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Modern Languages BA Honours

  • UCAS code: T901
  • Full time
  • 4 years

Master up to three languages on our highly flexible Modern Languages degree programme and prepare yourself for a career as an engaged, global citizen.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year: 2025


Next start date:

  • September 2025

Fees (per year)

  • Home: £9250
  • International: £23800

Entry requirements and offers

  • A-Level: ABB
  • IB: 32 points

UCAS Institution name and code:

  • NEWC / N21

Course overview

This Modern Languages BA Honours degree immerses you in the study of global cultures and societies. Focusing on the development of your language skills in your chosen language(s), you'll graduate with an appreciation for other cultures and multilingual skills sought by employers.

You can choose to study one, two or three languages from a choice of French, German, Portuguese and Spanish, as well as Chinese or Japanese.

Through our multidisciplinary and intercultural approach to teaching, you'll gain an in-depth insight into how culture, cinema, history, politics, people and society shape the countries where your chosen languages are spoken. You will have the knowledge and understanding you need to engage with people in their native language.

You will have the option of spending the third year of your degree abroad, so you can develop your language skills among native speakers and experience a different culture.

Alternatively, you'll have the options to undertake a Careers Placement Year in the UK or to complete your degree in 3 years without either a year abroad or a Careers Placement Year.

Regardless of what you choose to do, you will confirm this with us in Stage 2.

You'll become a confident linguist, ready to embark on your career journey as a global citizen.

Find out more about our undergraduate programmes on the School of Modern Languages website

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Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions

In Stage 2, you take an advanced study of your chosen languages.

You will again choose optional modules that explore the cultures and histories of the countries where your chosen languages are spoken.

You will also have the opportunity to study beginners’ modules in:

  • Catalan or Italian if you study Spanish
  • Catalan or Italian if you study French
  • Dutch if you study German
  • Korean if you study Chinese or Japanese

Modules

Optional Modules Credits
Level B (HE Intermediate) Chinese 40
Level C (HE Advanced) Chinese 40
France and the Francophone World 20
Level B (HE Intermediate) French (Ex-Level A) 20
Classic French Cinema 20
Paris: Aspects of History and Culture 20
Linguistic Variation in France 20
The French Caribbean – Literature, Language and Society 20
Level C (HE Advanced) French 20
Introduction to German history, culture and society 20
Level B (HE Intermediate) German (Ex-Level A) 20
Berlin: culture, literature and film from the Weimar Republic to the Berlin Republic 20
Dutch I 20
Level C (HE Advanced) German 20
Contemporary Japanese Popular Culture 20
Level B (HE Intermediate) Japanese 40
Level C (HE Advanced) Japanese 40
Introducción a América Latina 20
Comparative History of Hispano-America and Brazil: From Independence to the Mexican Revolution (1789/1810-1917) 20
Career Development for second year students 20
Cultures and Societies of the Portuguese-Speaking World 20
Level B (HE Intermediate) Portuguese 20
Introduction to Literature 20
Introduction to Linguistics 20
Introduction to International Film 20
Introduction to Cultural Studies 20
Cities in East Asian Cinema: Culture, History and Identity 20
Italian language and culture 1 20
Reading in Translation 20
Korean I 20
Introduction to History, Culture and Society of the Iberian Peninsula 20
Level B (HE Intermediate) Spanish (Ex-Level A) 20
World Spanish 20
Catalan I 20
Representaciones de Revolución, Dictadura y Democracia en España y América Latina 20
Food, Football and Fiction: Constructing Catalan Cultural Identity 20
Level C (HE Advanced) Spanish 20

Year abroad

Studying abroad is a great way to immerse yourself in local cultures, meet new people and improve your language skills.

Our year abroad is optional, meaning you can choose to study abroad in your third year (making your degree four years) or you can opt out (which will make your degree three years). You do not have to choose right away and you can talk through your options with your Degree Programme Director once you arrive at Newcastle.

The way you spend your year abroad is up to you. You can:

  • work as a British Council teaching assistant in a school (UK nationals only)
  • study at a partner university
  • undertake an approved work placement

The year abroad is highly flexible and students can choose to either spend their year abroad in one country or divide it between two countries. You can also study at a partner university in one semester and undertake a work placement in another.

Careers placement year

Work experience can enhance your career prospects beyond university. All modern language students not taking a year abroad have the opportunity to undertake a Careers Placement Year in the UK. This will be in the third year of your study and will make your degree four years long in total.

With a placement year you can choose to do:

  • one placement lasting 9-12 months
  • two placements which last at least 4.5 months each

Again, you don't need to decide now if you'd like to choose a Placement Year and you'll have the chance to talk to staff about your options.

In Stage 4, your language studies build on the levels you have developed during your year abroad and also develop more professional skills. You will be able to choose between studying advanced translation and interpreting or language for professional purposes. 

You also have further optional modules to explore the cultures and histories of the countries where your chosen languages are spoken.

Modules

Optional Modules Credits
China and its Peripheries: Repression, (In)stability and Conflict in the 21st Century 20
Level C (HE Advanced) Chinese 40
Historical and Cultural Interpretations of China through classics and newspaper reading 20
Level D (HE Further Advanced) Chinese 40
Classic French Cinema 20
Paris: Aspects of History and Culture 20
Linguistic Variation in France 20
The French Caribbean – Literature, Language and Society 20
Level C (HE Advanced) French 20
Occupation and Resistance: Literary and Cinematic Responses to the Second World War in France 20
Images d'Algerie 20
Historical Perspectives on the French Language 20
From Experimental to Explicit: Translating Women's Writing in French 20
Social Justice in French and Francophone Culture 20
Level D (HE Further Advanced): French for Professional and Academic Purposes 20
Level D (HE Further Advanced): French Translation and Interpreting 20
Berlin: culture, literature and film from the Weimar Republic to the Berlin Republic 20
Level C (HE Advanced) German 20
Dutch II 20
A Comparative History of German and English: phonology, morphology, syntax and lexicon. 20
Berlin: culture, literature and film from the Weimar Republic to the Berlin Republic 20
Place, belonging and identity in the German-speaking Alps 20
Level D (HE Further Advanced): German for Professional and Academic Purposes 20
Level D (HE Further Advanced): German Translation and Interpreting 20
Contemporary Japanese Popular Culture 20
Contemporary Japanese Animation 20
Literary and cultural expressions in contemporary Japan 20
Level C (HE Advanced) Japanese 40
Level D (Further Advanced) Japanese 40
Comparative History of Hispano-America and Brazil: From Independence to the Mexican Revolution (1789/1810-1917) 20
Inter-American Relations from the Spanish-American War (1898) to the end of the Cold War (1989/1991) 20
Language Endangerment and Revitalisation in Latin America 20
Latin American Art: Indigenous Contemporary Art and Activism 20
Cultura y Política en Colombia 20
Translation for Singing 20
Career Development for final year students 20
Advanced Career Development module 20
Level C (HE Advanced) Portuguese 20
Cities in East Asian Cinema: Culture, History and Identity 20
Advocating and Teaching Languages in Schools 20
Italian language and culture II 20
Korean II 20
Dissertation/T&I Project 20
World Spanish 20
Representaciones de Revolución, Dictadura y Democracia en España y América Latina 20
Food, Football and Fiction: Constructing Catalan Cultural Identity 20
Level C (HE Advanced) Spanish 20
Catalan II 20
Cultura Popular en España y Cuba 20
Spanish and Romance word analysis 20
Youth Cultures in Spain, Portugal & Latin America 20
Level D (HE Further Advanced): Spanish for Professional and Academic Purposes 20
Level D (HE Further Advanced): Spanish Translation and Interpreting 20

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

The majority of language modules are taught in small groups by native speakers. You also work in standard or PC-equipped seminar rooms and undertake self-study in our award-winning Language Resource Centre. Our cultural modules are informed by the latest research.

Read more about the Language Resource Centre

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

  • Assessments

  • Assignments – written or fieldwork

  • Coursework

  • Dissertation or research project

  • Dossier

  • Essays

  • Examinations – practical or online

  • Group work

  • Portfolio submission

  • Practical sessions

  • Presentations

  • Reflective report/journal

  • Reports

  • Seminar tasks/exercises

Skills and experience

Research skills

You have the option of writing a dissertation in your final year, which allows you to explore and discuss a topic of interest in great detail, while developing your research skills.

Opportunities

Optional Year Abroad

This Modern Languages degree includes an optional Year Abroad, meaning the degree can be 3 or 4 years.
Students studying a European language can:

  • study at one of our partner universities
  • undertake a work or voluntary placement
  • undertake a combination of both (ensuring they do not overlap)

You usually divide the year between the countries relating to your chosen languages, although it may be possible to spend the entire year in one country.

If you are studying three languages we encourage you to spend some time during the summer vacation in the country of your third language.

If you're studying Chinese or Japanese, you'll spend either a semester or a full academic year studying at one of our partner universities in China or Japan. If you also study European languages you can split your time and do one of the options above for your European language.

Support for Year Abroad

You will receive lots of help to prepare for your Year Abroad, including:

  • briefings covering practicalities like insurance, student safety and country-specific information
  • support in finding a work placement
  • a Tandem Learning Scheme, to practise conversation in your foreign language and make in-country contacts, before you travel
  • a training course for British Council language assistants

There are also events in your second year where you can meet students who have already done their year abroad, students from our partner universities in Europe, Latin America, China and Japan.

You'll be in contact with our Year Abroad team during your time abroad, and will communicate with your personal tutor. You'll also write compulsory blog posts, reflecting on your linguistic, personal and professional development.

Optional Careers Placement Year

Work experience can enhance your career prospects beyond university. If you choose not to take a year abroad, you can undertake a Careers Placement Year in the UK. This will be in the third year of your study and will make your degree four years long in total. 

With a placement year you can choose to do:

  • one placement lasting 9-12 months
  • two placements which last at least 4.5 months each

You don't need to decide right away if you'd like to choose a Placement Year and you'll have the chance to talk to staff about your options once you arrive.

Facilities and environment

Facilities

As a Modern Languages student, you'll be based at our city centre campus. We've been teaching languages in Newcastle for more than 100 years.

You will have access to PC-equipped rooms and the award-winning Language Resource Centre, with self-study resources for over 50 languages.

You'll also have access to:

  • specialist language learning software
  • films
  • live foreign-language TV channels
  • online or on-campus tandem schemes

Support

You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.

Your future

Ability in languages is highly regarded by employers across all sectors, including industry and business. Employers value the linguistic, interpersonal, intercultural and skills of language graduates.

International businesses need employees who not only speak another language but also understand the history, politics and culture of the region.

The international outlook and knowledge our students develop alongside advanced language skills will allow you to consider career options in a range of fields.Our graduates find employment in sectors such as business services, marketing, advertising, management, banking and communications.

Some work as researchers, internet consultants, United Nations translators, in local government, with community groups or in refugee support.

Many work in the digital industries or the arts. Teaching is also a popular choice, undertaking primary or secondary Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) or teaching English abroad.

Make a difference

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Careers support

The School of Modern Languages works with the University’s Careers Service to run an annual Employability Week, including an opportunity to network with recent graduates.

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2025 entry. 

A-Level
International Baccalaureate

Other UK and the Republic of Ireland qualifications

Contextual Offers

Through one of our contextual routes, you could receive an offer of up to three grades lower than the typical requirements.

What is a contextual offer? Find out more and if you’re eligible for this or our PARTNERS Programme supported entry route.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English Language requirements

Entrance courses (INTO)

International Pathway Courses are specialist programmes designed for international students who want to study in the UK. We provide a range of study options for international students in partnership with INTO. 

Find out more about International Pathway Courses

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course.

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

The 2025 home fees have not yet been confirmed.

Qualification: BA Honours

Home students

full time 4 years

Tuition fees (per year)

9250

International students

full time 4 years

Tuition fees (per year)

23800

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Scholarships

Find out more about:

Open days and events

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

  • the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
  • the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
  • the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages

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Call us on +44 (0) 191 208 3333 and press option 1. Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 10am until 4pm.

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