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Modern Languages and International Relations BA

4 years

Combine the in-depth study of French, Spanish or Italian language and culture with that of contemporary European politics.
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Modern Languages and International Relations BA, 4 years

Combine the in-depth study of French, Spanish or Italian language and culture with that of contemporary European politics.

Start date:

2025

Course information

Typical offer BBB

UK fee £9,535

UCAS code RL99

International fee £19,700

Institute code L34

Taught by Modern Languages

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Ranked 1st in subjects aligned to Modern Languages for ‘overall positivity’ in the NSS 2024 (according to Times Higher Education NSS 2023 methodology applied to the NSS 2024 data).

Modern Languages website

Course description

Course description

Our Modern Languages and International Relations BA is ideal for you if you enjoy learning a language and want to explore your abilities while expanding your knowledge of European politics. You’ll benefit from our teaching excellence and our political expertise - politics has been taught at Leicester since the 1940s and we have always been at the cutting edge of British political science.

You can choose to specialise in French and Francophone Studies, Italian Studies, or Spanish and Latin American Studies, or a combination of two of these languages and subject areas. If you choose to study two languages, only one language can be taken at beginner-level. When you study a language at beginner-level you will receive an intensive language course that brings you up to post-GCSE standard within a year. The other language must be taken from post-A-level standard.

The course is designed to be very flexible, letting you tailor your programme to your individual interests. There are three main elements to the Modern Languages and International Relations degree:

  • Language skills
  • Contemporary European Politics
  • Option modules related to your chosen language, or a second language.

Our language classes are taught predominantly by native speakers with colloquial insight into the languages they teach and the cultures they represent. Meanwhile, the wide range of cultural studies modules you can choose from are taught by tutors who are experts in their respective areas of knowledge.

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 learning environment and you will be supported by our team of personal tutors to help you make the best of your time here.

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

Here at 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.

Learn an extra language

All Modern Languages students have the opportunity in Year 1 to complete a year-long extracurricular Languages at Leicester course – for free. You can choose from any of these languages (subject to availability).

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

  • A/AS-levels: BBB at A-level including 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: BBC at A-level including French or Spanish or Italian + EPQ at grade B
  • Access to HE Diploma: Pass Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3, 24 of which must be at distinction. Plus grade B in A-level (or equivalent) in French or Spanish or Italian
  • International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 28 points including 6 in Higher Level French or Spanish or Italian
  • BTEC Nationals: Pass Diploma at DDM. Plus grade B at A-level (or equivalent) in French or Spanish or Italian

You can choose to study and focus on just one language only; either at Advanced level or Beginner level. For Advanced level study you should have an A-level (or equivalent) in your chosen language (French or Spanish or Italian). For Beginners level study you should have an A-level (or equivalent) in any foreign language.

Other official national and international qualifications considered from across the world. You can review some of the qualifications we accept on our countries page and English Language equivalencies.

If your qualification or country is not listed, please contact us for more information, including the name and result of the qualification you have studied. 

Second Year Entry may be possible with suitable qualifications.

Contextual offers

The University of Leicester is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all applicants from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to support students who may be impacted by the area they live in, their personal circumstances or who have completed one of our progression programmes. These offers are usually one or two grades lower than the standard entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must apply for an eligible course and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.

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 Students

Starting in 2025

The tuition fees that will be payable by you to the University for the 2025/26 academic year will be £9,535

  • £9,535 in your first year. Tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation, subject to government regulations. The inflation rate used will be the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage payments (RPIX)
  • Year Abroad: your fee will be £1,430 for that year

Find out more about scholarships and funding.

International Students

Starting in 2025

  • £19,700 per year
  • Year Abroad: £4,925 which is 25% of the full-time tuition fee

If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.

If you are an EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme, you may qualify for the UK fee (subject to criteria).

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.

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.

Careers and Employability Service


Get career-ready at Leicester with guidance from our award-winning Careers and Employability 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

French

French

Year 1

You will study:

You will also study these three modules:

If you want to study a 50:50 balance of language and politics, you will study these two modules:

And you will choose one module from this list:

Or if you prefer to study a 75:25 split of language and politics, you will study Language and Society and choose two modules from that list.

Summer School

During the summer between your first and second years of study, you can attend a partly-funded two-week  in one of three beautiful destinations in France, Italy and Spain.

If you are taking one language as a Beginner-level student, you will attend the summer school for that language.

If you are taking two or three languages from Advanced level, then your tutors will help you decide which summer school you would most benefit from in terms of your language learning needs and experiences.

Year 2

You will study:

If you are studying a 50:50 balance, you will choose two language modules and four politics modules from the lists below.

Or, if you are studying a 75:25 split, you will choose four language modules and two politics modules from the lists below.

French modules

Cross-language modules

Politics modules

* must be taken together and are compulsory if you wish to undertake a Dissertation in Politics in your final year

Year Abroad

Please see the separate section of this page for details of the Year Abroad.

Final Year

You will study French Language (Proficiency)

As with Year 2, if you are studying a 50:50 balance, you will choose two language modules and four politics modules from the lists below.

Or, if you are studying a 75:25 split, you will choose four language modules and two politics modules from the lists below.

French modules

Cross-language modules

* must be chosen together

Politics 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.

Italian

Italian

Year 1

You will study:

You will also study these three modules:

If you want to study a 50:50 balance of language and politics, you will study these two modules:

And you will choose one module from this list:

Or if you prefer to study a 75:25 split of language and politics, you will study 'Language and Society' and choose two modules from that list.

Summer School

During the summer between your first and second years of study, you can attend a partly-funded two-week  in one of three beautiful destinations in France, Italy and Spain.

If you are taking one language as a Beginner-level student, you will attend the summer school for that language.

If you are taking two or three languages from Advanced level, then your tutors will help you decide which summer school you would most benefit from in terms of your language learning needs and experiences.

Year 2

You will study:

If you are studying a 50:50 balance, you will choose two language modules and four politics modules from the lists below.

Or, if you are studying a 75:25 split, you will choose four language modules and two politics modules from the lists below.

Italian modules

Politics modules

* must be taken together and are compulsory if you wish to undertake a Dissertation in Politics in your final year

Year Abroad

Please see the separate section of this page for details of the Year Abroad.

Final Year

You will study Italian Language (Proficiency)

As with Year 2, if you are studying a 50:50 balance, you will choose two language modules and four politics modules from the lists below.

Or, if you are studying a 75:25 split, you will choose four language modules and two politics modules from the lists below.

Italian modules

Cross-language modules

* must be chosen together

Politics 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.

Spanish

Spanish

Year 1

You will study:

You will also study these three modules:

If you want to study a 50:50 balance of language and politics, you will study these two modules:

And you will choose one module from this list:

Or if you prefer to study a 75:25 split of language and politics, you will study 'Language and Society' and choose two modules from that list.

Summer School

During the summer between your first and second years of study, you can attend a partly-funded two-week  in one of three beautiful destinations in France, Italy and Spain.

If you are taking one language as a Beginner-level student, you will attend the summer school for that language.

If you are taking two or three languages from Advanced level, then your tutors will help you decide which summer school you would most benefit from in terms of your language learning needs and experiences.

Year 2

You will study:

If you are studying a 50:50 balance, you will choose two language modules and four politics modules from the lists below.

Or, if you are studying a 75:25 split, you will choose four language modules and two politics modules from the lists below.

Spanish modules

Cross-language modules

Politics modules

* must be taken together and are compulsory if you wish to undertake a Dissertation in Politics in your final year

Year Abroad

Please see the separate section of this page for details of the Year Abroad.

Final Year

You will study Spanish Language (Proficiency)

As with Year 2, if you are studying a 50:50 balance, you will choose two language modules and four politics modules from the lists below.

Or, if you are studying a 75:25 split, you will choose four language modules and two politics modules from the lists below.

Spanish modules

Cross-language modules

* must be chosen together

Politics 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.

French and Italian

French and Italian

Year 1

If you study French at Advanced level and Italian at Beginner level, you will study these six modules:

And you will then choose one module from this list:

On the other hand, if you study Italian at Advanced level and French at Beginner level, you will study these six modules:

And you will then choose one module from this list:

(It is also possible to take both languages at Advanced level if you have A-levels in both.)

Summer School

During the summer between your first and second years of study, you can attend a partly-funded two-week  in one of three beautiful destinations in France, Italy and Spain.

If you are taking one language as a Beginner-level student, you will attend the summer school for that language.

If you are taking two or three languages from Advanced level, then your tutors will help you decide which summer school you would most benefit from in terms of your language learning needs and experiences.

Year 2

If French is your Advanced level language you will study:

Or, if Italian is your Advanced level language, you will study:

(It is also possible to continue both languages at Advanced level.)

You will choose two modules from this list:

* must be taken together and are compulsory if you wish to undertake a Dissertation in Politics in your final year

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

French modules

Italian modules

Year Abroad

Please see the separate section of this page for details of the Year Abroad.

Final Year

You will study these two modules:

You will choose two modules from this list:

Politics modules

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

French modules

Italian modules

Cross-language modules

* must be chosen together

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.

French and Spanish

French and Spanish

Year 1

If you study French at Advanced level and Spanish at Beginner level, you will study these six modules:

And you will then choose one module from this list:

On the other hand, if you study Spanish at Advanced level and French at Beginner level, you will study these six modules:

And you will then choose one module from this list:

(It is also possible to take both languages at Advanced level if you have A-levels in both.)

Summer School

During the summer between your first and second years of study, you can attend a partly-funded two-week  in one of three beautiful destinations in France, Italy and Spain.

If you are taking one language as a Beginner-level student, you will attend the summer school for that language.

If you are taking two or three languages from Advanced level, then your tutors will help you decide which summer school you would most benefit from in terms of your language learning needs and experiences.

Year 2

If French is your Advanced level language you will study:

Or, if Italian is your Advanced level language, you will study:

(It is also possible to continue both languages at Advanced level.)

You will choose two modules from this list:

* must be taken together and are compulsory if you wish to undertake a Dissertation in Politics in your final year

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

French modules

Spanish modules

Year Abroad

Please see the separate section of this page for details of the Year Abroad.

Final Year

You will study these two modules:

You will choose two modules from this list:

Politics modules

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

French modules

Spanish modules

Cross-language modules

* must be chosen together

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.

Italian and Spanish

Italian and Spanish

Year 1

If you study Italian at Advanced level and Spanish at Beginner level, you will study these six modules:

And you will then choose one module from this list:

On the other hand, if you study Spanish at Advanced level and Italian at Beginner level, you will study these six modules:

And you will then choose one module from this list:

(It is also possible to take both languages at Advanced level if you have A-levels in both.)

Summer School

During the summer between your first and second years of study, you can attend a partly-funded two-week  in one of three beautiful destinations in France, Italy and Spain.

If you are taking one language as a Beginner-level student, you will attend the summer school for that language.

If you are taking two or three languages from Advanced level, then your tutors will help you decide which summer school you would most benefit from in terms of your language learning needs and experiences.

Year 2

If Italian is your Advanced level language you will study:

Or, if Spanish is your Advanced level language, you will study:

(It is also possible to continue both languages at Advanced level.)

You will choose two modules from this list:

* must be taken together and are compulsory if you wish to undertake a Dissertation in Politics in your final year

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

Italian modules

Spanish modules

Year Abroad

Please see the separate section of this page for details of the Year Abroad.

Final Year

You will study these two modules:

You will choose two modules from this list:

Politics modules

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

Italian modules

Spanish modules

Cross-language modules

* must be chosen together

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 this course, during which time you will study or work in France, Italy or Spain, as appropriate. 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, whist all the time building your independence and becoming more employable. Whether you go on to a career in the private, public or third sector - or plough your own furrow as an entrepreneur – you will find the experience invaluable.

Please note

  • A year spent abroad still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See the Fees and Funding section of this page for details.
  • You may be eligible for a travel grant from Student Finance England.

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.

Why Leicester?

Load the video related to: Modern Languages at Leicester

Modern Languages at Leicester

It was the summer school which attracted Alice to Leicester.

We offer a partly-funded two-week summer school between Years 1 and 2. You will immerse yourself in a different culture and language, building your confidence in your language skills.

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.

Load the video related to: Borderlines: the politics of territorial trouble

Borderlines: the politics of territorial trouble

Teaching and learning

Summer School

When you take one of our Modern Languages courses, you’ll have the opportunity attend one of our partly-funded two-week summer schools during the summer vacation at the end of your first year.

Whether you study in Montpellier (France), Mondavio (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: Modern Languages

Each week, you can expect to receive 3-4 hours of language teaching for each of your languages, and 2 hours of contact time for each optional module. 

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, scenario-based assessments 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.

Teaching: International Relations

You will experience a variety of learning and teaching methods throughout your time at Leicester. We use the latest teaching resources, such as the Blackboard virtual learning environment where students can access support materials for all our modules. As well as traditional lectures and seminars, you will work in small groups, take part in debates and simulation exercises, and undertake a research project of your choice in your final year.

The development of transferable skills is a key feature of teaching at Leicester. Our courses are designed to improve your skills in written communications (from short reports to a long dissertation), oral presentation (both formal and informal), working as part of a team, independent learning (e.g. information gathering and time management), problem solving and information technology.

All members of Politics and International Relations at Leicester are engaged in cutting-edge research. We believe that good teaching flourishes in an intellectual environment informed by original research. Final year modules reflect the research interests of academic staff, exposing students to the latest thinking.
You will be assessed through a variety of methods including written examination, assessed essay, reports, briefing papers and presentations. 

Assessment

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 Centre for Academic Achievement 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.

Apply now

Course Qualification Duration UCAS Code Availability
Course Modern Languages and International Relations Qualification BA Duration 4 years full-time UCAS Code RL99 Availability How to apply

Data about this course

student smiling with a map of the world behind

One of the many great things about studying Languages at Leicester is the inclusion of contemporary and historical cultural modules alongside the linguistic aspect of the course.

Graham

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