Modern Languages
German and Mandarin Chinese represent two of the most strategically significant languages in the contemporary world. German is the most widely spoken native language in Europe and the language of one of the world's largest economies, carrying with it a philosophical, literary, and scientific tradition of global importance. Mandarin Chinese is spoken by more people than any other language on Earth and is the language of a civilisation with thousands of years of history, as well as an emerging economic and political superpower whose influence shapes international affairs across every continent.
At the University of Bath, this four-year full-time degree includes a sandwich year that you will spend in Germany or China, or across both, gaining immersive experience in one or both linguistic environments. This placement is central to the programme, accelerating language development in a way that classroom study alone cannot achieve, and developing the professional and intercultural competence that employers value in graduates who combine these two languages. You will study both languages from the level appropriate to your starting point, progressing to advanced communicative competence alongside knowledge of the literature, history, culture, and contemporary society of the German-speaking and Chinese-speaking worlds.
Bath's strong professional focus means the programme prepares you for careers in international contexts as well as for academic engagement with the two cultures.
Graduates with proficiency in both German and Mandarin are exceptionally rare and correspondingly sought after. Career paths include international business, diplomacy, translation and interpreting, journalism, the civil service, law, finance, and roles in organisations with significant interests in both Europe and China. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in international relations, Chinese studies, European studies, or translation, and some pursue careers in intelligence or policy where both languages are directly operational.