Overview
With around 250 million French speakers and 400 million Spanish speakers on the planet, a firm grasp of both languages can open up boundless opportunities.
At the University of Stirling, we specialise in teaching French and Spanish in a contemporary, global context. You’ll develop high-level written and spoken linguistic skills in both languages, as well as build an understanding of the diverse societies, literature and visual cultures that surround them. You’ll also enjoy extensive opportunities to sharpen your French and Spanish skills through our study abroad links with universities in France, Spain, Switzerland, Canada and Latin America.
To help you find the perfect professional context for your Modern Languages study, you’ll combine the course with one of several other subjects, ranging from Business Studies to Psychology. Wherever you hope your new-found knowledge of French and Spanish will lead you, we’ll pour all our energy and expert knowledge into helping you get there.
Simone de Beauvoir Prize – French
This prize is awarded annually by the Division of Literature and Languages for the best performance in Honours modules by a graduating undergraduate student on a French programme. The prize is named in honour of the writer and intellectual Simone de Beauvoir.
José Blanco White Prize – Spanish
This prize is awarded annually by the Division of Literature and Languages for the best performance in Honours modules by a graduating undergraduate student on a Spanish and Latin American Studies programme. The prize is named in honour of the writer and intellectual José Blanco White.
Entry requirements
SQA Highers
ABBB
GCE A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
28
BTEC (Level 3)
DDM
Essential subjects
To apply to the combined degree in French and Spanish you'll need one of French or Spanish at Higher or A-level (or equivalent).
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
Students should note that taking two languages from Beginners' level where those languages are core to the programme is pedagogically inadvisable. Any student wishing to go down that route will need the written permission of both the French and Spanish Programme Directors or their appointed representative before being allowed to do so.
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP Access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
Essential subjects
To apply to the combined degree in French and Spanish you'll need one of French or Spanish at Higher or A-level (or equivalent).
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions
English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.
Essential subjects
To apply to the combined degree in French and Spanish you'll need one of French or Spanish at Higher or A-level (or equivalent).
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
Advanced entry is not available for this course.
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
We recognise that you may not have studied a language before. That’s why we enable you to start your study of French or Spanish from a beginner, as well as an advanced level. During Year 2, both streams merge and students graduate at the end of their degree with advanced language skills.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the academic year that starts in September 2024. Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course details
As you study Spanish and French, you’ll be taught through a mixture of lectures, tutorials and small group language classes. The development of high-level language skills and cultural awareness is further encouraged by experienced native language assistants and the use of the latest language-learning software. Our aim is to ensure that both languages are understood in a global context and a range of historical periods and geographical areas.
You’ll be assessed on the skills you’re learning in a range of ways, for example via translations, compositions in French or Spanish, essays (in English or the target language), grammar tests, blog posts, class presentations, workshops and oral exams (individual and group).
A final-year dissertation is not a compulsory element of this programme. However, the assessment related to Semester 6 Abroad is dissertation equivalent, involving research that is conducted through the target language (French or Spanish) and an extended piece of written and oral assessment in the target language.
On most degree courses involving both languages, you must spend Semester 6 Abroad studying at one of our partner universities or business schools. Semester 6 Abroad is not available for students taking Languages and Psychology. Education students should read the note below for further information.
For students undertaking Semester 6 Abroad in a French-speaking environment, we have exchange agreements with the Universities of Aix, Clermont-Ferrand, Geneva, Laval (Quebec), Limoges, Nancy, Perpignan, Rabat (Morocco), Sciences Po, Tours and UCO Angers. We also have partnerships with business schools in Cergy-Pontoise, near Paris, and Strasbourg.
For students on Semester 6 Abroad in a Spanish-speaking environment, our partner institutions include the Universities of Córdoba, Navarra, Granada, León, Santander and Santiago de Compostela in Spain - as well as in Latin America, there are also exchange agreements with universities in Mexico City, Santiago de Chile and Córdoba in Argentina.
All students on programmes involving both French and Spanish (including Education) can also apply for an English Language Assistantship through the British Council. This is a competitive scheme and successful applicants spend a year in paid employment between Semester 4 and 5 in France or another French-speaking country, Spain or Latin America.
For students studying both French and Spanish who are eligible for the British Council scheme, an assistantship would fulfil our residence requirement for one language and you would spend Semester 6 in the country of the second language. Students of French and Spanish who do not undertake an assistantship will be required to fulfil our minimum residence requirement (usually 4 weeks spent in a French or Spanish-speaking country, often at a language school). This minimum residence is undertaken at the student’s own expense and during vacation time.
Education students: There are specific professional residence requirements and guidance that apply to Education programmes in order for students to fulfil GTC requirements, as well as those set by the Faculty of Social Sciences at Stirling. All Education students should consult with staff in Education at Stirling for full details of these. Secondary Education students who do not undertake an assistantship must discuss the professional implications with staff in Education as well as consulting French/Spanish Programme Director/s in order to ensure that they fulfil our minimum language residence requirement.
French
Professor Elizabeth Ezra, Course Director
+44 (0)1786 467538
e.r.ezra@stir.ac.uk
Spanish
Jose Ferreira-Cayuela, Course Director
+44 (0)1786 467541
jose.ferreiracayuela@stir.ac.uk
Fees and funding
Scottish students
This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,535 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy and terms and conditions.
International students (including EU)
Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students from Scotland
Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will automatically receive our Undergraduate Welcome Scholarship, Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and our Honours Year Scholarship, which are worth between £1,000 and £9,250.
International students
Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
What jobs can you get with a Modern Languages degree?
Stirling graduates with a Modern Languages degree have gone on to a wide variety of careers. The freedom to combine your Modern Languages course with one other subject means you can focus on your ideal career path right from the start of your studies.
Jobs where your degree would be useful include:
- interpreter
- translator
- secondary school teacher
- journalist
- diplomatic services operational officer
- English as a foreign language teacher
- international aid/development worker
- logistics and distribution manager
- marketing executive
- patent examiner
- sales executive
- tourism manager
As a language graduate, you’ll be a confident communicator with the ability to adapt well to new environments. Spending a semester abroad during your studies helps you to develop cultural awareness, and teaches you how to work independently or as part of a team. In a job market that is becoming increasingly global, these skills are in demand in most sectors.
- Combine Modern Languages with various different courses.
- Graduating with a degree in Modern Languages opens up a world of career opportunities.
