Modern Languages and History, BA (Hons)

Study Modern Languages and History

Student in Modern Languages Translation lab

Course Overview

Put your fascination with the past to good use by studying Modern Languages and History at Swansea University. You’ll build skills, valued across a range of sectors, while exploring the human condition across significant historical periods.

Our Modern Languages and History programme explores subjects including women’s history and gender, as well as British social history and the history of Europe. You will also study the rich diversity of your chosen language (French, German, or Spanish), at a level suitable to your existing knowledge, as well as modules in cultural studies, film, history, and language teaching.

Studying this degree opens up a range of exciting career opportunities by helping you to develop skills such as communication, cultural awareness and analytical thinking, which are highly valued by employers.

Our programme can be studied across three years, or you can extend your studies by a year, to undertake a Year Abroad or Year in Industry. These additional options further enhance your student experience by giving you access to unique cultural insights and skill-based opportunities.

Why Modern Languages and History at Swansea?

Based on our coastal Singleton Park Campus, you will be located in beautiful parkland overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula.

Modern Languages at Swansea consistently ranks highly, and is currently:

  • 1st in the UK for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2026)
  • 4th in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction (Guardian University Guide 2026)
  • 5th in the UK Overall (Guardian University Guide 2026), and has
  • 100% Overall Satisfaction* (NSS 2025)

*Assessed under ‘Linguistics’, (Q28, NSS 2025)

Our History course at Swansea University is also highly regarded by students and employers:

  • 94% of History graduates are in employment and/or study, or doing other activities such as travelling, 15 months after leaving Swansea University (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025)

Your Modern Languages and History Experience

This programme has an interdisciplinary structure that builds meaningful connections between the two subject areas. In year 1, you will build foundational knowledge across language, culture, linguistics and historical research methods. Year 2 introduces specialist modules across history, heritage, human rights and culture, allowing you to deepen your expertise. In year 3, you will undertake an independent dissertation on a topic of your choice, alongside advanced modules.

You will be encouraged to take responsibility for your own learning, to work independently, as well as with others, to act professionally, and to master new skills. Throughout the course you will also have a personal tutor to support you in meeting your goals.

The programme offers a wide range of placement opportunities that are designed to enhance language acquisition, historical knowledge, intercultural awareness and professional development. These include:

  • Teaching placements, offered primarily through the British Council English Language Assistant Programme, providing valuable classroom experience, while immersing you in the linguistic and cultural life of the host country
  • Study placements through a well-established network of partner institutions across France, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, Germany and Austria, aimed at developing your language proficiency
  • Short paid placements, in areas such as project management, event planning or communication
  • An optional history placement module that enables you to gain workplace experience in relevant settings, introducing you to key professional skills

This programme also includes the opportunity to undertake a Semester Abroad (spent in locations such as the USA, Canada, China, Hong Kong or Singapore) or a Year Abroad (spent in locations such as America, Canada, Australia or Europe), enhancing your learning and offering invaluable life experience. 
 
Alternatively, you could spend a Year in Industry, in the UK or overseas, enabling you to gain valuable workplace experience. The University advocates for paid-only placements, which on average have a salary of over £20,000. Unpaid placements are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Modern Languages and History Employment Opportunities

Graduates of this programme will have a wide range of career opportunities across industry and academia. These will be in areas such as publishing, education, cultural institutions, heritage, media, policy, and international organisations, where skills in critical analysis, research and communication are highly valued.

The programme also leads to further study, at master’s or PhD level, in fields including history, languages, translation, international relations, and related disciplines that benefit from the synergy between languages, cultural knowledge and historical research.

Our graduates go on to work in a wide range of sectors, including:

  • Education
  • Media and Public Relations
  • Heritage and Museums
  • Business and Management
  • Public Services

Modules

We're currently reviewing our curriculum to enhance your learning experience and embed skills that will benefit your future career. This means that some modules may be subject to change.

Entry Requirements

We consider all applicants on their own merits and welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications.

Modern Languages and History, BA (Hons)

Modern Languages and History with a Year Abroad, BA (Hons)

Modern Languages and History with a Year in Industry, BA (Hons)