About Modern Languages, BA (Hons) - at University of Portsmouth

Overview

On this BA (Hons) Modern Languages degree course, you'll study one language in-depth, immersing yourself in the culture, history and identity of the communities that speak it. In an increasingly global world, equip yourself with the ability to connect with millions of people in their native language.

You'll have the choice to work towards fluency in one of the following languages:

• French – spoken by 267 million people worldwide
• German – spoken by 135 million people worldwide
• Spanish – spoken by 543 million people worldwide
• Mandarin Chinese – spoken by 1,120 million people worldwide

Boost your language and cultural studies with a year abroad on a study or work placement, in a country or region that speaks your chosen language. Previous students have experienced life in Germany, Spain, China, Taiwan, Latin America and Senegal.

Wherever you choose to go, this course and the year abroad will transform your passion for language into practical multilingual skills you can use to build your career in any field – from teaching to international management and finance, or media and marketing.

Course highlights 

• Take a work or study abroad placement in year three, to fully absorb the history and culture of another country and develop the skills and experience you need to build a career across borders
• Put your language skills into practice through subtitling and translation scenarios, and making your own TV reports
• Opt to focus on the aspects of other countries that fascinate you – from their history and politics, through to economics and business
• Join the optional Teacher Training pathway to launch a career as a Modern Foreign Language teacher 
• Take advantage of our Institution-Wide Language Programme and learn an additional foreign language for free as part of your degree, choosing from Arabic, British Sign Language, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin or Spanish
• Choose to mix and match optional modules, or tailor your course by selecting modules specifically within one of four specialisms:

• teaching and education
• translation and interpreting
• culture and linguistics
• business and industry

• Opt to do a foundation year with ICP to get uni-ready ahead of this course, then take up a guaranteed place on this full Bachelor's degree when you successfully finish your foundation year

Careers and opportunities

As early as 2014, UK Trade and Investment reported that the UK's lack of language skills was leading to a 3.5% loss in national income through trade. This highlights the need UK companies have for bilingual and multilingual employees.

Fast forward to a post-pandemic 2021, the opportunity to work remotely from anywhere in the world has dramatically increased and globalization of trade continues to grow (according to the DHL Global Connectedness Index). The professional language skills you develop on this course could set you apart in a global job market, whether you plan to work in the UK after graduation or pursue a career abroad.

What jobs can you do with a modern languages degree?

Roles you could go onto include:

• bilingual consultant
• multilingual project coordinator translator
• translator/interpreter
• diplomat
• journalist
• tourist guide
• market analyst

What areas can you work in with a modern languages degree?

This degree broadens your options so you can pursue almost any career. Learning a second language is useful in all sectors, including:

• marketing
• journalism and the media
• international management
• translation and interpreting
• teaching
• tourism
• finance

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Entry requirements for this course

Contact University of Portsmouth to find course entry requirements.

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