BA Modern Languages
About this course
BA in Modern Languages, a Russian Studies and Modern Languages degree focusing on written and spoken foreign languages alongside the literature and thought of European cultures. Students include a compulsory year abroad spent studying at a university, working as a paid language assistant, or undertaking an internship. The first year covers practical language work and the study of important works and topics in the literature of each language, with further options including film studies and literary theory. The second year progresses to periods of literature alongside optional subjects such as historical and contemporary linguistics. Optional modules allow specialisation in areas like detailed studies of individual authors and texts, while courses with beginners' Russian involve completing the year abroad in the second year.
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: AAA IB: 38 (including core points) with 666 at HL
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What students say
Based on about 6 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 85%
- Learning opportunities: 69%
- Assessment and feedback: 73%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 43%
- Learning resources: 84%
- Student voice: 71%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 7 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 40%
- Working and studying: 25%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 22%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 21%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 9%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 6%
- Find their work meaningful: 88%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 74%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 250 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 60%
- South East: 17%
- South West: 4%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- A degree: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Practical language work
- Study of important works and/or topics in the literature of each language
- Further options in addition to the above, including: film studies; literary theory (French); medieval studies (German/Spanish); key texts in French or German thought; short fiction (Spanish); Polish and Church Slavonic (Russian)
- A period of literature (medieval, early modern or modern) in each language
- Optional subjects, including historical and contemporary linguistics; detailed study of individual authors and texts
- As above, but with a greater choice of optional subjects
- Courses with Beginners’ Russian (or a Middle Eastern language) have their year abroad in the second year. Students attend centrally organised courses at partner institutions. For Russian, this currently takes place in Tallinn, Estonia. The third year is spent in Oxford
- Working as a paid language assistant in a school;
- undertaking an internship;
- and/or studying at a university
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Modern Languages at University of Oxford earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £32,000 after 3 years, £42,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £31,500 and £60,000. The £42,500 median after five years is £6,000 more than the UK median for Slavic studies.
What do graduates of BA Modern Languages at University of Oxford do next?
80% 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 University of Oxford?
85% 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 University of Oxford?
The typical offer is AAA at A level. The average entrant had 177 UCAS points.
Does BA Modern Languages at University of Oxford include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Modern Languages at University of Oxford?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.