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Modern Languages and Linguistics (1 language: French, German or Spanish)

(MLang)

Award

Masters in Languages

Typical Offer

AAA

Duration

4 years

Course Type

Full-time

Campus

Avenue

UCAS Course code

R9Q4

Overview

Learn a modern language and understand how languages are created, learned and shaped as they are used. Study linguistics with either French, German or Spanish on this course and earn a master's degree in 4 years.

Spend a year of this 4 year course on a placement in a university abroad. Develop your language skills while learning about the culture, history and thought of a French, German or Spanish speaking society.

Whichever language you choose, you'll:

• become skilled in a language and familiar with how it is spoken
• develop your critical thinking and gain the skills to interpret cultures
• study a society or cultures where your chosen language is spoken
• write a dissertation on a topic that you are interested in

Choose topics and gain expertise in areas that interest you most, including:

• translation and interpreting
• contemporary society
• literature and film
• ethnography
• politics

Language study paths

These are the languages you can choose from:

• MLang Modern Languages (French) and Linguistics
• MLang Modern Languages (German) and Linguistics
• MLang Modern Languages (Spanish) and Linguistics

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

What it's like to study Modern Languages and Linguistics at Southampton

In this video Thomas talks about how studying at Southampton provided the opportunity to explore a range of career interests such as interpreting, translating or languages for business.

Learn more about this subject area

Languages and linguistics

Language has been central to human history, helping us tell stories, share ideas, and build connections. On our language and linguistics courses you'll look at the science behind language acquisition ...

Joe Dobinson, BA Spanish and Linguistics Graduate, 2023

Read Joe's story

It was impossible to walk into the campus cafe without seeing someone you knew, student or lecturer.

Course location

This course is based at Avenue.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

Entry Requirements

Academic year filter options

For Academic Year 2025/26

A-levels

AAA including one named language

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 36 points overall with 18 points at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in one named language

Other qualifications

• Access to HE Diploma: 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 45 must be at Distinction, plus A in one named language A level
• Irish Leaving Certificate: H1 H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 including one named language
• Scottish Qualification: Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed.
• Cambridge Pre-U: D3 D3 D3 in three principal subjects including one named language
• Welsh Baccalaureate: AAA from 3 A levels including one named language or AA from two A levels including one named language and A from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate

Other requirements

• UK students
• International students
• Other ways to qualify

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must show that you can use English to the level we require. Visit our English language pages to find out which qualifications we accept and how you can meet our requirements.

Course Structure

Year 1 overview

You study both your language and explore how languages develop in situations they are spoken in.

You are introduced to major themes in linguistics and study the history, politics and culture of a society where your language is spoken.

We work out which language level you are at to give you the best possible start to develop your skills.

Year 2 overview

You continue your study of French, German or Spanish. You choose to study at least 3 linguistics modules and at least 2 language modules.

You can choose modules that equip you with different ways to study cultures and languages.

These include:

• socio-historical studies
• cultural studies
• ethnography
• linguistics
• politics

You also prepare for your year abroad.

Year 3 overview

Spend a period of time abroad, studying in a country where your chosen language is spoken.

You’ll get to know the culture and people, and practise your language skills. You'll carry out independent study as part of your Southampton modules, as well as modules from your host university.

We’ll support you with regular video calls and emails.

Year 4 overview

After returning to the UK, you’ll take master's-level modules and can focus on areas of interest you've developed during your studies.

You carry out research for a dissertation using the intellectual skills you've gained throughout your degree.

Modules

Year 1 modules

You must study the following modules in year 1:

• Academic Skills for Modern languages and Linguistics students
• Applications of Linguistics
• Elements of Linguistics - Sound, Structure and Meaning
• French Language Stage 4
• German Language Stage 4
• Introduction to French and Francophone Studies
• Introduction to German Studies
• Introduction to Spanish and Latin America Studies
• Language, Ideologies and Attitudes
• Spanish Language Stage 4
• The Making of Modern English

You must also choose from the following modules in year 1:

• Introduction to Ethnography: Food and Culture
• Language Acquisition
• Understanding Culture
• Understanding History and Society

Year 2 modules

You must study the following module in year 2:

• Languages for Academic Study

You must also choose from the following modules in year 2:

• Culture, Power and Resistance in the Portuguese-Speaking World
• Gender, Race and Nation in Modern Latin America
• Corpus Linguistics: Working with large-scale text data
• Data Environmentalism
• Data, Culture, and Justice
• Discourse Analysis
• Ethnography of Latin America
• Exploring French Linguistics
• Exploring Spanish Linguistics
• Ghosts on Screen
• Globalisation: Culture, Language and The Nation State
• Immigration, Race and Ethnicity in France
• Jews in Germany before the Holocaust
• Language and Intercultural Communication
• Language and Society in German-Speaking World
• Language, Power and Institutions: how linguistic practices can shape our lives
• Learning about Culture: Introduction to Ethnography
• Multilingualism
• Nation, Culture, Power
• Post-War French Thought and Culture
• Psycholinguistics
• Queering the Digital
• Sound and Voice
• Syntax: Studying Language Structure
• Teaching English as a Foreign Language
• The EU and European Identity
• Variation and Change in English
• Vienna and Berlin: Society, Politics and Culture from 1890 to the Present

Year 3 modules

You must study the following modules in year 3:

• Modern Languages and Linguistics Independent Study Module
• Research Skills 1 (online)

Year 4 modules

You must study the following modules in year 4:

• Dissertation MLANG
• Research Skills (Dissertation Preparation)
• Seeing and Being Seen. Period Abroad re-entry

You must also choose from the following modules in year 4:

• Analysing Language for ELT/TESOL
• Approaches to Languages and Cultures
• Audiovisual Translation
• Developing Approaches to Language Teaching
• English as a World Language
• Language and Intercultural Communication
• Language in Society
• Memory in National and Transnational Contexts
• Narrative, Place, Identity
• Nation, Culture, Power
• Second Language Learning
• Teaching Foreign Languages to Younger Learners
• Teaching and Researching Second Language Writing
• Translation: Theory and Practice
• Transnational Movement in the Age of Globalisation

Learning and Assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

• lectures
• classes and tutorials
• coursework
• individual and group projects
• independent learning (studying on your own)

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Course leader

Laurence Richard is the course leader.

Careers and Employability

Employability skills

This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.

The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:

• Research
• Critical thinking
• Self-management
• Confidence
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Creativity
• EDI leadership
• Adaptability
• Problem solving
• Resilience

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Career pathways

Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:

• Local government
• National government bodies
• Publishers
• Press Agencies
• Consultancies
• Think Tanks
• Regional councils
• Hotels
• Travel Agencies
• Museums
• Libraries
• Universities
• Schools
• Colleges
• Private Language Schools

Careers directly related to this course:

• Translator
• Interpreter
• Digital copywriter
• Editorial assistant
• Journalist
• Copy editor
• Secondary school teacher
• Web content manager
• Social media content creator
• English as a foreign language teacher

Wider career opportunities:

• Advertising copywriter
• Education consultant
• Information officer
• Marketing executive
• Media researcher
• Public relations officer
• Social media manager
• Local government officer
• Records manager
• User experience researcher

Example job titles of Southampton MLang Modern Languages (One Language) and Linguistics graduates:

• Policy officer
• Management trainee
• Business development consultant
• Communications project coordinator
• Data analyst
• Secondary school teacher
• Paralegal
• Staff writer
• Recruitment consultant

Work experience opportunities

Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.

Fees, Costs and Funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,535.
• EU and international students pay £23,400.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and standard exams.

Find out how to:

• pay your tuition fees
• calculate your student finances

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges, and expenses regulations

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £36,200 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Hub offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.