Language degrees combined with other subjects
Flexible language degree combinations at the University of Stirling. Combine French and/or Spanish with Business, Politics or Psychology for a global career.
Key facts
- Award BA (Hons)
- Duration 48 months
- Mode of study full time, part time
- Delivery on campus
- Study abroad opportunities
Overview
Speaking a second language opens the doors to a world of new career opportunities. Employers value the communication skills, cultural awareness and analytical thinking of language graduates.
At Stirling, we offer unique language combination courses that prepare you for a range of possible career paths.
Combine languages with complementary subjects
We offer course combinations that pair French and/or Spanish with other subjects designed to match your career ambitions. These combinations are:
- French and Spanish with Business Studies: Study two languages alongside Business Studies to prepare for careers in the international business sector. Graduate with a BA (Hons) Modern Languages and Business Studies.
- French or Spanish with International Politics: Deepen your understanding of other cultures and gain key skills for roles within governmental bodies, diplomatic organisations and more. Graduate with a BA (Hons) International Politics and Languages.
- French or Spanish with Psychology: Combine a language with Psychology to broaden your possible career fields and global destinations. Graduate with a BA (Hons) Psychology and a European Language.
Whatever combination you choose to study, we offer beginner or advanced level language streams. During year 2, both streams merge as you work towards graduating with advanced skills.
Study abroad opportunities around the world
If you study languages combined with Business Studies or International Politics, you’ll have the opportunity to study abroad in Year 3. We have partnerships with universities in France, Spain, Switzerland, Canada and Latin America. Studying abroad will give you the opportunity to develop real world language skills, increase your independence and gain a global perspective valued by employers.
Learn from leading experts at Stirling
Our combined Languages courses give you a chance to learn from expert teachers across a range of subject areas. Your language studies will help you to:
- Gain an in-depth grasp of grammar, phonetics and vocabulary in French and/or Spanish;
- Master advanced speaking, writing, reading and listening skills;
- Develop a deep understanding of other societies to enhance your intercultural awareness;
- Focus on practical translation skills and learn about the key attributes you’ll need for your future career – at home or abroad.
You’ll explore topics such as culture, history, politics and society to understand how language is used in real-world contexts.
Other language courses at Stirling
The three specific course combinations listed above are just some of the language courses available at Stirling. We also offer the following related courses:
- BA (Hons) French
- BA (Hons) Spanish and Latin American Studies
- BA (Hons) European Languages and Society with International Management
Top reasons to study with us
* Rankings are based on institutions within the Guardian University Guide
Prizes or awards
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
Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
Highers
AABB
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.
Other Scottish qualifications
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.
Other qualifications
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.
International entry requirements
Advanced entry
Advanced entry is not available for this course.
English language requirements
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.
- TOEFL exams taken before 21 January 2026: 80 overall with 18 in reading, 17 in writing, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking.
- TOEFL exams taken from 21 January 2026: 4 overall with no less than 4 in any band.
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, University of Stirling International Study Centre 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
Course details
Teaching
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.
Assessment
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.
Study abroad
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 Health, Sport and Society 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.
Contact
Fees and funding
| Scottish students | ||
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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. |
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| Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland | ||
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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 for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information. | ||
| International students (including EU) | ||
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Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £10,000–£20,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students. |
Fee 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.
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.
Funding
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 receive our Stirling Success Scholarship which is worth £5,000.
International students
Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £10,000-£20,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.
Cost of living
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.
Payment options
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 Languages degree?
Stirling graduates with a Languages degree have gone on to a wide variety of careers. The freedom to combine your Languages course with another 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.
What our students said
BA (Hons) French and Spanish
The opportunities to go abroad were both highlights of the programme. Both to go on Erasmus in Spain for a semester and to work in France as part of the British Council programme.
Flexible study
You can review the courses that you can combine with French and/or Spanish (and the modules that you will study) on the course details tab.