Why Study Modern Languages at Manchester?
At a glance
- Discover world-class collections at The John Rylands Library, The Manchester Museum and The Whitworth Art Gallery.
- Explore nine languages taught to degree level across European, East Asian and Middle Eastern studies.
- Develop your skills using specialist interpreting, recording and language-learning facilities.
- Connect with Manchester’s cultural life through organisations including HOME, Instituto Cervantes and Alliance Française.
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Frequently asked study questions
A Modern Languages degree is about much more than learning to speak another language. Alongside your language learning, you’ll learn about the cultures, histories and societies connected to the languages you study.
Depending on your interests, you can explore areas including:
- literature;
- film and popular culture;
- history;
- politics;
- linguistics;
- and translation and interpreting.
You can pursue these interests through teaching and research across Modern Languages.
Choose from nine languages taught to degree level: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
Our Modern Languages community covers European, East Asian and Middle Eastern languages and cultures. You can also combine language study with other subjects.
The languages and combinations available depend on your course and level of study, so check our courses for the latest options.
Learning independently can help you get to grips with a language, but studying at university gives you more opportunities to use it with other people.
At Manchester, you can connect with native speakers through the University Language Centre and take part in language societies, discussion groups and social activities.
Through these experiences, you can practise conversation, hear how other speakers use the language and become more confident using it yourself.
If you’re an undergraduate Modern Languages student at Manchester, you can spend time abroad as part of your studies, giving you the opportunity to use your language and experience everyday life in a country where it is spoken.
All languages students can study abroad. If you study French, German, Italian, Portuguese or Spanish, you can also choose to work or volunteer. If you’re studying two languages, you may be able to split your time between two countries.
You’ll receive support before and during your time abroad.