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Language, Culture and Communication

  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 14 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site - Highfield Campus
More about University of Southampton

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Summary

Language and culture shape how we understand the world and connect with others. This course explores how communication works across different societies and contexts.

This interdisciplinary degree in Languages, Culture and Communication offers you a combination of modules in ethnography, cultural studies, sociolinguistics, and digital and non-digital communication. Together, these approaches will help you explore how language influences identity, relationships and global challenges.

You can choose to study 1 or 2 languages from scratch – including Chinese, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Arabic, Italian, Japanese and Russian. This allows you to combine cultural insight with practical communication skills.

As you progress, you will develop analytical, research and communication skills, preparing you for a wide range of careers in an increasingly connected world. Your career opportunities include working in education, language teaching, information technology, management, the mass media, creative arts, social work, counselling, and more!

Key features of the course

  • Join a department that is 7th for Linguistics (Times UK University Rankings 2026), and 10th for Languages & Linguistics (The Guardian League Table 2026)

  • Our department was ranked 1st for graduate prospects in Linguistics, Times UK University Rankings 2026.

  • Undertake a professional project as an alternative to the traditional dissertation in your final year - opportunity to work with businesses and charities on a project around language, culture and communication and gain valuable employability skills and networks

  • Options to take related modules in other disciplines such as Philosophy and Film, allowing you to tailor your module choices to your own interests and career choices.

  • Access to our Digital Humanities Hub and support from our team of expert academics and technicians.

Student support

You will be taught by experts who take the time to know you as an individual. Through small group seminars and support from your personal tutor, you will build confidence in your ideas and your communication skills.

You will also have access to wellbeing services, peer mentoring and dedicated careers support, all within a welcoming and supportive community.

Further information

BA Language, Culture and Communication is a three year full time course based at Avenue Campus. You can choose to extend your degree with a year abroad or a placement year.

Find out more on our course page.

Modules

Over the three years of this Language Culture and Communication course, you will combine the study of a new language from scratch with modules in disciplines in communication, cultural studies, linguistics, and anthropology.

Year 1: Begin accelerated study in one of 10 different languages alongside introductory linguistics and culture modules.
Year 2: Optionally continue your new language while acquiring research and critical skills in language, culture and communication
Year 3: Alongside advanced modules, pursue either a traditional dissertation or professional project in collaboration with industry.

You will also have opportunities to tailor your learning through modules from outside your discipline, including from sociology, education and philosophy.

For a full list of modules available please visit the course page: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/language-culture-communication-degree-ba#modules

Assessment method

The different types of assessment will involve essays, oral presentations, data analysis tasks, group projects, seminar discussions, and writing blogs. These aim to assess your knowledge and understanding of the content of the module but also provide variety to suit all different types of learners.

This course is available in Clearing. If you have submitted an application, you can add this course. If you haven’t sent us an application yet, you can do this until 24th September 2026.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site - Highfield Campus

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 14 September 2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
Q331
Institution code:
S27
Campus name:
Main Site - Highfield Campus
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Southampton has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

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.

Application codes

Course code:
Q331
Institution code:
S27
Campus name:
Main Site - Highfield Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

Find out about equivalent entry requirements and qualifications for your country: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/international/your-country.page

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

A level
BBB

Typical Offer: BBB

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer:

BBC with grade A in the EPQ

We are committed to ensuring that all students with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a student’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience.

Students who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDM

Distinction, Distinction Merit in the BTEC National Extended Diploma.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Access to HE Diploma
D: 24 credits M: 21 credits P: 0 credits

60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 24 must be at Distinction and 21 credits at Merit.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Scottish Higher

We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject).

Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4"

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DD

Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus B in A level subject.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
D

Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus BB at A level.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Scottish Advanced Higher

Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact Admissions for more information.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
30 points

Pass, with 30 points overall with 15 points at Higher Level.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP):
Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements.

Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
B

BBB from 3 A levels
or
AB from two B levels and B from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H2, H2, H3, H3, H3, H3

H2 H2 H3 H3 H3 H3

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
M2, M2, M2

M3 M2 M2 in three principal subjects.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

We welcome applicants with other qualifications eg. European Baccalaureate. You will be expected to attain an A level equivalent standard.

The University of Southampton requires all applicants to achieve at least a Grade 4 in English and Mathematics GCSEs (taken in England) or a Grade C in both subjects (where taken in Northern Ireland or Wales). Some degree subjects stipulate specific additional GCSE minimum grades, which will be specified as part of the individual degree programme entry requirements.

For more details on the suitability of your qualifications or foundation programme please contact the Faculty of Arts and Humanities Admissions Team at AdmissionsUG.AH@southampton.ac.uk

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5with no component below 6.0
All programmes at the University of Southampton are taught and assessed in the medium of English (other than those in modern foreign languages). Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency.

Find out more about the University’s English Language requirementshttps://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

Most of the students who enrolled on this course in previous years met their offer conditions at our published entry criteria, securing their place on their chosen course.

We encourage all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, to apply to study with us. Applicants who qualify for contextual admissions will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Learn more on the University of Southampton website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Please see our website for further details and updates: www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/fees-funding.page

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