BA (Hons) Modern Languages and Cultures with year abroad in Durham United Kingdom | Durham University

Enhance your linguistic abilities and deepen your cultural understanding by exploring various contemporary languages. A modern languages degree opens doors to rewarding global career prospects.
This BA program allows you to refine advanced language proficiency while critically examining diverse cultures through literature, art, cinema, history, and political studies.

For students with prior French, German, Italian, Russian, or Spanish qualifications (A level or equivalent), we provide advanced instruction in these languages. Alternatively, you may opt for introductory courses in these languages or Arabic. Regardless of your starting level, all students collaborate in cultural modules, with beginner and advanced tracks fully integrating by the final year.

During your first year, you can pursue up to three languages, honing essential reading, writing, speaking, and listening competencies. You'll simultaneously investigate cultural elements through literature, film, visual arts, historical contexts, and political landscapes.

In your second year, you'll concentrate on one or two languages, enhancing your capabilities while beginning to specialize in preferred subject areas.

Your third year involves international study, where you may work as an English teaching assistant, enroll as a student, or complete a professional placement. You'll split this period between countries corresponding to your chosen languages for the final year. This transformative experience accelerates language fluency while offering unparalleled opportunities for personal growth, cultural immersion, and innovative learning approaches. You may also extend your program to five years by adding an additional placement year.

The fourth year focuses on mastering one or two selected languages at an advanced level. You'll continue cultural investigations, concentrating on specialized interests such as specific authors' works or particular historical cultural movements.