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Image from Modern Languages
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Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Modern Languages

University of Essex

(4.1)
53 reviews

Entry requirements

Here's what you will need to get a place on the Modern Languages course at University of Essex.

Select a qualification to see required grades

A level

B,B,B

Offers will be made in the range of BBB to BBC or 120-112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels

Tuition fees

LocationFees
England£9,250 per year
Scotland£9,250 per year
Wales£9,250 per year
Northern Ireland£9,250 per year
Channel Islands£9,250 per year
Republic of Ireland£9,250 per year
EU£20,475 per year
International£20,475 per year

Course summary

What this course is about

UCAS code: R900

Here's what University of Essex says about its Modern Languages course.

Language is fundamental to our thought, our relationships, and our civilisations. Through language we transmit knowledge, from inviting someone for coffee, to promoting the latest scientific theory, to settling global political disputes.

On our course you can study up to three languages choosing between French, German, Italian and Spanish from beginner or post-A level standard. Portuguese can be studied from a pre-A level standard. These languages can be studied alongside the language expert modules which cover a range of cultural and professional skills.

Each of these languages are widely used in the business world, and we take you to a level of near-fluency; so many of our graduates have gone on to develop successful global careers with international firms looking for language specialists.

In addition to the language skills you develop on our course, you also explore a range of modules on global cultures, histories, and politics, so that you can really understand another country, beyond just being able to communicate in the native language. Study topics including:

  • World cinema

  • Translation, interpreting and subtitling

  • Popular music

  • Visual history

We also offer a month-long summer course with fees paid for by us if you start a language from scratch via the intensive route.

If you want a global outlook, are interested in human communication, and want to study for a degree with real-world practical value in a world-class department, welcome to Essex.

Course details

Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Department

Language and Linguistics

Location

Colchester Campus | Colchester

Duration

4 Years

Study mode

Full-time

Subjects

• Modern languages

Start date

October 2025

Application deadline

January 29, 2025

The modules you will study

Many of our courses offer a choice of optional modules to tailor your learning experience. More information about these can be found on the University of Essex website.

University of Essex reviews

(4.1)
Based on 53 reviews from University of Essex's students and alumni
5 star
47%
4 star
31%
3 star
11%
2 star
11%
1 star
0%
All reviews

Showing 45 reviews

2nd year student

The SU tries their best with the budget they have. They are probably one of the only departments who try their hardest at Essex. Societies and sports clubs are great with lots of socials and a great way and the best way to make new friends at Essex. The 2 bars and nightclub on campus are ok although...

(4)

2 years ago

2nd year student

I live near Colchester so I haven’t moved far to go to Essex University so I knew what the area would be like. It isn’t the most busiest area and you can pretty much find every and do everything tourist-wise in a couple of days. Nightlife is ok with the club on campus and a couple in the town, all o...

(4)

2 years ago

2nd year student

With the cost of living so high in the UK, the University has only raised their rent slightly and when you take into account that bills are included, the cheaper accommodation options are quite good deals. I notice that financial support is offered to those in more difficult circumstances due to the...

(4)

2 years ago

2nd year student

There is more that could be done in this area and I imagine those who are new to this sort of environment (living on your own, needing to self motivate to study etc) would struggle as there is a lack of communication from all aspects of the University. A simple email explaining how a specific examin...

(3)

2 years ago

2nd year student

The facilities on campus for education (library, labs etc) I cannot fault and they all work effectively. However, the accommodation is quite poor. In my 1st year in halls, I moved into a dirty room which smelt like a toilet. Clearly it hadn’t been cleaned since the last tenant which meant I had to c...

(2)

2 years ago

2nd year student

The course content is good however the delivery is lacking. It seems pointless going to lectures face to face as a lot of lecturers just read off the slides and add nothing on top. Sometimes the lecturers themselves seem puzzled at some of the content on the slides and they often just quickly move o...

(2)

2 years ago

National Student Survey (NSS) scores

The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.

Here you can see ratings from University of Essex students who took the Modern Languages course - or another course in the same subject area.

Others in language and area studies

Select an option to see a detailed breakdown

How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?

82%

low

How good are teaching staff at explaining things?

97%

high

How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?

90%

med

How often is the course intellectually stimulating?

88%

med

To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?

83%

low

How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?

90%

med

How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?

84%

med

To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?

91%

med

To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?

82%

med

How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?

93%

high

How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?

89%

med

How often does feedback help you to improve your work?

81%

med

How often have you received assessment feedback on time?

91%

med

How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?

92%

high

How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?

94%

med

How well have teaching staff supported your learning?

96%

high

How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?

87%

med

How well organised is your course?

85%

high

How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?

93%

high

How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?

93%

med

How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?

91%

med

How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?

62%

med

To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?

91%

high

To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?

88%

high

How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?

82%

med

During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?

89%

med

How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?

71%

med

Student information

See who's studying at University of Essex. These students are taking Modern Languages or another course from the same subject area.

Modern languages
Mode of study
Full-time97%Part-time3%
Gender ratio
Female72%Male28%Other1%
Where students come from
International31%UK69%
Student performance
2:1 or above86%
First year dropout rate17%
Number of students160
Most popular A-levels studied
SubjectGrade
SpanishB
SociologyD
FrenchD
English LiteratureC
GeographyC
Source: HESA

Graduate prospects

What graduates do next

The Modern Languages course includes content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below for information about University of Essex graduates across each of those subject areas.

Languages and area studies
Others in language and area studies

Graduate statistics

70%

In a job where degree was essential or beneficial

80%

In work, study or other activity

65%

Say it fits with future plans

60%

Are utilising studies

Top job areas

20%

Business and public service associate professionals

20%

Teaching Professionals

10%

Administrative occupations

10%

Artistic, literary and media occupations

Graduate statistics

70%

In a job where degree was essential or beneficial

80%

In work, study or other activity

70%

Say it fits with future plans

55%

Are utilising studies

Top job areas

20%

Business and public service associate professionals

15%

Artistic, literary and media occupations

15%

Teaching Professionals

10%

Administrative occupations

Graduate statistics percentages are determined 15 months after a student graduates

Earnings after graduation

Earnings from University of Essex graduates who took Modern Languages - or another course in the same subject area.

Languages and area studies

Earnings

£19.3k

First year after graduation

£23.2k

Third year after graduation

£31.4k

Fifth year after graduation

Shown here are the median earnings of graduates at one, three and five years after they completed a course related to Modern Languages.

Source: LEO

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree

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