Please note the course details apply to 2025 entry. Details for 2026 entry for our undergraduate courses will be published from September 2025.
Unlock the world with a Modern Languages BA that allows you to study one or two languages and their related cultures. You’ll gain the knowledge and skills you need to join the next generation of leading European and global citizens. You can choose whether to study French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, or a combination of two languages. Should you decide to study a combination of two languages, the ab initio pathway will get you to fluency without any previous experience in that second language. You’ll develop advanced language skills thanks to teaching from native speakers and leading experts. An exceptionally wide choice of modules will give you a solid grounding in key aspects of literary, historical and cultural studies while also allowing you the flexibility to tailor your studies to suit your own interests. Your language learning and intercultural competence will be accelerated by a year abroad when you will immerse yourself in the culture and society of a French, German, Portuguese or Spanish-speaking country.
“Studying at King’s has allowed me to explore my subjects in so much more depth. Not only does the course provide a wide array of topics, such as history, philosophy and cinema, but there are countless opportunities available outside of the course, such as writing for the French and German magazines, or participating in the German play. ”
This Modern Languages BA lets you focus on studying French, Spanish, German, and Portuguese. You can combine two languages if you wish— and you don’t need any experience in the second language if you take the ab initio pathway. You’ll develop your language skills from native speakers while you’ll learn about the cultures from your cultural studies classes. You’ll get to study anything from politics, literature and film to philosophy and beyond. You will also develop a range of transferable skills during your Modern Language BA, including literary and film analysis, communication, presentation, academic writing, research, translation and intercultural competence. As one of the oldest modern language programmes in the country, you’ll have the opportunity to tap into a range of experts whose specialisms go as far back as Medieval literature. This depth and breadth of authority means you’ll have exciting modules to choose from for every year that you study modern languages at King’s. No matter which language you choose, you may also be able to pick up extra modules from the Modern Language Centre to learn another language from a list of 29, including Mandarin, Farsi, and Russian. You will also get to decide whether to take a dissertation at the end of your BA or study an additional module to make up the credits. When it comes to your year abroad, you’ll get to choose whether to study as an exchange student at a partner university, work as a language assistant teaching English, or undertake an approved work placement. You may even choose to split your year between two countries if you wish.
Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.
Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.
On this programme, you will have the opportunity to apply to study abroad, supported by the Study Abroad Tutor in your department and King’s Global Mobility Office. Together with partner organisations around the world, you will be supported in navigating your international, educational journey, developing new skills and competences and learning to apply different perspectives to your chosen discipline.
Students will be supported through innovative digital education tools to discover meaningful work experience for themselves, including internships, insight programmes, which you can undertake alongside your studies.
King's College London and Affiliates
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels.
Must include grade B in at least one of French, German, Spanish or Portuguese, dependent on the pathway chosen. Single language pathways: French with a Year Abroad: French Spanish with a Year Abroad: Spanish German with a Year Abroad: German Combined language pathways: (French and German) with a Year Abroad: French or German (French and Portuguese) with a Year Abroad: French or Portuguese (French and Spanish) with a Year Abroad: French or Spanish (German and Portuguese) with a Year Abroad: German or Portuguese (German and Spanish) with a Year Abroad: German or Spanish (Portuguese and Spanish) with a Year Abroad: Portuguese or Spanish Notes: If you are taking linear A Levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical component. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.
BBC Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels. Must include grade Bin at least one of French, German, Spanish or Portuguese, dependent on the pathway chosen. Single language pathways: French with a Year Abroad: French Spanish with a Year Abroad: Spanish German with a Year Abroad: German Combined language pathways: (French and German) with a Year Abroad: French or German (French and Portuguese) with a Year Abroad: French or Portuguese (French and Spanish) with a Year Abroad: French or Spanish (German and Portuguese) with a Year Abroad: German or Portuguese (German and Spanish) with a Year Abroad: German or Spanish (Portuguese and Spanish) with a Year Abroad: Portuguese or Spanish Notes: If you are taking linear A Levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical component. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.
33 points overall or an aggregate score of 16 from three Higher Levels
Must include Higher Level in at least one of French, German, Spanish or Portuguese. Note: The total point score of 33 includes TOK/EE.
31 points overall or an aggregate score of 14 from three Higher Levels Must include Higher Level in at least one of French, German, Spanish or Portuguese. Note: The total point score of 31 includes TOK/EE.
Language Requirement
For applicants who meet the standard Level 3 requirements but have not studied their preferred language at the required academic level, we can accept the following language qualifications:
(Note: this must be obtained in addition to the qualifications listed above)
French: DELF/DALF pass at B2
German: TestDAF level 3 (TDN3) in all 4 components
Spanish: DELE pass at B2
Portuguese: CAPLE
Applicants who wish to study two languages on this programme can take the Ab initio route for their second language.
Language Pathways
Applicants do not need to specify their language preference on their application.
Successful offer-holders will be contacted early in the summer to complete an online form detailing their language pathway preferences. Eligibility for an applicant's preferred pathway will be determined upon receipt of final results in the summer.
The different pathway requirements are listed below for reference.
| Pathway |
Subject requirements |
| BA Modern Languages (French) with a Year Abroad | French |
| BA Modern Languages (German) with a Year Abroad | German |
| BA Modern Languages (Spanish) with a Year Abroad |
Spanish |
| BA Modern Languages (French and German) with a Year Abroad | French and German |
| BA Modern Languages (French and German ab initio) with a Year Abroad |
French |
| BA Modern Languages (French ab initio and German) with a Year Abroad |
German |
| BA Modern Languages (French and Portuguese) with a Year Abroad |
French and Portuguese |
| BA Modern Languages (French and Portuguese ab initio) with a Year Abroad |
French |
| BA Modern Languages (French ab initio and Portuguese) with a Year Abroad |
Portuguese |
| BA Modern Languages (French and Spanish) with a Year Abroad |
French and Spanish |
| BA Modern Languages (French and Spanish ab initio) with a Year Abroad |
French |
| BA Modern Languages (French ab initio and Spanish) with a Year Abroad |
Spanish |
| BA Modern Languages (German and Portuguese) with a Year Abroad |
German and Portuguese |
| BA Modern Languages (German and Portuguese ab initio) with a Year Abroad |
German |
| BA Modern Languages (German ab initio and Portuguese) with a Year Abroad |
Portuguese |
| BA Modern Languages (German and Spanish) with a Year Abroad |
German and Spanish |
| BA Modern Languages (German and Spanish ab initio) with a Year Abroad |
German |
| BA Modern Languages (German ab initio and Spanish) with a Year Abroad |
Spanish |
| BA Modern Languages (Portuguese and Spanish) with a Year Abroad |
Portuguese and Spanish |
| BA Modern Languages (Portuguese and Spanish ab initio) with a Year Abroad |
Portuguese |
| BA Modern Languages (Portuguese ab initio and Spanish) with a Year Abroad |
Spanish |
The Access to Higher Education Diploma must be 60 credits in total.
Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits overall: 30 credits must be from units awarded at Distinction, with 15 at Merit. The Access to Higher Education Diploma must include at least 15 Level 3 credits in at least one of French, German, Spanish or Portuguese awarded at Distinction. Alternatively, applicants can provide an additional Level 3 Qualification to meet the Language subject requirement (A Level or equivalent). The Access to Higher Education Diploma must be in a relevant subject - Humanities or similar - to be considered.
The Access to Higher Education Diploma must be 60 credits in total. Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits overall: 27 credits must be from units awarded at Distinction, with 18 at Merit, and 3 at Pass. The Access to Higher Education Diploma must include at least 15 Level 3 credits in at least one of French, German, Spanish or Portuguese awarded at Distinction. Alternatively, applicants can provide an additional Level 3 Qualification to meet the Language subject requirement (A Level or equivalent). The Access to Higher Education Diploma must be in a relevant subject - Humanities or similar - to be considered.
Course specific subject requirements are indicated in subject requirements above
English language band: B
Please note that nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries (as defined by UKVI) who have successfully completed high school in the respective country, are not required to complete an English language test. For information on our English requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
Year Abroad
The year abroad is a compulsory component of our undergraduate language programmes and all students are expected to take part in it. However, students can be exempted at the department’s discretion due to mitigating circumstances. Unfortunately we are unable to guarantee exemption prior to enrolment, but applicants are able to contact the department for an initial consultation.
Contextual consideration
We make contextual offers for this programme, which can be found in the entry requirements. As part of the assessment process, we take into account contextual information to gain a more complete picture of each application. More information can be found on the Contextualised admissions website.
Deferrals
Applications can be submitted for deferred entry by choosing the appropriate year of entry on the UCAS application.
If your circumstances change and, therefore, you need to request a deferral after an offer has been made, then we can generally permit these for this programme. However, each deferral request will be considered on a case-by-case basis and we reserve the right to decline any post-offer deferral request. Requests should be submitted via a message on King’s Apply with an explanation of the reason for making the request.
Please note, second deferral requests will only be considered where the request is due to extreme unforeseen extenuating circumstances, for example, health reasons. We are unable to permit deferral requests that go beyond two years and you would need to apply again. This is with the exception of deferrals which are due to military/national service.
Foundation courses
Applicants studying Foundation Year programmes in the UK are welcome to apply for this programme. Foundation programmes from other universities and further education providers in the UK are considered on a case-by-case basis. Whether or not we can consider a particular foundation year as suitable for study at King's depends on the content of the syllabus and modules studied. In the past we have accepted foundation programmes from a number of other institutions.
We are unable to accept Foundation programmes that are integrated as part of a main degree at another institution. These may be called Year 0 or Integrated Foundations. We are also unable to accept non-UK Foundation courses.
Once you have submitted an application, the Admissions Office may contact you via King's Apply to ask for further details on your qualification, such as a list of modules and course specifications.
The King's International Foundation Programme has guaranteed pathways available for progression onto our King's undergraduate degree programmes, and information can be found on the website.
Graduates
Our general entry requirements are based on A-level or equivalent. However, where an applicant is completing/has completed a degree, we are able to consider the degree study as part of the assessment of the application.
Generally, we would consider a minimum of a UK Bachelor degree with a 2:1 grade profile (or overseas equivalent) as meeting the entry requirements for our undergraduate degrees. However, those who have achieved/are predicted a high 2:1 or a First may be considered more competitive.
Where a programme has subject requirements, these will still need to have been met. If you have not met the subject requirements via A-level (or equivalent) then we may be able to consider the content within your degree. We would be looking for significant study of the subject across the degree programme with a 2:1 or above grading on those modules.
Once you have submitted an application, the Admissions Office may contact you via King's Apply to ask for further details on your degree study.
Personal Statement
Your personal statement is one of the many factors in the overall assessment of your application, and is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the university and inform us of your commitment to the programme and how the programme fits into your career plans, as well as any work experience or extracurricular activities you have done.
Resits
We are able to consider applicants who have retaken or are retaking their qualifications.
Transfers
Transfers into this programme are not permitted.
If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, we can help with our Foundation year courses.
If you have an offer from King's, but English isn't your first language, we have courses to help you.
Modules are taught by leading academics through a combination of lectures, small seminars or tutorials, and expert one-to-one supervision. Language classes target oral and written competency, specific skills such as translation, and involve in-depth work with different kinds of media, literary and academic texts.
Teaching is in both English and the language(s) studied, according to the subject area. Our teaching style is interactive; you will participate informally in small group discussions, in seminars or online discussion platforms, and formally through seminar presentations and oral assessments.
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include coursework and assessed essays; language assignments (written, oral, aural); individual or group-based presentations; year abroad project work; examinations; and dissertation. You will also have a variety of formative assessments (not for credit) throughout your programme.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
Courses are divided into modules. Each year you will normally take modules totalling 120 credits.
This is a four-year degree course in which you will take a combination of required and optional modules to total 360 credits.
You are required to take the following modules:
Students will take a total of 120 credits of modules from the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures.
French Pathway
You are required to take the following language modules:
German Pathway
You are required to take the following language modules:
Spanish pathway
You are required to take the following language modules:
French and German with a Year Abroad pathway
French
You are required to take ONE of the following language modules, depending on linguistic competence in French:
AND TWO of the following literature modules, depending on linguistic competence in French:
German
You are required to take ONE of the following language modules, depending on linguistic competence in German:
AND TWO of the following literature modules, depending on linguistic competence in German:
French and Portuguese with a Year Abroad pathway
French
You are required to take ONE of the following language modules, depending on linguistic competence in French:
AND TWO of the following literature modules, depending on linguistic competence in French:
Portuguese
You are required to take ONE of the following language modules, depending on linguistic competence in Portuguese:
AND
French and Spanish with a Year Abroad pathway
French
You are required to take ONE of the following language modules, depending on linguistic competence in French:
AND TWO of the following literature modules, depending on linguistic competence in French:
Spanish
You are required to take ONE of the following language modules, depending on linguistic competence in Spanish:
You are required to take ONE of the following language modules, depending on linguistic competence in Spanish:
AND
German and Portuguese with Year Abroad pathway
German
You are required to take ONE of the following language modules, depending on linguistic competence in German:
AND TWO of the following literature modules, depending on linguistic competence in German:
Portuguese
You are required to take ONE of the following language modules, depending on linguistic competence in Portuguese:
AND
German and Spanish with Year Abroad pathway
German
You are required to take ONE of the following language modules, depending on linguistic competence in German:
AND TWO of the following literature modules, depending on linguistic competence in German:
Spanish
You are required to take ONE of the following language modules, depending on linguistic competence in Spanish:
AND
Spanish and Portuguese with Year Abroad pathway
Spanish
You are required to take ONE of the following language modules, depending on linguistic competence in Spanish:
Portuguese
You are required to take ONE of the following language modules, depending on linguistic competence in Portuguese:
AND
AND TWO 15-credit optional modules to be made up of: a minimum of 15 credits in Spanish/Portuguese and a maximum of 15-credits in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures from an approved list in any given year. Students may also replace one 15-credit optional module with a module in the King’s Language Centre in another language at credit level 4.
Please note: It may not be possible to run the intermediate streams for German and Portuguese in any given year due to numbers of students. Please contact dllc@kcl.ac.uk if you have further questions.
In addition, you are required to take modules from a range of optional modules, which may typically include:
French pathway
You will then select further French modules to a value of 60 credits to be made up of: a minimum of 15-30 credits (where available) in the French subject area, that may typically include:
German pathway
You will then select further German modules to a value of 60 credits to be made up of: a minimum of 15-30 credits (where available) in the German subject area, that may typically include:
Spanish pathway
You will then select further Spanish to a value of 60 credits to be made up of: a minimum of 15-30 credits (where available) in the Spanish subject area, that may typically include:
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.
Graduates of this Modern Languages BA have developed the skills to critically reflect on the past and present contexts of the French, German, Portuguese, or Spanish-speaking worlds. The broad knowledge and interdisciplinary profile that you’ll develop challenge narrow, monocultural assumptions and prepare you for the challenges of multicultural and global realities.
Studies show that graduate employers really value flexibility, resilience and resourcefulness. They also appreciate enhanced cultural awareness and international experience, as well as skills such as criticism, interpretation and reasoning, all of which you’ll develop during this modern languages degree.
Employers also see foreign language ability not just as a specialist skill but as a personal quality that develops relationship building, teamwork, and the capacity to move easily in international contexts.
Graduates typically find themselves in roles in a range of industries, including:
The UK tuition fee for the 2025-26 academic year is currently £9,535 per year. This is based on the UK Government's cap.
The International tuition fee for the 2025-2026 academic year is £27,100 per year.
Please note that the International tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions.
All International applicants to Undergraduate programmes are required to pay a deposit of £2000 against their first year's tuition fee. This deposit is payable when you firmly accept an unconditional offer to study with us, and will be offset against your tuition fees when you join King's.
If you choose the study abroad option with one of King’s partner universities, you will not be charged tuition fees by the host university (although some partners do charge a small administration fee for applying). King’s will continue to invoice for a proportion of King's tuition fees. You should also budget to pay for the associated subsistence costs, such as travel, visas, accommodation and food as well as any vaccination/immunisations required by the country to which you are travelling. Please see the Study Abroad web pages for details of the relevant partner universities and detailed information on the fees that apply under the Course Essentials tab.
In addition to the costs above, you can also expect to pay for: · books if you choose to buy your own copies · clothing for optional course related events and competitions · library fees and fines · personal photocopies · printing course handouts · society membership fees · stationery · graduation costs · travel costs for travel around London and between campuses
To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.
This Modern Languages BA lets you focus on studying French, Spanish, German, and Portuguese. You can combine two languages if you wish— and you don’t need any experience in the second language if you take the ab initio pathway. You’ll develop your language skills from native speakers while you’ll learn about the cultures from your cultural studies classes. You’ll get to study anything from politics, literature and film to philosophy and beyond. You will also develop a range of transferable skills during your Modern Language BA, including literary and film analysis, communication, presentation, academic writing, research, translation and intercultural competence. As one of the oldest modern language programmes in the country, you’ll have the opportunity to tap into a range of experts whose specialisms go as far back as Medieval literature. This depth and breadth of authority means you’ll have exciting modules to choose from for every year that you study modern languages at King’s. No matter which language you choose, you may also be able to pick up extra modules from the Modern Language Centre to learn another language from a list of 29, including Mandarin, Farsi, and Russian. You will also get to decide whether to take a dissertation at the end of your BA or study an additional module to make up the credits. When it comes to your year abroad, you’ll get to choose whether to study as an exchange student at a partner university, work as a language assistant teaching English, or undertake an approved work placement. You may even choose to split your year between two countries if you wish.
Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.
Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.
On this programme, you will have the opportunity to apply to study abroad, supported by the Study Abroad Tutor in your department and King’s Global Mobility Office. Together with partner organisations around the world, you will be supported in navigating your international, educational journey, developing new skills and competences and learning to apply different perspectives to your chosen discipline.
Students will be supported through innovative digital education tools to discover meaningful work experience for themselves, including internships, insight programmes, which you can undertake alongside your studies.
King's College London and Affiliates
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels.
Must include grade B in at least one of French, German, Spanish or Portuguese, dependent on the pathway chosen. Single language pathways: French with a Year Abroad: French Spanish with a Year Abroad: Spanish German with a Year Abroad: German Combined language pathways: (French and German) with a Year Abroad: French or German (French and Portuguese) with a Year Abroad: French or Portuguese (French and Spanish) with a Year Abroad: French or Spanish (German and Portuguese) with a Year Abroad: German or Portuguese (German and Spanish) with a Year Abroad: German or Spanish (Portuguese and Spanish) with a Year Abroad: Portuguese or Spanish Notes: If you are taking linear A Levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical component. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.
BBC Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels. Must include grade Bin at least one of French, German, Spanish or Portuguese, dependent on the pathway chosen. Single language pathways: French with a Year Abroad: French Spanish with a Year Abroad: Spanish German with a Year Abroad: German Combined language pathways: (French and German) with a Year Abroad: French or German (French and Portuguese) with a Year Abroad: French or Portuguese (French and Spanish) with a Year Abroad: French or Spanish (German and Portuguese) with a Year Abroad: German or Portuguese (German and Spanish) with a Year Abroad: German or Spanish (Portuguese and Spanish) with a Year Abroad: Portuguese or Spanish Notes: If you are taking linear A Levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical component. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.
33 points overall or an aggregate score of 16 from three Higher Levels
Must include Higher Level in at least one of French, German, Spanish or Portuguese. Note: The total point score of 33 includes TOK/EE.
31 points overall or an aggregate score of 14 from three Higher Levels Must include Higher Level in at least one of French, German, Spanish or Portuguese. Note: The total point score of 31 includes TOK/EE.
Language Requirement
For applicants who meet the standard Level 3 requirements but have not studied their preferred language at the required academic level, we can accept the following language qualifications:
(Note: this must be obtained in addition to the qualifications listed above)
French: DELF/DALF pass at B2
German: TestDAF level 3 (TDN3) in all 4 components
Spanish: DELE pass at B2
Portuguese: CAPLE
Applicants who wish to study two languages on this programme can take the Ab initio route for their second language.
Language Pathways
Applicants do not need to specify their language preference on their application.
Successful offer-holders will be contacted early in the summer to complete an online form detailing their language pathway preferences. Eligibility for an applicant's preferred pathway will be determined upon receipt of final results in the summer.
The different pathway requirements are listed below for reference.
| Pathway |
Subject requirements |
| BA Modern Languages (French) with a Year Abroad | French |
| BA Modern Languages (German) with a Year Abroad | German |
| BA Modern Languages (Spanish) with a Year Abroad |
Spanish |
| BA Modern Languages (French and German) with a Year Abroad | French and German |
| BA Modern Languages (French and German ab initio) with a Year Abroad |
French |
| BA Modern Languages (French ab initio and German) with a Year Abroad |
German |
| BA Modern Languages (French and Portuguese) with a Year Abroad |
French and Portuguese |
| BA Modern Languages (French and Portuguese ab initio) with a Year Abroad |
French |
| BA Modern Languages (French ab initio and Portuguese) with a Year Abroad |
Portuguese |
| BA Modern Languages (French and Spanish) with a Year Abroad |
French and Spanish |
| BA Modern Languages (French and Spanish ab initio) with a Year Abroad |
French |
| BA Modern Languages (French ab initio and Spanish) with a Year Abroad |
Spanish |
| BA Modern Languages (German and Portuguese) with a Year Abroad |
German and Portuguese |
| BA Modern Languages (German and Portuguese ab initio) with a Year Abroad |
German |
| BA Modern Languages (German ab initio and Portuguese) with a Year Abroad |
Portuguese |
| BA Modern Languages (German and Spanish) with a Year Abroad |
German and Spanish |
| BA Modern Languages (German and Spanish ab initio) with a Year Abroad |
German |
| BA Modern Languages (German ab initio and Spanish) with a Year Abroad |
Spanish |
| BA Modern Languages (Portuguese and Spanish) with a Year Abroad |
Portuguese and Spanish |
| BA Modern Languages (Portuguese and Spanish ab initio) with a Year Abroad |
Portuguese |
| BA Modern Languages (Portuguese ab initio and Spanish) with a Year Abroad |
Spanish |
The Access to Higher Education Diploma must be 60 credits in total.
Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits overall: 30 credits must be from units awarded at Distinction, with 15 at Merit. The Access to Higher Education Diploma must include at least 15 Level 3 credits in at least one of French, German, Spanish or Portuguese awarded at Distinction. Alternatively, applicants can provide an additional Level 3 Qualification to meet the Language subject requirement (A Level or equivalent). The Access to Higher Education Diploma must be in a relevant subject - Humanities or similar - to be considered.
The Access to Higher Education Diploma must be 60 credits in total. Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits overall: 27 credits must be from units awarded at Distinction, with 18 at Merit, and 3 at Pass. The Access to Higher Education Diploma must include at least 15 Level 3 credits in at least one of French, German, Spanish or Portuguese awarded at Distinction. Alternatively, applicants can provide an additional Level 3 Qualification to meet the Language subject requirement (A Level or equivalent). The Access to Higher Education Diploma must be in a relevant subject - Humanities or similar - to be considered.
Course specific subject requirements are indicated in subject requirements above
English language band: B
Please note that nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries (as defined by UKVI) who have successfully completed high school in the respective country, are not required to complete an English language test. For information on our English requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
Year Abroad
The year abroad is a compulsory component of our undergraduate language programmes and all students are expected to take part in it. However, students can be exempted at the department’s discretion due to mitigating circumstances. Unfortunately we are unable to guarantee exemption prior to enrolment, but applicants are able to contact the department for an initial consultation.
Contextual consideration
We make contextual offers for this programme, which can be found in the entry requirements. As part of the assessment process, we take into account contextual information to gain a more complete picture of each application. More information can be found on the Contextualised admissions website.
Deferrals
Applications can be submitted for deferred entry by choosing the appropriate year of entry on the UCAS application.
If your circumstances change and, therefore, you need to request a deferral after an offer has been made, then we can generally permit these for this programme. However, each deferral request will be considered on a case-by-case basis and we reserve the right to decline any post-offer deferral request. Requests should be submitted via a message on King’s Apply with an explanation of the reason for making the request.
Please note, second deferral requests will only be considered where the request is due to extreme unforeseen extenuating circumstances, for example, health reasons. We are unable to permit deferral requests that go beyond two years and you would need to apply again. This is with the exception of deferrals which are due to military/national service.
Foundation courses
Applicants studying Foundation Year programmes in the UK are welcome to apply for this programme. Foundation programmes from other universities and further education providers in the UK are considered on a case-by-case basis. Whether or not we can consider a particular foundation year as suitable for study at King's depends on the content of the syllabus and modules studied. In the past we have accepted foundation programmes from a number of other institutions.
We are unable to accept Foundation programmes that are integrated as part of a main degree at another institution. These may be called Year 0 or Integrated Foundations. We are also unable to accept non-UK Foundation courses.
Once you have submitted an application, the Admissions Office may contact you via King's Apply to ask for further details on your qualification, such as a list of modules and course specifications.
The King's International Foundation Programme has guaranteed pathways available for progression onto our King's undergraduate degree programmes, and information can be found on the website.
Graduates
Our general entry requirements are based on A-level or equivalent. However, where an applicant is completing/has completed a degree, we are able to consider the degree study as part of the assessment of the application.
Generally, we would consider a minimum of a UK Bachelor degree with a 2:1 grade profile (or overseas equivalent) as meeting the entry requirements for our undergraduate degrees. However, those who have achieved/are predicted a high 2:1 or a First may be considered more competitive.
Where a programme has subject requirements, these will still need to have been met. If you have not met the subject requirements via A-level (or equivalent) then we may be able to consider the content within your degree. We would be looking for significant study of the subject across the degree programme with a 2:1 or above grading on those modules.
Once you have submitted an application, the Admissions Office may contact you via King's Apply to ask for further details on your degree study.
Personal Statement
Your personal statement is one of the many factors in the overall assessment of your application, and is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the university and inform us of your commitment to the programme and how the programme fits into your career plans, as well as any work experience or extracurricular activities you have done.
Resits
We are able to consider applicants who have retaken or are retaking their qualifications.
Transfers
Transfers into this programme are not permitted.
If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, we can help with our Foundation year courses.
If you have an offer from King's, but English isn't your first language, we have courses to help you.
Modules are taught by leading academics through a combination of lectures, small seminars or tutorials, and expert one-to-one supervision. Language classes target oral and written competency, specific skills such as translation, and involve in-depth work with different kinds of media, literary and academic texts.
Teaching is in both English and the language(s) studied, according to the subject area. Our teaching style is interactive; you will participate informally in small group discussions, in seminars or online discussion platforms, and formally through seminar presentations and oral assessments.
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include coursework and assessed essays; language assignments (written, oral, aural); individual or group-based presentations; year abroad project work; examinations; and dissertation. You will also have a variety of formative assessments (not for credit) throughout your programme.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
Courses are divided into modules. Each year you will normally take modules totalling 120 credits.
This is a four-year degree course in which you will take a combination of required and optional modules to total 360 credits.
You are required to take the following modules:
Students will take a total of 120 credits of modules from the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures.
French Pathway
You are required to take the following language modules:
German Pathway
You are required to take the following language modules:
Spanish pathway
You are required to take the following language modules:
French and German with a Year Abroad pathway
French
You are required to take ONE of the following language modules, depending on linguistic competence in French:
AND TWO of the following literature modules, depending on linguistic competence in French:
German
You are required to take ONE of the following language modules, depending on linguistic competence in German:
AND TWO of the following literature modules, depending on linguistic competence in German:
French and Portuguese with a Year Abroad pathway
French
You are required to take ONE of the following language modules, depending on linguistic competence in French:
AND TWO of the following literature modules, depending on linguistic competence in French:
Portuguese
You are required to take ONE of the following language modules, depending on linguistic competence in Portuguese:
AND
French and Spanish with a Year Abroad pathway
French
You are required to take ONE of the following language modules, depending on linguistic competence in French:
AND TWO of the following literature modules, depending on linguistic competence in French:
Spanish
You are required to take ONE of the following language modules, depending on linguistic competence in Spanish:
You are required to take ONE of the following language modules, depending on linguistic competence in Spanish:
AND
German and Portuguese with Year Abroad pathway
German
You are required to take ONE of the following language modules, depending on linguistic competence in German:
AND TWO of the following literature modules, depending on linguistic competence in German:
Portuguese
You are required to take ONE of the following language modules, depending on linguistic competence in Portuguese:
AND
German and Spanish with Year Abroad pathway
German
You are required to take ONE of the following language modules, depending on linguistic competence in German:
AND TWO of the following literature modules, depending on linguistic competence in German:
Spanish
You are required to take ONE of the following language modules, depending on linguistic competence in Spanish:
AND
Spanish and Portuguese with Year Abroad pathway
Spanish
You are required to take ONE of the following language modules, depending on linguistic competence in Spanish:
Portuguese
You are required to take ONE of the following language modules, depending on linguistic competence in Portuguese:
AND
AND TWO 15-credit optional modules to be made up of: a minimum of 15 credits in Spanish/Portuguese and a maximum of 15-credits in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures from an approved list in any given year. Students may also replace one 15-credit optional module with a module in the King’s Language Centre in another language at credit level 4.
Please note: It may not be possible to run the intermediate streams for German and Portuguese in any given year due to numbers of students. Please contact dllc@kcl.ac.uk if you have further questions.
In addition, you are required to take modules from a range of optional modules, which may typically include:
French pathway
You will then select further French modules to a value of 60 credits to be made up of: a minimum of 15-30 credits (where available) in the French subject area, that may typically include:
German pathway
You will then select further German modules to a value of 60 credits to be made up of: a minimum of 15-30 credits (where available) in the German subject area, that may typically include:
Spanish pathway
You will then select further Spanish to a value of 60 credits to be made up of: a minimum of 15-30 credits (where available) in the Spanish subject area, that may typically include:
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.
Graduates of this Modern Languages BA have developed the skills to critically reflect on the past and present contexts of the French, German, Portuguese, or Spanish-speaking worlds. The broad knowledge and interdisciplinary profile that you’ll develop challenge narrow, monocultural assumptions and prepare you for the challenges of multicultural and global realities.
Studies show that graduate employers really value flexibility, resilience and resourcefulness. They also appreciate enhanced cultural awareness and international experience, as well as skills such as criticism, interpretation and reasoning, all of which you’ll develop during this modern languages degree.
Employers also see foreign language ability not just as a specialist skill but as a personal quality that develops relationship building, teamwork, and the capacity to move easily in international contexts.
Graduates typically find themselves in roles in a range of industries, including:
The UK tuition fee for the 2025-26 academic year is currently £9,535 per year. This is based on the UK Government's cap.
The International tuition fee for the 2025-2026 academic year is £27,100 per year.
Please note that the International tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions.
All International applicants to Undergraduate programmes are required to pay a deposit of £2000 against their first year's tuition fee. This deposit is payable when you firmly accept an unconditional offer to study with us, and will be offset against your tuition fees when you join King's.
If you choose the study abroad option with one of King’s partner universities, you will not be charged tuition fees by the host university (although some partners do charge a small administration fee for applying). King’s will continue to invoice for a proportion of King's tuition fees. You should also budget to pay for the associated subsistence costs, such as travel, visas, accommodation and food as well as any vaccination/immunisations required by the country to which you are travelling. Please see the Study Abroad web pages for details of the relevant partner universities and detailed information on the fees that apply under the Course Essentials tab.
In addition to the costs above, you can also expect to pay for: · books if you choose to buy your own copies · clothing for optional course related events and competitions · library fees and fines · personal photocopies · printing course handouts · society membership fees · stationery · graduation costs · travel costs for travel around London and between campuses
To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.
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