Program Overview

Study a modern language, and gain a broader view of the contemporary world’s most pressing problems, with our BA Modern Languages and International Relations degree.

This highly flexible degree enables you to study a modern language – choosing from our core languages of French, German, Italian and Spanish – alongside your studies in international relations.

Taught by experts from the Department of Languages and Cultures and the Department of Politics and International Relations, you’ll acquire transferable skills with an international focus.

Throughout, you’ll be encouraged to follow your interests as they develop and tailor your learning to your career goals.

Learn a language
At the University of Reading, you’ll join a lively, multilingual community and study alongside students from all over the world.

Learn from internationally recognised researchers whose wide-ranging expertise includes migration, literature, history, cinema, linguistics, publishing, and translation. 98% of our research overall is classed as world leading (Research Excellence Framework 2014 - Modern Languages and Linguistics).

Choose to study one of our four core languages:

• French
• German
• Italian
• Spanish

These languages are offered at beginner’s, intermediate or advanced level, depending on your experience.

Our flexible, supportive teaching style will enable you to become confident and highly skilled in your chosen core language. You will master the fundamentals of the language – both written and spoken – graduating with near-native command.

Direct access to our staff for help and feedback ensures you develop your language skills to the best of your ability. 89% of our students agreed that staff are good at explaining things in the Department of Languages and Cultures [1].

The study of language includes cultural modules that develop your understanding of the cultures of the countries in which the language is spoken, from their literary and cinematic traditions to their history, politics and linguistics. As well as complementing your joint studies, this enables you to develop as a specialist with an international, comparative approach.

Optional modules also include introductory study of one of the following languages (subject to approval and availability):

• Arabic
• British Sign Language
• Chinese (Mandarin)
• French
• German
• Italian
• Modern Greek
• Japanese