BA (Hons) Modern Languages (French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Chinese) at Birkbeck, University of London

Would you love to open a window onto the values and cultures of different countries, developing your understanding and becoming a highly proficient linguist in the process? Our well-established BA Modern Languages gives you the chance to specialise in one or two modern languages, from a choice of French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean and Mandarin Chinese, along with the literature, history, film, thought and visual culture associated with those languages.

Faculty: School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication  |  Duration: Three years full-time, on campus; Four years part-time, on campus; Four years full-time, on campus with International Experience  |  Study mode: full-time, part-time  |  Intake: October 2027  |  Location: London, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

You will gain proficiency in your chosen language(s) and master transferable skills such as essay writing, oral presentations and written reports, critical and logical thinking, and translating. You can study French, German or Spanish as a single language, and 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 are keen to study Japanese as a single language, please see our separate course page for BA Japanese Studies. As part of the BA Modern Languages you must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits. Compulsory modules include Culture and Text, and/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 culture options (30 or 60 credits), Comparative culture option (30 credits), Year 3, First language: language 5, Second language (if taken): language 3, 4 or 5, Language-specific culture options (30 or 60 credits).

Career pathways

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.

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