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Modern Languages (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish) at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

Birkbeck, University of London

Degree level: Undergraduate
Awarded by: University of London

Modern Languages (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish)

Course options

2025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Birkbeck, University of London has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Course summary

Would you love to develop your understanding of the cultures and values of different countries and become a highly proficient linguist in the process? Taught by world-leading researchers, our flexible and exciting BA Modern Languages opens a window onto other cultures. This degree gives you the opportunity to specialise in one or two modern languages - French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish - and to study the literature, history, film, thought and visual culture associated with each language. If you study one language* you will graduate with: 

  • BA French Studies
  • BA German Studies, or
  • BA Spanish and Latin American Studies
If you take two languages, you will graduate with, for example, BA French and Spanish.
  • Please note that Italian and Japanese can currently only be taken with another language.
Why choose this course?
  • The study of languages allows you to better understand other people and cultures.
  • The development of advanced communication skills and intercultural awareness is a key employability skill.
  • If you are interested in comparative literature and culture, you will find plenty of opportunities to develop this interest alongside modules which focus on specific languages.
  • We also an International Experience pathway which gives you the chance to spend a year abroad studying at a partner university in France, Germany, Italy, Japan or Spain.
What you will learn You will gain a high level of proficiency in your language(s) and develop your cultural understanding through modules exploring literature, film, popular culture, history, visual art and linguistics. In addition, we offer a number of cross-cultural modules. How you will learn Teaching takes place in small-group seminars giving you plenty of opportunities to participate actively and interact with your peers and our experienced tutors, who are all experts in their fields. Language teaching is delivered in the target language, allowing you full immersion in your chosen linguistic area. This course is available to study full- or part-time. It has an evening timetable with classes taking place in the evening, though this may differ during your year abroad if you choose the International Experience route. Foundation Year If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. Highlights
  • Ours is a community of scholars with shared interests in interdisciplinary topics and cross-cultural research.
  • We are surrounded by cultural institutes such as the Institute of Languages, Cultures and Societies (at Senate House), the Goethe Institute, Institut Français, Instituto Cervantes, and Japan House London.
  • We also offer combined language courses in which you can study another subject along with a language and its culture, e.g. art history, English, law, linguistics, journalism, politics and digital media.
Careers and employability On successfully graduating from our BA Modern Languages, you will have gained an array of transferable skills, including:
  • a sophisticated use of written and spoken English
  • a high or near-native competence in one or two foreign languages
  • a heightened awareness of how to interact with people from foreign countries linguistically and culturally
  • increased confidence to present complex issues
  • the ability to analyse critically literary texts, films, visual art and cultural artefacts.
Studying this course will prepare you for career paths in fields such as:
  • teaching languages
  • banking and finance
  • publishing
  • journalism
  • the Civil Service
  • translation
  • diplomacy
  • international relations
  • the cultural sector
  • further study and research.

Modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

Essays and written and oral examinations.

How to apply

29Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential. On this programme you can focus on two of the following languages: French, German, Italian, Japanese or Spanish. You must have at least A-level/B2 (CEFR) competence in one of your two languages, unless the stronger of your two languages is Japanese, in which case GCSE-level (70% of the content that is needed to pass the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test N5) is sufficient. Your second language can be at any level from beginner onwards. The course is also suitable for applicants at proficiency and native speaker level. FOUNDATION YEAR DEGREES Our 'with Foundation Year' route is designed to give you extra support as it provides you with an additional year (full-time) or two years (part-time) of supported study. This is an ideal route if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree.  Once you successfully complete your Foundation Year studies, you will automatically advance onto the main degree. ALTERNATIVE ENTRY ROUTES Credits gained on the Certificate of Higher Education in Culture and Language (French, German, Italian, Japanese or Spanish) can be counted towards the degree.

Additional entry requirements

Admission tests

Interview

Institutions Own Test (IOT)

Those who do not have an A-level/AS or equivalent qualification will normally be required to complete a language placement test and may be asked to attend an interview.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
65%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
80%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £9535 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535 Year 1
Scotland £9535 Year 1
Wales £9535 Year 1
International £18060 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Modern Languages (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish) at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS