Linguistics and Language (French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Chinese)

BA (Hons)

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Year of entry: 2026-27
Year of entry: 2027-28

Start date:

October 2026

Study route:

Three years full-time, on campus

UCAS code: Q101
Four years part-time, on campus
Four years full-time, on campus with International Experience

UCAS code: Q1E5
Four years full-time, on campus with Foundation Year

UCAS code: Q102
Six years part-time, on campus with Foundation Year

Status:

Fully approved

Location:

Birkbeck Campus, Central London

Awarding body:

University of London

Study options:

Full-time | Part-time | On campus | with Foundation Year | with International Experience

Start date:

October 2027

Study route:

Three years full-time, on campus

UCAS code: Q101
Four years part-time, on campus
Four years full-time, on campus with International Experience

UCAS code: Q1E5
Four years full-time, on campus with Foundation Year

UCAS code: Q102
Six years part-time, on campus with Foundation Year

Status:

Fully approved

Location:

Birkbeck Campus, Central London

Awarding body:

University of London

Study options:

Full-time | Part-time | On campus | with Foundation Year | with International Experience

Course Overview

Would you like to become highly proficient in a language at the same time as developing an advanced understanding of how language works in general? Our BA Linguistics and Language offers you a unique combination of language learning and applied linguistics to prepare you well for a wide range of professional opportunities in multilingual and multicultural contexts.

Why choose this course?
- You can choose to become proficient in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean or Mandarin Chinese. You will also explore the literature and culture associated with this language.
- If you choose the International Experience route you will be able to immerse yourself in your chosen language and culture during a year of studying abroad at one of our partner institutions.
- On this course you will join a community of diverse and committed students from multilingual and multicultural backgrounds and learn from a community of scholars with a wide range of expertise in linguistics, language, culture and literature.
- You will develop an advanced understanding of linguistics as the scientific study of language and apply it in a variety of contexts including language learning, language teaching, speech therapy, intercultural communication, translation, and advertising and media.
What will I learn?

In studying linguistics you will learn about the structure and functions of language, and how it is patterned and used. You will be introduced to the major areas of linguistics, including applied linguistics, sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics and neurolinguistics, and learn how to apply linguistics theories and concepts in real-world contexts, from language teaching and learning to intercultural communication.
You will have the opportunity to reach near-native standard in French, German, Italian or Spanish, or upper-intermediate or advanced level in Japanese, depending on your level of entry.
We offer Korean and Mandarin Chinese from beginner up to intermediate level only. If you decide to take either of these languages, or another in which you reach intermediate level only, your final degree award will be a ‘with’ degree, for example, BA Linguistics with Korean. If you don’t meet the language level requirement for this degree you can gain a BA Linguistics and Culture instead in which you will have developed advanced knowledge of the culture of one or more of the language areas.
You will also study the associated literature and culture of your chosen language and develop skills of translating, summary writing and delivering written and oral presentations.
How will I learn?

You can study this BA Linguistics and Language either full- or part-time, with classes taking place in the evening. These consist of a combination of lectures and seminars which are designed to be small and interactive with some also offered online.
How often will I attend classes?

Full-time: Three to four evenings a week, October to July.
This may differ during your year abroad, if you choose the International Experience route.
Part-time: One to two evenings a week, October to July.
Foundation Year

If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study during an additional year (full-time) or two years (part-time) of supported study. This option is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.
Once you successfully complete your Foundation Year studies, you will automatically advance onto the main full-time degree.
International Experience

On the four-year full-time International Experience route, you will normally spend your third year at a partner institution to allow you to develop your language skills and your knowledge of the culture. Your timetable may differ during this year abroad.
Pathways

This course has additional Pathways to offer you the chance to specialise depending on your interests and career goals.
BA English and Linguistics
BA Language Teaching and Languages (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Korean, Chinese)
Course disclaimer

Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.
Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More Highlights

Applied linguistics has been taught at Birkbeck since 1965, so you will be taught by experienced specialists from a centre of teaching and research excellence.
You will benefit from a vibrant interdisciplinary research culture from our affiliated research centres, e.g. the Centre for French, Francophone and Comparative Studies (CFFCS) and the Centre for Iberian and Latin American Visual Studies (CILAVS), as well as from other public cultural events hosted at Birkbeck.
Read a blog post by Professor Penelope Gardner-Chloros considering what linguistics is.

Modules and Teaching

Starting in October 2026
- Three years full-time, on campus
  Course structure
  You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.
  Year 1
  - A compulsory and a core module: Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics; and Approaches to Language
  - Language learning module 1, 2, 3 or 4
  - Culture and Text or Culture and Image option
  Year 2
  - Two core modules: Analysing Language Structure and Use; and Investigating Language
  - Language learning module 2, 3, 4 or 5
  - Linguistics option
  - Choose between:
    a language-specific culture option
    a comparative culture option: Reading Transnational Cultures, or Representations of Love, Desire and Sexuality, or Culture and Crisis
    two linguistics or language options
  Year 3
  - Language learning module 4 or 5
  - Linguistics option
  - Choose between:
    a language-specific culture option
    one or two comparative culture options
  - Translation from and into French option
  - Linguistics final-year project
  Depending on entry level, a maximum of three of the language modules will be from one of the languages on offer, forming a language pathway.
  
  Compulsory module
  - Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics
  Core modules
  Linguistics and language option modules
  Language learning modules
  Comparative culture option modules
  Language-specific culture option modules: French studies
  Language-specific culture option modules: Italian and German studies
  Language-specific culture option modules: Japanese studies
  Language-specific culture option modules: Spanish and Latin American studies
  If you complete more than 150 credits in the language you will graduate with:
  - BA Linguistics and French
  - BA Linguistics and German
  - BA Linguistics and Italian
  - BA Linguistics and Japanese, or
  - BA Linguistics and Spanish
  Otherwise the award will be BA Linguistics with French, BA Linguistics with Korean etc.
- Four years part-time, on campus
  Course structure
  You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.
  Year 1
  - A compulsory and a core module: Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics; and Approaches to Language
  - Language learning module 1, 2, 3 or 4
  Year 2
  - Core module: Analysing Language Structure and Use
  - Language learning module 2, 3, 4 or 5
  - Culture and Text or Culture and Image option
  Year 3
  - Core module: Investigating Language
  - Linguistics option
  - Language learning module 3, 4 or 5
  - Choose between:
    a language-specific survey option
    a comparative culture option: Reading Transnational Cultures, or Representations of Love, Desire and Sexuality, or Culture and Crisis
    two linguistics or language options
  Year 4
  - Language learning module 4 or 5
  - Linguistics option
  - Choose between:
    a language-specific culture option
    one or two comparative culture options
    Translation from and into French option
  - Linguistics final-year project
  Depending on entry level, a maximum of three of the language modules will be from one of the languages on offer, forming a language pathway.
  
  Compulsory module
  - Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics
  Core modules
  Linguistics and language option modules
  Language learning modules
  Comparative culture option modules
  Language-specific culture option modules: French studies
  Language-specific culture option modules: Italian and German studies
  Language-specific culture option modules: Japanese studies
  Language-specific culture option modules: Spanish and Latin American studies
  If you complete more than 150 credits in the language you will graduate with:
  - BA Linguistics and French
  - BA Linguistics and German
  - BA Linguistics and Italian
  - BA Linguistics and Japanese, or
  - BA Linguistics and Spanish
  Otherwise the award will be BA Linguistics with French, BA Linguistics with Korean etc.
- Four years full-time, on campus, with International Experience
  Course structure
  You must complete modules worth a total of 420 credits, including 60 credits for your year abroad.
  Year 1
  - A compulsory and a core module: Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics; and Approaches to Language
  - Language learning module 1, 2, 3 or 4
  - Culture and Text or Culture and Image option
  Year 2
  - Two core modules: Analysing Language Structure and Use; and Investigating Language
  - Language learning module 2, 3, 4 or 5
  - Linguistics option
  - Choose between:
    a language-specific culture option
    a comparative culture option: Reading Transnational Cultures, or Representations of Love, Desire and Sexuality, or Culture and Crisis
    two linguistics or language options
  Year 3
  - Year abroad
  Year 4
  - Language learning module 4 or 5
  - Linguistics option
  - Choose between:
    a language-specific culture option
    one or two comparative culture options
  - Translation from and into French option
  - Linguistics final-year project
  Depending on entry level, a maximum of three of the language modules will be from one of the languages on offer, forming a language pathway.
  
  Compulsory module
  - Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics
  Core modules
  Linguistics and language option modules
  Language learning modules
  Comparative culture option modules
  Language-specific culture option modules: French studies
  Language-specific culture option modules: Italian and German studies
  Language-specific culture option modules: Japanese studies
  Language-specific culture option modules: Spanish and Latin American studies
  If you complete more than 150 credits in the language you will graduate with:
  - BA Linguistics and French
  - BA Linguistics and German
  - BA Linguistics and Italian
  - BA Linguistics and Japanese, or
  - BA Linguistics and Spanish
  Otherwise the award will be BA Linguistics with French, BA Linguistics with Korean etc.
- Four years full-time, on campus, with Foundation Year
  Course structure
  For the Foundation Year, you undertake three core modules and choose one option module: either The Arts: Questioning the Contemporary World or a language module.
  If you successfully complete these modules, you will automatically advance on to our three-year, full-time, evening study BA Linguistics and Language.
  
  Foundation Year core modules
  Foundation Year option modules
  If you complete more than 150 credits in the language you will graduate with:
  - BA Linguistics and French
  - BA Linguistics and German
  - BA Linguistics and Italian
  - BA Linguistics and Japanese, or
  - BA Linguistics and Spanish
  Otherwise the award will be BA Linguistics with French, BA Linguistics with Korean etc.
- Six years part-time, on campus, with Foundation Year
  Course structure
  Our part-time Foundation Year degrees allow you to spread out your Foundation Year studies over two years. As the 'Foundation Year' is made up of 120 credits, as a part-time student you can take 60 credits in each of your first and second years before starting the main four-year BA Linguistics and Language. This means that you can take six years to complete the part-time degree with Foundation Year.
  In Foundation Year 1 you take two core modules and in Foundation Year 2 you take one core module and choose one option module.
  If you successfully complete these modules, you will automatically advance on to our four-year, part-time, evening study BA Linguistics and Language.
  
  Foundation Year 1 core modules
  - Breaking Boundaries of Knowledge
  - Fundamentals of Study
  Foundation Year 2 core module
  - The Arts: Perspectives and Possibilities
  Foundation Year 2 option modules
  If you complete more than 150 credits in the language you will graduate with:
  - BA Linguistics and French
  - BA Linguistics and German
  - BA Linguistics and Italian
  - BA Linguistics and Japanese, or
  - BA Linguistics and Spanish
  Otherwise the award will be BA Linguistics with French, BA Linguistics with Korean etc.
Starting in October 2027
- Three years full-time, on campus
  Course structure
  You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.
  Year 1
  - A compulsory and a core module: Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics; and Approaches to Language
  - Language learning module 1, 2, 3 or 4
  - Culture and Text or Culture and Image option
  Year 2
  - Two core modules: Analysing Language Structure and Use; and Investigating Language
  - Language learning module 2, 3, 4 or 5
  - Linguistics option
  - Choose between:
    a language-specific culture option
    Comparative Themes in the Novel or Themes in European and Japanese Cinema option
    a comparative culture option: Reading Transnational Cultures, or Representations of Love, Desire and Sexuality, or Culture and Crisis
    two linguistics or language options
  Year 3
  - Language learning module 4 or 5
  - Linguistics option
  - Choose between:
    a language-specific culture option
    one or two comparative culture options
  - Translation from and into French option
  - Linguistics final-year project
  Depending on entry level, a maximum of three of the language modules will be from one of the languages on offer, forming a language pathway.
  
  Compulsory module
  - Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics
  Core modules
  Linguistics and language option modules
  Language learning modules
  Comparative culture option modules
  Language-specific culture option modules: French studies
  Language-specific culture option modules: Italian and German studies
  Language-specific culture option modules: Japanese studies
  Language-specific culture option modules: Spanish and Latin American studies
  If you complete more than 150 credits in the language you will graduate with:
  - BA Linguistics and French
  - BA Linguistics and German
  - BA Linguistics and Italian
  - BA Linguistics and Japanese, or
  - BA Linguistics and Spanish
  Otherwise the award will be BA Linguistics with French, BA Linguistics with Korean etc.
- Four years part-time, on campus
  Course structure
  You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.
  Year 1
  - A compulsory and a core module: Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics; and Approaches to Language
  - Language learning module 1, 2, 3 or 4
  Year 2
  - Core module: Analysing Language Structure and Use
  - Language learning module 2, 3, 4 or 5
  - Culture and Text or Culture and Image option
  Year 3
  - Core module: Investigating Language
  - Linguistics option
  - Language learning module 3, 4 or 5
  - Choose between:
    a language-specific survey option
    Comparative Themes in the Novel or Themes in European and Japanese Cinema option
    a comparative culture option: Reading Transnational Cultures, or Representations of Love, Desire and Sexuality, or Culture and Crisis
    two linguistics or language options
  Year 4
  - Language learning module 4 or 5
  - Linguistics option
  - Choose between:
    a language-specific culture option
    one or two comparative culture options
    Translation from and into French option
  - Linguistics final-year project
  Depending on entry level, a maximum of three of the language modules will be from one of the languages on offer, forming a language pathway.
  
  Compulsory module
  - Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics
  Core modules
  Linguistics and language option modules
  Language learning modules
  Comparative culture option modules
  Language-specific culture option modules: French studies
  Language-specific culture option modules: Italian and German studies
  Language-specific culture option modules: Japanese studies
  Language-specific culture option modules: Spanish and Latin American studies
  If you complete more than 150 credits in the language you will graduate with:
  - BA Linguistics and French
  - BA Linguistics and German
  - BA Linguistics and Italian
  - BA Linguistics and Japanese, or
  - BA Linguistics and Spanish
  Otherwise the award will be BA Linguistics with French, BA Linguistics with Korean etc.
- Four years full-time, on campus, with International Experience
  Course structure
  You must complete modules worth a total of 420 credits, including 60 credits for your year abroad.
  Year 1
  - A compulsory and a core module: Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics; and Approaches to Language
  - Language learning module 1, 2, 3 or 4
  - Culture and Text or Culture and Image option
  Year 2
  - Two core modules: Analysing Language Structure and Use; and Investigating Language
  - Language learning module 2, 3, 4 or 5
  - Linguistics option
  - Choose between:
    a language-specific culture option
    Comparative Themes in the Novel or Themes in European and Japanese Cinema option
    a comparative culture option: Reading Transnational Cultures, or Representations of Love, Desire and Sexuality, or Culture and Crisis
    two linguistics or language options
  Year 3
  - Year abroad
  Year 4
  - Language learning module 4 or 5
  - Linguistics option
  - Choose between:
    a language-specific culture option
    one or two comparative culture options
  - Translation from and into French option
  - Linguistics final-year project
  Depending on entry level, a maximum of three of the language modules will be from one of the languages on offer, forming a language pathway.
  
  Compulsory module
  - Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics
  Core modules
  Linguistics and language option modules
  Language learning modules
  Comparative culture option modules
  Language-specific culture option modules: French studies
  Language-specific culture option modules: Italian and German studies
  Language-specific culture option modules: Japanese studies
  Language-specific culture option modules: Spanish and Latin American studies
  If you complete more than 150 credits in the language you will graduate with:
  - BA Linguistics and French
  - BA Linguistics and German
  - BA Linguistics and Italian
  - BA Linguistics and Japanese, or
  - BA Linguistics and Spanish
  Otherwise the award will be BA Linguistics with French, BA Linguistics with Korean etc.
- Four years full-time, on campus, with Foundation Year
  Course structure
  For the Foundation Year, you undertake three core modules and choose one option module: either The Arts: Questioning the Contemporary World or a language module.
  If you successfully complete these modules, you will automatically advance on to our three-year, full-time, evening study BA Linguistics and Language.
  
  Foundation Year core modules
  Foundation Year option modules
  If you complete more than 150 credits in the language you will graduate with:
  - BA Linguistics and French
  - BA Linguistics and German
  - BA Linguistics and Italian
  - BA Linguistics and Japanese, or
  - BA Linguistics and Spanish
  Otherwise the award will be BA Linguistics with French, BA Linguistics with Korean etc.
- Six years part-time, on campus, with Foundation Year
  Course structure
  Our part-time Foundation Year degrees allow you to spread out your Foundation Year studies over two years. As the 'Foundation Year' is made up of 120 credits, as a part-time student you can take 60 credits in each of your first and second years before starting the main four-year BA Linguistics and Language. This means that you can take six years to complete the part-time degree with Foundation Year.
  In Foundation Year 1 you take two core modules and in Foundation Year 2 you take one core module and choose one option module.
  If you successfully complete these modules, you will automatically advance on to our four-year, part-time, evening study BA Linguistics and Language.
  
  Foundation Year 1 core modules
  - Breaking Boundaries of Knowledge
  - Fundamentals of Study
  Foundation Year 2 core module
  - The Arts: Perspectives and Possibilities
  Foundation Year 2 option modules
  If you complete more than 150 credits in the language you will graduate with:
  - BA Linguistics and French
  - BA Linguistics and German
  - BA Linguistics and Italian
  - BA Linguistics and Japanese, or
  - BA Linguistics and Spanish
  Otherwise the award will be BA Linguistics with French, BA Linguistics with Korean etc.
Teaching

We encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching to help ensure you have the best learning experience and provide a range of different modes of learning to help you juggle study with work and other commitments.
Find out more about our teaching and teaching hours.

What are the methods of teaching?
Teaching methods vary and include lectures, seminars, tutorials, conversation classes and short student presentations, with a strong emphasis on student participation. Teaching takes place in small, informal groups. We make use of the full range of available support materials and technologies, including Moodle.
The Foundation Year is composed mainly of interactive lectures for large groups and tutorial-style classes that support the development of knowledge, skills, confidence and self-awareness.
How will I be assessed?

Assessment varies and includes coursework, written examinations, oral examinations and listening comprehension.

Please see individual modules for more details.
Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.

School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication

The school's teaching and research is highly interdisciplinary, spanning cultures and periods. Academic and practice-based study will equip you for a career in the creative and cultural industries.

Visit the school

Entry Requirements

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

This course is suitable for beginners in Japanese, Korean and Mandarin Chinese. For French, German, Italian and Spanish a minimum of CEFR level A2 (GCSE or equivalent) is required.

Acceptance may be subject to an admissions test and/or interview.

Full-time study - how many UCAS points do I need?
- Three years full-time or four years full-time with international experience: 112 points (e.g. A-levels BBC)
- Four years full-time with Foundation Year: 48 points
For full-time study on this course, you apply via UCAS. The UCAS tariff score applies if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a tariff calculator for you to work out what your qualification is worth.
Part-time study

For part-time study our standard requirements are a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent.
Alternative entry routes

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: DMM
Year abroad

Please note you must make satisfactory progress during Years 1 and 2 of your degree to be eligible for a year abroad. Additionally, the non-UK partner institution may set its own entrance criteria, including, but not limited to, academic criteria, language requirements and visa requirements.
In instances where a student does not meet the eligibility criteria for an approved year abroad or if it is not completed for another reason, their registration may be transferred to the corresponding BA degree pathway without the ‘with International Experience’ designation.
If you are a Student visa student, please be aware that you will initially be provided with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to study for the first two years of your course while at Birkbeck. During your third year of study at an overseas institution, you will be required to obtain a visa for that specific country. When you return to the UK to complete your fourth year, Birkbeck will issue you with a second CAS so that you can apply for another Student visa for your final year. You will therefore need to make a total of three visa applications: two for Birkbeck and one for the overseas institution.
What are the English language requirements?

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.
If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.
Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.
What are the visa and funding requirements?
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.
The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:
- Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
- Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa
International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).
As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.
For full information, read our visa information for international students page.
Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

Clearing for 2026 is open
Apply now

Fees

Three years full-time, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Full-time home students: £9,790 per year
Full-time international students: £18,500 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Full-time home students: £10,050 per year
Full-time international students: £19,320 per year

Four years part-time, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Part-time home students: £7,335 per year
Part-time international students: £13,875 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Part-time home students: £7,530 per year
Part-time international students: £14,490 per year

Four years full-time with International Experience, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Full-time home students, 3 years of study: £9,790 per year
Full-time international students, 3 years of study: £18,500 per year
Full-time home students, international year: £1,465 per year
Full-time international students, international year: £2,775 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Full-time home students, 3 years of study: £10,050 per year
Full-time international students, 3 years of study: £19,320 per year
Full-time home students, international year: £1,505 per year
Full-time international students, international year: £2,900 per year

Four years full-time with Foundation Year, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Full-time home students, Year 1: £5,760 per year
Full-time international students, Year 1: £18,500 per year
Full-time home students, Year 2+: £9,790 per year
Full-time international students, Year 2+: £18,500 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Full-time home students, Year 1: £5,760 per year
Full-time international students, Year 1: £19,320 per year
Full-time home students, Year 2+: £10,050 per year
Full-time international students, Year 2+: £19,320 per year

Six years part-time with Foundation Year, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Part-time home students, Year 1&2: £2,880 per year
Part-time international students, Year 1&2: £9,250 per year
Part-time home students, Year 3+: £7,335 per year
Part-time international students, Year 3+: £13,875 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Part-time home students, Year 1&2: £2,880 per year
Part-time international students, Year 1&2: £9,660 per year
Part-time home students, Year 3+: £7,530 per year
Part-time international students, Year 3+: £14,490 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see our Fees Policy.

Birkbeck's Lifelong Learning Guarantee

If you've studied at Birkbeck before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a reduction on the tuition fee of this course.
Tuition fees and maintenance loans

Eligible full-time and part-time students from the UK don't have to pay any tuition fees upfront, as government loans are available to cover them.
Maintenance loans are also available for eligible full-time and part-time UK students, to help cover living costs, such as accommodation, food, travel, books and study materials. The amount you receive is means-tested and depends on where you live and study and your household income.
Find out more about tuition fee and maintenance loans, and the financial support available to help with your studies at Birkbeck. 
Can I apply for an international scholarship?

We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship. View Birkbeck's available scholarships.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this BA Linguistics and Language, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:

proficiency in a chosen language
cross-cultural awareness of the contemporary global world
advanced linguistics knowledge ideal for careers in language and communication, such as in language education, translation or marketing
independent study and research skills
critical thinking about real-world, social issues.

Graduates can progress their studies further at postgraduate level or pursue career paths in publishing, education, media and communication, marketing, policy-making or language education. Possible professions include:

translator
English as a Foreign Language teacher
publishing copy editor/proofreader
civil service fast-streamer
editorial assistant.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student Support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to Apply

You apply via UCAS for our full-time undergraduate courses or directly to Birkbeck for our part-time undergraduate courses. For more detailed, step-by-step guidance on how to apply, visit our How to apply page.

How do I apply to study full-time (UCAS entry)?

If you are applying for a full-time undergraduate course at Birkbeck you apply through UCAS. Use the Apply now button on this course page which will direct you to UCAS. There you will be prompted to sign in and create an account. You will have to give UCAS a few personal details, including your name, address and date of birth, and then you can start working on your application.
The first UCAS deadline is in January, and the majority of university applications through UCAS are made by then. Find the exact deadline date on the UCAS website. We welcome applications outside of the UCAS deadlines, so you can still apply through UCAS after the January deadline, depending on the availability of places. We also take late applications via the UCAS Clearing system in August.
How do I apply to study part-time?

If you are applying for a part-time undergraduate course (usually four or six years), you apply directly to Birkbeck online by using the Apply now button. You will need to prove your identity when you apply.
Please note that online application opens in September.
When should I apply?

You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places left, and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.
You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.
How can I get help with my application?

Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.
Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.
International agents

If you are an international agent applying to Birkbeck on behalf of an international student, please use Birkbeck's agent portal.

Related courses

Modern Languages (French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Chinese)

Linguistics and Language (French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Chinese)

Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Key information for 2027-28

Course Overview

Why choose this course?

What will I learn?

How will I learn?

How often will I attend classes?

Foundation Year

International Experience

Pathways

Course disclaimer

More Highlights

Modules and Teaching

Starting in October 2026

Three years full-time, on campus

Course structure

Compulsory module

Core modules

Linguistics and language option modules

Language learning modules

Comparative culture option modules

Language-specific culture option modules: French studies

Language-specific culture option modules: Italian and German studies

Language-specific culture option modules: Japanese studies

Language-specific culture option modules: Spanish and Latin American studies

Four years part-time, on campus

Course structure

Compulsory module

Core modules

Linguistics and language option modules

Language learning modules

Comparative culture option modules

Language-specific culture option modules: French studies

Language-specific culture option modules: Italian and German studies

Language-specific culture option modules: Japanese studies

Language-specific culture option modules: Spanish and Latin American studies

Four years full-time, on campus, with International Experience

Course structure

Compulsory module

Core modules

Linguistics and language option modules

Language learning modules

Comparative culture option modules

Language-specific culture option modules: French studies

Language-specific culture option modules: Italian and German studies

Language-specific culture option modules: Japanese studies

Language-specific culture option modules: Spanish and Latin American studies

Four years full-time, on campus, with Foundation Year

Course structure

Foundation Year core modules

Foundation Year option modules

Six years part-time, on campus, with Foundation Year

Course structure

Foundation Year 1 core modules

Foundation Year 2 core module

Foundation Year 2 option modules

Starting in October 2027

Three years full-time, on campus

Course structure

Compulsory module

Core modules

Linguistics and language option modules

Language learning modules

Comparative culture option modules

Language-specific culture option modules: French studies

Language-specific culture option modules: Italian and German studies

Language-specific culture option modules: Japanese studies

Language-specific culture option modules: Spanish and Latin American studies

Four years part-time, on campus

Course structure

Compulsory module

Core modules

Linguistics and language option modules

Language learning modules

Comparative culture option modules

Language-specific culture option modules: French studies

Language-specific culture option modules: Italian and German studies

Language-specific culture option modules: Japanese studies