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Modern Languages and Cultures (with Year Abroad) BA (Hons)
Course Overview - Modern Languages and Cultures (with Year Abroad) BA (Hons)
**Course details**
This BA offers you the opportunity to combine the development of high-level language skills with in-depth critical engagement with other cultures through studying literature, art, film and visual culture, history, and politics.
If you already have an A level (or equivalent) in French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish, we offer advanced courses in those languages. You will also have the choice to study beginner courses in the above languages or Arabic. Whether you are a beginner or a post-A level student in your chosen languages, you will also study cul...
**Course details**<br/>This BA offers you the opportunity to combine the development of high-level language skills with in-depth critical engagement with other cultures through studying literature, art, film and visual culture, history, and politics.<br/>If you already have an A level (or equivalent) in French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish, we offer advanced courses in those languages. You will also have the choice to study beginner courses in the above languages or Arabic. Whether you are a beginner or a post-A level student in your chosen languages, you will also study cultural modules together, and the beginner and advanced streams fully merge in the final year. <br/><br/>**Why Durham University?**<br/>Our highly skilled academics share their expertise in languages, as well as in literature, cultural history, cinema and visual culture, and translation. Many of our language academics are native speakers, while others have lived experience of the culture and language of the country.<br/>Our language-based courses offer the flexibility to specialise in one or two languages and the cultural worlds associated with them – choose from Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hispanic Studies, Italian, Japanese and Russian.<br/>Learning facilities include language laboratories, computer classrooms and a large study area. There are satellite and recording facilities for viewing programmes in all the major taught languages.<br/>A year abroad provides a valuable experience that will broaden your horizons, boost your skills and give you the confidence to adapt to different environments. <br/><br/>**Rankings**<br/>**World Top 100** in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2024<br/>**3rd** for Italian and Asian Studies in The Complete University Guide 2025<br/>**Top 5** for French and German in The Complete University Guide 2025<br/>**Top 10** for French, German and Russian and Eastern European Languages in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025<br/><br/>**Career Opportunities**<br/>A degree in Languages and Cultures will provide you with an impressive portfolio of cultural knowledge, transferable skills and real-world experiences that is valued by employers worldwide. In particular, the year abroad which, as well as developing language abilities, can also greatly enhance your intercultural, problem-solving and communication skills.<br/>With the UK as a whole producing fewer linguists, proficiency in languages coupled with the intellectual rigour and cultural understanding acquired during your degree will make you highly employable in a wide range of careers both in the UK and internationally. These include occupations such as interpreting, translation and teaching, media and the arts but also working across wider industry in research, administration, human resources, sales and business development, and the financial services.
Course Information
1 option available
Some courses vary and have tailored teaching options, select a course option below.
Course Details
Information
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
4 Years
Start Date
29/09/2025
Campus
Durham City
Application Details
29 January
Application deadline
Provider Details
Codes/info
Course Code
R002
Institution Code
D86
Points of Entry
Year 1
Entry Requirements
UCAS Tariff
Not Accepted
Scottish Higher
A,A,A,A,B
Departments will normally make offers based on Advanced Highers. In the absence of 3 Advanced Highers, where these are not offered by the applicant’s school, offers comprising of Advanced Highers and Highers or a number of Highers may be made on a case by case basis.
Access to HE Diploma
D:30,M:15
We require 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3 (or equivalent). Applicants may be required to meet additional subject-specific requirements for particular courses at Durham. French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish is required to study that subject at advanced level. A modern European language is required to begin the study of a new beginners’ language, including Arabic
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
37
General information on subjects/grades required for entry: Eighteen points (6, 6, 6) in Higher Level subjects including Higher Level 6 in a language French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish is required to study that subject at advanced level. A modern European language is required to begin the study of a new beginners’ language, including Arabic
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDD
To include a Distinction in French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish is required to study that subject at advanced level. Distinction in a modern European language is required to begin the study of a new beginners’ language, including Arabic
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H2,H2,H2,H2,H2
French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish is required to study that subject at advanced level. A modern European language is required to begin the study of a new beginners’ language, including Arabic
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
DDD
To include a Distinction in French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish is required to study that subject at advanced level. Distinction in a modern European language is required to begin the study of a new beginners’ language, including Arabic
Scottish Advanced Higher
A,A,A
Grade A at Advanced Higher in French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish is required to study that subject at advanced level. Grade A at Advanced Higher in a modern European language is required to begin the study of a new beginners’ language, including Arabic
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
D3,D3,D3
French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish is required to study that subject at advanced level. A modern European language is required to begin the study of a new beginners’ language, including Arabic
Extended Project
Not Accepted
A level
A,A,A
General information on subjects/grades required for entry: At least one language at A Level. Grade A at A level in French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish is required to study that subject at advanced level. Grade A at A level in a modern European language is required to begin the study of a new beginners’ language, including Arabic Specific subjects excluded for entry: General Studies and Critical Thinking.
T Level
At Durham we welcome applications from students of outstanding achievement and potential from all educational backgrounds. We will consider applicants studying T level qualifications for entry to many of our courses. Where a course requires subject specific knowledge and this is not covered within the T level being studied, you may need to supplement your T level studies with a suitable qualification to meet this requirement, for example at A level. Where this is needed this will be clearly stated in our entry requirements. Detailed entry requirements can be found on individual course entries on our courses database.
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
Not Accepted
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Fees and funding
| Region | Costs | Academic Year | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Channel Islands, Republic of Ireland | £9,535 | 2025/26 | Year 1 |
| EU, International | £27,500 | 2025/26 | Year 1 |
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