BA Liberal Arts with a Language Year Abroad
Royal Holloway, University of London
About this course
BA in Liberal Arts with a Language Year Abroad, an interdisciplinary degree that combines studies across the arts, humanities, and social sciences with a modern European language. Core topics include Critical & Analytical Thinking. The programme includes a compulsory year abroad spent studying or working overseas, and an optional placement year. The first year introduces the core themes of the degree through the compulsory module Critical and Cultural Encounters. The second year builds upon this foundation with the compulsory module Power, Society and Cultural Practice. The third year consists of the Liberal Arts Language Year Abroad, where students spend at least nine months overseas in a country matching their chosen language. Students also study a modern European language, such as French, German, Italian, or Spanish, throughout the course.
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-BBC (Required subjects: We require English and Mathematics GCSE at grade 4/C) IB: 5,5,5 at Higher Level OR a minimum of 30 points overall.
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What students say
Based on about 10 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 93%
- Learning opportunities: 93%
- Assessment and feedback: 89%
- Academic support: 93%
- Organisation and management: 89%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 82%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 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 7 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 75%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 25%
- Teaching Professionals: 20%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 100 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 1%
- East of England: 9%
- London: 43%
- South East: 31%
- South West: 8%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Critical and Cultural Encounters
- Power, Society and Cultural Practice
- Liberal Arts Language Year Abroad
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Liberal Arts with a Language Year Abroad at Royal Holloway, University of London earn?
The median salary is £28,500 after 15 months, £25,500 after 3 years, £31,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £24,500 and £38,500. The £31,000 median after five years is £2,000 less than the UK median for Language and area studies (other).
What do graduates of BA Liberal Arts with a Language Year Abroad at Royal Holloway, University of London 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 Liberal Arts with a Language Year Abroad at Royal Holloway, University of London?
93% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Liberal Arts with a Language Year Abroad at Royal Holloway, University of London?
The typical offer is BBB at A level, or 30 points in the IB. The average entrant had 122 UCAS points.
Does BA Liberal Arts with a Language Year Abroad at Royal Holloway, University of London include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Liberal Arts with a Language Year Abroad at Royal Holloway, University of London?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.