BA Modern Languages and History
About this course
BA in Modern Languages and History, a Modern Languages and History degree combining historical periods from the fall of the Roman Empire to the modern era with linguistic training in one of eight languages. The four-year programme includes an intervening year spent abroad. The first year covers foundational historical study through Exploring History and World Histories, alongside modules introducing the culture and history of regions where the chosen language is spoken. Year 2 advances linguistic proficiency while offering optional topics such as Britain and the Industrial Revolution, The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union, and Histories of Black Britain. The final year requires a Final Year Project in either International Relations or the chosen language, an advanced language module, and a History Special Subject chosen from various options.
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.
Entry requirements
A level: AAB BTEC: We will consider the level 3 QCF BTEC at Subsidiary Diploma level and above in combination with other qualifications. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information. IB: 35 points overall with 16 at Higher Level. Where a post-A level language route is taken, 5 points at Higher Level in the relevant language is required. Where any other beginner language route is taken, previous experience in language is not required.
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What students say
Based on about 123 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 92%
- Learning opportunities: 79%
- Assessment and feedback: 81%
- Academic support: 93%
- Organisation and management: 85%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 77%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 290 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 93%
- Left higher education: 7%
What graduates do next
Based on about 76 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 66%
- Working and studying: 13%
- Further study: 8%
- Unemployed: 9%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 22%
- Administrative occupations: 16%
- Teaching Professionals: 9%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 6%
- Elementary occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 78%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 57%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 42%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 320 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 12%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 21%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 6%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 39%
- South East: 6%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 310 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 99%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Exploring History
- World Histories
- If you study your language from beginners level: you take two intensive language modules
- An introductory module to the culture and history of the societies where your chosen language is spoken
- Medieval Lives: Identities, Cultures and Beliefs
- Faith, Knowledge and Power, 1500-1750
- Diverse Histories of Britain
- Global Empires
- Global Decolonization
- The Making of the Twentieth Century
- History in Practice
- If you study French, German, Italian, Spanish or Portuguese: You will study one language module
- If you study Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian or Thai: You will study two language modules
- Britain and the Industrial Revolution
- Mud, Blood and Poetry: The Cultural History of War in Britain
- Lost Colonists: Failure and the Family in Southern Africa, 1880-1939
- Spain, 1898-1936: Disaster, Reaction and Reform
- The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union, 1921-1993
- The History of Africa since 1900
- Histories of Black Britain
- The Republic in Crisis: Conflict and Identity in France since 1870
- The Global Caribbean, 1641-1848
- Mao Zedong and Modern China, 1949-Present
- A Final Year Project (either in International Relations or your chosen language)
- One advanced language module in your chosen language
- You will study a History Special Subject from a range of options, e.g.:
- British Foreign Policy
- Gender and Security in Global Politics
- Terrorism: Concepts, Debates, Cases
- Video Games: Politics, Society and Culture
- Violence and Reconciliation in Africa
- Europe in the World
- Nuclear Weapons and Global Politics
- Global Political Economy
- Chinese
- French
- German
- Italian
- Portuguese
- Russian
- Spanish
- Thai
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Modern Languages and History at University of Leeds earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £26,000 after 3 years, £35,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £28,000 and £45,500. The £35,000 median after five years is £2,000 more than the UK median for Language and area studies (other).
What do graduates of BA Modern Languages and History at University of Leeds do next?
87% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Modern Languages and History at University of Leeds?
92% 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 and History at University of Leeds?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 35 points in the IB. The average entrant had 148 UCAS points.
Does BA Modern Languages and History at University of Leeds include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Modern Languages and History at University of Leeds?
93% of students continued into their second year, and 7% left higher education.