BA Modern Languages
About this course
BA in Modern Languages, a four-year programme covering Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, French, and Japanese. Core topics include Research Methods. Students select one or two languages and follow either an Elementary or Upper Elementary pathway based on prior knowledge. A year spent abroad—either at a partner university or on a work placement—is a compulsory part of the programme.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
What students say
Based on about 9 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 89%
- Learning opportunities: 74%
- Assessment and feedback: 79%
- Academic support: 86%
- Organisation and management: 75%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 71%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 31 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 66%
- Working and studying: 13%
- Further study: 11%
- Unemployed: 3%
Most common jobs
- Administrative occupations: 20%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Teaching Professionals: 15%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 45%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 170 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 8%
- East of England: 4%
- London: 25%
- South East: 9%
- South West: 16%
- Wales: 29%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 30 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 90%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- Other qualifications: 5%
Modules
- Spanish Upper Elementary
- Spanish Elementary
- Mandarin Chinese Upper Elementary
- Mandarin Chinese Elementary
- Japanese 1
- French Upper Elementary
- French Elementary
- Introduction to Hispanic Studies
- Introduction to Chinese Studies
- Introduction to Japanese Studies
- Introduction to French and Francophone Studies
- Chinese Skills in Focus
- Life in China
- Spanish Intermediate
- Spanish Upper Intermediate
- Mandarin Chinese Upper Intermediate
- Mandarin Chinese Intermediate
- Japanese 2
- French Intermediate
- French Upper Intermediate
- Hispanidad in the World
- China in the World
- Japan in the World
- Global France: French and Francophone Cultures
- The World and Language of Business (Spanish Intermediate)
- The World and Language of Business (Spanish Upper Intermediate)
- The World and Language of Business (Chinese)
- Introduction to Specialised Translation
- The World and Language of Business (Japanese)
- The World and Language of Business (French Intermediate)
- The World and Language of Business (French Upper Intermediate)
- Modern Languages Study Abroad Placement - Autumn
- Modern Languages Study Abroad Placement - Spring
- Modern Languages Work Abroad Placement - Autumn
- Modern Languages Work Abroad Placement - Spring
- Sandwich Year Project (Autumn Semester)
- Sandwich Year Project (Spring Semester)
- Spanish Advanced
- Mandarin Chinese Advanced
- Japanese 3
- French Advanced
- Culture & Conflict in Latin America
- Final Year Dissertation - Spanish (in Spanish)
- Final Year Dissertation - Spanish (in English/Welsh)
- Specialised Chinese
- Sinophone Cultures: Hong Kong, Taiwan & Chinese Diasporas
- Final Year Dissertation Chinese (in English/Welsh)
- Student Teaching Module
- Global Narratives of Colonialism, Slavery & Their Legacies
- Global Cinemas: Representation, Subjectivity, History
- Cold War Cultures: Power, Conformity, and Dissent c. 1948–1990
- Final Year Dissertation - Japanese (in English/Welsh)
- Memory & Symbols in Japan
- Final Year Dissertation - French (in French)
- Of Oceans and Islands: Ecology and Environment in Francophone Arts and Literature
- Final Year Dissertation French (in English/Welsh)
- United but Divided? Exploring German Unification
- Marginalized Voices
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Modern Languages at Cardiff University earn?
The median salary is £27,500 after 15 months, £25,500 after 3 years, £30,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,500 and £38,500. The £30,500 median after five years is £2,500 less than the UK median for Language and area studies (other).
What do graduates of BA Modern Languages at Cardiff University do next?
89% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Modern Languages at Cardiff University?
89% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Modern Languages at Cardiff University?
The typical offer is ABB at A level. The average entrant had 130 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Modern Languages at Cardiff University?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.