Program Overview

You'll study one or two languages of your choice - French, German, Italian or Spanish - and work with staff who are native speakers to build advanced language skills. Gain expertise in culture, society, politics and business. Find out more about our language options.

Study, teach or work in a French, German, Italian or Spanish-speaking country on your Year Abroad to build your fluency and develop essential skills to get you career-ready. You can also take an extracurricular module in a language at any stage or take a full year in a language.

Why study Modern Languages with a Year Abroad at Kent?

• Choice: Follow a career-orientated route with the languages of your choice - French, German, Italian, and Spanish - or choose one language with Management in our BA Modern Languages and Management with a Year Abroad
• Get career-ready: Immerse yourself in language and culture on your Year Abroad, getting the skills employers look for
• Mix language with culture: Develop your language skills alongside options including linguistics, history, politics, visual culture and film
• Expert teaching: Benefit from our Language Centre with modern language-learning facilities, expert native teachers, and leading researchers
• Get involved: join our language societies, catch a foreign-language film in the on-campus cinema, or become a mentor in a local school
• Be supported: receive individually focused support through your dedicated academic advisor

What our students say

“I’ve loved all my modules. Sociolinguistics has been my favourite – we study the sociological aspects of the French language, such as regional variations and slang. I really enjoy the oral seminars too – I have a native French teacher, who is really enthusiastic, really fun!”

Gaby Emson, Modern Languages student

What you'll study

In your first year you will take introductory modules in one or two languages of your choice, corresponding to your level. You’ll also explore cultures, heritage and business. Optional module choices include European cinema, politics, and literature.

In your second and final years, you’ll study your chosen language/s at intermediate and advanced levels, and then delve into a range of modules from languages in the classroom to culture and heritage.

Optional choices cover a wide range of topics, from European business to history, travel writing to the analysis of European music. You can also choose to work on a project or dissertation on a topic of your choice, under the supervision of one of our academics, experts in their field.

Your year abroad is a great opportunity to show future employers that you can adapt to a new environment. You'll develop personally, academically and professionally, whilst experiencing a different culture, gain a new academic perspective, and create your own international network.