Spain

    The number of cultural modules you take in any one particular language depends on whether you are studying this language on its own, or in combination with others. For more information about modules on offer in each language please check our dedicated pages: French Studies, German Studies, Italian Studies, Spanish Studies.

    You may choose to take one or more of our ‘comparative’ modules, which enable you to study the literature, cinema or history of not one but several countries in a comparative fashion, for example:

    • Cinemas of the World
    • Language and Power

    Fees

    New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250* per year

    New international students: £17,320 per year

    *UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

    UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.

    EU student fees

    With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

    Additional Costs

    Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

    Financial support for your studies

    You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

    Careers

    Overall, 89% of our students are in work or further study 15 months after finishing their course [1].

    Recent graduates have found careers in translation, teaching, business and finance, the arts, and marketing. Recent employers include Sony Europe, the Civil Service, Oxford University Press, BNP Paribas, Dow Jones, Vodafone and PwC.

    [1] Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017/18; First Degree and other undergraduate responders from Languages and Cultures.

    Contextual offers


    We make contextual offers for all our courses.

    Take the next step


    How to apply

    Come to an Open Day

    Get a prospectus

    Ask us a question

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    • BA Spanish and International Development LR09
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    CHOOSE A SUBJECT
    2020
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    Undergraduates
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    Subjects A-B

    • Agriculture
    • Ancient History
    • Animal Science
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Architectural Engineering
    • Architecture
    • Art
    • Biological Sciences
    • Biomedical Engineering
    • Biomedical Sciences
    • Building and Surveying
    • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

    Subjects C-E

    • Chemistry
    • Classics and Classical Studies
    • Climate Science
    • Computer Science
    • Construction Management
    • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
    • Creative Writing
    • Drama
    • Ecology
    • Economics
    • Education
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    • English Language and Applied Linguistics
    • English Literature
    • Environment

    Subjects F-G

    • Film & Television
    • Food and Nutritional Sciences
    • Foundation programmes
    • French
    • Geography
    • German
    • Graphic Communication and Design

    Subjects H-M

    • Healthcare
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    • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
    • International Relations
    • Italian
    • Languages and Cultures
    • Law
    • Linguistics
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    • Mathematics
    • Medical Sciences
    • Meteorology and Climate
    • Museum Studies

    Subjects N-T

    • Nutrition
    • Pharmacology
    • Pharmacy
    • Philosophy
    • Physician Associate Studies
    • Politics and International Relations
    • Psychology
    • Real Estate and Planning
    • Spanish
    • Speech and Language Therapy
    • Surveying and Construction
    • Teaching
    • Theatre

    Subjects U-Z

    • Wildlife Conservation
    • Zoology

    Subjects A-C

    • Agriculture
    • Ancient History
    • Animal Sciences
    • Archaeology
    • Architecture
    • Art
    • Biological Sciences
    • Biomedical Sciences
    • Business (Post-Experience)
    • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
    • Chemistry
    • Classics and Ancient History
    • Climate Science
    • Computer Science
    • Construction Management and Engineering
    • Consumer Behaviour
    • Creative Enterprise

    Subjects D-G

    • Data Science
    • Economics
    • Education
    • Energy and Environmental Engineering
    • Engineering
    • English Language and Applied Linguistics
    • English Literature
    • Environmental Science
    • Film, Theatre and Television
    • Finance
    • Food and Nutritional Sciences
    • Geography and Environmental Science
    • Graphic Design

    Subjects H-P

    • Healthcare
    • History
    • Information Management and Digital Business
    • Information Technology
    • International Development and Applied Economics
    • Languages and Cultures
    • Law
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    • Microbiology
    • Nutritional Sciences
    • Pharmacy
    • Philosophy
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    Subjects Q-Z

    • Real Estate and Planning
    • Social Policy
    • Speech and Language Therapy
    • Strategic Studies
    • Teaching
    • Theatre
    • Typography and Graphic Communication
    • War and Peace Studies
    • Zoology

    Subjects A-B

    • Agriculture
    • Ancient History
    • Animal Science
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Architectural Engineering
    • Architecture
    • Art
    • Biological Sciences
    • Biomedical Engineering
    • Biomedical Sciences
    • Building and Surveying
    • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

    Subjects C-E

    • Chemistry
    • Classics and Classical Studies
    • Climate Science
    • Computer Science
    • Construction Management
    • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
    • Creative Writing
    • Drama
    • Ecology
    • Economics
    • Education
    • Engineering
    • English Language and Applied Linguistics
    • English Literature
    • Environment

    Subjects F-G

    • Film & Television
    • Food and Nutritional Sciences
    • Foundation programmes
    • French
    • Geography
    • German
    • Graphic Communication and Design

    Subjects H-M

    • Healthcare
    • History
    • International Development
    • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
    • International Relations
    • Italian
    • Languages and Cultures
    • Law
    • Linguistics
    • Marketing
    • Mathematics
    • Medical Sciences
    • Meteorology and Climate
    • Museum Studies

    Subjects N-T

    • Nutrition
    • Pharmacology
    • Pharmacy
    • Philosophy
    • Physician Associate Studies
    • Politics and International Relations
    • Psychology
    • Real Estate and Planning
    • Spanish
    • Speech and Language Therapy
    • Surveying and Construction
    • Teaching
    • Theatre

    Subjects U-Z

    • Wildlife Conservation
    • Zoology

    Subjects A-C

    • Agriculture
    • Ancient History
    • Animal Sciences
    • Archaeology
    • Architecture
    • Art
    • Biological Sciences
    • Biomedical Sciences
    • Business (Post-Experience)
    • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
    • Chemistry
    • Classics and Ancient History
    • Climate Science
    • Computer Science
    • Construction Management and Engineering
    • Consumer Behaviour
    • Creative Enterprise

    Subjects D-G

    • Data Science
    • Economics
    • Education
    • Energy and Environmental Engineering
    • Engineering
    • English Language and Applied Linguistics
    • English Literature
    • Environmental Science
    • Film, Theatre and Television
    • Finance
    • Food and Nutritional Sciences
    • Geography and Environmental Science
    • Graphic Design

    Subjects H-P

    • Healthcare
    • History
    • Information Management and Digital Business
    • Information Technology
    • International Development and Applied Economics
    • Languages and Cultures
    • Law
    • Linguistics
    • Management
    • Medieval History
    • Meteorology and Climate
    • Microbiology
    • Nutritional Sciences
    • Pharmacy
    • Philosophy
    • Physician Associate
    • Politics and International Relations
    • Project Management
    • Psychology
    • Public Policy

    Subjects Q-Z

    • Real Estate and Planning
    • Social Policy
    • Speech and Language Therapy
    • Strategic Studies
    • Teaching
    • Theatre
    • Typography and Graphic Communication
    • War and Peace Studies
    • Zoology

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