Modern Languages

Modern languages is a degree built on the conviction that genuine linguistic competence, developed to a high level, is one of the most powerful and versatile qualifications a person can hold. To speak, read, and write a foreign language well is not just a practical skill: it is a way of entering another culture from the inside, of thinking in a different conceptual framework, and of understanding how the world looks from a different perspective. Studying two or three languages simultaneously is demanding but deeply rewarding, and the combination of linguistic and cultural depth the degree develops sets graduates apart.

At Royal Holloway, this four-year full-time BA allows you to study French, German, Italian, or Spanish at beginner or advanced level, in a combination and ratio that suits your ambitions and interests. Language study is combined with translation and cultural modules, developing your writing, reading, speaking, and listening skills in each language you choose. You will be taught by native speakers who guide you through the core language components, ensuring that your development is grounded in authentic, fluent use of each language.

The programme includes a sandwich year, providing professional experience in a language-relevant context, and work placements are also supported. The typical entry tariff is 136 UCAS points.

Graduates of modern languages programmes find careers in translation and interpreting, international business, diplomacy, journalism, cultural organisations, education, publishing, and the civil service. The languages taught at Royal Holloway, French, German, Italian, and Spanish, are all in demand in European and global business and cultural contexts. Many graduates pursue postgraduate study in modern languages, linguistics, translation, or European studies, and some build academic careers that combine linguistic expertise with cultural or literary scholarship.

The professional demand for genuine multilingual competence remains high across virtually every sector with international dimensions.