University of Portsmouth
Modern Languages BA (Hons)
University of Portsmouth

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 45 graduates of Modern Languages BA (Hons) and other courses in Others in Language and Area Studies at University of Portsmouth for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Others in Language and Area Studies.

Overall student satisfaction
71 /100
45 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Others in Language and Area Studies

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Others in Language and Area Studies at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £23000 £22500 £27500
25-75 percentile range £21000 - £25500 £18500 - £26500 £21500 - £34000


Salary of all UK Graduates of Others in Language and Area Studies

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £26063 £24027 £28233
25-75 percentile range £23000 - £30158 £18667 - £30646 £21578 - £37856

Course Description

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 3, 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 in simulations, scenario exercises, television broadcasts and debates, so you’re ready to thrive in the wide world of work
  • Choose to focus on the aspects of other countries that fascinate you – from their history and politics, through to economics and business
  • 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

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

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Modern Languages BA (Hons) at University of Portsmouth

30% Elementary occupations
20% Business and public service associate professionals
10% Administrative occupations
5% Finance Professionals
5% Welfare Professionals
5% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
5% Sales occupations
5% Customer service occupations
5% Managers, directors and senior officials
5% Teaching Professionals

****You’ll be assessed through:**** - essays - use of software including desktop publishing, podcasts, subtitling and web design - case studies - blogging - examinations - book reviews - professional and business reports - group and individual projects - oral presentations - portfolio of achievement You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark. You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future. The way you’re assessed may depend on the modules you select. As a guide, students on this course last year were typically assessed as follows: **Year 1 students:** 23% by written exams, 16% by practical exams and 61% by coursework **Year 2 students:** 38% by written exams, 7% by practical exams and 55% by coursework ****Year 3 students:** 100% by coursework** **Year 4 students:** 7% by written exams, 3% by practical exams and 90% by coursework

Entry Requirements / Admissions

Minimum Required UCAS Tariff

96-104 points, to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent.

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Qualification requirements

Including a relevant subject/science @ C or above (80 UCAS tariff points)

Access to HE Diploma

Including one in a relevant subject/science (80 UCAS tariff points)

Including one in a relevant subject/science (90 UCAS tariff points)

The Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in lieu of one A Level at the A Level grades specified, excluding any subject specific requirements.

If Mathematics is not taken beyond GCSE, a grade 7, (or A) in GCSE Mathematics, or Core Mathematics grade B is essential

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6

English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.

PTE Academic 54

An overall score of 54 with a minimum of 51 in each skill.

TOEFL (iBT) 79

79 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing.

Cambridge English Advanced

Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.

Cambridge English Proficiency

Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.

Trinity ISE

Trinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components

Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Modern Languages, BA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)
  • year 2
  • year 3

University Rankings

Positions of University of Portsmouth in top UK and global rankings.

See all 31 university rankings of University of Portsmouth

About University of Portsmouth

The University of Portsmouth is located on the United Kingdom’s only island city, Portsmouth. This public university, which was previously known as Portsmouth Polytechnic, forms part of the University Alliance, an organisation whose aim is to promote growth and innovation in the UK by putting an emphasis on links with business and industry.

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Student composition of University of Portsmouth

undergraduates:
18085
postgraduates:
5005
Total:
23090
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Where is this programme taught

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