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Modern Languages with Film Studies BA

4 years

Combine development of your language skills with gaining cultural insight and an in-depth knowledge of the world of film, one of the major contemporary art forms.

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Modern Languages with Film Studies BA, 4 years

Combine development of your language skills with gaining cultural insight and an in-depth knowledge of the world of film, one of the major contemporary art forms.

Start date:

2025

Course information

Typical offer BBB

UK fee £9,535

UCAS code R8P3

International fee £19,700

Institute code L34

Taught by Modern Languages

Times Higher Education

7th in the UK for Communication and Media Studies (The Times Good University Guide 2025)

National Student Survey logo

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

Film is an important part of any country’s culture, and this Modern Languages with Film Studies BA gives you a fantastic opportunity to achieve maximum fluency in the language or languages of your choice, while building a firm grounding in film, film culture and critical approaches to film. One third of your course will be dedicated to film studies, while the remaining two thirds will be spent studying one or two languages from French, Italian and Spanish.

You can study either one or two languages over the course of this degree. If you study two languages, you can choose to take one of them at beginners' level. When you study a language at beginners' level you will receive an intensive language course which brings you up to post-GCSE standard within a year.

Your study of film will teach you to analyse film and the visual arts. You will gain an understanding of, not only how directors and producers approach their work, but how critics and other audiences consume film and give voice to their opinions. No prior knowledge of Film Studies is required for this course.

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.

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 throughout the year. 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.

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 grade 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.

We have a programme of visiting careers talks by leading experts in the arts and film industries who can provide insights into employment pathways.

Graduate destinations

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

  • Amazon Emirates
  • Airlines Ford Credit
  • BBFC
  • Cultura y Deporte (Spain)
  • Europe Ministerio de Educación
  • NeuLion
  • Phoenix Cinema
  • Resilient PLC
  • Sky Cinema
  • 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.

Related courses

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 and Summer School (two languages)

Year 1 and Summer School (two languages)

If you want to study two languages, you will choose one Advanced module and one Beginners module from:

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

You will also study one module from the list below. This should align with one of the languages being studied.

You will study these two modules:

Finally 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

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.

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 1 and Summer School (single language)

Year 1 and Summer School (single language)

Alternatively, if you want to concentrate on just one language, you will study one module from:

And the accompanying 'Introduction to...' module:

You will study these modules:

Finally you will choose one module from the lists below:

French modules

Italian modules

Spanish modules

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.

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 (two languages)

Year 2 (two languages)

If you continue with both languages you will take one Post-Advanced module and one Post-Beginner module from:

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

You will also study Researching World Cinemas and Documentary Film and Television

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

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 (single language)

Year 2 (single language)

If you continue with, or decide to concentrate on, a single language, you will choose one module from:

You will also study Researching World Cinemas and Documentary Film and Television

Finally you will choose four modules from the lists below which must relate to the language you are studying:

French modules

Italian modules

Spanish 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 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.

Final Year

Final Year

Depending on whether you’re studying one or two languages, you will take either one or two of these modules:

You will take two modules from:

Finally you will choose some modules from the lists below.

If you are studying two languages, you will choose two modules (which must not relate to the same language).

If you are studying just one language you will choose four modules which relate to the language you are studying.

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.

Why Leicester?

Our teaching staff have specialist knowledge in some fascinating areas, including female Hollywood directors, Turkish-German cinema, Chinese and transnational cinemas, American B-movies and James Bond.

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.

Modern Languages at Leicester

It was the summer school which attracted Alice to Leicester.

Teaching and learning

Summer school

When you take one of our Modern Languages courses, you'll have the opportunity to 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: Film Studies

Our teaching and learning strategy is designed to help you adjust to the demands of higher education and to develop the knowledge and skills that are valued by employers.

The first year of your degree provides a foundation for the increasingly challenging and focused modules you will take in subsequent years. First-year introductory modules, taught through lectures, screenings, and seminars, provide a grounding in film analysis and film history, as well as preparing you for your career beyond university.

The second year includes the study of World cinemas, as well as modules on diverse modes of filmmaking from documentary to realism. The second year also offers practical filmmaking experience.

In the third year you will select from a range of more specialised options and write a dissertation on a topic of your choice. Dissertation support is provided by one-to-one supervision from a member of staff.

Assessment: Film Studies

You will be assessed through a combination of essays, exams, review writing, group work and oral presentations. These assessments are designed to help you build confidence in a range of skills and to provide prospective employers with evidence that you can work effectively both as an independent researcher and as a team member. Your final degree result will be based on the work you do in the second and third years of your degree.

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 with Film Studies Qualification BA Duration 4 years full-time UCAS Code R8P3 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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