BA Modern Languages (4 years)
About this course
BA in Modern Languages, a language and area studies degree centred on developing fluency and intercultural understanding in one to three core languages. The course includes a compulsory year abroad where students can study at a partner university, undertake a work placement, or work as a language teaching assistant. The first year covers foundational language proficiency through modules such as Beginners French, German, Italian or Spanish Language and Advanced French, German, Italian or Spanish Language I, alongside optional cultural topics like Ideas of Frenchness 1. The second year advances linguistic and intercultural skills with compulsory modules including Intermediate French, German, Italian or Spanish Language and Advanced French, German, Italian or Spanish Language II, supported by options such as Cinema of Germany. The third year consists entirely of the Study Year Abroad. The final year consolidates fluency through Advanced French, German, Italian or Spanish Language III, alongside specialized options like Language and Power and an optional Extended Essay.
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: BBB IB: 30 points overall
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What students say
Based on about 11 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 85%
- Learning opportunities: 83%
- Assessment and feedback: 78%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 73%
- Learning resources: 79%
- Student voice: 79%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 75%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Administrative occupations: 20%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Secretarial and related occupations: 10%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 55%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 55 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 13%
- London: 28%
- South East: 33%
- South West: 11%
- Wales: 3%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Beginners French, German, Italian or Spanish Language
- Intermediate French, German, Italian or Spanish Language
- Advanced French, German, Italian or Spanish Language I
- Ideas of Frenchness 1
- Ideas of Frenchness 2
- The Making of Contemporary Germany
- Belonging in Germany
- Making Italians: A Journey in the History and Culture of Modern Italy
- Introduction to Linguistics (for students of Italian)
- The Making of Modern Spain and Latin America
- Introduction to Spanish and Latin American Culture
- Liberty and Empire in the Making of the Modern World
- Optional Language Modules
- Induction to Linguistics
- Thinking Translation: History and Theory
- Intermediate French, German, Italian or Spanish Language
- Advanced French, German, Italian or Spanish Language I
- Advanced French, German, Italian or Spanish Language II
- The First World War: Then and Now
- Cinema of Germany
- Transatlantic Exchanges: Latin America in the Global Nineteenth Century
- One country, many languages. Linguistic variety and society in contemporary Italy
- Culture, communication and context: contemporary challenges in the interconnected world
- Optional Language Modules
- How to Think in French
- Children’s Books in France
- Glorification, Denial and Contempt – Reconstructing Austria's Past
- Modern and Contemporary Spanish Narratives
- Culture and Revolution in Modern Latin America
- Society, Thought, and Art in Modern Europe
- Unity, Nationalism and Regionalism in Europe
- Study Year Abroad
- Advanced French, German, Italian or Spanish Language I
- Advanced French, German, Italian or Spanish Language II
- Advanced French, German, Italian or Spanish Language III
- Philanthropy à la française : The History of Ideas and Practices in the French Third Sector
- The German Language and National Identity
- Memory, Dictatorship and Cultural Resistance in the Southern Cone
- Language and Power
- Optional Language Modules
- May '68
- French Popular Music and Society
- War on Screen - Germany and its Films about WWII
- Language, Diversity, and Inclusion: The Representation of Otherness in the Italian Context
- Narrating the Colombian Conflict
- Writers and Publishers in Spain
- Future Worlds in Film
- Extended Essay
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Modern Languages (4 years) at University of Reading earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 15 months, £27,000 after 3 years, £34,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,000 and £44,000. The £34,000 median after five years is £1,000 more than the UK median for Language and area studies (other).
What do graduates of BA Modern Languages (4 years) at University of Reading do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Modern Languages (4 years) at University of Reading?
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 (4 years) at University of Reading?
The typical offer is BBB at A level, or 30 points in the IB. The average entrant had 123 UCAS points.
Does BA Modern Languages (4 years) at University of Reading include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Modern Languages (4 years) at University of Reading?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.