Modern Languages and History with a Year in Industry

Put your fascination with the past to good use by studying Modern Languages and History with a Year in Industry at Swansea University. You’ll build skills valued by employers across a range of sectors, while exploring the human condition from the Middle Ages to the present.

Modern Languages and History explores subjects including women’s history and gender, modern British social history and the history of religion, health and medicine, stretching from the Middle Ages to the Modern era. You will also study the rich diversity of your chosen language (French, German, or Spanish), as well as modules in cultural studies, film, history, translation and language teaching.

Studying this degree course opens up a range of exciting career opportunities by helping you to develop skills which are highly valued by employers.

Based at our stunning Singleton Park campus, in parkland overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula, our Modern Language and History course at Swansea University is highly regarded by students and employers.

Modern Languages at Swansea is ranked:

• 1st in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction (Guardian University Guide 2025) • 1st for Learning Opportunities (NSS 2024)* • 2nd for Teaching (NSS 2024)* • 2nd for Student Voice (NSS 2024)** • 5th in the UK Overall (Guardian University Guide 2025)

A. Based on the average positivity score across questions 5 to 9 in the NSS 2024 when ranked against universities featured in the Times Good University Guide. B. Based on the average positivity score across questions 1 to 4 in the NSS 2024 when ranked against universities featured in the Times Good University Guide. C. Based on the average positivity score across questions 22 to 25 in the NSS 2024 when ranked against universities featured in the Times Good University Guide.

History at Swansea is ranked:

• Top 15 in the UK for Student Experience (Times Good University Guide 2025) • Top 25 in the UK for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2025)

You’ll be taught by staff with expertise in British, European, and American history, from the Middle Ages to the modern day, on topics including gender, sexuality, and inequalities; heritage and history in the workplace; medicine, health, and disability; and war, violence, and peace.

The course also includes a year in industry. The Year in Industry can be spent in the UK or overseas (locations are dependent on VISA restrictions per country), giving valuable workplace experience. The University advocates for paid placements, which on average have a salary of £20,000+. Unpaid placements are considered on a case-by-case basis. Although securing a placement is the responsibility of the student, we work with several organisations who provide a range of opportunities. Students are supported throughout the application journey with advice, guidance and resources. If you are unable to secure a placement by the end of the second year of study, you will transfer onto the equivalent degree programme.