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Philosophy & Modern Languages (French, German, Portuguese or Spanish) with a year abroad BA

UCAS code: R901

Key information

Course type:
Joint honours
Delivery mode:
Campus
Study mode:
Full time
Required A-level:
AAB
Full entry requirements, including contextual requirements
Duration:
Four years
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2025
Application deadline:
31 January 2024
Apply via UCAS

At King’s we offer you a lively and intellectually stimulating home in the heart of London where you will be taught by leading experts. Our Philosophy and Modern Languages BA includes an exceptionally wide range of modules in both Philosophy and Modern Languages, covering language, literature, film, history, critical and philosophical thought, and political and social theory. In Philosophy we have particular strengths in philosophy of mind, philosophy of science and ancient philosophy. We are also able to teach subjects like Indian philosophy and medieval philosophy, which are offered by very few other universities in the UK. In Modern Languages, you will attain a high level of proficiency in speaking, writing and reading the language of your degree, whilst developing your knowledge and critical understanding of its culture and society. Students can take this course either with an A-level (or equivalent) in the degree language, or as a beginner, following a specially-designed language course (known as ‘ab initio’ – ‘from the start’), and our cultural curriculum is innovative and diverse, covering a range of modules in literature, from the medieval period to the contemporary, cultural studies, film studies, politics and history. You will spend the third year of your four-year degree studying, teaching or working in a French-, German-, Portuguese- or Spanish-speaking country, putting your language learning into practice.

Key benefits

  • One of the largest and most distinguished Philosophy departments in the country.
  • King’s offers an exceptionally wide range of optional modules, covering all areas of the history of philosophy and contemporary philosophy.
  • Our emphasis on small-group teaching ensures students acquire and hone the skills of critical thinking.
  • The Year abroad in a French-, German-, Portuguese- or Spanish-speaking country offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in culture and society and attain language fluency. We have exchanges with a wide variety of partner universities across Europe, in Martinique and Quebec, and in Middle and South American countries such as Mexico, Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil.
  • Our language departments are consistently ranked among the best in the UK and offer our graduates excellent career prospects.
  • Broad range of specialist modules in French, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies, from medieval to contemporary literature as well as politics, history, cultural studies, and film. You can study French, German, Spanish or Portuguese language either post A-level (or equivalent) or with no previous knowledge of the language (ab initio).
  • Based in the heart of London, King’s location offers access to a variety of cinemas, galleries, theatres, specialist libraries and resources, including the Goethe-Institut and Austrian Cultural Forum, the Institut français, Canning House, Camões Centre for Portuguese Language and Culture, and the Instituto Cervantes, as well as events organised by embassies and other related cultural institutions. It also means means students can take advantage of leading societies such as the Aristotelian Society and the Royal Institute of Philosophy.

Now, in my final year, I can go from studying French-Canadian film to reading medieval literature, or from exploring the philosophy of race to understanding the ethics of climate change… There really is nothing you can’t do!

Alexander, Philosophy and Modern Languages with a Year Abroad BA

Employability

By encouraging critical reflection on both the past and the present contexts of the French-, German-, Portuguese- or Spanish-speaking worlds, and the skills of criticism, interpretation and reasoning that are also fundamental to philosophy, the programme broadens students’ knowledge base and strengthens their interdisciplinary profile, challenging narrow, monocultural assumptions, thus preparing students for the challenges of multicultural and global realities.

Studies of graduate employability repeatedly stress the career value of language degrees, which provide graduates with international experience and enhance cultural awareness, helping them to develop flexibility, resilience and resourcefulness. Employers value 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. Typical destinations of graduates from this degree include international business, the press and media, IT and technology, marketing and public relations, public administration, international development, law, finance, teaching and lecturing, interpreting, and translating.

Employability

By encouraging critical reflection on both the past and the present contexts of the French-, German-, Portuguese- or Spanish-speaking worlds, and the skills of criticism, interpretation and reasoning that are also fundamental to philosophy, the programme broadens students’ knowledge base and strengthens their interdisciplinary profile, challenging narrow, monocultural assumptions, thus preparing students for the challenges of multicultural and global realities.

Studies of graduate employability repeatedly stress the career value of language degrees, which provide graduates with international experience and enhance cultural awareness, helping them to develop flexibility, resilience and resourcefulness. Employers value 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. Typical destinations of graduates from this degree include international business, the press and media, IT and technology, marketing and public relations, public administration, international development, law, finance, teaching and lecturing, interpreting, and translating.

Key information

Course type:
Joint honours
Delivery mode:
Campus
Study mode:
Full time
Required A-level:
AAB
Full entry requirements, including contextual requirements
Duration:
Four years
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2025
Application deadline:
31 January 2024
Apply via UCAS

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