Course summary
About this course Develop your French, German or Spanish and critical thinking as you explore how languages are created, learned and shaped as they are used. You'll become immersed in the language and familiar with how it is spoken, as well as develop the skills to interpret cultures and their beliefs and behaviours. Get to study a society or cultures where your chosen language is spoken. In the linguistics component, you'll develop a keen understanding of language science, including modules in psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, language disorders, TEFL, phonetics and syntax. A degree in languages equips graduates with a deep understanding of the intricacies of language, communication, and cultural contexts. This expertise is invaluable in our increasingly globalised world, where clear cross-cultural communication is paramount. Our graduates have went on careers as data analysts, marketing executives, translators, language teachers, lexicographers, language therapists as well as working in a variety of fields including publishing, law, diplomatic service, NGOs and many more. Key features of the course
- Join a department that is 10th for Lingustics, Complete University Guide 2026
- Choose topics in areas that interest you most, including translation and interpreting, contemporary society, literature and film, anthropology, history
- Spend a year of this 4 year dual language degree abroad on a workplace, teaching or university placement
- Options to take related modules in other disciplines such as Philosophy and Film, allowing you to tailor your module choices to your own interests and career choices.
- Access to our Digital Humanities Hub and support from our team of expert academics and technicians.
Modules
Over the four years of this Modern Languages course, you will combine advanced study in French, German and/or Spanish with a specialism in linguistics. Year 1: Start your university language journey, while taking introductory modules in sociolinguistics, applied linguistics and language acquisition. Year 2: Prepare your language skills for your year abroad alongside intermediate modules in psycholinguistics, phonology, syntax, discourse analysis, and language variation and change. Year 3: Spend the academic year abroad (in one or two countries), immersing yourself in your chosen language and culture by studying at a university, teaching in a school or working in industry Year 4: Take your language skills to near-native levels in final year, while taking careers-specialised linguistics modules digital communication, sociophonetics, and language and speech disorders. You will also have opportunities to tailor your learning through modules from outside your discipline, including from sociology, education and philosophy. For a full list of modules available please visit the course page.
Assessment method
The learning activities for this course include the following:
- lectures
- classes and tutorials
- coursework
- individual and group projects
How to apply
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
- Course code:
- R9Q2
- Institution code:
- S27
- Campus name:
- Main Site - Highfield Campus
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Find out about equivalent entry requirements and qualifications for your country: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/international/your-country.page
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - ABB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Access to HE Diploma - D: 30 credits M: 15 credits
Scottish Higher
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D
Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)
Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF) - DD
Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF) - D
Scottish Advanced Higher
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 32 points
WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales - B
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D3, M2, M2
GCSE/National 4/National 5
We welcome applicants with other qualifications eg. European Baccalaureate. You will be expected to attain an A level equivalent standard. The University of Southampton requires all applicants to achieve at least a Grade 4 in English and Mathematics GCSEs (taken in England) or a Grade C in both subjects (where taken in Northern Ireland or Wales). Some degree subjects stipulate specific additional GCSE minimum grades, which will be specified as part of the individual degree programme entry requirements. For more details on the suitability of your qualifications or foundation programme please contact the Faculty of Arts and Humanities Admissions Team at [email protected]
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | with no component below 6.0 |
All programmes at the University of Southampton are taught and assessed in the medium of English (other than those in modern foreign languages). Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency.
Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page
Student Outcomes
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 |
| Channel Islands | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535* | Year 1 |
| EU | £24800 | Year 1 |
| International | £24800 | Year 1 |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
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
Provider information
University of Southampton
Highfield
Southampton
SO17 1BJ
