Modern Languages with International Experience Birkbeck, University of London Degree level: Undergraduate Awarded by: University of London
Course summary
TEF Silver
Birkbeck, University of London has opted into the TEF and received a Silver award.
Would you love to develop your understanding of the cultures and values that lie at the heart of different countries and become a highly proficient linguist in the process? You can, by raising your language skills to near-native standard in at least one of two languages studied, and by learning related skills in translating, summary-writing, and written and oral presentations. At the same time, you can increase your cultural understanding through options in literature, film and society. Our students gain confidence in speaking and writing both of your chosen languages to study and English.
You will have the opportunity to study a number of cross-cultural modules which will allow you to explore specific themes across a variety of language-speaking areas.
The third year is normally spent abroad at a partner institution to allow you to develop your language skills and your knowledge of the culture of the language-speaking area you are studying.
You can also apply for a three-year version of the programme without a year abroad, and you will normally also be able to transfer to this version of the programme during your first or second year of study if you decide you do not wish to study outside of the UK.
The programme is also available part-time, without a year abroad, over four years or six years.
Highlights
Arts and humanities at Birkbeck are ranked fifth best in London, 18th in the UK and 87th globally in the 2019 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject.
You will have the opportunity to spend a year abroad at a partner institution to develop your language skills and your knowledge of the culture.
Our Department of Cultures and Languages brings together research and teaching in French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish, making it an outstanding multidisciplinary department.
In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF), Modern Languages and Linguistics achieved 100% for a research environment conducive to producing research of the highest quality, while 73% of our research was recognised as world-leading or internationally excellent.
Ours is a community of scholars with shared interests in interdisciplinary topics and cross-cultural research. Our affiliated research centres, Birkbeck Research in Aesthetics of Kinship and Community (BRAKC) and the Centre for Iberian and Latin American Visual Studies (CILAVS), provide an important platform for this exchange.
- The School of Arts is an official partner of the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) in London. Opportunities for students have included a year’s free membership of the ICA, private views, discounts on all talks and events, free members' screenings and £3 cinema tickets on Tuesdays, up to 25% off ICA Artists' Editions and a monthly e-newsletter.
Course details
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
Application deadlines
If your application is completed by the following date, it’s guaranteed to be considered:
15 January
*If you apply after this deadline, universities or colleges don’t have to consider your application if they’ve filled their spaces, so the sooner you apply, the better!Application codes
You will need these codes when you add a choice to your application.
| Course code | R990 |
|---|---|
| Institution code | B24 |
| Campus name | Main Site |
| Campus code | - |
This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available
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. If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses, foundation programmes and language support services to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.
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, Portuguese or Spanish.
You must have at least A-Level/B2 (CEFR) competence in one of your two languages. If your second language is French, German, Japanese or Spanish it can be at any level from beginner onwards. If you wish to study Portuguese you must have A-Level/B2 (CEFR) competence. The programme is also suitable for applicants at proficiency and native speaker level.
Alternative entry routes:
We welcome applications from students on Access to Higher Education Diplomas.
Credits gained on the Certificates of Higher Education in Culture and Language (Japanese), French Studies or Iberian and Latin American Studies can be counted towards the degree.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Channel Islands | £9,250 | Year 1 |
| EU | £9,250 | Year 1 |
| International | £14,000 | Year 1 |
| England | £9,250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9,250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9,250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9,250 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
Provider information
Malet Street
Bloomsbury
Camden
WC1E 7HX
Course contact details
Visit our course pageBirkbeck Student Advice Service
0203 907 0700