Education and humanities
Modern languages
BA
Overview
A modern languages degree builds high-level skill in one or more languages and usually includes a year abroad. It can include translation, but a translation studies degree or a postgraduate course is a closer professional route if translation is the aim. Language teaching is possible with further teacher training. Students who enjoy it like using the language accurately and learning the culture that comes with it. A language A level is the usual preparation, and beginners' routes exist only where a university publishes them.
You want degree-level language study, often with a year abroad.
Linguistics can be about language as a system without fluency in a particular language. Translation studies is more vocational.
People who like practice, accuracy and time in another country.
What you will study
Universities do not teach the same modules. The lists below are a general shape, not a syllabus.
Year 1
- Language classes
- Culture and texts
Year abroad
- Study or work in a country where the language is used
Final year
- Advanced language
- Optional topics
- Dissertation or translation project
Skills
Useful before you start
- A language
- Willingness to speak
- Writing
Developed during the degree
- Fluency
- Cultural knowledge
- Translation or mediation
Teaching and assessment
Teaching often includes Language classes, Seminars, Year abroad.
Assessment often includes Language exams, Essays, Oral exams.
Typical weekly commitment
Estimate. The year abroad does not follow this weekly pattern.
Entry requirements
Indicative patterns from published UK admissions information. Not an offer. Actual requirements vary by course, university and year. Pearson Edexcel International A Level and Cambridge International A Level are not treated as the same qualification as GCE A level.
Indicative requirements by qualification
The A-level band is the catalogue reference. IB and American lines come from the named university guides under the table. They are not a conversion every university uses, and they are not an offer.
| Qualification | Indicative requirements |
|---|---|
| A Levels | BBB–ABB. A language relevant to the course is the usual requirement. French and Spanish are examples, not the full list. Beginners' languages exist only where a university says so. |
| IB Diploma | UCL publishes 34 points for ABB. The other end of this band is not in that table. A required A-level subject must be Higher Level in UCL's rule. Each Higher Level subject in that table is at least 5. UCL equates A* to 7, A to 6 and B to 5. This is one university's table. |
| American curriculum | That Manchester guide gives AP 5, 4, 4 for ABB. The other end of this band is not in the guide. Bristol publishes a GPA of 3.2, or 3.4 for competitive courses, and does not use one AP pattern for every degree. |
- University College London: Undergraduate entry requirements. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Manchester, School of Social Sciences: Americas country guide. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Manchester, Civil Engineering: USA country entry requirements. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Bristol: USA international qualifications. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
A-level subjects
A language relevant to the course is the usual requirement. French and Spanish are examples, not the full list. Beginners' languages exist only where a university says so.
Often recommended: English Literature.
Useful preparation: History.
GCSE and IGCSE
English at GCSE or IGCSE is commonly expected. Other subject grades vary. No single national threshold is stored.
Indicative only. The required language depends on the degree title.
Other ways in
- Professional translation often uses a postgraduate course and a portfolio, not only a languages degree.
Admissions tests and extra requirements
No admissions test is stored as usual for this course. A university can still set one for a particular year.
Course costs
For many standard full-time courses in England, the home-fee maximum in 2026 to 2027 is Up to £9,790. This is the maximum standard full-time fee published for approved English providers with a TEF award and an access and participation plan. It is not the fee a named university charges, and it does not decide whether you pay home or international fees.
Clinical, laboratory and studio courses are not given a different home-fee figure here, because the regulated maximum is not the same thing as an international or clinical fee.
International tuition is set by each university and is not stored here. Clinical courses are often much higher than classroom-based courses. A school in Qatar does not decide home-fee status.
Source: Changes to tuition fees: 2026 to 2027 academic year. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Living costs, field trips and professional fees are not included.
Where you could study
UK degrees in this subject are numerous. This page does not list every university, because a list without a checked entry requirement would look more certain than it is.
No individual UK course page is stored yet for this subject. Use the university site.
No overseas course has been checked for this subject yet.
Where could this degree take you?
Translator
Common route
A strong language degree is a usual start. Postgraduate translation training is common and sometimes expected.
Secondary school teacher
Common route
A language degree can lead to language teaching with QTS.
Writer
Related, but not enough on its own
Language skill helps writers. It is not a writing qualification.
Explore your pathway
A course sits between school subjects and a career. It does not guarantee either admission or a job.