Modern Language Studies BA, 4 years

Start date:

2020
2021

Course information

Typical offer AAB-ABB

UK/EU fee £9,250

UCAS code T901

Institute code L34

Taught by Modern Languages

Admissions enquiries
+44 (0)116 252 5281
ahladmissions@le.ac.uk

Course enquiries
+44 (0)116 252 2620
ArtsAdmissions@le.ac.uk

Modern Languages website

Develop your linguistic abilities in French, Italian and Spanish (with the possibility of starting one of those languages as a beginner), and acquire an in-depth knowledge of their respective related cultures around the world. This flexible degree gives you the chance to take all three of those languages to degree level, or to choose to focus on two languages from the Year Abroad onwards.

Course description

Course description

Our Modern Language Studies BA is designed to allow you to study up to three languages, from French, Italian, and Spanish. It is a highly flexible course, allowing you to tailor your degree according to your interests. You can either study three languages in your first and second years and then focus on just two of these languages in your final year, or study three languages throughout the duration of your degree.

Leicester is one of the top ten places in the UK to study Modern Languages (The Guardian University Guide 2020) and we rank high for student satisfaction in the annual National Student Survey.

Of the two or three languages that you will study during this course, only one can be studied at Beginners level. When you study a language at Beginners level you will receive an intensive language course that brings you up to post-GCSE standard within a year.

In all language classes special attention is paid to contemporary language, both written and spoken. Your writing skills will be developed through creating short pieces of creative writing and other activities, including online language learning. Oral classes in each language are conducted in small groups predominantly by native speakers. You will also take cultural studies modules on topics related to historical and contemporary societies, literature, film and the visual arts and cultural histories.

Developing your foreign language skills gives you a powerful advantage in business and opens up a wide and exciting range of careers. You will be able to immerse yourself in a rich culture of learning-led experience in a supportive and tailored learning environment and you will be supported by our team of personal tutors to help you make the best of your time here.

As part of the course you will study abroad for a year, where you can live as a student or work as a teaching assistant, with tutors on hand to help. We have links with several universities in Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Canada and Latin America. Alternatively, you can take up an approved work placement.

Here in Modern Languages at Leicester we offer a rich and diverse learning experience, with great facilities, knowledgeable staff who are experts in their fields, and a unique chance to study abroad and build your international communication skills.

Download a prospectus (PDF, 11MB)

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

  • A/AS-levels: AAB-ABB including at least two relevant languages from French or Spanish or Italian. Two AS-levels may be considered in place of one A-level. General Studies is accepted
  • EPQ with A-levels: ABB-BBB including at least two relevant languages from French or Spanish or Italian + EPQ at grade B
  • Access to HE Diploma: Pass Diploma with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3, 30 of which must be at distinction. Plus grade B in two A-levels (or equivalent) from French or Spanish or Italian
  • International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 30 points including grade 6 in two Higher Level languages from French or Spanish or Italian
  • BTEC Nationals: Pass Diploma at D*DD. Plus grade B in two A-levels (or equivalent) from French or Spanish or Italian

If you want to study all three languages at Advanced level, you will need A-levels (or equivalent) in all three languages.

Other national and international qualifications considered. If you do not meet the entry requirements for this course, you can apply for the International Foundation Year – Society and Culture run by the Global Study Centre. The GSC provides academic support to help you progress to your chosen undergraduate degree at the University of Leicester.

Second Year Entry may be possible with suitable qualifications.

Selection Process

When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the course and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous exam results.

Applicants are not normally interviewed. If you receive an offer you will be invited to visit the department.

Native Speakers

If your native language is French, Italian or Spanish, and you wish to study this language at Leicester, you will normally be required, in the first year of study, to take English language modules in lieu of the foreign language modules in your native tongue. If you have native speaker fluency in both English and your chosen foreign language(s), you will normally be required to substitute content modules for the relevant language modules.

English Language Requirements

IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.

International Qualifications

Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.

Countries list

Fees and funding

Fees and funding

UK and EU Students

Starting in 2021

The University of Leicester has made the decision to keep fees for EU students at the same level as UK student fees for this year, despite this no longer being a UK Government requirement.

  • £9,250 in your first year. Tuition fees are subject to government regulations and may change in future years
  • Year Abroad: your fee will be £1,250 for that year

Find out more about scholarships and funding.

International Students

Starting in 2021

Tuition fees for 2021/22 are yet to be confirmed. As an indication of what you might pay, the fees for students who started in 2020/21 were:

  • £17,450 per year
  • Year Abroad: £4,362.50, which is 25% of the full-time tuition fee

Find out more about scholarships and funding.

Careers and employability

Careers and employability

In most cases your Year Abroad can include a year-long teaching assistantship or you could spend one or two semesters on a work placement approved by the University.

Our annual Careers Week includes seminars exploring diverse career paths. Speakers have come from European embassies and the EU.

In most cases your Year Abroad can include a year-long teaching assistantship or you could spend one or two semesters on a work placement approved by the University.

Our annual Careers Week includes seminars exploring diverse career paths. Speakers have come from European embassies and the EU.

Graduate destinations

Graduates from our Modern Languages degrees have gone on to work for a wide range of employers including:

  • Amazon Emirates
  • Airlines Ford Credit
  • Europe Ministerio de Educación
  • Cultura y Deporte (Spain)
  • Resilient PLC
  • STA International
  • Sweet Cherry Publishing

After graduating from Leicester, Joanna went on to work for one of the largest translation services in the world.

Career Development Service


Get career-ready at Leicester with guidance from our award-winning Career Development Service. We're here to give you a lifetime offer of support, even after graduation. Our team of specialist careers advisers and mentors will help you every step of the way. From supporting you with CVs and interviews, to volunteering opportunities and placements, we're here to help you reach your professional goals.

Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goals

We are committed to providing skills and knowledge to help prepare you tackle global challenges. We have mapped our undergraduate degrees for learning which aligns to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This degree includes learning which relates to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

Find out more about the UN Sustainable Development Goals

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Course structure

Year 1

Year 1

You will study three languages, only one of which can be at Beginner level. So you will choose two Advanced modules and one pair of Beginner modules from:

(It is also possible to study all three languages at Advanced level.)

You will also study one 'Introduction to...' module:

Then you will choose one module from the lists below. This should not relate to the same language as your 'Introduction to...' module.

French modules

Italian modules

Spanish modules

At the end of Year 1, you will attend the Modern Languages Summer School.

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Year 2

Year 2

You will continue to study three languages, two at Advanced level and one at Beginner level. So you will choose two Advanced modules and one Beginner module from:

(It is also possible to study all three languages at Advanced level.)

Then you will choose two modules from the lists below. At least one must relate to the language for which you did not select a module in Year 1.

French modules

Italian modules

Spanish modules

Cross-language modules

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Year Abroad

Year Abroad

The Year Abroad is a fundamental element of our Modern Languages degrees, during which time you will study or work in two countries related to your course. Alternatively, you can apply to spend a year working as a British Council language-teaching assistant or on some other work placement of your choice, subject to approval. It is even possible to split the year between study abroad and work placement, giving you the best of both worlds. However, it is possible, in exceptional cases, to complete this degree in three years, without a year abroad.

Studying abroad is central to what makes our graduates stand out. You will acquire life skills that are becoming increasingly significant for a wide range of jobs in our modern globalised society. You will have the chance to perfect your spoken and written language and engage with new societies, whilst all the time building your independence and becoming more employable. Whether you go on to work in the private sector, the state sector, a non-governmental organisation, or become self-employed you will find the experience invaluable. Find out more from our Study Abroad Unit.

Please note that a year spent abroad still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See our Fees and Funding section for details.

Modern Languages at Leicester has links with several European universities, administered through the Erasmus+ scheme. In addition, if you are eligible for a loan from Student Finance you can apply for a travel grant from them.

  • For the latest information on the future of the Erasmus+ scheme at UK universities please see our Brexit microsite

We have links with the following universities:

France

Belgium

Spain

Italy

We also have links with some universities outside Europe and the EU. If you are receiving financial assistance from Student Finance your support will continue and you may also be eligible to apply for additional travel grants or scholarships. We have links with the following universities:

Canada

Colombia

Mexico

Switzerland

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Final Year (three languages)

Final Year (three languages)

If you choose to continue with all three languages, you will study these three modules:

Finally you will choose two modules from the lists below, which must not both relate to the same language.

French modules

Italian modules

Spanish modules

Cross-language modules

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Final Year (two languages)

Final Year (two languages)

Alternatively you can choose to drop one language and just concentrate on the other two, in which case you will study two of these modules:

Finally you will choose four modules from the lists below. You should choose no more than two for each of your languages.

French modules

Italian modules

Spanish modules

Cross-language modules

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

My Leicester?

Job prospects are excellent: 96% of our language students are employed (or studying for a Masters degree) six months after graduating. (DLHE)

We were ranked 10th in the UK for modern language teaching in the Guardian University Guide 2020.

The summer school in your chosen country between Years 1 and 2 is part of your course so there's no extra cost.

You will definitely want to join the Students' Union's Modern Languages Society which organises academic and social events including film screenings, nights out, guest speakers, language-themed nights, sports events and even a weekend in Paris.

Modern Languages at Leicester

It was the fully funded overseas summer school which attracted Alice to Leicester.

Teaching and learning

Summer School

When you take one of our Modern Languages courses, you'll attend one of our fully-funded summer schools during the summer vacation at the end of your first year, which is an integral part of your degree.

Whether you study in Montpellier (France), Massa Marittima (Italy), or Santiago de Compostela (Spain), you will live with selected local families and hosts and enjoy language tuition in small groups each morning. In the afternoons, and some evenings and weekends, you'll take part in cultural and social activities for a complete immersion in the heart of the society, country and region you are visiting.

The benefits you'll gain are invaluable - you'll build your confidence in your chosen spoken and written language, gain crucial transferable skills (on completion of the summer school you will receive a HEAR certificate), discover new cultures, and build life-long friendships.

Teaching

Language skills are taught in small groups, predominantly by native speakers. Our courses stress the importance of communicative ability as well as linguistic accuracy, and oral skills are highly valued.

Cultural studies modules are taught through a mix of lectures and seminars, which encourage discussion and debate around prepared topics and texts.

The use of online tutorials and exercises on Blackboard, the University’s virtual learning environment, allows us to include interactive training in our courses and to facilitate learning in specific areas such as essay writing and grammatical terminology.

You will be assessed throughout each year by a combination of continuous assessment, seminar presentations, essays, and formal exams at the end of each semester. While final year work is most heavily weighted in determining the degree class, your achievements during your second year and your year abroad are also taken into account.

You will have regular meetings with your personal tutor to discuss progress in your studies. Your personal tutor will also provide a sympathetic ear for all matters of personal concern, whether academic, financial, housing, career, or social.

Independent learning

When not attending lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. To help with your independent learning, you can access the Library and our social study spaces in halls of residence.

Your contact hours will depend on the option modules you select. You can see details of the contact hours on individual module pages.

Academic support

Our Student Learning Development Team provides help in the following areas:

  • study and exam skills
  • academic writing
  • presentations
  • dissertations
  • numerical data skills
  • referencing sources

Our AccessAbility Centre offers support and practical help for students with dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties, including physical, mental health or mobility difficulties, deafness, or visual impairment.

Teaching staff

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. PhD research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader. Our teaching is informed by the research we do. You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.

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Course Qualification Duration UCAS Code Availability
Course Modern Language Studies Qualification BA Duration 4 years full-time UCAS Code T901 Availability Apply Now