BA Modern Languages and History of Art and Visual Culture
Royal Holloway, University of London
About this course
A BA in Modern Languages and History of Art and Visual Culture is a four-year joint honours degree combining the study of foreign languages with the analysis of visual arts, film, and material culture across historical periods. Core topics include Research Methods, Communication & Writing, and Critical & Analytical Thinking. Students undertake a compulsory year abroad during the third year to study or work internationally, and complete a final-year dissertation in visual arts. The first year introduces foundational principles through modules such as International Film 1: Contexts and Practices, Visual Arts 1: Artists and their Materials, The Birth of Film, Critical Analysis for Linguists, French Ab Initio Written I, French Ab Initio Oral I, French Advanced Written I, French Advanced Oral I, German Ab Initio Written I, German Ab Initio Oral I, German Advanced Written I, German Advanced Oral I, Italian Ab Initio Written I, Italian Ab Initio Oral I, Italian Advanced Written I, Italian Advanced Oral I, Spanish Ab Initio Written I, Spanish Ab Initio Oral I, Spanish Advanced Written I, and Spanish Advanced Oral I. In the second year, studies progress through International Film 2: Readings and Representations, Visual Arts II: Genre and Movements, French Language II, German Language II, Italian Language II, and Spanish Language II. The third year consists of the Year Abroad Placement: Intercultural Competency and Professional Skills. The final year concludes with advanced study through Transnationalism, Diaspora and Globalisation in Contemporary Film, Visual Arts Dissertation, Pratique du Français III, German Language III, Advanced Italian III, and Spanish III.
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Entry requirements
A level: ABB-BBC (Required subjects: A-level in the appropriate language(s) at grade B for the advanced level language pathway There is no language requirement for the beginners' language pathway but at least one essay-based subject is required at grade B and only one language can be studied at this level We require English Language and Mathematics GCSE at grade 4 (C) Please note that if you choose to apply for this course you will need to provide details of which languages you wish to study on your UCAS application form. For further details on how to do this please visit our How to apply page.) IB: 6,5,5, in Higher Level or 32 points overall including 5 in the appropriate language at Higher Level if the advanced level language pathway is required or 5 in an essay based subject for the beginners level.
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What students say
Based on about 14 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 85%
- Assessment and feedback: 81%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 81%
- Learning resources: 85%
- Student voice: 83%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 260 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 37 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 11%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 6%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 25%
- Teaching Professionals: 20%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 45%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 25%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 330 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 12%
- London: 35%
- South East: 35%
- South West: 8%
- Wales: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 195 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 97%
- Baccalaureate: 2%
- Access course: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- International Film 1: Contexts and Practices
- Visual Arts 1: Artists and their Materials
- The Birth of Film
- Critical Analysis for Linguists
- French Ab Initio Written I
- French Ab Initio Oral I
- French Advanced Written I
- French Advanced Oral I
- German Ab Initio Written I
- German Ab Initio Oral I
- German Advanced Written I
- German Advanced Oral I
- Italian Ab Initio Written I
- Italian Ab Initio Oral I
- Italian Advanced Written I
- Italian Advanced Oral I
- Spanish Ab Initio Written I
- Spanish Ab Initio Oral I
- Spanish Advanced Written I
- Spanish Advanced Oral I
- International Film 2: Readings and Representations
- Visual Arts II: Genre and Movements
- French Language II
- German Language II
- Italian Language II
- Spanish Language II
- Year Abroad Placement: Intercultural Competency and Professional Skills
- Transnationalism, Diaspora and Globalisation in Contemporary Film
- Visual Arts Dissertation
- Pratique du Français III
- German Language III
- Advanced Italian III
- Spanish III
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Modern Languages and History of Art and Visual Culture at Royal Holloway, University of London earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £25,500 after 3 years, £31,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,000 and £39,500. 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 Modern Languages and History of Art and Visual Culture at Royal Holloway, University of London do next?
86% 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 of Art and Visual Culture at Royal Holloway, University of London?
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 History of Art and Visual Culture at Royal Holloway, University of London?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 119 UCAS points.
Does BA Modern Languages and History of Art and Visual Culture 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 Modern Languages and History of Art and Visual Culture at Royal Holloway, University of London?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.