Skip navigation

Modern Languages

  • BA (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time including placement abroad
  • 21 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
More about Royal Holloway, University of London

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
Apply

Course summary

If you want to focus on gaining fluency in one, two or three modern languages, our BA Modern Languages degree is for you. You will combine language study with translation and cultural modules in a ratio which suits you and your ambitions. Choose to study French, German, Italian and/or Spanish at beginners', advanced or native speaker level, developing your writing, reading, speaking and listening skills. You will be taught by native speakers who will guide you through the core language components for each of the languages you have chosen.

The remainder of your course will give you an opportunity to explore the literature, art, culture and history of the language areas you are studying, from seventeenth-century French theatre to representations of childhood and youth in German culture, and from Italian fashion and design to visual arts from all the corners of the Spanish-speaking world. As a modern linguist, you will develop excellent communication and research skills, and combine proficiency in multiple languages with cross-cultural perspectives.

In your third year you will have the opportunity to spend a year working, teaching or studying abroad, where you will immerse yourself in another language and culture, truly broadening your horizons in the process. You also have the choice to combine experiences in up to three different countries.

In the event of a no-deal Brexit, we will commit to providing 2019 and 2020 entry students with a subsidy equivalent to current Erasmus+ funding (where this would have previously been funded by the Erasmus+ scheme). To find out more visit the Erasmus+ page.

  • Choose beginners’, advanced or native-speaker level French, German, Spanish or Italian.

  • Spend a year abroad working, studying or teaching.

  • Specialise in translation, visual culture or literature.

  • Core language skills alongside cultural options.

  • Gain skills in writing, reading, speaking and listening.

Subject options

This course offers the following subject options:

  • French
  • French and German
  • French and Italian
  • French and Spanish
  • French with German
  • French with Italian
  • French with Spanish
  • German
  • German and Italian
  • German and Spanish
  • German with French
  • German with Italian
  • German with Spanish
  • Italian
  • Italian and Spanish
  • Italian with French
  • Italian with German
  • Italian with Spanish
  • Multilingual studies
  • Spanish
  • Spanish with French
  • Spanish with German
  • Spanish with Italian

Modules

Please refer to our website for information:
https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/undergraduate/languages-literatures-and-cultures/modern-languages/

Assessment method

Your course will be assessed by a combination of examinations and in-course assignments in the form of essays or presentations.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time including placement abroad • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 21 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:
R900
Institution code:
R72
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Royal Holloway, University of London 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:
R900
Institution code:
R72
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

A level
BBB - BBC

Required subjects:

A-level in the appropriate language(s) at grade B for the advanced level language pathway
There is no language requirement for the beginners' language pathway but at least one essay-based subject is required at grade B and only one language can be studied at this level
At least five GCSES at grade A*-C or 9-4 including English and Mathematics.

Please note that if you choose to apply for this course you will need to provide details of which languages you wish to study on your UCAS application form. For further details on how to do this please visit our How to apply page.

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

BTEC must be in a relevant subject with an A-level grade B in the appropriate language if the advanced level language pathway is required. There is no language requirement for beginners level.

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

Access course must be in a relevant subject area.
Grade B at A level in the appropriate language(s) for the advanced level language pathway.
For the beginners language pathway there is no language requirement but only one language can be studied at beginners level.

Scottish Higher
BBBBB

including the appropriate language if the advanced level language pathway is required. There is no language requirement for beginner level.

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

Distinction, Distinction in a relevant subject plus one A-level grade B. If the advanced level pathway is required A-level grade B in the appropriate language is necessary. There is no language requirement for beginner level.

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

Distinction plus two A-levels grades BC. If the advanced level pathway is required A-level grade B in the appropriate language is necessary. There is no language requirement for beginner level.

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)
DDD

BTEC must be in a relevant subject with an A-level grade B in the appropriate language if the advanced level language pathway is required. There is no language requirement for beginners level.

Scottish Advanced Higher
BBB - BBC

Including the appropriate language if the advanced level language pathway is required. There is no language requirement for beginner level.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
30 points

5,5,5, in Higher Level including the appropriate language if taken at Higher Level OR with a minimum of 30 points overall including the appropriate language if taken at Higher Level

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

Requirements are as for A Levels where one non subject specified A Level can be replaced by the same grade in the Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate

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

H3,H3,H3,H3,H3 at Higher Level including the appropriate language if the advanced level language pathway is required. There is no language requirement for beginner level.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

Applicants with the Cambridge Pre-U are strongly encouraged to apply to Royal Holloway. Offers will be made on the basis of equivalent A-Level grades as can be found on the Royal Holloway website.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

We require English and Mathematics at grade 4/C.

Combinations of qualifications will be considered on an individual basis, please contact us on admissions.enquiries@rhul.ac.uk to discuss your situation

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.

At Royal Holloway, we know every student approaches university with different experiences and backgrounds. We look at each application individually, and different factors can affect the exact offer a student receives. For instance, our contextual offer scheme means students from disadvantaged socio-economic background can receive a different offer. For full details please see our website.

Learn more on the Royal Holloway, University of London 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

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

*The tuition fee for Home (UK) undergraduates is controlled by Government regulations. This figure is the fee for the academic year 2026/27 and is shown as a guide.

**This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2026/27 and is shown as a guide.

Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase tuition fees annually for all students. For further information see fees and funding (https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/fees-and-funding).

*** These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2026/27 academic year and are included as a guide. Refers to specific individual items of £50 or more, and excludes accommodation, commuting, food, books/other learning materials and printing costs.

Sponsorship information

https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studyhere/undergraduate/feesandfunding/bursariesandscholarships/home.aspx

Related courses

At Royal Holloway, University of London

Like this page