Modern Languages (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: RR12
Four years part-time, on campus
Four years full-time, on campus with International Experience

UCAS code: RR13
Four years full-time, on campus with Foundation Year

UCAS code: RR1F
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: RR12
Four years part-time, on campus
Four years full-time, on campus with International Experience

UCAS code: RR13
Four years full-time, on campus with Foundation Year

UCAS code: RR1F
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 love to open a window onto the values and cultures of different countries, developing your understanding and becoming a highly proficient linguist in the process? Our well-established BA Modern Languages gives you the chance to specialise in one or two modern languages, from a choice of French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean and Mandarin Chinese, along with the literature, history, film, thought and visual culture associated with those languages.

Why choose this course?
- This flexible languages degree is taught by world-leading researchers.
- Studying languages allows you to better understand people, their culture and the world in which they live. You will develop advanced communication skills and intercultural awareness that are key to improving your employability and allowing you to engage at a sophisticated level with the wider world.
- It gives you the chance to cultivate an intellectual interest in comparative literature alongside modules focusing on specific languages.
- We also offer this course with an International Experience pathway which gives you the opportunity to spend a year abroad studying at one of Birkbeck’s partner universities in France, Germany, Italy, Spain or Japan.
What will I learn?
You will gain proficiency in your chosen language(s) and master transferable skills such as essay writing, oral presentations and written reports, critical and logical thinking, and translating.
You can study French, German or Spanish as a single language, and you will normally enter with at least A-level (or equivalent) in that language and graduate with: 
- BA French Studies  
- BA German Studies, or
- BA Spanish and Latin American Studies
If you are keen to study Japanese as a single language, please see our separate course page for BA Japanese Studies.
If you choose to study two languages, you can take one from beginner level and the other from A-level (or equivalent), allowing you to raise your language skills to near-native standard in at least one language. Your eventual degree title will name both languages and you will be awarded your second language either ‘and’ or ‘with’ your first language depending on the level you reach, for example BA French and Spanish, or BA French with Spanish.
Italian, Japanese, Korean and Mandarin Chinese can be taken only as a second language on this course. Korean and Mandarin Chinese are currently offered from beginner to intermediate level, so your final degree award will be ‘with’ one of these languages, for example, BA French with Korean.
You will also develop your cultural understanding through modules exploring literature, film, popular culture, history, visual art and linguistics. You can choose from a number of cross-cultural modules too, which allow you to analyse comparative themes across a variety of linguistic, cultural and historical contexts, from the Enlightenment to the present day.
How will I learn?

Teaching takes place in small-group seminars giving you plenty of opportunities to participate actively and interact with your peers and our experienced tutors, who are all experts in their fields. Language teaching is delivered in the target language, allowing you full immersion in your chosen linguistic area.
This course is available to study full- or part-time. Classes take place mainly in the evening, with some language classes on Saturday daytime depending on the languages you choose. This may differ during your year abroad if you choose the International Experience route.
How often will I attend classes?

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

If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or 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

If you choose the four-year full-time International Experience route, you will normally spend your third year at a partner institution in Europe or Japan, depending on the language you study, to allow you to develop your language skills and your knowledge of the culture.
There is a minimum language requirement of A2 for European languages when starting this course.
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

Ours is a community of scholars with shared interests in interdisciplinary topics and cross-cultural research. Our affiliated research centres, the Centre for French, Francophone and Comparative Studies (CFFCS), the Centre for Iberian and Latin American Visual Studies (CILAVS) and Eighteenth-Century Research Group, provide an important platform for this exchange.
All teaching takes place in our central London location in Bloomsbury, a stone’s throw from research libraries and all the cultural richness that London has to offer by way of theatre, museums and galleries.
We are surrounded by cultural institutes relevant to the study of languages and literature, such as the Institute of Languages, Cultures and Societies (at Senate House), the Goethe Institute, German Historical Institute, Institut Français, Instituto Cervantes, and Japan House London.
You could be studying in a building that was once home to Virginia Woolf and frequented by members of the Bloomsbury Group. The building houses our own creative hub which includes the Peltz Gallery, the Gordon Square Cinema and a theatre and performance space.
We also offer a range of joint honours programmes, combining another subject, such as art history, English, film and media, law, linguistics, journalism, politics or digital media, with learning a language and its culture too.

Modules and Teaching

Starting in October 2026
- Three years full-time, on campus
  Course structure
  As part of the BA Modern Languages you must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.
  In addition to the language-learning modules, we offer exciting and innovative options including comparative culture modules which allow you to work with literature and culture across national and linguistic boundaries, and modules which focus on the culture of specific language-speaking areas (including literature, history, film, visual culture). Sample structures for how these can be mapped out over the years are shown below, together with examples of modules we offer in different years. You will have some flexibility in how you choose your modules after Year 1, and can tailor your choices to suit your interests.
  Year 1
  - First language: language 3 or 4
  - Second language (if taken): language 1, 2, 3 or 4
  - Compulsory module: Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics
  - Culture and Text, and/or Culture and Image, or Rethinking Japan (Japanese language students only)
  Year 2
  - First language: language 4 or 5
  - Second language (if taken): language 2, 3, 4 or 5
  - Language-specific culture options (30 or 60 credits)
  - Comparative culture option (30 credits)
  Year 3
  - First language: language 5
  - Second language (if taken): language 3, 4 or 5
  - Language-specific culture options (30 or 60 credits)
  - Languages and cultures dissertation (optional)
  Compulsory module
  - Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics
  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
  Please note, the language modules listed above are for Year 1 only; other language modules are available.
  Option modules are also indicative and may change each year.
  If you exit the degree with both languages at C2 (proficiency) level, or one language at C2 and one at C1 level you will be awarded an 'and' degree (e.g. BA Modern Languages (German and Japanese)).
  If you exit with one language at C2 level and one at B2 level you will be awarded a 'with' degree (e.g. BA Modern Languages (German with Japanese)).
- Four years part-time, on campus
  Course structure
  As part of the BA Modern Languages you must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.
  In addition to the language-learning modules, we offer exciting and innovative options including comparative culture modules which allow you to work with literature and culture across national and linguistic boundaries, and modules which focus on the culture of specific language-speaking areas (including literature, history, film, visual culture). Sample structures for how these can be mapped out over the years are shown below, together with examples of modules we offer in different years. You will have some flexibility in how you choose your modules after Year 1, and can tailor your choices to suit your interests.
  Year 1
  - First language: language 2, 3 or 4
  - Second language (if taken): language 1, 2, 3 or 4
  - Compulsory module: Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics
  - If a single language pathway is taken, one of:
    Culture and Text: Imagined Cultures, and/or
    Culture and Image, or
    Rethinking Japan (Japanese language students only)
  Year 2
  - First language: language 3, 4 or 5
  - Second language (if taken): language 2, 3, 4 or 5
  - Culture and Text: Imagined Cultures, and/or Culture and Image, or Rethinking Japan (Japanese language students only)
  - If a single language pathway is taken, an additional language-specific culture option or comparative culture option
  Year 3
  - First language: language 4 or 5
  - Second language (if taken): language 3, 4 or 5
  - Language-specific culture option or comparative culture option
  - If a single language pathway is taken, an additional language-specific culture option or comparative culture option
  Year 4
  - First language: language 5
  - Second language (if taken): language 3, 4 or 5
  - Language-specific culture option, or comparative culture option, or languages and cultures dissertation
  - If a single language pathway is taken, an additional comparative culture option or languages and cultures dissertation
  Compulsory module
  - Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics
  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
  Please note, the language modules listed above are for Year 1 only; other language modules are available.
  Option modules are also indicative and may change each year.
  If you exit the degree with both languages at C2 (proficiency) level, or one language at C2 and one at C1 level you will be awarded an 'and' degree (e.g. BA Modern Languages (German and Japanese)).
  If you exit with one language at C2 level and one at B2 level you will be awarded a 'with' degree (e.g. BA Modern Languages (German with Japanese)).
- Four years full-time, on campus, with International Experience
  Course structure
  As part of the BA Modern Languages with International Experience you must complete modules worth a total of 420 credits, including 60 credits for your year abroad.
  In addition to the language-learning modules, we offer exciting and innovative options including comparative culture modules which allow you to work with literature and culture across national and linguistic boundaries, and modules which focus on the culture of specific language-speaking areas (including literature, history, film, visual culture). Sample structures for how these can be mapped out over the years are shown below, together with examples of modules we offer in different years. You will have some flexibility in how you choose your modules after Year 1, and can tailor your choices to suit your interests.
  Year 1
  - First language: language 3 or 4
  - Second language (if taken): language 1, 2, 3 or 4
  - Compulsory module: Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics
  - Culture and Text, and/or Culture and Image, or Rethinking Japan (Japanese language students only)
  Year 2
  - First language: language 4 or 5
  - Second language (if taken): language 2, 3, 4 or 5
  - Language-specific culture options (30 or 60 credits)
  - Comparative culture option (30 credits)
  Year 3
  - Year abroad
  Year 4
  - First language: language 5
  - Second language (if taken): language 3, 4 or 5
  - Language-specific culture options (30 or 60 credits)
  - Languages and cultures dissertation (optional)
  Compulsory module
  - Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics
  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
  Please note, the language modules listed above are for Year 1 only; other language modules are available.
  Option modules are also indicative and may change each year.
  By the end of your third year of study (and sometimes by the end of your second year), you will have reached proficiency (C2) in both of your chosen languages unless you start at beginner or GCSE level in your second language, in which case you will reach either level B2 or C1 in the Common European Framework of Reference in that language.
  If you exit the degree with both languages at C2 (proficiency) level, or one language at C2 and one at C1 level you will be awarded an 'and' degree (e.g. BA Modern Languages (German and Japanese)).
  If you exit with one language at C2 level and one at B2 level you will be awarded a 'with' degree (e.g. BA Modern Languages (German with Japanese)).
- 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 Modern Languages.
  
  Foundation Year core modules
  Foundation Year option modules
- 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 Modern Languages. 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 Modern Languages.
  
  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
Starting in October 2027
- Three years full-time, on campus
  Course structure
  As part of the BA Modern Languages you must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.
  In addition to the language-learning modules, we offer exciting and innovative options including comparative culture modules which allow you to work with literature and culture across national and linguistic boundaries, and modules which focus on the culture of specific language-speaking areas (including literature, history, film, visual culture). Sample structures for how these can be mapped out over the years are shown below, together with examples of modules we offer in different years. You will have some flexibility in how you choose your modules after Year 1, and can tailor your choices to suit your interests.
  Year 1
  - First language: language 3 or 4
  - Second language (if taken): language 1, 2, 3 or 4
  - Compulsory module: Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics
  - Culture and Text, and/or Culture and Image, or Rethinking Japan (Japanese language students only)
  Year 2
  - First language: language 4 or 5
  - Second language (if taken): language 2, 3, 4 or 5
  - Language-specific culture options (30 or 60 credits)
  - Comparative culture option (30 credits)
  Year 3
  - First language: language 5
  - Second language (if taken): language 3, 4 or 5
  - Language-specific culture options (30 or 60 credits)
  - Languages and cultures dissertation (optional)
  Compulsory module
  - Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics
  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
  Please note, the language modules listed above are for Year 1 only; other language modules are available.
  Option modules are also indicative and may change each year.
  If you exit the degree with both languages at C2 (proficiency) level, or one language at C2 and one at C1 level you will be awarded an 'and' degree (e.g. BA Modern Languages (German and Japanese)).
  If you exit with one language at C2 level and one at B2 level you will be awarded a 'with' degree (e.g. BA Modern Languages (German with Japanese)).
- Four years part-time, on campus
  Course structure
  As part of the BA Modern Languages you must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.
  In addition to the language-learning modules, we offer exciting and innovative options including comparative culture modules which allow you to work with literature and culture across national and linguistic boundaries, and modules which focus on the culture of specific language-speaking areas (including literature, history, film, visual culture). Sample structures for how these can be mapped out over the years are shown below, together with examples of modules we offer in different years. You will have some flexibility in how you choose your modules after Year 1, and can tailor your choices to suit your interests.
  Year 1
  - First language: language 2, 3 or 4
  - Second language (if taken): language 1, 2, 3 or 4
  - Compulsory module: Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics
  - If a single language pathway is taken, one of:
    Culture and Text: Imagined Cultures, and/or
    Culture and Image, or
    Rethinking Japan (Japanese language students only)
  Year 2
  - First language: language 3, 4 or 5
  - Second language (if taken): language 2, 3, 4 or 5
  - Culture and Text: Imagined Cultures, and/or Culture and Image, or Rethinking Japan (Japanese language students only)
  - If a single language pathway is taken, an additional language-specific culture option or comparative culture option
  Year 3
  - First language: language 4 or 5
  - Second language (if taken): language 3, 4 or 5
  - Language-specific culture option or comparative culture option
  - If a single language pathway is taken, an additional language-specific culture option or comparative culture option
  Year 4
  - First language: language 5
  - Second language (if taken): language 3, 4 or 5
  - Language-specific culture option, or comparative culture option, or languages and cultures dissertation
  - If a single language pathway is taken, an additional comparative culture option or languages and cultures dissertation
  Compulsory module
  - Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics
  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
  Please note, the language modules listed above are for Year 1 only; other language modules are available.
  Option modules are also indicative and may change each year.
  If you exit the degree with both languages at C2 (proficiency) level, or one language at C2 and one at C1 level you will be awarded an 'and' degree (e.g. BA Modern Languages (German and Japanese)).
  If you exit with one language at C2 level and one at B2 level you will be awarded a 'with' degree (e.g. BA Modern Languages (German with Japanese)).
- Four years full-time, on campus, with International Experience
  Course structure
  As part of the BA Modern Languages with International Experience you must complete modules worth a total of 420 credits, including 60 credits for your year abroad.
  In addition to the language-learning modules, we offer exciting and innovative options including comparative culture modules which allow you to work with literature and culture across national and linguistic boundaries, and modules which focus on the culture of specific language-speaking areas (including literature, history, film, visual culture). Sample structures for how these can be mapped out over the years are shown below, together with examples of modules we offer in different years. You will have some flexibility in how you choose your modules after Year 1, and can tailor your choices to suit your interests.
  Year 1
  - First language: language 3 or 4
  - Second language (if taken): language 1, 2, 3 or 4
  - Compulsory module: Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics
  - Culture and Text, and/or Culture and Image, or Rethinking Japan (Japanese language students only)
  Year 2
  - First language: language 4 or 5
  - Second language (if taken): language 2, 3, 4 or 5
  - Language-specific culture options (30 or 60 credits)
  - Comparative culture option (30 credits)
  Year 3
  - Year abroad
  Year 4
  - First language: language 5
  - Second language (if taken): language 3, 4 or 5
  - Language-specific culture options (30 or 60 credits)
  - Languages and cultures dissertation (optional)
  Compulsory module
  - Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics
  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
  Please note, the language modules listed above are for Year 1 only; other language modules are available.
  Option modules are also indicative and may change each year.
  By the end of your third year of study (and sometimes by the end of your second year), you will have reached proficiency (C2) in both of your chosen languages unless you start at beginner or GCSE level in your second language, in which case you will reach either level B2 or C1 in the Common European Framework of Reference in that language.
  If you exit the degree with both languages at C2 (proficiency) level, or one language at C2 and one at C1 level you will be awarded an 'and' degree (e.g. BA Modern Languages (German and Japanese)).
  If you exit with one language at C2 level and one at B2 level you will be awarded a 'with' degree (e.g. BA Modern Languages (German with Japanese)).
- 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 Modern Languages.
  
  Foundation Year core modules
  Foundation Year option modules
- 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 Modern Languages. 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 Modern Languages.
  
  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
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 on this course is via lectures and face-to-face teaching in small, informal groups. Language classes are predominantly interactive and taught by experienced native or near-native speakers. You will also make use of off-air TV recordings, the internet and a modern language laboratory.
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?

Essays and written and oral examinations.

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.

On this course you can focus on two of the following languages: French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean or Mandarin Chinese.

Three years full-time, four years full-time with International Experience or four years part-time: You must have at least A-level/B1 (CEFR) competence in one of your two languages, unless the stronger of your two languages is Japanese, in which case GCSE-level (70% of the content that is needed to pass the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test N5) is sufficient. Your second language can be at any level from beginner onwards. The course is also suitable for applicants at proficiency and native speaker level.
Four years full-time with Foundation Year: Minimum of GCSE (A2 CEFR) in one of the two languages studied, except where one of the languages is Japanese, in which case there is no language level requirement (i.e. both languages can be from beginner level).
Six years part-time with Foundation Year: This course is suitable for applicants at all language entry levels, from beginner to proficiency, including native speaker level. 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 4 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

Three years full-time or four years part-time: We welcome applications from students on Access to Higher Education Diplomas. Credits gained on the Certificate of Higher Education in Culture and Language (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish) can be counted towards the degree.
Three years full-time: 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 our BA Modern Languages, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:

a sophisticated use of written and spoken English
a high or near-native competence in one or two foreign languages
a heightened awareness of how to interact with people from other countries linguistically and culturally
increased confidence when presenting complex issues in a succinct and convincing manner both in writing and orally
the ability to analyse and engage critically with literary texts, films, visual art and cultural artefacts at an advanced level.

Studying this course will prepare you for career paths in international organisations, multinational companies and in a range of fields such as:

teaching languages
banking and finance
publishing
journalism
the Civil Service
translation
diplomacy
international relations
the cultural sector
further study and research.

The School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication's specially designed Careers and Employability provision includes opportunities at all levels to support you in developing your career, including modules, workshops, placements and other resources directly related to employability, in particular in the creative arts and cultural industries.

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.

Modern Languages (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

Course disclaimer

More Highlights

Modules and Teaching

Starting in October 2026

Three years full-time, on campus

Course structure

Compulsory module

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

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

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

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

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

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