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Undergraduate Study

BA Modern Languages and Arabic - 2025 entry

Please note: The below is for 2025 entries. Click here for 2024 entries.
UCAS code RT60
Duration 4 years
Entry year 2025
Campus Streatham Campus
Discipline Modern Languages and Cultures
Contact

Web: Enquire online
Phone: 0300 555 6060 (UK callers)
+44 (0)1392 723044 (EU/International callers)

Typical offer

View full entry requirements

A-Level: ABB
IB: 32/655
BTEC: DDM

Contextual offers

A-Level: BBC
IB: 28/554
BTEC: DMM

Overview

  • Enjoy a highly flexible programme which allows you to structure your studies around your interests or follow a specific career-orientated pathway. Study Arabic alongside one other language; French, German, Italian, Spanish or Russian
  • Your final degree title will reflect your choices and you will divide your time equally between the two languages. In your second year, you will spend a year abroad in an Arabic-speaking country
  • You will undertake intense practical language training as well as theoretical learning to better understand the rich cultural, social and historical backdrop of Arabic and your other chosen language
  • The Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies is one of the foremost academic institutions in the UK offering research and taught degree programmes in a wide range of areas within the field of Arab, Middle Eastern, and Islamic Studies
  • Get involved in activities outside class: language societies, tandem partnerships, liaison work in schools and the community such as our Translation! Festival – the only public festival dedicated to translation in the UK

View 2024 Entry

Request a prospectus

Open Days and visiting us

How to apply

Contact

Web: Enquire online

Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

Top 150 icon

Top 150 in world subject rankings for Modern Languages and Cultures

QS World University Subject Rankings 2024

Tree and tall building icon

Largest purpose-built Middle East centre in the UK

Second icon

2nd in the UK for Middle Eastern and African Studies

The Complete University Guide 2025

An image of a globe on a stand, depicted through a line drawing, showcasing the continents and countries of the world.

Year abroad spent studying at a partner university or in employment

Top 150 icon

Top 150 in world subject rankings for Modern Languages and Cultures

QS World University Subject Rankings 2024

Tree and tall building icon

Largest purpose-built Middle East centre in the UK

Second icon

2nd in the UK for Middle Eastern and African Studies

The Complete University Guide 2025

Studying Modern Languages isn’t just about poring over endless grammar notes! Our course is so rich and varied that you will have the fantastic opportunity to develop not only your language skills, but a knowledge and interest in the culture of your chosen languages.

If you ask any student about the course, I very much doubt you will come away without them mentioning the Year Abroad, which for many is the highlight of the four years. I still cannot quite believe that I managed to go from working as a waitress over the summer in France, to studying in Italy, then to working as a marketing assistant in Spain all within the space of a year!

Aside from massively improving my language skills and cultural knowledge, this year definitely opened my eyes to the amazing opportunities out there for language students, and certainly made me realise how well my course and the support at the University of Exeter has prepared me for more exciting opportunities like this in the future.

Read more from Kate

Kate

BA Modern Languages (French, Italian and Spanish)

Entry requirements (typical offer)

Qualification Typical offer Required subjects
A-Level ABB Dependent on subjects chosen
IB 32/655 Dependent on subjects chosen
BTEC DDM Dependent on subjects chosen
GCSE C or 4 English Language
Access to HE 24 L3 Credits at Distinction Grade and 21 L3 credits at Merit Grade. Dependent on level chosen the required L3 credits in Modern Foreign Language subject area
T-Level Distinction Dependent on subjects chosen, GCE AL in a Modern Foreign Language will also be required.
Contextual Offer

A-Level: BBC
IB: 28/554
BTEC: DMM

Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers.

Other accepted qualifications

View other accepted qualifications

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

NB General Studies is not included in any offer.

Grades advertised on each programme webpage are the typical level at which our offers are made and provide information on any specific subjects an applicant will need to have studied in order to be considered for a place on the programme. However, if we receive a large number of applications for the programme we may not be able to make an offer to all those who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades which are in line with our typical offer. For more information on how applications are assessed and when decisions are released, please see: After you apply

Completing your UCAS form

When completing your UCAS form for RT60 indicate the modern language and route you wish to study under ‘Further details’ in the ‘choices’ section of the application using the abbreviations below. Please note that you may choose only one language. It may be possible to study further languages to a lower level of proficiency than degree level in the Foreign Language Centre, subject to demand: this is arranged on registration at Exeter. For further information on completing your UCAS form, please visit the UCAS website.

French Fren
German Germ
Italian Ital
Russian Russ
Spanish Span

Language requirements

An A-Level grade B or IB HL5 or SL6 (or equivalent) in one of the five non-Arabic languages offered for this programme (French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish).

We are only able to guarantee a place on the relevant language programme(s) if this information is included on your UCAS form. However, we understand that you may change your mind about the language you want to continue with or take up, so if you wish to change the choice of language(s) given on your UCAS application at any stage please contact either our Admissions Office who will be able to confirm whether or not you are eligible for consideration for a different language. If you do wish to be considered for an alternative language please make your request as early as possible, as capacity and planning constraints may limit our ability to allow late changes to your language choice.

Read more

Course content

The Modern Languages and Arabic degree programme is made up of compulsory (core) and optional modules, which are worth 15 or 30 credits each, worth a total of 120 credits each year. Take up to 30 credits outside the department through modularity.

You will develop fundamental language skills such as reading, speaking, translating and writing, learning to perfect the delicate nuances of intonation, tone and inflection in your voice to become a skilled linguist. You will also study modules on Arab literature and on Islam and Arab history.

Open modules on linguistics, literature, medieval history, visual arts, film and culture will offer you the chance to further customise your programme to suit your specific needs and preferences.

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

60 credits of compulsory Arabic modules, 30 credits of compulsory Modern Languages modules, 30 credits of optional Modern Languages modules

 

 

Compulsory modules

Subject to choosing 120 credits for the stage overall, you must:

a - select 30 credits of compulsory modules in your chosen language.

CodeModule Credits
ARA1033A Elementary Arabic Language I 30
ARA1033B Elementary Arabic Language II 30
Modern Languages Stage 1 Compulsory Language Modules [See note a above]
MLF1001 French Language 30
MLF1052 French Language for Beginners 30
MLG1001 German Language 30
MLG1052 German Language for Beginners 30
MLI1001 Italian Language 30
MLI1052 Italian Language for Beginners 30
MLM1052 Beginners Chinese 30
MLP1052 Portuguese Language for Beginners 30
MLR1001 Contemporary Russian Written and Oral 30
MLR1030 Russian Language for Beginners 30
MLS1001 Spanish Language 30
MLS1056 Spanish Language for Beginners 30

Optional modules

b - select 30 credits of optional modules consisting of content related to your chosen language; on the Modern Languages side of your programme, you may select a maximum of 15 credits of either the SML- or HUM-coded modules for the year. Please note that certain modules may only be available to students on Single Honours programmes, or to students who have taken a particular language module. This information will be given in the pre-requisites or co-requisites section of the relevant module descriptor.

Arabic option modules https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=arabislamicstudies

CodeModule Credits
Chinese Stage 1 Option Modules 2024-5 [See note b above]
MLM1010 China of the Senses: Approaching Chinese Culture and Environments 15
PHL1010 Introduction to Asian Philosophy 15
SML1208 Language, Culture, and International Relations 15
French Stage 1 Option Modules 2024-5 [See note b above]
MLF1017 The Making of Modern France 15
MLF1018 The Devil is in the Detail: An Introduction to the Short Story in French 15
SML1207 Introduction to Film 15
MLF1103 The French Language, Present and Past 15
MLF1121 French Visual History 15
MLF1105 An Introduction to French Thought 15
SML1208 Language, Culture, and International Relations 15
German Stage 1 Option Modules 2024-5 [See note b above]
MLG1017 Turning Points in German History 1200 - 2000 15
MLG1021 Outside In: An Introduction to Outcasts and Outsiders in German-language Literature and Film 15
SML1207 Introduction to Film 15
MLG1014 A Nation Remembers: Issues in German Cultural Memory 15
MLG1022 Divided Germany in Film and Visual Culture 1949-1990 15
SML1208 Language, Culture, and International Relations 15
Italian Stage 1 Option Modules 2024-5 [See note b above]
MLI1016 Italy Inside Out: Popular Visual Narratives about Italy 15
SML1207 Introduction to Film 15
MLI1121 A Thousand Faces: Cultures and History in 19th-Century Italy 15
Portuguese Stage 1 Option Modules 2024-5 [See note b above]
SML1207 Introduction to Film 15
MLP1002 Introduction to the Lusophone World 15
SML1208 Language, Culture, and International Relations 15
Russian Stage 1 Option Modules 2024-5 [See note b above]
MLR1023 Russia: Empire and Identity 15
SML1207 Introduction to Film 15
MLR1006 An Emotional Experience: Russian Literature and the Expression of Feeling 15
Spanish Stage 1 Option Modules 2024-5 [See note b above]
MLS1067 Ideology in the Hispanic World 15
MLS1068 An Introduction to the Literature and Film of Spain 15
SML1207 Introduction to Film 15
MLS1066 The Making of Modern Latin America: History Through Literature and Culture 15
MLS1164 A Journey of Discovery: Hispanic Global Culture 15
SML1208 Language, Culture, and International Relations 15

Find out more about the International Placement

120 credit compulsory Arabic placement module

Compulsory modules

CodeModule Credits
ARA2000 Year Abroad 120

30 credits of compulsory Arabic modules, 30 credits of compulsory Modern Languages modules, 30 credits of optional Arabic modules and 30 credits of optional Modern Languages modules

 

 

Compulsory modules

Subject to choosing 120 credits for the stage overall, you must:

c - You must select 30 credits of compulsory modules in your chosen language.

CodeModule Credits
ARA2139 Intermediate Arabic Language II 30
Modern Languages Stage 2 Compulsory Language Modules [See note c above]
MLF2001 French Language, Written and Oral 30
MLF2152 Intermediate French 30
MLG2001 German Language, Written and Oral 30
MLG2052 Intermediate German 30
MLI2001 Italian Language, Written and Oral 30
MLI2051 Italian Language 30
MLM2052 Intermediate Chinese (One) 30
MLP2052 Intermediate Portuguese 30
MLR2001 Contemporary Russian Written and Oral I 30
MLR2030 Intermediate Russian 30
MLS2001 Spanish Language, Written and Oral 30
MLS2156 Spanish Language (ex-beginners) 30

Optional modules

d - select 30 credits of ARA2 Arabic option modules from this list.

e - select 30 credits of optional modules consisting of content related to your chosen language; on the Modern Languages side of your programme, you may select a maximum of 15 credits of either the SML- or HUM-coded modules listed below for the year. It is your responsibility to ensure that credit for SML modules can be counted towards the language of your study, where this is necessary for your credit count

CodeModule Credits
Arabic Stage 2 Option Modules 2024-5 [see note d above]
ARA2170 A History of the Modern Middle East, 1900-2014 15
ARA2171 A History of the Modern Middle East, 1900-2014 30
ARA2147 Classical Islamic History 15
ARA2135 Conflict and Peacemaking Palestine/Israel 15
ARA2134 Ethnography of the Middle East 15
ARA2132 Islamic Law and Society 15
ARA2028 Islamist Movements: From the Muslim Brothers to the Islamic State 15
ARA2016 Magic and the Abrahamic Religions 15
ARA2150 Muslims in Britain 15
ARA2162 Political Economy of Development in the Middle East 15
ARA2014 Regions and Empires in Islamic Archaeology 15
Chinese Stage 2 Option Modules 2024-5 [see note e above]
HUM2005 Tales of Freedom, Necessity and Providence 15
MLM2003 Chinoiserie and Europeenerie: Artistic and cultural exchanges between China and Europe 15
MLM2008 Introduction to Modern Chinese Literature 15
SML2246 Intercultural Communication 15
SML2244 Multilingualism in Society 15
French Stage 2 Option Modules 2024-5 [see note e above]
MLF2012 Evolution of the French Language 15
MLF2069 East is East? Cross-Cultural Encounters in Medieval French Literature 15
MLF2076 Subversive Texts: Baudelaire and Rachilde 15
HUM2005 Tales of Freedom, Necessity and Providence 15
HIH2208A Medieval Paris 30
MLF2070 Violence and Virtue: Early Modern French Theatre 15
MLF2029 Varieties of French 15
MLF2006 French-language Road Movies: Space, Place and Identity 15
HIH2591 Philip Augustus and the Making of France, 1180-1223 30
SML2246 Intercultural Communication 15
SML2244 Multilingualism in Society 15
German Stage 2 Option Modules 2024-5 [see note e above]
MLG2003 Youth and Age: Generations in German Fiction and Film 15
MLG2018 Berlin - Culture, History and Politics 15
MLG2019 Gender, Race and Migration in 20th and 21st-century German Literature 15
SML2246 Intercultural Communication 15
SML2244 Multilingualism in Society 15
Italian Stage 2 Option Modules 2024-5 [see note e above]
MLI2019 Italian(s) in the World 15
HUM2005 Tales of Freedom, Necessity and Providence 15
MLI2004 From Page to Screen: The Italian Female Detective in Literature, Film, and Television 15
SML2246 Intercultural Communication 15
SML2244 Multilingualism in Society 15
Portuguese Stage 2 Option Modules 2024-5 [see note e above]
SML2004 Contemporary Latin American Cinema 15
SML2246 Intercultural Communication 15
SML2244 Multilingualism in Society 15
Russian Stage 2 Option Modules 2024-5 [see note e above]
MLR2023 A Russian Carnival of the Animals 15
MLR2026 The Deceptive City: the Creation of St Petersburg in Russian Literature 15
MLR2021 Understanding Russia 15
MLR2025 Imperfect Murder: Reading Crime and Punishment 15
SML2246 Intercultural Communication 15
SML2244 Multilingualism in Society 15
Spanish Stage 2 Option Modules 2024-5 [see note e above]
MLS2044 How to be a Knight: Political Lessons from 14th-Century Spain 15
MLS2072 Place and Identity in Contemporary Venezuelan Culture 15
SML2004 Contemporary Latin American Cinema 15
HIH2145A Spain from Absolutism to Democracy 30
MLS2045 Federico Garcia Lorca: Theatre and Poetry 15
MLS2061 The Latin American Short Story 15
MLS2073 Literary Non-Fiction in Argentina: When Writing Meets the Real 15
MLS2158 "What is Love? And Do I Need It?" An Introduction to Spanish Renaissance Love Poetry 15
SML2246 Intercultural Communication 15
SML2244 Multilingualism in Society 15

30 credits of compulsory Arabic, 30-60 credits of optional Arabic modules, 30-60 credits of compulsory Modern Languages modules, 30-60 credits of optional Modern Languages modules

Compulsory modules

Subject to selecting 120 credits in the stage you must:

f - select 30 credits of compulsory modules in your chosen language

CodeModule Credits
ARA3103 Advanced Arabic Language 30
Modern Languages Final Stage Compulsory Language Modules [see note f above]
MLM3111 Advanced Chinese Language Skills 30
MLF3111 Advanced French Language Skills 30
MLG3111 Advanced German Language Skills 30
MLI3111 Advanced Italian Language Skills 30
MLP3111 Advanced Portuguese Language Skills 30
MLR3111 Advanced Russian Language Skills 30
MLS3111 Advanced Spanish Language Skills 30

Optional modules

g - select 30 credits of ARA3 Arabic option modules from this list.

h - select 30 credits of optional modules consisting of content related to your chosen language; These are additional to SML3015. You may, alternatively, take SML3030. On the Modern Languages side of your programme, you may select a maximum of 15 credits of either the SML- or HUM-coded modules listed below for the year. Please note you may only select one dissertation module across the two programmes: either ARA3106 or SML3030

CodeModule Credits
Arabic Final Stage Option Modules 2024-5 [See note g above]
ARA3158 Armed Islamist Movements: Jihadism and Beyond 15
ARA3162 Britain in the Middle East, 1798-1977 15
ARA3106 Dissertation 30
ARA3198 European and US Democracy Assistance in the Middle East and North Africa 15
ARA3043 From "Home Lands" to "Host States": Migration, Displacement and Diaspora in the Middle East 15
ARA3200 Gender, Sexuality and Violence in Palestine/Israel 15
ARA3196 Independent Research 30
ARA3146 Iranian History, 1500 - the Present 15
ARA3129 Nationalisms in the Middle East 15
ARA3163 Politics and Reform in the Gulf 15
ARA3050 Race, Racism, Racialization (a view from the MENA) 15
ARA3197 The Arabian Nights: Perception and Reception 15
ARA3136 The History and Political Development of Iraq 15
ARA3140 The Kurds: History and Politics 15
ARA3108 The Politics of Authoritarian Rule 30
ARA3045 War, Violence and Revolution in the Modern Middle East 30
Chinese Final Stage Option Modules 2024-5 [See note h above]
HUM3015 The Place of Meaning: Gardens in Britain and China 15
SML3015 Dissertation 15
SML3013 Through the Language Lens: the Relationship between Language, Culture and the Mind 15
SML3043 Migration and Multilingualism 15
SML3041 Green Matters in Modern Languages and Cultures 15
MLM3008 Introduction to Modern Chinese Literature 15
SML3042 Transcultural Devon: Creating, Analysing and Subtitling Interviews in the Context of Migration 15
SML3009 Intercultural Communication in a Global World 15
HUM3002 Aliens Abroad: Science Fiction in Global Literature 15
SML3030 Extended Dissertation 30
French Final Stage Option Modules 2024-5 [See note h above]
SML3015 Dissertation 15
SML3030 Extended Dissertation 30
SML3013 Through the Language Lens: the Relationship between Language, Culture and the Mind 15
SML3043 Migration and Multilingualism 15
SML3041 Green Matters in Modern Languages and Cultures 15
MLF3034 Sociolinguistics of French 15
MLF3079 Sex, Subversion and Censorship: Libertine Literature in Seventeenth-Century France 15
MLF3007 Multilingualism, Audiovisual Translation and Power in Cinema-monde 15
MLF3078 Philosophers, Prophets, and Mystics in French Culture 15
MLF3046 Dialectology in France 15
MLF3080 Les Miserables from the Nineteenth Century to the Present Day 15
SML3042 Transcultural Devon: Creating, Analysing and Subtitling Interviews in the Context of Migration 15
SML3044 Migration in World Cinema 15
SML3009 Intercultural Communication in a Global World 15
German Final Stage Option Modules 2024-5 [See note h above]
MLG3040 Sex, Sciences and the Arts 15
SML3015 Dissertation 15
SML3013 Through the Language Lens: the Relationship between Language, Culture and the Mind 15
SML3034 Contemporary French Visual Culture 15
SML3041 Green Matters in Modern Languages and Cultures 15
MLG3036 Dictatorships on Display: History Exhibitions in Germany and Austria 15
SML3042 Transcultural Devon: Creating, Analysing and Subtitling Interviews in the Context of Migration 15
SML3009 Intercultural Communication in a Global World 15
SML3030 Extended Dissertation 30
Italian Final Stage Option Modules 2024-5 [See note h above]
MLI3199 Elena Ferrante's My Brilliant Friend 15
SML3015 Dissertation 15
SML3013 Through the Language Lens: the Relationship between Language, Culture and the Mind 15
SML3043 Migration and Multilingualism 15
SML3041 Green Matters in Modern Languages and Cultures 15
MLI3033 Multicultural Italy 15
HUM3002 Aliens Abroad: Science Fiction in Global Literature 15
SML3042 Transcultural Devon: Creating, Analysing and Subtitling Interviews in the Context of Migration 15
SML3009 Intercultural Communication in a Global World 15
SML3030 Extended Dissertation 30
Portuguese Final Stage Option Modules 2024-5 [See note h above]
SML3013 Through the Language Lens: the Relationship between Language, Culture and the Mind 15
SML3015 Dissertation 15
SML3043 Migration and Multilingualism 15
SML3041 Green Matters in Modern Languages and Cultures 15
SML3044 Migration in World Cinema 15
SML3014 Socialist Thought and Practice in Latin America and Africa 15
SML3042 Transcultural Devon: Creating, Analysing and Subtitling Interviews in the Context of Migration 15
SML3009 Intercultural Communication in a Global World 15
SML3030 Extended Dissertation 30
Russian Final Stage Option Modules 2024-5 [See note h above]
MLR3026 The Deceptive City: The Creation of St Petersburg in Russian Literature 15
MLR3123 A Russian Carnival of the Animals 15
SML3015 Dissertation 15
SML3013 Through the Language Lens: the Relationship between Language, Culture and the Mind 15
SML3043 Migration and Multilingualism 15
SML3041 Green Matters in Modern Languages and Cultures 15
MLR3021 Women Writers in Twentieth - century Russian Literure 30
MLR3025 Apocalypse/Utopia: The Russian Roots of Revolution 15
SML3009 Intercultural Communication in a Global World 15
SML3042 Transcultural Devon: Creating, Analysing and Subtitling Interviews in the Context of Migration 15
HUM3002 Aliens Abroad: Science Fiction in Global Literature 15
SML3030 Extended Dissertation 30
Spanish Final Stage Option Modules 2024-5 [See note h above]
MLS3037 Women and Feminism in 20th Century Spain 15
MLS3057 Cross Currents: Memory, Myth and Modernity in Latin America 15
MLS3071 The Chilean Road to Socialism (1970-1973): What Happened and Why? Elements for a Debate 15
SML3015 Dissertation 15
SML3013 Through the Language Lens: the Relationship between Language, Culture and the Mind 15
SML3043 Migration and Multilingualism 15
SML3041 Green Matters in Modern Languages and Cultures 15
MLS3072 Unlawful Sex: Sexualities on Trial in Medieval Spain 15
SML3031 Advanced Translation Skills 15
SML3009 Intercultural Communication in a Global World 15
SML3014 Socialist Thought and Practice in Latin America and Africa 15
SML3042 Transcultural Devon: Creating, Analysing and Subtitling Interviews in the Context of Migration 15
SML3044 Migration in World Cinema 15
HUM3002 Aliens Abroad: Science Fiction in Global Literature 15
SML3030 Extended Dissertation 30

International Study Placement

Study Abroad in Year 2

All undergraduate Arabic language students on a four-year programme spend their second year at one of our accredited Arabic language study centres.

The International Study Placement  is an integral part of the study of Arabic, advancing your knowledge of grammar and syntax as well as reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. It provides an excellent opportunity for students of Arabic to become immersed in Arabic society and culture, and to gain fluency in a spoken dialect of the Arabic Language.

International Study Placement destinations can obviously vary from year to year dependent on current events in the Middle East and North Africa.

All undergraduate Arabic language students on a four-year programme spend their second year at one of our accredited Arabic language study centres. These include:

Does it count towards my degree?

The International Study Placement is an assessed year and the marks obtained count towards your final degree classification. If you would like to arrange the year differently, you should first speak with the Programme Director for your language and/or the Study Abroad Officer.

How does it affect my tuition fee and funding?

For your International Study Placement you will pay a significantly reduced tuition fee to Exeter – for more information visit our fees pages. You will also continue to receive any Student Finance support for which you are eligible. Other financial support may also be available for certain students.

Fees

Tuition fees for 2025 entry

UK students: £9,250 per year
International students: £24,700 per year

Scholarships

The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students, such as our Global Excellence Scholarships*. Financial support is also available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.

* Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.

Find out more about tuition fees and scholarships

Learning and teaching

How will I learn?

Written language is taught through weekly classes, with teams of tutors, including native speakers who contribute to a programme aimed at grammar improvement and the development of advanced writing and translating skills. You’ll also have weekly oral practice in classes of eight to 10 students with native speakers of the language(s) that you are studying.

Modules

Teaching on our culture modules is varied: a class about linguistics takes a rather different form than a class about theatre or film, for instance. Most cultural modules involve a combination of lectures and seminars, backed up by smaller group work and web-based learning, via the University’s online learning environment. Between classes you prepare material, evidence and arguments, individually or in groups. Seminars are your chance to try out ideas, present material to other members of the group, and respond to new material based on the critical skills you’ve been taught.

How will I be assessed?

Coursework and exams (essays, source commentaries, research exercises, oral presentations), online assessment (for language and culture modules).​

Where will I study?

All language students have access to the language-learning facilities provided by the Language Centre.

Optional modules outside of this course

Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.

Proficiency in a second subject

If you complete 60 credits of modules in one of the subjects below, you may have the words 'with proficiency in [e.g. Social Data Science]' added to your degree title when you graduate.

  • A Foreign Language
  • Data Science
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Innovation
  • Law (Penryn Campus only)
  • Leadership
  • Management
  • Social Data Science

Find out more about proficiency options

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Your future

Employer-valued skills this course develops

A degree in Modern Languages and Arabic gives you an appreciation and understanding of the culture, history and language of the Middle East and French-speaking countries. You will develop analytical and research skills as well as an awareness of different interpretations of issues and events, develop opinions and use effective communication skills to put forward your ideas and conclusions. You will also develop your time-management skills. All these skills are valued by employers from many different fields and can open career paths in a wide variety of areas from academic research and government work to more commercially based careers in law and business.

Employer visits

We have a dedicated, award-winning Careers Service, with offices at our Streatham Campus, ensuring you have access to careers advisors, mentors and the tools you need to succeed in finding employment in your chosen field on graduation. We offer the Exeter Award and the Exeter Leaders Award which include employability-related workshops, skills events, volunteering and employment which will contribute to your career decision-making skills and success in the employment market. Our graduates compete very successfully in the employment market, with many employers targeting the University when recruiting new graduates. For further information please visit our Careers Service.

Career paths

Recent Graduates now working as*:

  • European Funding Officer
  • Trilingual Fraud Specialist
  • Insurance Broker
  • Marketing and Communications Officer
  • Reporter
  • TV Researcher

Recent Graduates now working for*:

  • Civil Service
  • Bloomberg
  • Challenges Worldwide
  • Ernst & Young
  • Cancer Research UK
  • Hugo Boss

*This information has been taken from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) Surveys 14/15, 15/16, and 16/17. Please note that, due to data protection, the job titles and organisations are listed independently and do not necessarily correspond.

Further study

A Modern Languages degree is also excellent preparation for postgraduate study, and recent graduates have progressed to a range of courses, including:

  • MA Translation Studies
  • MA Global Literatures and Cultures
  • MA European Politics
  • Graduate Diploma in Law
  • PGCE Secondary French
  • MA International Relations
  • MSc Globalisation and Latin American Development
  • Professional Language Skills

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An image of a globe on a stand, depicted through a line drawing, showcasing the continents and countries of the world.

Year abroad spent studying at a partner university or in employment