BA Modern Languages and History
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UCAS code
R9V1 -
A level offer
BBB -
Year of entry
2025/26 -
Course duration
Full Time: 4 Years
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Year of entry
2025/26 -
Course duration
Full Time: 4 Years
Study a modern language, and discover the richness and variety of the human experience, with our BA Modern Languages and History degree.
This highly flexible degree enables you to study a modern language – choosing from our core languages of French, German, Italian and Spanish – alongside your studies in history.
Taught by experts from the Department of Languages and Cultures and the Department of History, you'll acquire transferable skills with a global focus and understanding.
Throughout, you'll be encouraged to follow your interests as they develop and tailor your learning to your career goals.
In your third year, you will go abroad to enhance your language learning and undertake a placement at the same time.
- For more information, please visit the Department of Languages and Cultures website.
Learn a language
At the University of Reading, you’ll join a lively, multilingual community and study alongside students from all over the world.
Learn from internationally recognised researchers whose wide-ranging expertise includes migration, literature, history, cinema, linguistics, publishing, and translation. 100% of our research is of international standing (Research Excellence Framework 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Modern Languages and Linguistics).
In the latest National Student Survey, 98% of our students said teaching staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2024, 97.87% of responders from the Department of Languages and Cultures).
The University of Reading ranks in the top 100 for Arts and Humanities globally (91 in QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024).
Choose to study one of our four core languages:
These languages are offered at beginner's, intermediate or advanced level, depending on your experience.
Our flexible, supportive teaching style will enable you to become confident and highly skilled in your chosen core language. You will master the fundamentals of the language – both written and spoken – graduating with a high level of proficiency.
Direct access to our staff for help and feedback ensures you develop your language skills to the best of your ability.
The study of language includes cultural modules that develop your understanding of the cultures of the countries in which the language is spoken, from their literary and cinematic traditions to their history, politics and linguistics. As well as complementing your joint studies, this enables you to develop as a specialist with an international, comparative approach.
Optional modules also include introductory study of one of the following languages (subject to approval and availability):
- Arabic
- British Sign Language
- Chinese (Mandarin)
- French
- German
- Italian
- Modern Greek
- Japanese
Year Abroad
On the Year Abroad, you expand your linguistic skills and intercultural understanding in the language you study while doing a work placement, studying at a partner university or working as a language teaching assistant. The Year Abroad is organised by the Department of Languages and Cultures which runs preparation sessions throughout Part 2 and supports your preparation process as well as your stay abroad.
For more information, visit the website for the Department of Languages and Cultures.