BA Modern Languages and Economics
About this course
BA in Modern Languages and Economics, an undergraduate degree combining economic analysis with the study of a modern language. Core topics include Data Analysis, Financial Analysis, and Entrepreneurship. Students undertake a compulsory year abroad in their third year to complete a work placement or study at a partner university. In the first year, students cover foundational concepts through compulsory modules such as Principles of Economics 1, Principles of Economics 2, and Quantitative Methods and Data Analysis, alongside language study in French, German, Italian, or Spanish. The second year continues with Intermediate Microeconomics, Intermediate Macroeconomics, and advanced language modules. Optional modules across the degree allow students to explore areas such as business economics, economic history, and cultural studies. The final year involves advanced language proficiency modules alongside specialised options in public, environmental, and financial economics, plus 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, including 4 in Maths at standard level
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What students say
Based on about 30 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 87%
- Assessment and feedback: 84%
- Academic support: 90%
- Organisation and management: 79%
- Learning resources: 81%
- Student voice: 83%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 70%
- Left higher education: 30%
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
- Finance Professionals: 25%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Sales occupations: 5%
- 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 35 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- 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
- Principles of Economics 1
- Principles of Economics 2
- Quantitative Methods and Data Analysis
- 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
- Thinking Translation: History and Theory
- Introduction to Linguistics
- Intermediate Microeconomics
- Intermediate Macroeconomics
- 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
- 'Apocalittici e integrati': Intellectuals and Society in Twentieth Century Italy
- 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
- Business Economics
- Games and Economic Behaviour
- Economics of Social Policy
- Economic History
- 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
- Public Economics
- Environmental Economics
- Behavioural Economics
- Industrial Organisation
- Financial Economics
- International Economics
- Development Economics
- Money and Banking
- Reasoning and Choice: Game Theory for Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
- Optional Language Modules
- Narrating the Colombian Conflict
- Writers and Publishers in Spain
- Future Worlds in Film
- Extended Essay
- 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
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Modern Languages and Economics 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 £14,500 less than the UK median for Economics.
What do graduates of BA Modern Languages and Economics 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 and Economics at University of Reading?
88% 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 Economics at University of Reading?
The typical offer is BBB at A level, or 30 points in the IB. The average entrant had 120 UCAS points.
Does BA Modern Languages and Economics 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 and Economics at University of Reading?
70% of students continued into their second year, and 30% left higher education.