Modern Languages BA
4 years
Start date:
Course information
Typical offer BBB
UCAS code R900
International fee £19,700
Institute code L34
Taught by Modern Languages
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).
Top 12 in the UK for Languages and Linguistics (The Guardian University Guide 2025)
Top 10 in the UK for Italian (Complete University Guide 2025)
Course description
Course description
Our BA Modern Languages is designed to allow you to study two or three languages, from French, Italian and Spanish. It is a highly flexible course, allowing you to tailor your degree according to your interests. You'll build your linguistic skills while developing your understanding of the social, political, and cultural forces that have shaped contemporary France and the Francophone world, Italy, and the Hispanic world.
Leicester is in the Guardian University Guide 2022's top 20 for Modern Languages and we rank consistently highly for student satisfaction in the annual National Student Survey. In addition, we offer you a unique opportunity at the end of your first year, you will attend one of our partly-funded two-week Summer Schools where you will be able to immerse yourself in the language and culture of one of your chosen languages. If you choose to study one of the two languages at beginner’s level you will spend the summer school in the country of your beginner’s language. If you are studying two languages at advanced level, you may chose which one of those countries to visit.
Of the two or three languages that you will study during this course, one can be taken from Beginners level, allowing you to further expand your linguistic and cultural horizons. Our ab initio modules are intensive language course that bring you up to post-GCSE standard within a year. In all language classes – be they beginner or advanced – special attention is paid to contemporary language, both written and spoken. Your writing skills will be developed through work in different styles and registers of written language communication. 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. These important areas of work add to your linguistic fluency by allowing you to gain the knowledge that is necessary to achieving true cultural competency. They will teach you how to read the societies that communicate in your target languages, and to be able to meaningfully engage with them.
As part of the course you will study abroad your third year, during which time you can live as a student or work as a teaching assistant or in another work placement of your choice, with tutors on hand to help. We have links with universities in Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Canada and Latin America.
In all areas of your studies on this BA programme, the development of key employability-relevant knowledge and skills is a sustained focus. Developing your foreign language skills and cultural awareness 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 that will help you make the best of your time here.
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.
- If studying three languages, this must include at least a grade B in two language A-levels (French and/or Spanish and/or Italian)
- If studying two languages, this must include grade B at A-level in at least one language (French or Spanish or Italian), and the second language can be taken from beginner level.
- EPQ with A-levels: BBC at A-level including French or Spanish or Italian + EPQ at grade B
- If studying three languages, this must include at least a grade B in two language A-levels (French and/or Spanish and/or Italian)
- If studying two languages, this must include grade B at A-level in at least one language (French or Spanish or Italian).
- Access to HE Diploma: Pass Diploma with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3, 24 of which must be at distinction. Plus grade B in one or two A-levels (or equivalent) from French or Spanish or Italian
- International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 28 points including grade 6 in one or two Higher Level languages from French or Spanish or Italian
- BTEC Nationals: Pass Diploma at DDM. Plus grade B in one or 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 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 listFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in 2025
Tuition fees for 2025/26 are yet to be confirmed. As an indication of what you might pay, the fees for students who started in 2024/25 were:
- £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 £1,385 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:
- Goal 5: Gender equality
- Goal 10: Reduced inequalities
- Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong institutions
Course structure
Advanced French + Advanced Italian
Advanced French + Advanced Italian
Year 1
Core modules
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
Plus two option modules from:
Year 2
Core modules
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Politics, Technology, and Ecology in Francophone Culture
- Introduction to French Linguistics
- Challenging Perspectives: Conflict and Relations in French Culture
- Media and Cultural Practices in France
- French Urban Space: From City of Lights to the Banlieue
Plus two option modules from:
- Italian Linguistics
- History of Italian Cinema
- Italian Society and Culture under Fascism
- Year 2 Language Project
Year abroad
As part of the course you will study abroad in your third year, during which time you can live as a student or work as a teaching assistant or in another work placement of your choice, with tutors on hand to help.
Year 4
Core modules
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Immigration and Ethnicity in Colonial and Post-Colonial France
- Norms and Margins in French Cinema
- Gender and Power in Contemporary France
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 1
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 2
- Extended Essay
Plus two option modules from:
- Contemporary Italian Fiction
- Postwar Italian Directors
- Made in Italy. Italian Design and Fashion in the 20th and 21st Century
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 1
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 2
- Extended Essay
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.
Advanced French + Advanced Spanish
Advanced French + Advanced Spanish
Year 1
Core modules
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Introduction to French Studies
- Introduction to Spanish and Latin American Studies
- Language and Society
Plus two option modules from:
Year 2
Core modules
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Politics, Technology, and Ecology in Francophone Culture
- Introduction to French Linguistics
- Challenging Perspectives: Conflict and Relations in French Culture
- Media and Cultural Practices in France
- French Urban Space: From City of Lights to the Banlieue
Plus two option modules from:
- The Mexican-US Borders: History, Culture, Identity
- The Spanish Civil War in Literature and Film
- Contemporary Mexican Cinema
- Latinx Literature and Culture in the United States
- Year 2 Language Project
Year abroad
As part of the course you will study abroad in your third year, during which time you can live as a student or work as a teaching assistant or in another work placement of your choice, with tutors on hand to help.
Year 4
Core modules
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Immigration and Ethnicity in Colonial and Post-Colonial France
- Norms and Margins in French Cinema
- Gender and Power in Contemporary France
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 1
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 2
- Extended Essay
Plus two option modules from:
- Boom Literature: Language and Creation
- Latin American Eco-Literature
- Cinematic Representations of Latin America
- Spain and its Others
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 1
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 2
- Extended Essay
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.
Advanced Italian + Advanced Spanish
Advanced Italian + Advanced Spanish
Year 1
Core modules
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Introduction to Italian Studies
- Introduction to Spanish and Latin American Studies
- Language and Society
Plus two option modules from:
Year 2
Core modules
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
Plus two option modules from:
- The Mexican-US Borders: History, Culture, Identity
- The Spanish Civil War in Literature and Film
- Contemporary Mexican Cinema
- Latinx Literature and Culture in the United States
- Year 2 Language Project
Year abroad
As part of the course you will study abroad in your third year, during which time you can live as a student or work as a teaching assistant or in another work placement of your choice, with tutors on hand to help.
Year 4
Core modules
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Contemporary Italian Fiction
- Postwar Italian Directors
- Made in Italy. Italian Design and Fashion in the 20th and 21st Century
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 1
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 2
- Extended Essay
Plus two option modules from:
- Boom Literature: Language and Creation
- Latin American Eco-Literature
- Cinematic Representations of Latin America
- Spain and its Others
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 1
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 2
- Extended Essay
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.
Advanced French + a Beginners level language
Advanced French + a Beginners level language
You can choose your Beginners level language from Italian, Spanish or Chinese.
Year 1
Core modules
And one from:
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Introduction to French Studies
- Introduction to Italian Studies
- Introduction to Spanish and Latin American Studies
- Language and Society
Plus two option modules from:
- 20th Century French Literature
- Authors and Genres
- Italy Since 1945
- Latin American Literature and Film
- Spanish Literature and Film
Year 2
Core modules
And one from:
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Challenging Perspectives: Conflict and Relations in French Culture
- French Urban Space: From City of Lights to the Banlieue
- Politics, Technology, and Ecology in Francophone Culture
- Italian Linguistics
- History of Italian Cinema
- The Spanish Civil War in Literature and Film
- Contemporary Mexican Cinema
Plus two option modules from:
- Introduction to French Linguistics
- Media and Cultural Practices in France
- Italian Society and Culture under Fascism
- Italy Since 1945
- Latinx Literature and Culture in the United States
- The Mexican-US Borders: History, Culture, Identity
Year abroad
As part of the course you will study abroad in your third year, during which time you can live as a student or work as a teaching assistant or in another work placement of your choice, with tutors on hand to help.
Final Year
Core modules
And one from:
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Gender and Power in Contemporary France
- Norms and Margins in French Cinema
- Made in Italy. Italian Design and Fashion in the 20th and 21st Century
- Cinematic Representations of Latin America
- Latin American Eco-Literature
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 1
Plus two option modules from:
- Immigration and Ethnicity in Colonial and Post-Colonial France
- Postwar Italian Directors
- Greening Italy: Literature and the Environmental Imagination
- Boom Literature: Language and Creation
- Spain and its Others
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 2
- Extended Essay
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.
Advanced Italian + a Beginners level language
Advanced Italian + a Beginners level language
You can choose your Beginners level language from French, Spanish or Chinese.
Year 1
Core modules
And one from:
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Introduction to French Studies
- Introduction to Italian Studies
- Introduction to Spanish and Latin American Studies
- Language and Society
Plus two option modules from:
- 20th Century French Literature
- Authors and Genres
- Italy Since 1945
- Latin American Literature and Film
- Spanish Literature and Film
Year 2
Core modules
And one from:
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Challenging Perspectives: Conflict and Relations in French Culture
- French Urban Space: From City of Lights to the Banlieue
- Politics, Technology, and Ecology in Francophone Culture
- Italian Linguistics
- History of Italian Cinema
- The Spanish Civil War in Literature and Film
- Contemporary Mexican Cinema
Plus two option modules from:
- Introduction to French Linguistics
- Media and Cultural Practices in France
- Italian Society and Culture under Fascism
- Italy Since 1945
- Latinx Literature and Culture in the United States
- The Mexican-US Borders: History, Culture, Identity
Year abroad
As part of the course you will study abroad in your third year, during which time you can live as a student or work as a teaching assistant or in another work placement of your choice, with tutors on hand to help.
Final Year
Core modules
And one from:
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Gender and Power in Contemporary France
- Norms and Margins in French Cinema
- Made in Italy. Italian Design and Fashion in the 20th and 21st Century
- Cinematic Representations of Latin America
- Latin American Eco-Literature
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 1
Plus two option modules from:
- Immigration and Ethnicity in Colonial and Post-Colonial France
- Postwar Italian Directors
- Greening Italy: Literature and the Environmental Imagination
- Boom Literature: Language and Creation
- Spain and its Others
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 2
- Extended Essay
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.
Advanced Spanish + a Beginners level language
Advanced Spanish + a Beginners level language
You can choose your Beginners level language from French, Italian or Chinese.
Year 1
Core modules
And one from:
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Introduction to French Studies
- Introduction to Italian Studies
- Introduction to Spanish and Latin American Studies
- Language and Society
Plus two option modules from:
- 20th Century French Literature
- Authors and Genres
- Italy Since 1945
- Latin American Literature and Film
- Spanish Literature and Film
Year 2
Core modules
And one from:
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Challenging Perspectives: Conflict and Relations in French Culture
- French Urban Space: From City of Lights to the Banlieue
- Politics, Technology, and Ecology in Francophone Culture
- Italian Linguistics
- History of Italian Cinema
- The Spanish Civil War in Literature and Film
- Contemporary Mexican Cinema
Plus two option modules from:
- Introduction to French Linguistics
- Media and Cultural Practices in France
- Italian Society and Culture under Fascism
- Italy Since 1945
- Latinx Literature and Culture in the United States
- The Mexican-US Borders: History, Culture, Identity
Final Year
Core modules
And one from:
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Gender and Power in Contemporary France
- Norms and Margins in French Cinema
- Made in Italy. Italian Design and Fashion in the 20th and 21st Century
- Cinematic Representations of Latin America
- Latin American Eco-Literature
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 1
Plus two option modules from:
- Immigration and Ethnicity in Colonial and Post-Colonial France
- Postwar Italian Directors
- Greening Italy: Literature and the Environmental Imagination
- Boom Literature: Language and Creation
- Spain and its Others
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 2
- Extended Essay
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.
Advanced French + Advanced Italian + a Beginners level language
Advanced French + Advanced Italian + a Beginners level language
You can choose your Beginners level language from Spanish or Chinese.
Year 1
Core modules
And one from:
Option modules
Choose one option module from:
- Introduction to French Studies
- Introduction to Italian Studies
- Introduction to Spanish and Latin American Studies
- Language and Society
Plus one option module from:
- 20th Century French Literature
- Authors and Genres
- Italy Since 1945
- Latin American Literature and Film
- Spanish Literature and Film
Year 2
Core modules
And one from:
Option modules
Choose one option module from:
- Politics, Technology, and Ecology in Francophone Culture
- Introduction to French Linguistics
- Challenging Perspectives: Conflict and Relations in French Culture
- Media and Cultural Practices in France
- French Urban Space: From City of Lights to the Banlieue
Plus one option module from:
- Italian Linguistics
- History of Italian Cinema
- Italian Society and Culture under Fascism
- Year 2 Language Project
Year abroad
As part of the course you will study abroad in your third year, during which time you can live as a student or work as a teaching assistant or in another work placement of your choice, with tutors on hand to help.
Year 4
Core modules
And one from:
Option modules
Choose one option module from:
- Immigration and Ethnicity in Colonial and Post-Colonial France
- Norms and Margins in French Cinema
- Gender and Power in Contemporary France
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 1
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 2
- Extended Essay
Plus one option module from:
- Contemporary Italian Fiction
- Postwar Italian Directors
- Made in Italy. Italian Design and Fashion in the 20th and 21st Century
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 1
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 2
- Extended Essay
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.
Advanced French + Advanced Spanish + a Beginners level language
Advanced French + Advanced Spanish + a Beginners level language
You can choose your Beginners level language from Italian or Chinese.
Year 1
Core modules
And one from:
Option modules
Choose one option module from:
- Introduction to French Studies
- Introduction to Italian Studies
- Introduction to Spanish and Latin American Studies
- Language and Society
Plus one option module from:
- 20th Century French Literature
- Authors and Genres
- Italy Since 1945
- Latin American Literature and Film
- Spanish Literature and Film
Year 2
Core modules
And one from:
Option modules
Choose one option module from:
- Politics, Technology, and Ecology in Francophone Culture
- Introduction to French Linguistics
- Challenging Perspectives: Conflict and Relations in French Culture
- Media and Cultural Practices in France
- French Urban Space: From City of Lights to the Banlieue
Plus one option module from:
- The Mexican-US Borders: History, Culture, Identity
- The Spanish Civil War in Literature and Film
- Contemporary Mexican Cinema
- Drugs and Displacement in Contemporary Colombian Culture
- Latinx Literature and Culture in the United States
- Year 2 Language Project
Year abroad
As part of the course you will study abroad in your third year, during which time you can live as a student or work as a teaching assistant or in another work placement of your choice, with tutors on hand to help.
Year 4
Core modules
And one from:
Option modules
Choose one option module from:
- Immigration and Ethnicity in Colonial and Post-Colonial France
- Norms and Margins in French Cinema
- Gender and Power in Contemporary France
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 1
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 2
- Extended Essay
Plus one option module from:
- Boom Literature: Language and Creation
- Latin American Eco-Literature
- Cinematic Representations of Latin America
- The Cinema of Luis Buñuel
- Putumayo: the History and Culture of a Latin American Conflict Zone
- Spain and its Others
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 1
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 2
- Extended Essay
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.
Advanced Spanish + Advanced Italian + a Beginners level language
Advanced Spanish + Advanced Italian + a Beginners level language
You can choose your Beginners level language from French or Chinese.
Year 1
Core modules
And one from:
Option modules
Choose one option module from:
- Introduction to French Studies
- Introduction to Italian Studies
- Introduction to Spanish and Latin American Studies
- Language and Society
Plus one option module from:
- 20th Century French Literature
- Authors and Genres
- Italy Since 1945
- Latin American Literature and Film
- Spanish Literature and Film
Year 2
Core modules
And one from:
Option modules
Choose one option module from:
- The Mexican-US Borders: History, Culture, Identity
- Contemporary Mexican Cinema
- Drugs and Displacement in Contemporary Colombian Culture
- Latinx Literature and Culture in the United States
Plus one option module from:
- Italian Linguistics
- History of Italian Cinema
- Italian Society and Culture under Fascism
- Year 2 Language Project
Year abroad
As part of the course you will study abroad in your third year, during which time you can live as a student or work as a teaching assistant or in another work placement of your choice, with tutors on hand to help.
Year 4
Core modules
And one from:
Option modules
Choose one option module from:
- Boom Literature: Language and Creation
- Latin American Eco-Literature
- Cinematic Representations of Latin America
- The Cinema of Luis Buñuel
- Putumayo: the History and Culture of a Latin American Conflict Zone
- Spain and its Others
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 1
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 2
- Extended Essay
Plus one option module from:
- Contemporary Italian Fiction
- Postwar Italian Directors
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 1
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 2
- Extended Essay
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.
Advanced French + Advanced Italian + Advanced Spanish
Advanced French + Advanced Italian + Advanced Spanish
Year 1
Core modules
Option modules
Choose one option module from:
- Introduction to French Studies
- Introduction to Italian Studies
- Introduction to Spanish and Latin American Studies
- Language and Society
Plus one option module from:
- 20th Century French Literature
- Authors and Genres
- Italy Since 1945
- Latin American Literature and Film
- Spanish Literature and Film
Year 2
Core modules
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Politics, Technology, and Ecology in Francophone Culture
- Introduction to French Linguistics
- Challenging Perspectives: Conflict and Relations in French Culture
- Media and Cultural Practices in France
- French Urban Space: From City of Lights to the Banlieue
- The Mexican-US Borders: History, Culture, Identity
- The Spanish Civil War in Literature and Film
- Contemporary Mexican Cinema
- Drugs and Displacement in Contemporary Colombian Culture
- Latinx Literature and Culture in the United States
- Italian Linguistics
- History of Italian Cinema
- Italian Society and Culture under Fascism
- Year 2 Language Project
Year abroad
As part of the course you will study abroad in your third year, during which time you can live as a student or work as a teaching assistant or in another work placement of your choice, with tutors on hand to help.
Year 4
Core modules
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Immigration and Ethnicity in Colonial and Post-Colonial France
- Norms and Margins in French Cinema
- Gender and Power in Contemporary France
- Cinematic Representations of Latin America
- The Cinema of Luis Buñuel
- Putumayo: the History and Culture of a Latin American Conflict Zone
- Spain and its Others
- Contemporary Italian Fiction
- Postwar Italian Directors
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 1
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 2
- Extended Essay
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?
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.
Teaching and learning
Summer School
When you take one of our Modern Languages courses, you'll attend one of our partly-funded two-week 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), 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
You can expect an average of 11 hours of contact time per week (3 hours of language classes per language and 2 hours of contact time per cultural 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.
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 | Qualification BA | Duration 4 years, full-time | UCAS Code R900 | Availability How to apply |
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.