Modern languages and translation

Join one of the most dynamic language schools in the UK and become part of our close-knit, global community.

Why study with us

Modern languages and translation studies at Cardiff University are taught at our School of Modern Languages. The language skills gained by our students are crucial in the twenty-first century. In a world of international business transactions and digital connectivity, students with specialised language qualifications have the skills and abilities to navigate successfully today’s transnational world.

Tailor your studies

You can take all of the languages we offer as a beginner or as an advanced learner.

Live abroad

Work, study or teach abroad in your third year on degree programmes that take you around the globe.

Excellent career prospects

87% of graduates were in employment and/or further study, due to start a new job or course, or doing other activities such as travelling, 15 months after the end of their course. (Graduate Outcomes survey 2020/21).

Courses

Entry year

Business Management with a European Language (French) (BSc)

Full time, 4 years

Cardiff University offers a range of programmes for students who want to pursue a career in business and management, reflecting the breadth of research expertise of the Business School's academics and current developments in the business world.

Business Management with a European Language (German) (BSc)

Full time, 4 years

Business Management with a European Language (Spanish) (BSc)

Full time, 4 years

Cardiff University offers a range of programmes for students who want to pursue a career in business and management.

Business Studies and Japanese (BSc)

Full time, 4 years

As a student at Cardiff University, you will gain a sound knowledge of business as well as become proficient in Japanese and gain a clear understanding of Japan itself.

Chinese (BA)

Full time, 4 years

Study Chinese and gain a wealth of transferable skills and knowledge beneficial in a global workplace.

English Language and French (BA)

Full time, 4 years

Explore the English language and how it intersects with culture, society, politics and mind. This course offers a rigorous grounding in the key aspects of English language analysis and enables you to combine your studies with French. You will

English Language and German (BA)

Full time, 4 years

English Language and Italian (BA)

Full time, 4 years

English Language and Spanish (BA)

Full time, 4 years

French (BA)

Full time, 4 years

This course aims to allow students to develop a high level of proficiency in their chosen language(s) as well as a comprehensive understanding of cultures that shape them.

French and English Literature (BA)

Full time, 4 years

Explore the glorious diversity of English literature across the chronological span, making connections across all forms of culture, alongside developing high-level French language skills and gaining an in-depth intercultural understanding of French

French and German (BA)

Full time, 4 years

French and German BA (joint honours) gives students the opportunity to combine two popular languages at degree level.

French and Italian (BA)

Full time, 4 years

French and Italian BA (joint honours) gives students the opportunity to combine the study of two popular European languages.

French and Japanese (BA)

Full time, 4 years

French and Japanese BA (joint honours) gives students the opportunity to combine the study of two important world languages.

French and Music (BA)

Full time, 4 years

This Joint Honours degree programme enables students to benefit from developing their foreign language skills whilst studying the creative and challenging subject of Music.

French and Politics (BA)

Full time, 4 years

Develop high-level French language skills and gain an in-depth intercultural understanding of French cultures. Combine this with an exploration of how parliaments and governments function and evaluate political ideas such as power, freedom, democracy

French and Portuguese (BA)

Full time, 4 years

Portuguese and French BA (Joint Honours) gives students the opportunity to combine two popular European languages.

French and Spanish (BA)

Full time, 4 years

By combining these two courses, students will gain a wealth of transferable skills and knowledge beneficial to the world of employment, opening the doors to a variety of career paths.

German (BA)

Full time, 4 years

German is the native language of nearly one hundred million people. To speak German is to be part of a crucially important political, economic and cultural world

German and English Literature (BA)

Full time, 4 years

Explore the glorious diversity of English literature across the chronological span, making connections across all forms of culture, alongside developing high-level German language skills and gaining an in-depth intercultural understanding of German

German and Italian (BA)

Full time, 4 years

This joint honours degree programme enables students to combine the study of the popular European languages of German and Italian.

German and Japanese (BA)

Full time, 4 years

German and Japanese BA (joint honours) gives students the opportunity to combine the study of two important world languages.

German and Music (BA)

Full time, 4 years

This joint honours degree programme enables students to combine the study of the popular European language of German with Music.

German and Politics (BA)

Full time, 4 years

Develop high-level German language skills and gain an in-depth intercultural understanding of German cultures. Combine this with an exploration of how parliaments and governments function and evaluate political ideas such as power, freedom, democracy

German and Portuguese (BA)

Full time, 4 years

Portuguese and German BA (joint honours) gives students the opportunity to combine two popular European languages.

German and Spanish (BA)

Full time, 4 years

This joint honours degree programme enables students to combine the study of the popular European languages of German and Spanish.

Italian (BA)

Full time, 4 years

Italy possesses one of the major cultural, artistic and historical traditions in Europe. Italy has played a unique role in the development of fine art, architecture, film and music.

Italian and English Literature (BA)

Full time, 4 years

Explore the glorious diversity of English literature across the chronological span, making connections across all forms of culture, alongside developing high-level Italian language skills and gaining an in-depth intercultural understanding of

Italian and Japanese (BA)

Full time, 4 years

Italian and Japanese BA (joint honours) gives students the opportunity to combine the study of two important world languages.

Italian and Music (BA)

Full time, 4 years

Our Italian and Music degree enables you to develop your knowledge of Italian language and culture whilst studying the creative and challenging subject of Music.

Italian and Politics (BA)

Full time, 4 years

Develop high-level Italian language skills and gain an in-depth intercultural understanding of Italian cultures. Combine this with an exploration of how parliaments and governments function and evaluate political ideas such as power, freedom,

Italian and Portuguese (BA)

Full time, 4 years

Portuguese and Italian BA (joint honours) gives students the opportunity to combine two popular European languages.

Italian and Spanish (BA)

Full time, 4 years

Italian and Spanish BA (joint honours) gives students the opportunity to examine two romance languages at higher education.

Modern Languages and Translation (BA)

Full time, 4 years

This new programme builds on established translation teaching within the languages and the very popular Year One translation options.

Politics and Spanish (BA)

Full time, 4 years

Develop high-level Spanish language skills and gain an in-depth intercultural understanding of Spanish cultures. Combine this with an exploration of how parliaments and governments function and evaluate political ideas such as power, freedom,

Portuguese and Spanish (BA)

Full time, 4 years

Portuguese and Spanish BA (joint honours) gives students the opportunity to combine two popular European languages.

Spanish (BA)

Full time, 4 years

As a Spanish student at Cardiff University, you will be taught by staff who are actively involved in research in a wide range of topics relating to Spain and Latin America.

Spanish and English Literature (BA)

Full time, 4 years

Explore the glorious diversity of English literature across the chronological span, making connections across all forms of culture, alongside developing high-level Spanish language skills and gaining an in-depth intercultural understanding of

Spanish and Japanese (BA)

Full time, 4 years

Spanish and Japanese BA (joint honours) gives students the opportunity to combine the study of two important world languages.

Translation (BA)

Full time, 3 years

Translation is crucial in today's globalised world. Multinational businesses and international institutions are constantly looking for translators and language specialists.

Welsh and French (BA)

Full time, 4 years

Within this degree programme, students will have the opportunity to pair a popular European language with the Welsh language, its literature and culture.

Welsh and Italian (BA)

Full time, 4 years

Within this degree scheme, students will have the opportunity to pair an increasingly popular European language with the Welsh language, its literature and culture.

Welsh and Spanish (BA)

Full time, 4 years

Within this degree scheme, students will have the opportunity to pair a rapidly growing international language with the Welsh language, its literature and culture.

Our videos

Studying Modern Languages at Cardiff University

Our director of recruitment and admissions, Professor Kate Griffiths, talks about the importance of studying languages and the career opportunities that a languages degree can lead to.

My modern languages experience with Charlie Dodsley

Meet BA French and Japanese graduate Charlie, who talks about the benefits of studying languages, job opportunities and her experiences on a year abroad.

There is a great, welcoming feeling at the school, and the support from all members of staff is second to none. There is a strong sense of community, and everyone is happy to help you with any problems - both staff and students. My highlight has been meeting some truly inspiring lecturers from all backgrounds who have really encouraged and challenged me.

Elin Roberts French and Spanish (BA)

A world of possibilities

Your year abroad

Immersing yourself in a culture and interacting with native speakers is the best way to develop and improve your language skills. In your third year, you’ll have the opportunity to do this when you spend a semester abroad either working, studying or taking part in the British Council’s English Language Assistant Scheme.

Where languages can take you

Many of our graduates are living exciting multilingual lives in countries around the world. They work in diplomacy, IT, international sport, manufacturing, the armed services, accountancy, law, financial analysis, management consultancy and international business. The list is endless!

Study in Cardiff's vibrant city centre

You will be based at the School of Modern Languages on Park Place, which is at the centre of our campus and in the heart of Wales’ capital city. We are situated next to Cathays train station, the Students' Union and five minutes' walk from the city centre.