Modern Languages - BA (Hons)

Cardiff University

Languages open doors to a variety of career paths. Our aim at the School of Modern Languages is for you to become a ‘global citizen’ who thinks critically, understands cultural diversity and has a wealth of transferable skills.

On our 4-year BA Modern Languages programme, you’ll develop high-level communication and critical-thinking skills, and foster resilience and independence through time spent in immersive foreign language contexts.

You can choose to study one or 2 of the seven different languages we offer*. These include:

Chinese

French

German

Italian

Japanese

Portuguese

Spanish

We run 2 programme pathways. One for those with an A-level or equivalent competence in a modern language (Upper Elementary) and one for those with limited or no knowledge of a modern language (Elementary).

You’ll explore the languages you’re studying and their social, political, historical and cultural contexts from a global perspective. Through a variety of language learning resources and materials, and range of student-centred learning activities, you’ll develop your reading, writing, oral, listening and mediation skills.

An integral part of this programme is the opportunity to spend time working or living abroad to experience life in the culture of the language(s) you are studying. You’ll have the choice of either studying at a partner university or completing a work placement in each semester.

On completion of this programme, you’ll be a confident and independent user of one or 2 modern foreign languages, able to speak and write fluently and accurately, and read, understand and analyse complex texts in those language(s) and in English with confidence.

It’s important to remember that studying languages is not just about the language itself, it involves the integrated study of language, culture and society. Our programme offers challenging and stimulating modules with a strong emphasis on cultural diversity and celebrates cultural and linguistic mobility.

Career prospects

We’re committed to helping you achieve your professional ambitions, providing you with the skills, curiosity, and confidence to make your mark in a competitive job market. Whether you have a clear idea of what you would like to do after university, or no idea at all, we have the tools and support to guide you.

Work experience and placements are great opportunities to enhance your employability and career prospects and can help you make decisions about your future career plans. The BA Modern Languages programme includes placement learning as an integral element of your degree programme.

Each term we advertise On-Campus Internships which are summer vacation opportunities for students to work under supervision on education innovation, professional services, and staff-defined research projects.

Our graduates flourish in the job market. Their language degrees lead them into a diverse and exciting range of careers which have included finance, international sport liaison roles, business consultancy, education, health, the media, politics, diplomacy, interpreting, translation, law and teaching.

Many graduates enjoy their year overseas so much that they take time out for more travel or go abroad on graduation in search of employment.

Of those who choose to remain in the UK, many pursue postgraduate study while others start work immediately. Our graduates go on to secure excellent careers in international diplomacy, the Civil Service, teaching, business and journalism. Other employment options include roles as translators, language assistants, export assistants and proof-readers.