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Undergraduate Study

BA Philosophy and Modern Languages

UCAS code VR04
Duration 4 years
Entry year 2024
Campus Streatham Campus
Discipline Philosophy
Contact

Web: Enquire online
Phone: +44 (0)1392 723192

Typical offer

View full entry requirements

A levels: AAB - ABB
IB: 34/665 - 32/655
BTEC: DDD - DDM

Contextual offers

A-Level: BBB-BBC
IB: 30/555-28/554
BTEC: DDM-DMM

Overview

  • Discuss and explore long-standing, philosophical questions on the nature of science, reality, ethics, art and beauty, and the mind-body relationship
  • You’ll develop strong written and spoken skills in your modern language whilst gaining an understanding of other cultures and spend your third year studying and or working abroad developing your language skills
  • Our broad range of optional modules in your second and third years gives you the flexibility to tailor your degree to your interests and career ambitions
  • Get involved with the Philosophy and various Language student societies, make friends, attend socials and seminars and hear from guest speakers
  • Get ready for your future career by developing a range of skills valued by a wide range of employers from the media to teaching and the public, private and charity sectors

Top 10 in the UK for Philosophy

7th in The Complete University Guide 2024

Commitment to interdisciplinary teaching and research

90% of graduates in or due to start employment or further study fifteen months after graduation

Based on full-time, first degree, UK domiciled graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes survey 2019/20

Opportunities to study abroad

Entry requirements (typical offer)

Qualification Typical offer Required subjects
A-Level AAB-ABB Dependent on subjects chosen
IB 34/665-32/655 Dependent on subjects chosen
BTEC DDD-DDM Dependent on subjects chosen
GCSE C or 4 English Language
Access to HE 30 L3 Credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade - 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
Contextual Offer

A-Level: BBB-BBC
IB: 30/555-28/554
BTEC: DDM-DMM

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

Other UK, EU and International equivalences

View UK, EU and International equivalences

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 B. 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

Languages and levels available for Combined Honours courses

I want to study a new language at beginner level alongside my other subject (excluding programmes with Arabic)

Modern Languages requirements No previous language qualifications required. We strongly recommend that students who want to start a languages degree with no previous linguistic experience should contact us.
Advanced level languages available n/a
Beginners level languages available Chinese (Mandarin); French; German; Italian; Portuguese; Russian; Spanish

I want to study my A level (or equivalent) language at advanced level alongside my other subject (including programmes with Arabic)

Modern Languages requirements A level grade B or IB HL 5 (or equivalent) in the language chosen at advanced level
Advanced level languages available French; German; Italian; Russian; Spanish
Beginners level languages available n/a

Completing your UCAS form

In the section named ‘further details’ on your UCAS application form please indicate in the ‘choices’ field the language and route you wish to study using the abbreviations below, separated by a space:

French Fren
Chinese (Mandarin) Chin
German Germ
Italian Ital
Portuguese Port
Russian Russ
Spanish Span

Read more

Course content

The Philosophy and Modern Languages degree programme is made up of compulsory (core) and optional modules, which are worth 15 or 30 credits each. Full-time undergraduate students need to complete modules worth a total of 120 credits each year.

Depending on your programme you can take up to 30 credits each year in another subject, for instance a language or business module, to develop career-related skills or just widen your intellectual horizons. However this is not normally available for Combined Honours programmes which feature a language.

The third year is spent abroad.

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.

Fees

Tuition fees for 2024 entry

UK students: £9,250 per year
International students: £23,700 per year

Scholarships

The University of Exeter has over £2.5 million in scholarships available for students applying to study with us in 2023 - including our Global Excellence Scholarships* for international fee paying students and financial support 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?

Philosophy

We use a wide range of teaching methods as well as encouraging independent study with an increasing emphasis on seminar discussion and project work in your second and third years. Teaching includes:

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Group work
  • Project work
  • Tutorials
  • Independent study

You will also have access to personal and subject tutors who will give you the individual help and guidance you need to succeed.

Modern Languages

In Modern Languages our teaching aims not to just improve your production and comprehension of the language but also help to develop your language-learning skills.

  • Written language taught through weekly classes of about 18 students
  • Weekly oral practice in classes of around eight with native speakers

You will also have access to personal and subject tutors who will give you the individual help and guidance you need to succeed.

How will I be assessed?

  • Essays and projects
  • Practical assignments
  • Oral language tasks
  • Field work notebooks

You must pass your first year modules in order to proceed but your performance at this level does not count towards your final degree classification.

The Foreign Language Centre

All language students have access to the language-learning facilities provided by the Language Centre, which include satellite television channels in each of our languages and audio, computer and multi-media language-learning packages

 

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
  • Law
  • Social Data Science
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Leadership

Find out more about proficiency options

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Your future

Develop skills valued by employers

Philosophy degrees are popular with employers because they produce students who think analytically and creatively and know how to relate to people. You will develop a range of professional, academic and personal skills that are good preparation for a number of careers including in the media, public sector, legal profession, business and management.

  • Analytical, critical and independent thinking
  • Independent research
  • Discussion and group work
  • Collecting, assessing and presenting evidence
  • Written and verbal communication
  • Articulating ideas and arguments
  • Organising, planning and time management

Career paths

The broad range of transferable skills gained on a Philosophy and Modern Languages degree enable graduates to pursue further study or employment in a wide range of careers including:

  • Teaching, research and academia
  • Local or national government
  • The Civil Service
  • Business and finance
  • Charities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the UK and abroad
  • Marketing and public relations
  • Management and administration
  • Translating/Interpreting

Further study

A Philosophy and Modern Languages degree is also excellent preparation for postgraduate study, and recent graduates have progressed to a range of courses, including: MA European Politics, Graduate Diploma in Law, PGCE Secondary French, MA International Relations, MSc Globalisation and Latin American Development and MA Translation and Professional Language Skills.

Exeter Award and Exeter Leaders Award

Many of our students participate in the Exeter Award and Exeter Leaders Award. These schemes encourage you to participate in employability related workshops, skills events, volunteering and employment which will contribute to your career decision-making skills and success in the employment market.

Developing your skills and career prospects

We provide a range of support to help you develop skills attractive to employers. You will be able to access a range of specific activities such as careers skills sessions and employer-led events, or seek bespoke advice and support from Employability Officers.

The Career Zone also organises a busy schedule of activities including careers fairs, skills workshops, and training events, and can advise on graduate opportunities and volunteering.

 

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