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Modern Languages (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish)

BA (Hons)

Application options include:

Full-time Part-time
On campus
With or without Foundation Year With or without International Experience

Course Overview

Would you love to develop your understanding of the cultures and values of different countries and become a highly proficient linguist in the process? Taught by world-leading researchers, our flexible and exciting BA Modern Languages opens a window onto other cultures. This well-established degree gives you the opportunity to specialise in one or two modern languages - French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish - and to study the literature, history, film, thought and visual culture associated with each language.

If you choose to study one language*, you will normally enter with at least A-level (or equivalent) in that language and graduate with: 

  • BA French Studies  
  • BA German Studies, or
  • BA Spanish and Latin American Studies 

If you take two languages, you can study one from beginner level and the other from A-level (or equivalent), allowing you to raise your language skills to near-native standard in at least one language. Your eventual degree title will name both languages, for example, BA French and Spanish.

* Please note that Italian and Japanese can currently only be taken with another language. If you wish to study Japanese only, please see our separate page for BA Japanese Studies.

Why choose this course?

  • The study of languages allows you to better understand other people, cultures and the worlds in which they live.
  • The development of advanced communication skills and intercultural awareness is a key employability skill, allowing you to engage at a sophisticated level with the wider world.
  • If you are interested in comparative literature and culture, you will find plenty of opportunities to develop this intellectual interest alongside modules which focus on specific languages.
  • We also offer this course with an International Experience pathway which gives you the chance to spend a year abroad studying at one of Birkbeck’s partner universities in France, Germany, Italy, Japan or Spain.

What you will learn

You will gain a high level of proficiency in your language(s) and develop your cultural understanding through modules exploring literature, film, popular culture, history, visual art and linguistics. In addition, we offer a number of cross-cultural modules which allow you to analyse comparative themes across a variety of linguistic, cultural and historical contexts, from the Enlightenment to the present day. At the same time, you will master transferable skills such as essay writing, oral presentations and written reports, critical and logical thinking, and translating.

How you will learn

Teaching takes place in small-group seminars giving you plenty of opportunities to participate actively and interact with your peers and our experienced tutors, who are all experts in their fields. Language teaching is delivered in the target language, allowing you full immersion in your chosen linguistic area. 

This course is available to study full- or part-time. It has an evening timetable with classes taking place in the evening, though this may differ during your year abroad if you choose the International Experience route.

Foundation Year

If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.

Discover the career opportunities available by taking Modern Languages (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish) (BA (Hons)).

Key information and modules

Find another course:

Highlights

  • Ours is a community of scholars with shared interests in interdisciplinary topics and cross-cultural research. Our affiliated research centres, the Centre for French, Francophone and Comparative Studies (CFFCS), the Centre for Iberian and Latin American Visual Studies (CILAVS) and Birkbeck’s Eighteenth-Century Research Group provide an important platform for this exchange.
  • All teaching takes place in our central London location in Bloomsbury, a stone’s throw from research libraries and all the cultural richness that London has to offer by way of theatre, museums and galleries.
  • We are surrounded by cultural institutes relevant to the study of languages and literature, such as the Institute of Languages, Cultures and Societies (at Senate House), the Goethe Institute, Institut Français, Instituto Cervantes, and Japan House London, to name just a few.
  • You could be studying in a building that was once home to Virginia Woolf and frequented by members of the Bloomsbury Group. The building houses our own creative hub which includes the Peltz Gallery, the Gordon Square Cinema and a theatre and performance space.
  • We also offer a range of combined language courses in which you can study another subject along with learning a language and its culture too, such as with art history, English, law, linguistics, journalism, politics and digital media. 
Come and meet us Request a prospectus Contact us

Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the Key Information section under Attendance.

  • Entry Requirements Entry Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

    For part-time courses, standard requirements are a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent.

    On this course you can focus on two of the following languages: French, German, Italian, Japanese or Spanish.

    3 years full-time, 4 years full-time with International Experience, 4 years part-time: You must have at least A-level/B2 (CEFR) competence in one of your two languages, unless the stronger of your two languages is Japanese, in which case GCSE-level (70% of the content that is needed to pass the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test N5) is sufficient. Your second language can be at any level from beginner onwards. The course is also suitable for applicants at proficiency and native speaker level.

    4 years full-time with Foundation Year: Minimum of GCSE (A2 CEFR) in one of the two languages studied, except where one of the languages is Japanese, in which case there is no language level requirement (i.e. both languages can be from beginner level).

    6 years part-time with Foundation Year: This programme is suitable for applicants at all language entry levels, from beginner to proficiency, including native speaker level. Acceptance may be subject to an admissions test and/or interview.

    UCAS tariff points

    • 3 years full-time or 4 years full-time with International Experience: 104 points (e.g. A-levels BCC)
    • 4 years full-time with Foundation Year: 48 points

    The UCAS tariff score is applicable to you if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a tariff calculator for you to work out what your qualification is worth within the UCAS tariff.

    Foundation year degrees

    Our 'with Foundation Year' route is designed to give you extra support as it provides you with an additional year (full-time) or two years (part-time) of supported study. This is an ideal route if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree. 

    Once you successfully complete your Foundation Year studies, you will automatically advance onto the main degree.

    Alternative entry routes

    3 years full-time or 4 years part-time: We welcome applications from students on Access to Higher Education Diplomas. Credits gained on the Certificate of Higher Education in Culture and Language (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish) can be counted towards the degree.

    3 years full-time: Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma - DMM

    English language requirements

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don’t meet the minimum English language requirements,  or see our international study skills page for more details of how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

    Visa and funding requirements

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol as a student on Birkbeck's part-time courses (with the exception of some modules).

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

    Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits through the modules you studied. It may be possible to transfer these credits from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

  • Fees Fees

    Fees

    Modern Languages (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish) with International Experience BA (Hons): 4 years full-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2025-26

    Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

    Full-time home students, 3 years of study: £9,535 per year
    Full-time international students, 3 years of study: £18,060 per year
    Full-time home students, international year: £1,430 per year
    Full-time international students, international year: £2,400 per year

    Modern Languages (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish) BA (Hons): 3 years full-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2025-26

    Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

    Full-time home students: £9,535 per year
    Full-time international students: £18,060 per year

    Modern Languages (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish) BA (Hons): 4 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2025-26

    Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

    Part-time home students: £7,145 per year
    Part-time international students: £13,545 per year

    Modern Languages (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish) with Foundation Year BA (Hons): 6 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2025-26

    Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

    Part-time home students, Year 1&2: £4,765 per year
    Part-time international students, Year 1&2: £9,030 per year
    Part-time home students, Year 3+: £7,145 per year
    Part-time international students, Year 3+: £13,545 per year

    Modern Languages (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish) with Foundation Year BA (Hons): 4 years full-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2025-26

    Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

    Full-time home students: £9,535 per year
    Full-time international students: £18,060 per year

    Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the College Fees Policy.

    If you’ve studied at Birkbeck before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a discount on the tuition fee of this course.

    Tuition fee and maintenance loans

    Eligible full-time and part-time students from the UK don’t have to pay any tuition fees upfront, as government loans are available to cover them.

    Maintenance loans are also available for eligible full-time and part-time UK students, to assist with covering living costs, such as accommodation, food, travel, books and study materials. The amount you receive is means-tested and depends on where you live and study and your household income.

    Find out more about tuition fee and maintenance loans for full-time and part-time students at Birkbeck.

    Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

    International scholarships

    We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship. Discover if you are eligible for a scholarship.

  • Teaching and Assessment Teaching and Assessment

    Teaching

    At Birkbeck, most of our courses are taught in the evening and all of our teaching is designed to support students who are juggling evening study with work and other commitments. We actively encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching, to ensure our students have the best learning experience.

    Teaching may include formal lectures, seminars, and practical classes and tutorials. Formal lectures are used in most degree programmes to give an overview of a particular field of study. They aim to provide the stimulus and the starting point for deeper exploration of the subject during your own personal reading. Seminars give you the chance to explore a specific aspect of your subject in depth and to discuss and exchange ideas with fellow students. They typically require preparatory study.

    In addition, you will have access to pastoral support via a named Personal Tutor.

    Methods of teaching on this course

    Lectures and face-to-face teaching in small, informal groups. Language classes are predominantly interactive and taught by experienced native or near-native speakers. You will also make use of off-air TV recordings, the internet and a modern language laboratory.

    The Foundation Year is composed mainly of interactive lectures for large groups and tutorial-style classes that support the development of knowledge, skills, confidence and self-awareness.

    Teaching hours

    Our evening hours are normally between 6pm and 9pm (6-7.30pm and 7.30-9pm). Some programmes also offer teaching during the day and this will be clearly signposted to you where it is available.

    On our taught courses, you will have scheduled teaching and study sessions each year. Scheduled teaching sessions may include lectures, seminars, workshops or laboratory work. Depending on the modules you take, you may also have additional scheduled academic activities, such as tutorials, dissertation supervision, practical classes, visits and field trips. On our taught courses, the actual amount of time you spend in the classroom and in contact with your lecturers will depend on your course, the option modules you select and when you undertake your final-year project (if applicable).

    Alongside your contact hours, you will also undertake assessment activities and independent learning outside of class. The amount of time you need to allocate to study both for taught sessions (this might include online sessions and/or in-person sessions) and personal study will depend on how much you are studying during the year and whether you are studying full time or part time.

    Birkbeck’s courses are made up of modules and allocated ‘credit’. One credit is equivalent to ten hours of learning time. Modules are usually in 15, 30 or 60 credit units. A 15-credit module will mean around 150 hours of learning, including taught sessions and independent study or group work. This is spread out over the whole period of that module and includes the time you spend on any assessments, including in examinations, preparing and writing assessments or engaged in practical work as well as any study support sessions to help you in your learning.

    On our distance-learning and blended-learning courses, discussion, collaboration and interaction with your lecturers and fellow students is encouraged and enabled through various learning technologies.

    Timetables

    Timetables are usually available from September onwards and you can access your personalised timetable via your My Birkbeck Profile online (if you have been invited to enrol).

    Indicative class size

    Class sizes vary, depending on your course, the module you are undertaking, and the method of teaching. For example, lectures are presented to larger groups, whereas seminars usually consist of small, interactive groups led by a tutor.

    Independent learning

    On our taught courses, much of your time outside of class will be spent on self-directed, independent learning, including preparing for classes and following up afterwards. This will usually include, but is not limited to, reading books and journal articles, undertaking research, working on coursework and assignments, and preparing for presentations and assessments.

    Independent learning is absolutely vital to your success as a student. Everyone is different, and the study time required varies topic by topic, but, as a guide, expect to schedule up to five hours of self-study for each hour of teaching.

    Study skills and additional support

    Birkbeck offers study and learning support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed. Our Learning Development Service can help you in the following areas:

    • academic skills (including planning your workload, research, writing, exam preparation and writing a dissertation)
    • written English (including structure, punctuation and grammar)
    • numerical skills (basic mathematics and statistics).

    Our Disability and Dyslexia Service can support you if you have additional learning needs resulting from a disability or from dyslexia.

    Our Counselling Service can support you if you are struggling with emotional or psychological difficulties during your studies.

    Our Mental Health Advisory Service can support you if you are experiencing short- or long-term mental health difficulties during your studies.

    Assessment

    Assessment is an integral part of your university studies and usually consists of a combination of coursework and examinations, although this will vary from course to course - on some of our courses, assessment is entirely by coursework. The methods of assessment on this course are specified below under 'Methods of assessment on this course'. You will need to allow time to complete coursework and prepare for exams.

    Where a course has unseen written examinations, these may be held termly, but, on the majority of our courses, exams are usually taken in the Summer term, during May to June. Exams may be held at other times of the year as well. In most cases, exams are held during the day on a weekday - if you have daytime commitments, you will need to make arrangements for daytime attendance - but some exams are held in the evening. Exam timetables are published online.

    Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.

    Methods of assessment on this course

    Essays and written and oral examinations.

  • Careers and employability Careers and employability

    Careers and employability

    On successfully graduating from our BA Modern Languages, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:

    • a sophisticated use of written and spoken English
    • a high or near-native competence in one or two foreign languages
    • a heightened awareness of how to interact with people from other countries linguistically and culturally
    • increased confidence when presenting complex issues in a succinct and convincing manner both in writing and orally
    • the ability to analyse and engage critically with literary texts, films, visual art and cultural artefacts at an advanced level.

    Studying this course will prepare you for career paths in international organisations, multinational companies and in a range of fields such as:

    • teaching languages
    • banking and finance
    • publishing
    • journalism
    • the Civil Service
    • translation
    • diplomacy
    • international relations
    • the cultural sector
    • further study and research.

    We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

  • How to apply How to apply

    How to apply

    You apply via UCAS for our full-time undergraduate courses or directly to Birkbeck for our part-time undergraduate courses.

    Full-time (UCAS entry)

    If you are applying for a full-time undergraduate course at Birkbeck, you have to apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). To apply, go to the UCAS website and click on ‘Sign in’. You will have to register, giving UCAS a few personal details, including your name, address and date of birth, and then you can start working on your application.

    The first UCAS deadline is in January, and the majority of university applications through UCAS are made by then. Find the exact deadline date on the UCAS website. We welcome applications outside of the UCAS deadlines, so you can still apply through UCAS after the January deadline, depending on the availability of places. We also take late applications via the UCAS Clearing system in August.

    Part-time

    If you are applying for a part-time undergraduate course (4 or 6 year), you apply directly to Birkbeck by using the Apply now button. You will need to prove your identity when you apply - read more about suitable forms of identification.

    You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link. Please note that online application will open in September.

    When to apply

    You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places on your chosen course and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.

    You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.

    You will also receive information about subject-specific induction sessions over the summer.

    Help and advice with your application

    Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.

    Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.

    Apply for your course

    Apply for your course using the apply now button in the key information section.

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Related courses

Course structure

Course structure listing

Course structure and modules for Modern Languages (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish) with International Experience BA (Hons): 4 years full-time, on campus, starting October 2025

You must complete modules worth a total of 420 credits, including 60 credits for your year abroad.

Year 1

  • First language: language 3 or 4
  • Second language (if taken): language 1, 2, 3 or 4
  • Compulsory module: Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics
  • Culture and Text, or Culture and Image, or Rethinking Japan (Japanese language students only)

Year 2

  • First language: language 4 or 5
  • Second language (if taken): language 2, 3, 4 or 5
  • Language-specific survey option
  • Popular Culture in Japan and East Asia, or Manga and Anime, or Theorising Japanese Cinema (Japanese language students only)
  • Themes in the European and Japanese Novel or Themes in European and Japanese Cinema option
  • Reading Transnational Cultures, or Representations of Love, Desire and Sexuality, or Culture and Crisis

Year 3

  • Year abroad

Year 4

  • First language: language 5
  • Second language (if taken): language 4 or 5
  • Language-specific survey option
  • Popular Culture in Japan and East Asia, or Manga and Anime, or Advanced Seminar in Japanese Culture and Society (Japanese language students only)
  • One or two language-specific culture options
  • Translation from and into French option
  • Languages and cultures dissertation
Compulsory module
Language modules
Culture option modules
Survey option modules

Please note, the language modules listed above are for Year 1 only; other language modules are available.

Option modules are also indicative and may change each year.

By the end of your third year of study (and sometimes by the end of your second year), you will have reached proficiency (C2) in both of your chosen languages unless you start at beginner or GCSE level in your second language, in which case you will reach either level B2 or C1 in the Common European Framework of Reference in that language.

If you exit the degree with both languages at C2 (proficiency) level, or one language at C2 and one at C1 level you will be awarded an 'and' degree (e.g. BA Modern Languages (German and Japanese)).

If you exit with one language at C2 level and one at B2 level you will be awarded a 'with' degree (e.g. BA Modern Languages (German with Japanese)).

Course structure and modules for Modern Languages (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish) BA (Hons): 3 years full-time, on campus, starting October 2025

You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.

Year 1

  • First language: language 3 or 4
  • Second language (if taken): language 1, 2, 3 or 4
  • Compulsory module: Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics
  • Culture and Text, or Culture and Image, or Rethinking Japan (Japanese language students only)

Year 2

  • First language: language 4 or 5
  • Second language (if taken): language 2, 3, 4 or 5
  • Language-specific survey option
  • Popular Culture in Japan and East Asia, or Manga and Anime, or Theorising Japanese Cinema (Japanese language students only)
  • Themes in the European and Japanese Novel or Themes in European and Japanese Cinema option
  • Reading Transnational Cultures, or Representations of Love, Desire and Sexuality, or Culture and Crisis

Year 3

  • First language: language 5
  • Second language (if taken): language 4 or 5
  • Language-specific survey option
  • Popular Culture in Japan and East Asia, or Manga and Anime, or Advanced Seminar in Japanese Culture and Society (Japanese language students only)
  • One or two language-specific culture options
  • Translation from and into French option
  • Languages and cultures dissertation
Compulsory module
Language modules
Culture option modules
Survey option modules

Please note, the language modules listed above are for Year 1 only; other language modules are available.

Option modules are also indicative and may change each year.

If you exit the degree with both languages at C2 (proficiency) level, or one language at C2 and one at C1 level you will be awarded an 'and' degree (e.g. BA Modern Languages (German and Japanese)).

If you exit with one language at C2 level and one at B2 level you will be awarded a 'with' degree (e.g. BA Modern Languages (German with Japanese)).

Course structure and modules for Modern Languages (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish) BA (Hons): 4 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2025

You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.

Year 1

  • First language: language 2, 3 or 4
  • Second language (if taken): language 1, 2, 3 or 4
  • Compulsory module: Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics
  • Culture and Text, or Culture and Image, or Rethinking Japan (Japanese language students only)

Year 2

  • First language: language 3, 4 or 5
  • Second language (if taken): language 2, 3, 4 or 5
  • Culture and Text, or Culture and Image, or Rethinking Japan (Japanese language students only)
  • Language-specific survey option
  • Popular Culture in Japan and East Asia, or Manga and Anime, or Theorising Japanese Cinema (Japanese language students only)
  • Themes in the European and Japanese Novel or Themes in European and Japanese Cinema option

Year 3

  • First language: language 4 or 5
  • Second language (if taken): language 3, 4 or 5
  • Popular Culture in Japan and East Asia, or Manga and Anime, or Advanced Seminar in Japanese Culture and Society (Japanese language students only)
  • Reading Transnational Cultures, or Representations of Love, Desire and Sexuality, or Culture and Crisis

Year 4

  • First language: language 5
  • Second language (if taken): language 4 or 5
  • Language-specific survey option
  • Popular Culture in Japan and East Asia, or Manga and Anime, or Advanced Seminar in Japanese Culture and Society (Japanese language students only)
  • One or two language-specific culture options
  • Translation from and into French option
  • Languages and cultures dissertation
Compulsory module
Language modules
Culture option modules
Survey option modules

Please note, the language modules listed above are for Year 1 only; other language modules are available.

Option modules are also indicative and may change each year.

If you exit the degree with both languages at C2 (proficiency) level, or one language at C2 and one at C1 level you will be awarded an 'and' degree (e.g. BA Modern Languages (German and Japanese)).

If you exit with one language at C2 level and one at B2 level you will be awarded a 'with' degree (e.g. BA Modern Languages (German with Japanese)).

Course structure and modules for Modern Languages (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish) with Foundation Year BA (Hons): 6 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2025

Our part-time Foundation Year degrees allow you to spread out your Foundation Year studies over two years. As the 'Foundation Year' is made up of 120 credits, as a part-time student you can take 60 credits in each of your first and second years before starting the main four-year BA Modern Languages. This means that you can take six years to complete the part-time degree with Foundation Year.

In Foundation Year 1 you take two core modules and in Foundation Year 2 you take one core module and choose one option module.

If you successfully complete these modules, you will automatically advance on to our four-year, part-time, evening study BA Modern Languages.

Foundation Year 1 core modules
Foundation Year 2 core module
Foundation Year 2 option modules