Modern Languages (English as a Modern Foreign Language)

We will consider students who have taken GCE A Level examinations or the International Baccalaureate (IB). Holders of the Tawjihi are not normally eligible for direct entry onto our undergraduate programmes without completion of a suitable foundation programme, such as one of our foundation pathways.

Global workplace skills are developed our Modern Languages programmes, which will enable you to thrive in a number of professional environments.  90% of our BA Modern Languages graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021). 

Modern Languages graduates have a wide range of skills that are valued by employers, such as:

• Strong communication and presentation skills in English and one or more other languages
• A deep understanding and appreciation of other cultures
• Critical thinking skills, alongside the ability to research, analyse and interpret information
• Independence and experience of living abroad
• Expressing thoughts, feelings and opinions in different registers
• Leadership, negotiation, debating and teamwork
• Handling complex information
• The ability to form concise and articulate arguments
• Time-management, alongisde the ability to prioritise workload

Example employers:

• Amazon.fr
• Capita
• Eurocity Group
• Harper Collins
• Deutsche Bank
• Royal Bank of Scotland
• IQD Frequency Products
• Aura Financial
• JC Decaux
• Town Hall Symphony Hall Birmingham
• British Airways
• Deloitte
• HSBC
• Pricewaterhouse Coopers
• The British Council
• French Connection
• NATO
• BP
• Local and central government

Example roles:

• Editorial Project Leader
• English Teacher
• International Sales Coordinator
• Investigation Specialist
• Operations Analyst
• Consultant
• Marketing Officer
• Account Executive
• Account Planner

Examples of further study include:

• PgDip Education
• MA Social Work
• PGCE Modern Foreign Language
• PGCE Primary
• Graduate Diploma in Law
• MA Hispanic Studies
• MA Translation Studies
• MSc Strategy and International Business
• PGCE Primary languages specialism

Modern Languages graduates enter the wide range of careers similar to other arts and humanities graduates but with much greater scope in international settings. 

You will benefit from organised events in the Department whereby our graduates return to campus to talk to current students about their careers, how to find opportunities and the variety of roles available to linguists. The curriculum also has an increased focus on professional development in areas such as; presenting, CV-building, debating, and developing digital projects in the target language.

Developing your career

The University of Birmingham is the 4th most targeted university by the country's top graduate employers according to The Graduate Market 2022 report. Our Careers Network are here to offer you tailored, expert advice on your career plans and support you with finding and applying for jobs, internships and further study. There are hundreds of events to help you meet potential employers and learn more about the breadth of opportunities and career sectors available to you.

Support will be offered to you covering the whole job application process, including CVs, LinkedIn, application forms, interviews and assessment centres.  You can also email our experienced Careers Advisers and College Teams to review your applications or answer any careers related question, alongside our on campus and online 1:1 appointments.

We have a number of exclusive Internship Programmes such as our Cultural Internships, which will give you paid, professional experience to set you apart in the graduate market. We also offer work experience bursaries, which allow you to apply for funding to support you during any unpaid internships. 

First years can take part in the The Birmingham Project, with themes including celebrating arts and culture and shaping a global society. There's also a successful Mentoring Programme, where you can gain access to experienced Mentors who can empower, inspire and inform you about their experiences.  As a University of Birmingham student you will also be given access to LinkedIn Learning giving free access to real world training courses to kick start your careers.

If you want to earn money WorkLink advertises convenient part-time job opportunities on campus to fit round your studies.  

Extra-curricular activities

To enhance your career prospects even further, you may want to engage in extra-curricular activities to broaden your skills and your network of contacts. Our employer-endorsed, award-winning Personal Skills Award (PSA) recognises your extra-curricular activities, and provides an accredited employability programme.

There are more than 500 student groups and volunteering opportunities offered by the Guild of Students (our Students' Union) so you're bound to find activities that you want to be involved in whilst meeting friends who share your interests.

For all undergraduate courses at Birmingham, you apply online through UCAS. The UCAS website has lots of information and advice around the process.

Top tips for your UCAS application

• The University of Birmingham’s UCAS campus code number is B32.
• Check the application deadline for your chosen course as they aren’t all the same. This will make sure that your application reaches us in time to be considered. For entry in September 2023, the application deadline for most courses is Wednesday 25 January 2023; for Medicine and Dentistry, the deadline is 15 October 2022.
• A ‘firm choice’ is your first choice, and an ‘insurance choice’ is your backup.

How to make your application stand out and write a great personal statement

Your personal statement is your chance to convince admissions tutors to offer you a place on the courses you’re applying for. You should showcase your passion for your subject and show that you have the motivation and ambition to succeed.

At a glance

• Make sure your personal statement is relevant to the course(s) you're applying to
• Show your genuine interest in the course and that you have taken the time to properly find out what's involved
• Analyse your reading, activities, and work experience - don't just say what you've done and that you enjoyed it.

How to structure your personal statement

Everyone's personal statement should be different, so while it might be helpful to find templates on the internet or at school to get you started, you should make sure that you make it your own.

Here are a few tips to keep your statement structured and to the point:

At least 75% of your personal statement should be related to what you want to study, and why you want to study that subject.

• You need to tell us what it is about your chosen subject that interests you so much that you have chosen it above everything else. Show your passion, enthusiasm and intellectual curiosity.
• We like to see evidence that your interest is genuine. For example:
• Demonstrate that you have read more widely than just the set texts at school/college, and that you understand what the content of the course you’re applying for involves
• If your degree is related to a particular line of work, show that you have work experience in a relevant setting or can otherwise demonstrate that you understand what that career involves
• Show that you have given some thought to what you want to do after you have graduated (this is less important for degrees which are not vocational in nature, but can be useful for Admissions Tutors)
• When you write about your experiences or activities that are related to the subject or course (for example, work experience; extra reading; clubs or societies), don’t just tell us what you did or read, but analyse what you got out of those activities and how this has increased your knowledge or interest in the subject you are applying to study.

The remaining 25% of your statement should be about your other achievements. You don’t need to write a list of everything you have done at school, but we are interested to see if you have taken full advantage of the opportunities that have been available to you. For example:

• Have you held positions of responsibility?
• Have you been in school or higher-level sports teams?
• Have you taken part in school drama productions or debates?
• Have you helped to run school societies or clubs?
• Have you any community involvement or carried out volunteering?
• Have you had a part-time job?

Where you use these examples, you should demonstrate the skills and experiences that they have given you and how they will help you at university.