Modern Languages (Hons) University of Portsmouth

Overview

On this Modern Languages (Hons) degree course from University of Portsmouth  you'll have the choice to work towards fluency in one or two of the following languages:

• French – spoken by 321 million people worldwide

• German – spoken by 95 million people worldwide

• Spanish – spoken by 595 million people worldwide

• Mandarin Chinese – spoken by 1.4 billion people worldwide

Add a second or third language via our Institution-Wide Language Programme to choose from Arabic, British Sign Language, French, German, Mandarin Chinese or Spanish.  

Boost your language and cultural awareness with an optional year abroad on a study or work placement, in a country or region that speaks your chosen language. Previous students have experienced life in Germany, Spain, China, Taiwan, Uruguay, Chile or Senegal.

Career opportunities

As early as 2014, UK Trade and Investment reported that the UK's lack of language skills was leading to a 3.5% loss in national income through trade. This highlights the need UK companies have for bilingual and multilingual employees.

Fast forward to a post-pandemic 2021, the opportunity to work remotely from anywhere in the world has dramatically increased and globalization of trade continues to grow (according to the DHL Global Connectedness Index). The professional language skills you develop on this course could set you apart in a global job market, whether you plan to work in the UK after graduation or pursue a career abroad.

What jobs can you do with a modern languages degree?

Roles you could go onto include:

• bilingual consultant

• multilingual project coordinator translator

• translator/interpreter

• diplomat

• journalist

• tourist guide

• market analyst

What areas can you work in with a modern languages degree?

This degree broadens your options so you can pursue almost any career. Learning a second language is useful in all sectors, including:

• marketing

• journalism and the media

• international management

• translation and interpreting

• teaching

• tourism

• finance

You could also continue your studies at postgraduate level with a Master's in a subject such as Translation Studies or Applied Linguistics and TESOL.