BA (Hons) Welsh and a Modern Language Bachelor's degree at Cardiff University
BA (Hons) Welsh and a Modern Language at Cardiff University. Studying Welsh alongside a modern foreign language means working across two living languages at once, rather than treating Welsh as a bolt-on to a single-language degree.
About this course
BA (Hons) Welsh and a Modern Language is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at Cardiff University. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Language and area studies graduates from this provider, 95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 75% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £25,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Modern Languages, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Moderate evidence Published sample: 80; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 95% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 95% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
A typical UK Modern Languages degree builds from foundations to specialist options and a final project. An indicative structure:
| Stage | Module |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | Core Language I Intensive grammar, speaking and writing towards fluency. |
| Year 1 | Cultures & Societies History, film and literature of the language's cultures. |
| Year 1 | Linguistics Foundations How languages work: sounds, structure and meaning. |
| Year 2 | Core Language II Advanced production, debate, translation and register. |
| Year 2 | Specialist Cultural Studies Deeper study of periods, authors or media. |
| Year 2 | Translation & Interpreting Skills Professional technique between your languages. |
| Year 3 (abroad) | Year abroad Study or work placement immersed in the language, most four-year courses. |
| Final year | Advanced Language & Specialist options Near-native skills plus research-led cultural options. |
| Final year | Dissertation Research in the target language or on its cultures. |
Typical structure for this subject (indicative). Modules vary by university. Check the provider's course page for the exact curriculum.
Specialisations & pathways
Tip: click a specialisation → current jobs in that area.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
The course is built around a small number of connected strands that run through the four years. Core theory gives you the grounding in linguistics, literature and cultural history that underpins serious study of both Welsh and your chosen modern language. Research and methods teaches you how to investigate texts, language use and cultural material rigorously, skills that carry over directly into your final independent project. Applied practice is where translation, oral communication and written expression are put into use, sharpening the practical language skills that examiners and, later, employers will look for. Specialist options let you follow particular interests as they develop, such as literature, sociolinguistics, media or history, depending on what draws you in as you progress. The independent project gives you the chance to research a question of your own choosing in depth, working closely with staff who know the subject well. Professional skills modules run alongside the academic content, helping you translate your language expertise into abilities that are useful in work, whether that's confident written communication, presentation, or working accurately across two languages. Together these strands mean you're not just accumulating vocabulary and grammar but learning to think analytically about language, culture and communication in a bilingual and international context.
Who it's for
This course suits people who already have some feeling for Welsh, whether from family, school or community life, and who want to develop that alongside serious study of another language and culture. If you enjoy the puzzle of grammar, the texture of literature, and the way a language shapes how people see the world, you'll find plenty to get your teeth into here. It asks for genuine commitment: you're building real fluency in two languages, not just one, so it suits students who are happy putting in sustained, steady effort over four years rather than looking for something that can be picked up quickly. It also suits people who are curious about Wales itself, its history, its bilingual society, and its place alongside other European or global cultures, and who want to spend a period living and working in a country where their modern language is spoken. Studying here will feel immersive at times, particularly during time abroad, and will ask you to move confidently between two very different linguistic worlds. It's a good fit for anyone thinking about work that depends on language skills, whether that's teaching, translation, media, or roles where being bilingual or multilingual is genuinely useful, but it equally suits someone who simply wants to keep Welsh alive in their life while opening up a wider world through a second language.
Careers & job market
Nationally, across Modern Languages courses, 85% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and 70% of those in work are in roles classed as highly skilled. These figures relate to Modern Languages graduates generally across the UK, rather than to this specific course or university, but they give a reasonable sense of the destinations open to language graduates. National Graduate Outcomes data also shows starting salaries for this group typically ranging between £24,000 and £33,500 fifteen months after graduation, rising to between £25,500 and £36,000 after three years, and between £32,725 and £46,200 after five years; again, these are national figures across the field rather than specific to Cardiff or to this course, and shouldn't be read as a guarantee of what any individual graduate will earn. Bilingual and multilingual graduates with strong Welsh and modern language skills are often well placed for work involving translation, education, public services, media or international business, particularly where Welsh-medium or bilingual communication is valued. Nationally, 90% of students on this type of course continue past their first year, either still enrolled or having completed, which suggests that most people who start this kind of degree find it sustainable to continue with.
University & format
Cardiff University is a public, research-intensive institution and a member of the Russell Group, founded in 1883 and now home to over 30,000 students. The BA (Hons) Welsh and a Modern Language (UCAS code R757) is delivered full-time over four years, taught in English, and leads to a nationally recognised Bachelor's degree awarded by a university with formal degree-awarding powers. Most students admitted to this course arrive with A-levels or equivalent qualifications, around 95% of recent entrants, and the most common UCAS tariff among those accepted has been in the 96–111 point range; this reflects the profile of successful applicants rather than a fixed requirement. The university also offers bursaries and scholarships, and it's worth checking Cardiff's own funding pages for what you might be eligible for, since support can vary depending on individual circumstances.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively. Overall student satisfaction: 100%.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 95% |
| an Access course | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code R757). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page. Set under Wales's student-finance system; the provider's page is authoritative.
Check fees at Cardiff University →If you normally live in Wales
2026/27 total maintenance support from Student Finance Wales. How much of it is grant and how much is loan depends on household income; the total does not. If you normally live elsewhere, use your home funding body.
Check your entitlement with Student Finance Wales →Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: paid directly to the university by Student Finance Wales.
- Maintenance support: a mix of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales, weighted to household income.
- Repayment: only above the income threshold, and written off at the end of the plan term.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
Wales runs its own system through Student Finance Wales; check studentfinancewales.co.uk for current rates.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Modern Languages graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £25,000 | £23,000 – £30,000 | 80 |
| 3 years after | £24,000 | £19,500 – £28,000 | 560 |
| 5 years after | £29,000 | £25,000 – £36,000 | 605 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 80; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in modern languages · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Modern Languages nationally
National figures for Modern Languages graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 80; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Modern Languages courses at the same study level.
Compared with 931 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Teaching ProfessionalsSOC 2020 231 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £42,660
- Legal professionalsSOC 2020 241 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £45,000
- Secretarial and related occupationsDiscover Uni category · 15% of published destinations
- Customer service occupationsDiscover Uni category · 15% of published destinations
- Administrative occupationsSOC 2020 41 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,006
- Artistic, literary and media occupationsSOC 2020 341 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £33,824
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 35; response rate: 60%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Is BA (Hons) Welsh and a Modern Language worth it?
Weigh it carefully. On these figures graduates of BA (Hons) Welsh and a Modern Language earn close to non-graduate pay, so on cost alone the course is slow to pay off.
Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 4 years of wages given up while studying. The line clears zero around year 30.2. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.
Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 4 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.
Job market & outlook
How Modern Languages graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Modern Languages graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Translation agencies
- International businesses
- Government (FCDO)
- Tourism & education
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Modern Languages graduates.
Head of Modern Languages, Inspire, Lead & Develop MFLSuffolk County Council11 To 18 (Secondary) QTS Programme - Modern Languages (French, Spanish or German)Diversity DashboardHead of Modern Languages - Inspire & Lead GCSE FrenchCoast and Vale Learning TrustHead Of Department of Modern LanguagesSheringham High SchoolHead of MFL: Lead & Grow our Modern Languages DepartmentWayman Learning TrustModern Foreign Languages Assistant (French) 18 hrs p/w (temporary position)The Cherwell SchoolIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. If you normally live in Wales, Student Finance Wales can pay an eligible Tuition Fee Loan directly to the university, and maintenance support is a mix of grant and loan weighted to household income. You repay only above the income threshold.
Where graduates go
95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £25,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.6 out of 10: NSS 97.4% · in work or study 95% · continued 95%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Cardiff University
Language and area studies across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Cardiff University - Main Campus
4,125 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Modern Languages right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to Cardiff University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by Cardiff University; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Cardiff University’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Cardiff University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Cardiff University
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
Request information about BA (Hons) Welsh and a Modern Language
Prospectus, key dates, entry and funding, free to your inbox.