Modern Languages
Swansea University
UCAS Code: R903 | Bachelor of Arts - BA
Swansea University
UCAS Code: R903 | Bachelor of Arts - BA
Entry requirements
A level
Access to HE Diploma
We recognise the EPQ as an excellent indicator of success. If you are predicted a grade B or above in the EPQ, you will receive an offer with a one grade reduction, to include your EPQ with a grade B.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
International students will also require a score of 4 at Higher Level English Language or Literature, or 5 at Standard Level English Language or Literature.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
UCAS Tariff
Swansea University accepts the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales as fully equivalent to one full A-Level of the same grade.
Swansea University recognises the Welsh Baccalaureate – Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate as equivalent to one full A-Level.
About this course
On our Modern Languages degree, you can study up to two principal languages (selected from French, German, or Spanish), helping you to become part of a global community and opening doors to a wide range of careers.
In addition to your principal language modules, via our dedicated and unique pathways, you will also choose from modules in cultural studies (covering literature, film, poetry and more), education (second language teaching and pedagogy in the primary and secondary classroom) and translation (both into and out of the target language and including documentary, instrumental and computer-assisted translation). There is also a possibility for you to expand your range of languages to study introductory modules in Catalan, Italian and Portuguese.
French, German and Spanish can be studied at the following levels and in the following combinations:
• If you have an A-level in two of these languages, you can continue to study both languages with us at an advanced level.
• If you have an A-level in one of these languages, you can either concentrate exclusively on that language or learn another language, simultaneously, via our dedicated beginner language pathways.
• If you have not had the chance to study a language at A-level or GCSE, you can concentrate on one beginner’s language (selected from French, German or Spanish) for the duration of your degree. Alternatively, you can also pick up a second beginner’s language (selected from French, German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, or Spanish) during the second year of your degree. This will enable you to graduate with advanced proficiency (C1) in your first language, and intermediate-advanced proficiency (B2-C1) in your second language.
Modern Languages at Swansea is ranked:
• 1st in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction (Guardian University Guide 2025)
• 1st for Learning Opportunities (NSS 2024)*
• 2nd for Teaching (NSS 2024)*
• 2nd for Student Voice (NSS 2024)*
• 5th in the UK Overall (Guardian University Guide 2025)
A - Based on the average positivity score across questions 5 to 9 in the NSS 2024, when ranked against universities featured in the Times Good University Guide.
B - Based on the average positivity score across questions 1 to 4 in the NSS 2024, when ranked against universities featured in the Times Good University Guide.
C - Based on the average positivity score across questions 22 to 25 in the NSS 2024, when ranked against universities featured in the Times Good University Guide.
Modules
Your first year of study is made up of compulsory modules covering a range of themes. Compulsory modules are studied by all students on the programme, meaning you are automatically enrolled. Examples of compulsory modules include:
• Introduction to Culture and Linguistic Traditions A
• Introduction to Culture and Linguistic Traditions B.
Your second and third years will comprise entirely optional modules from a large range of subject areas. Examples of optional modules in recent years have included:
• Translation Workshop (German/English)
• French for Professional Purposes
• Translation Workshop (Spanish into English)
• Simulated Translation Bureau.
Your final year will include an optional independent dissertation project.
Assessment methods
We offer a variety of assessment methods within our programmes. In addition to traditional examinations and essays, examples of alternative assessment include:
• Presentations
• Group Work
• Oral Examinations
Throughout your undergraduate Modern Languages degree, you will develop excellent research and analytical skills and learn to present your ideas effectively both verbally and in writing.
For a full breakdown of course structure and assessment please visit our course page https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/culture-communication/modern-lang-translation-interpretation/ba-modern-languages/ or get in touch with us at study@swansea.ac.uk
The Uni
Singleton Park Campus
College of Arts and Humanities
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if the overall teaching satisfaction score here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Linguistics
Sorry, no information to show
This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
Others in language and area studies
Sorry, no information to show
This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Linguistics
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
This is not a particularly common subject at first degree level and most of the degrees that fall in this category are offered by the University of Durham. If you fancy one of these broad degrees, it is probably best to speak directly to tutors to find out what your options on your degree might be and what they can lead to,
Others in language and area studies
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
This is a broad subject for a variety of European languages. No matter which you take, the general theme is that some graduates go to that country to work, often as English language teachers, some go into further study, often to train as teachers or translators, but most get jobs in the UK in education - most often as language tutors, unsurprisingly, or translators. Modern language grads can also be in demand in business roles where communication and language skills are particularly useful, such as marketing and PR, and in finance or law. But remember — whilst employers say they rate graduates who have graduates who have more than one language, you need to have them as part of a whole package of good skills.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Linguistics
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£18k
£23k
£26k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
Others in language and area studies
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£19k
£23k
£26k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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Higher entry requirements
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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):
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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).
This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.
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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.
You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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