BA Modern Languages and International Relations

Study a modern language, and gain a broader view of the contemporary world’s most pressing problems, with our BA Modern Languages and International Relations degree.

This highly flexible degree enables you to study a modern language – choosing from our core languages of French, German, Italian and Spanish – alongside your studies in international relations.

Taught by experts from the Department of Languages and Cultures and the Department of Politics and International Relations, you’ll acquire transferable skills with an international focus.

Throughout, you’ll be encouraged to follow your interests as they develop and tailor your learning to your career goals.

Learn a language

At the University of Reading, you’ll join a lively, multilingual community and study alongside students from all over the world.

Learn from internationally recognised researchers whose wide-ranging expertise includes migration, literature, history, cinema, linguistics, publishing, and translation. 100% of our research is of international standing (Research Excellence Framework 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Modern Languages and Linguistics). In the National Student Survey 2023, 98% of students in the Department of Languages and Cultures said our teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things.

Choose to study one of our four core languages:

These languages are offered at beginner’s, intermediate or advanced level, depending on your experience.

Our flexible, supportive teaching style will enable you to become confident and highly skilled in your chosen core language. You will master the fundamentals of the language – both written and spoken – graduating with a high level of proficiency.

Direct access to our staff for help and feedback ensures you develop your language skills to the best of your ability.

The study of language includes 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. As well as complementing your joint studies, this enables you to develop as a specialist with an international, comparative approach.

Optional modules also include introductory study of one of the following languages (subject to approval and availability):

Arabic
British Sign Language
Chinese (Mandarin)
French
German
Italian
Modern Greek
Japanese

Overview

Study a modern language, and gain a broader view of the contemporary world’s most pressing problems, with our BA Modern Languages and International Relations degree.

Learn a language

At the University of Reading, you’ll join a lively, multilingual community and study alongside students from all over the world.

Learning

Choose to study one of our four core languages:

Arabic
British Sign Language
Chinese (Mandarin)
French
German
Italian
Modern Greek
Japanese

Entry requirements A Level BBB

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

Our typical offers are expressed in terms of A level, BTEC and International Baccalaureate requirements. However, we also accept many other qualifications.

Typical offer

BBB

International Baccalaureate

30 points overall

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

The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery in 2024/25. Please note that as part of our current curriculum improvement process, all modules require final University approval and may be subject to change.

Compulsory modules:

Language modules in French, German, Italian and/or Spanish, depending on your chosen core language(s)
Ideas of Frenchness (if French is a core language)
The Making of Contemporary Germany (if German is a core language)
Making Italians: A Journey in the History and Culture of Modern Italy (if Italian is a core language)
Introduction to Spanish and Latin American Culture (if Spanish is a core language)
Politics of Climate Change
International Relations
War and Warfare

th us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules:

Language modules in French, German, Italian and/or Spanish, depending on your chosen core language(s)
Study of Politics
Global Order

Further compulsory modules will depend on your chosen core language(s), for example:

How to Think in French (if French is a core language)
Cinema of Germany (if German is a core language)
Fictions of Italy: Themes and Genres (if Italian is a core language)
Literature and Society in the Modern Hispanic World (if Spanish is a core language)

Optional modules:

Science, Perversion and Dream in Global Fantastic Literature
Society, Thought and Art in Modern Europe
Unity, Nationalism and Regionalism in Europe
Global Ecologies: Discourse, Environment and Society
Politics Classics
Contemporary Strategy
Global Politics and History
British Government and Politics

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Study Year Abroad

Compulsory modules:

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

Further compulsory modules will depend on your chosen core language(s), for example:

The French Caribbean: Language, Literature and Identity (if French is a core language)
Writers of the Weimar Republic: At Home and in Exile (if German is a core language)
Crisis, Change, Opportunity: Italy from 1968 to the Present (if Italian is a core language)
Narrating the Colombian Conflict (if Spanish is a core language)

Optional modules:

Dissertation
Dynamics of Civil Wars
International Terrorism
British Foreign and Defence Policy since 1945
Populism
War, Peace and International Ethics
Introduction to Critical Security Studies
US Foreign and Defence Policy since 1950
Politics and International Relations of the Middle East
Nuclear Weapons
International Political Economy
International Organisations in Global Politics

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Fees

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

New international students: £22,350

*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.

Year abroad fees

If you spend a full year abroad, you will only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee for that year. For more information, please see our fees and funding pages or contact studyabroad@reading.ac.uk.

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 graduates from Politics and International Relations, and 93% of graduates from Languages and Cultures, are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2023, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21; includes first degree Politics and International Relations and Languages and Cultures responders respectively).

Recent modern languages 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.

Past graduates have put their political analysis skills to use in various governmental departments, political research units, think tanks, non-governmental organisations, and parliament. Others have found careers in media, management consultancy, and banking.

BA Modern Languages and International Relations

Learn a language

*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

EU student fees

Additional Costs

Financial support for your studies

Ready for more?