Languages and Communication Studies

Languages students and lecturer in a seminar

Take your passion for languages to the next level, explore new cultures and gain experience that truly sets you apart.

Language is more than just words - it’s the key to connecting people, cultures and careers around the world.

Master one or even two languages at UEA, where you can study French, Spanish and/or Japanese to degree level. We also offer a wide range of languages at beginner or intermediate levels.

You can also choose to focus on developing your understanding of global communication and business management on our degrees, or to hone your translation, interpreting and digital media skills.

Our practical and flexible courses offer real-world experiences and open doors to exciting global opportunities and careers.

You’ll benefit from a close-knit community where we know you by name, and you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in different cultures through projects and your study abroad year.

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Why choose Languages at UEA?

Top20

for Languages and Linguistics

The Guardian University Guide 2024

5^th

for Research Quality in Area Studies

REF 2021

96%

of final year Languages students at UEA were satisfied with their course

Discover Uni

Turn your language skills into a career

Our language degrees are designed with employability in mind. Not only will you develop advanced and invaluable competencies in language and intercultural communication, but you’ll also gain practical, transferable skills that are highly prized across a range of industries. Throughout your studies, you’ll work on exciting, real-life projects to gain experience that will set you apart in the job market.

You’ll graduate prepared for success in a wide range of careers, including in the language service and media localisation industries, international business and marketing, and teaching.

Here are just some examples of the roles our recent graduates have gone on to work in:

Freelance translator and subtitler
Video game development specialist
Senior social media executive
Interpreting project manager
Marketing director
MFL teacher

Not sure what to specialise in? We’ll help you explore your options and support you every step of the way.

Gain practical experience from your first year

From your first year, you’ll be involved in real projects, from creating website content or resource packs to present at local events, to writing your own news show or podcast in your degree language and recording it in the Media Suite. These opportunities will deepen your understanding of the language in professional contexts and develop your communication skills.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

Create project outputs in response to briefs for external organisations and showcase at the Love Languages Day event in the vibrant city of Norwich
Provide translations and subtitles for charities and projects such as Women of Influence or as a volunteer for the SAAM project
Interpret at workshops with law students and doctors at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals

Students on their year abroad sitting on a mountain

Study abroad: Immerse yourself in language and culture

The year abroad is one of the most exciting aspects of studying a language degree at UEA. You’ll have the chance to live and study or work in a country where your degree language is spoken, putting your skills into practice every day. This experience doesn’t just improve your fluency - it gives you a deeper understanding of the culture and society you’re studying, helping you develop independence and confidence.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

Study at one of our prestigious partner institutions in France, Spain, Japan, Canada or South America or do a work placement if you study French and/or Spanish
Fully immerse yourself in the local culture, refining your language skills in day-to-day life
Gain real-life cultural experience to prepare you for global career opportunities

Find the right course for you

Your study options

Your Year Abroad

Learn more about studying abroad

Foundation Year option

Explore our Foundation Year course

MA in Applied Translation

Take your language training to the next level

Languages student using translation software

Train with professional tools used in the industry

You’ll train with the same technology used by professional translators and interpreters. Whether you’re interpreting at a mock conference or subtitling videos, you’ll gain valuable experience that prepares you for the workplace.

Our facilities include:

The language laboratory - Study using state-of-the-art audiovisual translation and interpreting software
Interpreting booths - Gain authentic experience as an interpreter with industry-standard booths designed for simultaneous interpreting
TV media suite - Record podcasts and practice your language skills on a teleprompter

You’ll even have the opportunity to take part in mock multilingual conferences, interpreting live using your degree language(s) including French, Spanish and Japanese.

Languages students at an event in the Forum, Norwich

Get involved with events and societies

There’s plenty to explore outside of your studies. Throughout the year, you can take part in:

Discover Japan and Bunkasai cultural events and Love Languages Day - Engage with the Norwich community through language games, music, and dance
Multilingual Murder Mystery - A fun Welcome Week event where you meet fellow students and staff while solving a mystery in multiple languages
LCS Ciné Club - Watch international films on the big screen and meet like-minded people. Free popcorn!

I moved to Montreal four years ago in pursuit of a career in video games... We oversee the Game Production process and work daily with all the different teams involved to ensure major issues are fixed before the next release and that all the new content and features are ready. I am now a Specialist in this role and am looking to continue growing in this fun and constantly evolving industry.

Katrina, Game Development Specialist, Translation and Interpreting with French and Spanish

After teaching English at a French university and studying a Master’s in Conference Interpreting, I now enjoy the best of two jobs in Belgium. I’m running my writing and translation business. This week I enjoyed planning an event for a translation network and a few short translation projects. Next week I'm off to Antwerp for two days to work with a client on their upcoming book. These projects can be challenging but are incredibly rewarding

Alanah, Cultural Consultant, Translation and Interpreting with French and Spanish

UEA is a fantastic university, with world-class teaching facilities and lecturers in almost every subject you can imagine. The campus itself has a very homely feel to it, with a cosy café/bar with food and bakery stalls, and the square which is great for sitting out and having a drink in the sun. In terms of learning, the library is a brilliant resource and there is plenty of space to study and work on group projects. If you’re thinking of studying languages at UEA, then I cannot recommend it enough. The staff are fantastic, and are all genuinely interested and engaged in the topics they cover. There are some really unique modules you can pick, and the facilities for subtitling and interpreting are brilliant

Joe, BA Modern Languages (French and Spanish)

The course was next-level in its offering – undergraduate interpreting as a core degree with Japanese is rare and it provided a great foundation for next steps in my study and career. The Japanese teaching in particular is incredibly well taught. When I arrived in Japan, I was amazed at how much more advanced my level of Japanese was compared to a number of other international students I met from different universities. That’s testament to the great ways of teaching from tutors and textbooks selected for us to use.

Ellie, BA Translation and Interpreting (French and Japanese)

Students and lecturer in a Languages seminar

Learn directly from language and communication experts

Our staff are passionate about how language shapes communication and different cultures. You’ll hone your language skills with tutors who are native speakers and experts in your chosen language(s). You’ll also benefit from the extensive research and real-world expertise they bring to the classroom. With smaller class sizes, you’ll build strong relationships with staff and often have a chance to work as a paid intern on exciting research projects.

Some of our current research includes:

Media accessibility - Using eye-trackers to study how subtitled videos are viewed by audiences, particularly focusing on deaf and hard-of-hearing children.
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller voices – Strengthening the representation of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller music, identity and history, both in the UK and Colombia.
Misunderstanding humour - Examining how people handle offensive humour in online interaction.
Communication and wellbeing for migrant footballers - Investigating how communication and adaptation support for migrant professional footballers in England affects their wellbeing.

Join a community

When you join one of our language degrees, you’ll be joining a community too. You’ll be part of a friendly, supportive environment where we know you by name. Our degrees are internationally diverse, meaning you’ll learn alongside students from different cultural backgrounds. This enhances your experience and gives you a global perspective that will serve you well in any career.

Your next steps

Ready to explore the courses we offer in Languages?

Or join us for a subject taster session to get a feel for what it's like to study Languages at UEA.

We also hold regular webinars on a broad range of topics about university, like personal statements, student finance, and life as a student.

All Languages courses Subject tasters and webinars