StudyQA — Bachelor: Modern Languages and Cultures

Photos of university / #durhamuniversity

Description Contents Requirements

Modern Languages and Cultures at Durham University offers an immersive and comprehensive exploration of diverse linguistic, cultural, and historical traditions across the globe. This degree programme is designed to develop students' proficiency in at least one additional language while providing a broad understanding of the cultural, social, and literary contexts within which these languages are used. Our programme encourages critical thinking, intercultural awareness, and advanced language skills, equipping students for careers in international relations, translation, education, media, and more.

Students have the opportunity to study one or more languages from a wide portfolio, including French, German, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, and others. The programme is flexible, allowing students to tailor their learning to their interests and career aspirations. In the first year, students engage with language modules to strengthen their linguistic abilities, alongside introductory modules in cultural studies, literature, and history related to their chosen languages. As they progress into subsequent years, students deepen their expertise through advanced language courses, complex literary analysis, cultural history, and regional studies.

A distinctive feature of the programme is its emphasis on intercultural competence. Through modules examining contemporary cultural issues, media, and society, students gain insights into the social dynamics and global challenges faced by different communities. Optional modules enable exploration of subjects such as translation and interpreting, film and media studies, and cross-cultural communication.

The programme also offers study abroad opportunities, allowing students to immerse themselves in a language-rich environment and gain real-world experience. These placements are instrumental in enhancing language proficiency, cultural understanding, and employability. Our teaching methods combine lectures, seminars, workshops, and interactive language practice, fostering a stimulating and supportive learning environment.

Graduates of Modern Languages and Cultures leave equipped with exceptional communication skills, cultural sensitivity, and a global outlook. They are prepared for diverse careers in diplomacy, international business, journalism, publishing, teaching, and beyond. Durham University's strong emphasis on research-led teaching and international outlook ensures that students receive a high-quality education, broadening their perspectives and preparing them for success in a globalized world.

Content

We offer post A-level courses in French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish. These courses are open to students who have an A-level (at least Grade A) or equivalent qualification in that language. We also offer beginners’ courses in Arabic, German, Italian, Spanish and Russian. Beginners completely merge with the advanced stream in the final year.

Here are some examples:

You might choose to study one language (chosen from in French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish). You will need an A-level at the appropriate grade pass in your chosen subject. However, if you wish to study Arabic as a single language, you will need an A-level at the appropriate grade pass in at least one other foreign language. You take four modules in the language of your choice, along with a further two units in a subsidiary subject of your choice outside the School in both your first and second years. You then take your year abroad and return to your final year to take either six modules in your chosen language or five modules in your chosen language and one module from a subject studied in your second year. Subsidiary subjects may be chosen from those available in departments outside of the School, subject to module availability, individual entry requirements and timetable compatibility
You might choose to study two languages (chosen from Arabic, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish). These languages can normally be divided 3+3 between two languages, or 4+2 as you prefer (subject to some variation in module availability between the languages)
You might initially choose to study three languages (chosen from Arabic, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish), which you study in equal proportions (2+2+2). After your first year, you will be required to drop one of these and study no more than two languages in years 2 and 3.
There are three ways of combining study of a language with another subject throughout your degree (with a year abroad). Combined Honours in Social Sciences www.dur.ac.uk/combined.honours/ and Liberal Arts www.dur.ac.uk/liberal.arts/ allows flexible combinations of one or two languages with other subjects, while the Modern European Languages and History www.dur.ac.uk/mlac/undergraduate/jointhonours/ programme allows you to study one language (Advanced or Beginners, excluding Arabic) and History in roughly equal proportions

Year 1

Students will take a core language module for each of the languages they are studying. This is a single module for all languages studied post-A-level and a double module for beginners’ languages. These core modules focus on the four skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. In addition, students can choose from a wide range of modules dealing with various aspects of the literature, film, art, history and politics of the different cultures they are studying. These cultural modules aim to develop students’ independent research and analytical skills as well as introducing them to the cultures in question.

All first-year modules are intended to function as introductions to and more general overviews of areas of study in which it is possible to specialise later in the degree.

Year 2

Students will continue to take a core language module for each of the languages they are studying. These core modules focus on and continue to develop the four skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. In addition, students can choose from a wide range of modules on the literature, film, art, history and politics of the different cultures they are studying. All second-year modules build on skills and knowledge acquired in the first year and allow students to specialise more in areas which interest them (from medieval literature to contemporary film).

Year 3

The third year is spent abroad and students divide their time between countries whose languages they are going to study at Level 3 in the final year. They can spend this time as an English assistant in a school, as a student in a university and/or in employment of some kind. During the year abroad students complete a Target Language Research Project for each of the languages they are going to study at Level 3 in the final year supervised by a designated Year Abroad project supervisor.

Year 4

Students will continue to take a compulsory language module for each of the languages they are studying. These compulsory modules focus on and continue to develop the four skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. In the final year, students will also research and write a dissertation on an aspect of culture or cultural production, supervised by a member of staff with expertise in the selected topic area.

In addition, students can choose from a wide range of specialist modules on literature, film, art, history and politics relating to the different cultures they are studying. These modules are designed around staff research expertise. All fourth-year modules build on skills and knowledge acquired earlier in the degree and allow students to specialise still further in areas which interest them (such as the work of a particular writer or the culture of a particular period).

Study Abroad

We attach great importance to your time abroad, during the third year of your degree, which you may spend as an English assistant in a school, as a student in a foreign university, or perhaps in employment with an overseas organisation. This is a time of enormous linguistic and personal development from which you should gain a high level of fluency in your language(s) and enjoy a unique opportunity to make new friends, appreciate new cultures and learn to work and study in new ways. Employers at home and abroad are impressed by the lasting benefits, especially in increased linguistic confidence and general self-motivation. During the year abroad you will complete an academic assignment related to each of the countries in which you stay. You will need to pass these in order to fulfil the requirements of the BA in Modern Languages with Year Abroad.

Subject requirements, level and grade

In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:

We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements and from mature students with non-standard qualifications or who may have had a break in their study.
Grade A at A-level or equivalent in French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish is required to study that subject at advanced level
Grade A at A-level, or equivalent, in a modern European language is required to begin the study of a new beginners’ language, including Arabic
We do not include General Studies or Critical Thinking as part of our offer
Key skills qualifications are welcomed, but are not taken into account as part of the entry requirements
We are pleased to consider applications for deferred entry.

Preferred Tests:

a. IELTS: 6.5 (no component under 6.0)

b. TOEFL iBT (internet based test): 92 (no component under 23)

c. Cambridge Proficiency (CPE): Grade C

d. Cambridge Advanced (CAE): Grade A

e. Cambridge IGCSE First Language English at Grade C or above [not normally acceptable for students who require a Tier 4 student visa]

f. Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language at Grade B or above [not normally acceptable for students who require a Tier 4 student visa]

g. GCSE English Language at grade C or above

h. Pearson Test of English (overall score 62 (with no score less than 56 in each component))

Alternative accepted tests when those listed in a.-h. above are unavailable to the applicant (if the applicant requires a Tier 4 visa to study, advice on the suitability of these alternatives must be sought from the Student Recruitment and Admissions Office):

i. Certificate of Attainment (Edexcel)

j. GCE A-levels (AQA, CIE, Edexcel, CCEA, OCR, WJEC) at grade C or above in an essay based, humanities or social science subject from the following list: History, Philosophy, Government and Politics, English Language, English Literature, Geography, Religious Studies, Economics, Business Studies, Law and Sociology. Modern or Classical Languages are not acceptable in meeting this requirement.

k. International Baccalaureate with a minimum of grade 5 in Standard Level English or a minimum of grade 5 if taken at Higher Level.

l. NEAB (JMB) Test in English (Overseas)

m. Singapore Integrated Programme (SIPCAL) at grade C or above in an essay based, humanities or social science subject from the following list: History, Philosophy, Government and Politics, English Language, English Literature, Geography, Religious Studies, Economics, Business Studies, Law and Sociology. Modern or Classical Languages are not acceptable in meeting this requirement.

n. Singapore Polytechnic Diploma and Advanced Diplomas at GPA 3.0 or above

o. WAEC and NECO Grade B3 or above from Nigeria and Ghana