Applied Languages (Chinese, French, German, Spanish, English as a Foreign Language) BA (Hons)
University of Portsmouth
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.2) View reviews

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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

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Location

Main Site

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

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Duration

4 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Location

Main Site

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

4 Years

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English
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A level
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Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
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Course info

**Overview**This BA (Hons) Applied Languages degree course will transform your passion for learning languages into professional communication and linguistic skills.Study how language works, including specialist topics such as linguistics, communication theory and managing across cultures, in preparation for professional roles in areas such as a translation, interpreting, teaching and tourism. You can choose to study either:- Two languages at advanced level: chosen from French, German, Spanish ...Read more


Overview

This BA (Hons) Applied Languages degree course will transform your passion for learning languages into professional communication and linguistic skills.Study how language works, including specialist topics such as linguistics, communication theory and managing across cultures, in preparation for professional roles in areas such as a translation, interpreting, teaching and tourism. You can choose to study either:- Two languages at advanced level: chosen from French, German, Spanish and/or English as a foreign language- Two languages at different levels: one language at advanced level (chosen from French, German, Spanish or English as a foreign language) and one language at beginner level (chosen from French, German, Mandarin Chinese or Spanish)More than 60% of adults from the European Union can speak a second language, compared to less than half of the UK population (according to Eurostat 2016). When you graduate, you'll stand out in a population where language skills are lagging behind the rest of the world.


Course highlights

- In year three, study or work abroad in two different countries where your chosen languages are spoken, immersing yourself in their culture so you can build a career across borders- Choose to specialise in one of four areas, or mix and match:- teaching and education- translation and interpreting- culture and linguistics- business and industry- Produce your own translations and build up interpreting experience in real and simulated work environments, so you can prove your skills to employers- Have the opportunity to study a third language from Arabic, British Sign Language, French, German, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese or Spanish


Options to customise your degree

If you're interested in a career in teaching, you can choose to enhance your degree with additional, widely recognised qualifications in Initial Teacher Training (ITT) or Teaching English as a foreign language


Careers and opportunities

You’ll graduate as a skilled multi-linguist, ready to take on roles across a range of fields.There’s a growing demand for high quality translators and interpreters – the Association of Translation Companies advised that interpreters be added to the UK government's Shortage Occupation List while Wolfestone has called the UK's foreign language skills shortage 'an unspeakable disaster'. There's also a growing need for intercultural awareness and communication skills in business. The British Council has stated that "an understanding of other cultures and languages will continue to be important for successful international relationships at all levels" (Languages for the Future, 2017).What areas can you work in with an applied languages degree?As the world becomes more closely connected through trade, entertainment, tourism and communications, organisations need employees who can communicate effectively in two or more languages.You might specialise in a field such as law, finance or medicine, or in environments such as courtrooms, councils and police centres.This degree broadens your options so you can pursue almost any career. Being multilingual is useful in all sectors, including:- journalism and the media- international management- translation and interpreting- teaching- tourism- finance- marketingYou could also continue your studies at postgraduate level with a Master's in a subject such as Translation Studies or Applied Linguistics and TESOL.Whatever career you pursue, our Careers and Employability service will give support and advice for 5 years after you graduate.

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
48/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
76th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
49th
Others in Language and Area Studies
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 85 = 15% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
15%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
95%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Others in Language and Area Studies graduate salary at this uni
£20,000
UK Others in Language and Area Studies graduate salary
£20,000
What students say
E
Emilie
22 Feb 25

I like Portsmouth as a city, it's not too big and it's right next to the sea, so for someone who loves the beach, it's a great option. However, the university isn't on a campus,..Read more

S
salvatore
08 Nov 23

Great support, lovely teachers and staff. Could be improved by having more organization during assessment periods, avoiding to overload students with a lot of work to submit all..Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
Modules (Year 4)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

BCC - BBC Grades / Points required

Scottish Higher:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Scottish Advanced Higher:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

UCAS Tariff:

104 - 112 Grades / Points required

Access to HE Diploma:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

25 Grades / Points required

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017):

H3,H3,H3,H4,H4 - H3,H3,H3,H3,H4 Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

104-112 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, to include 32 points from an A level in a Modern Foreign Language (French, German, Spanish, or English as a Foreign Language).

Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.

104-112 Tariff points to include a minimum of 2 Advanced Highers, to include a Modern Foreign Language (French, German, Spanish, or English as a Foreign Language) at grade D.

104-112 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent, to include 32 points from a Modern Foreign Language (French, German, Spanish, or English as a Foreign Language).

106-112 Tariff points from the Access to HE Diploma (Language based).

Cambridge Pre-U score of 44-46, to include a Principal Subject in a Modern Foreign Language (French, German, Spanish, or English as a Foreign Language) at M3.

25 points from the IB Diploma, to include 3 Higher Level subjects, with 5 points from a Higher Level in a Modern Foreign Language (French, German, Spanish, or English as a Foreign Language).

To include a Higher Level Modern Foreign Language (French, German, Spanish, or English as a Foreign Language) at H3.

Acceptable when combined with other qualifications. Must be with a Modern Foreign Language qualification.

Acceptable when combined with other qualifications. Must be with a Modern Foreign Language qualification.

Acceptable when combined with other qualifications. Must be with a Modern Foreign Language qualification.

104-112 points from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate including 1 A level to include 32 points from a Modern Foreign Language (French, German, Spanish, or English as a Foreign Language), plus the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate.

Popular A-level subjects

Others in Language and Area Studies

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

French
38%
Spanish
37%
History
18%
Psychology
14%
Biology
13%
HESA

Latest reviews

Latest English As A Foreign Language (EFL) reviews

English As A Foreign Language (EFL)
English As A Foreign Language (EFL)
Language Studies
E
Emilie
22 Feb 25
Applied Languages (Chinese, French, German, Spanish, English as a Foreign Language) BA (Hons)
I like Portsmouth as a city, it's not too big and it's right next to the sea, so for someone who loves the beach, it's a great option. However, the university isn't on a campus,...
Read more
S
salvatore
08 Nov 23
Applied Languages (Chinese, French, German, Spanish, English as a Foreign Language) BA (Hons)
Great support, lovely teachers and staff. Could be improved by having more organization during assessment periods, avoiding to overload students with a lot of work to submit all...
Read more
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Uni info

University of Portsmouth
University of Portsmouth , Portsmouth

The University of Portsmouth is located in the centre of the UK’s only island city....

Student rating
( 4.2) View reviews
CUG ranking
49th
University of Portsmouth
University House Winston Churchill Avenue Portsmouth PO1 2UP United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Portsmouth & Southsea  0.1 miles away

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