Modern Languages BA Hons | University of Chester

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Course Summary

Our degree course in Modern Languages is specifically designed for you to develop your multilingual skills, immerse yourself in the fascinating cultures where our languages are spoken, pursue an overseas adventure, and open the doors to your global future. If you love languages and are excited by the idea of journeying abroad and becoming a global citizen in a connected world, our 4-year course will ensure that your studies are both rewarding and fulfilling. You will have invaluable opportunities to meet new people from diverse cultures and backgrounds; through working with our bilateral exchange partners and ISEP (International Student Exchange Programs) – a network of over 300 higher education institutions worldwide – you’ll have access to countries across the globe with a full year abroad in your third year. For example, recently, our students have been on year-long study abroad placements that range from Costa Rica and Mexico to Taiwan and Québec.

Our Modern Languages BA offers you a unique opportunity to grow your linguistic and communication skills while gaining a deep understanding of the histories, philosophies, identities and cultures of the countries whose languages you choose to study. You’ll learn about society, tradition, food, music, dance, sustainability and everything in between, whilst exploring the complex relationships between global languages and civilizations. You’ll study the politics of different countries, witness contrasting views, opinions and perspectives, and develop an understanding of how significant events within the last century have impacted major debates in the world today.

You will tailor your learning with us according to one of our specialist pathways, choosing studies that focus on Chinese and Spanish, Chinese and French, French and Spanish, or Spanish and Latin American Studies. Whichever pathway you choose, you will share a common first year with your fellow students and will have the option to learn an extra subsidiary language on top of your core choices. We have varying levels with which to do this, ranging from beginner right through to A Level learning. In addition, as a student at the University of Chester, you’ll have part time language taster courses and language evening classes available to you, for free, whilst you study.

If, for any reason, you can’t embark on a 4-year journey with us, spend a full year abroad, or travel, we do offer a 3-year alternative for this course, where you can still take a combination of one, two or three languages.

Why you'll Love it

Gain an additional CELTA qualification as part of your studies

A teacher and a child sitting in a classroom. The child is writing notes with pen on notebook.

Learn flexibly; tailor your language learning to suit you, uniquely

Embark on a student journey like no other

What you'll Study

On this degree course, you can study one, two or three languages.

If you take just one language, that will be on the Spanish and Latin American Studies pathway and requires and A level in Spanish. You will also take a subsidiary language in your first year.

If you take two languages, you can choose from Chinese, French and Spanish, all offered with sets at post-A level (or equivalent) or at beginner/GCSE entry level.

If you take three languages you can add a subsidiary language from the following: either German with post-A level and beginner entry sets, Chinese with post-GCSE entry, French or Spanish with post-A level or beginner entry and Italian with beginner entry level only.

We study languages in their global contexts so, at Level 4, you will develop your language skills while exploring societies and cultures across the world in the areas where your language or languages are spoken. At Level 5 your languages are further applied to real-world situations in preparation for living, studying or working abroad.

With a placement available at the end of Level 5, before your year abroad, you have the opportunity to maximise your experience of other language cultures and flexibility in how you manage your languages. Should you choose not to travel during that term, there are taught modules here in Chester and the opportunity to undertake a Cambridge CELTA qualification for teaching English to speakers of other languages.

During the year abroad you can live, study or work in countries where your language(s) are spoken. You may wish to be a language assistant, find a work placement or attend one of our partner universities.

At Level 6 you will delve deeper into the study of your language or languages in their cultural contexts. You will be able to explore languages in the business world, apply them to translation and mediation and direct your studies to suit your ambitions through your personal guided project.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

Choose a specialist pathway

A specialist pathway is your opportunity to tailor your studies to become an expert in your chosen field. Our pathways provide you with specific modules and opportunities to enable you to tailor your studies towards areas you are passionate about, and to have that reflected in your degree title e.g. BSc Chinese and French.

When applying for this course with a specialist pathway, you will do so via UCAS. It is important to search for and submit your application for 'Modern Languages BA (Hons)'. Your chosen pathway will be confirmed post-application and this will be the award that you complete your studies with. Your award on completion will be Modern Langauges BA (Hons).

This course is delivered in three terms of ten weeks each. In each term you study 40 credits comprising either one or two modules.

The course is delivered through seminars and language workshops. There will be some plenary sessions in larger cohorts but language work is done in smaller groups and target language used as much as possible at the appropriate level. You will have access to digital language laboratories and a dedicated study and social hub.

You should expect to spend an average of 30-34 hours per week on independent study which might include following asynchronous learning material on the University’s VLE, tutorial time with staff, conversation classes, using the University’s library, working with peers and preparing work for assessment.

There will be a broad range of assessment methods covering all four language skills; reception, production, mediation and interaction. You will be assessed via portfolios of language work and professional skills, group discussions, presentations, recorded podcasts, reflective and research essays and an extended project. Where possible, assessment will draw on real-world situations such as job interviews, business negotiations, mediated dialogues and translation post-editing. There are no exams on the Modern Languages course.

All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core - building your subject competence, confidence, and key transferable skills to shape you into a world-ready Chester graduate.

Entry requirements

112UCAS points

UCAS Tariff	112 points
GCE A Level	Typical offer – BCC-BBC
BTEC	BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM
International Baccalaureate	26 points
Irish / Scottish Highers	Irish Highers - H3 H3 H3 H3 H4 Scottish Highers - BBBB
Access requirements	Access to HE Diploma, to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above
T Level	Merit
OCR Cambridge Technicals	OCR Extended Diplima: DMM
Extra Information	Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also consider appropriate work experience.

English Language Requirements

IELTS Academic: Undergraduate: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each band)
Postgraduate: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each band)

For more information on our entry requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.

72UCAS points

UCAS Tariff	72 points
GCE A level	72 points overall, including grade D in A level
BTEC	BTEC Extended Diploma: MMP
International Baccalaureate	24 points
Irish / Scottish Highers	Irish Highers: H4 H4 H4 H4 H4 Scottish Highers: CCDD
Access requirements	Access to HE Diploma – Pass overall
T Level	T Level: Pass (D or E on the core)
OCR Cambridge Technicals	OCR Extended Diploma: MMP
Extra Information	Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs. If you are a mature student (21 or over) and have been out of education for a while or do not have experience or qualifications at Level 3 (equivalent to A Levels), then our Foundation Year courses will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you will need to succeed in your chosen degree.

Fees and funding

£9,250per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2025/26 are £9,250 a year, or £1,540 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

The University may increase these fees at the start of each subsequent year of your course in line with inflation at that time, as measured by the Retail Price Index. These fee levels and increases are subject to any necessary government, and other regulatory, approvals.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £13,950.

This fee is set for each year of study. All undergraduate students are eligible for international and merit-based scholarships which are applicable to each year of study.

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees.

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.

Where you'll study Exton Park, Chester

The location

Modern learning resources and library

Seaborne library, seating and reception area.

Support Services

Fitness Facilities

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Chapel, Chaplaincy and Multi-Faith Spaces

Accommodation

Catering

Your Future Career

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.

Modern Languages (with Specialist Pathways) BA (Hons)