Modern languages
Source: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/modern-languages/ Parent: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/
Modern languages
Modern languages at the University of St Andrews is one of the largest and most diverse subjects of its kind in the UK.
The School offers the opportunity to study Arabic, Persian, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish in depth, alongside Middle East studies and cross-disciplinary programmes in Comparative Literature, Global Languages, Literatures and Cultures, and Global Digital Humanities.
At St Andrews, we believe that high-level language skills go hand-in-hand with studying culture, and that living, studying and working abroad is an integral part of language study.
Undergraduate
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Postgraduate taught
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Postgraduate research
The School of Modern Languages offers PhD, MPhil, and MSt (Res) research programmes. Research interests in the School cover many aspects of language studies, including:
- literature
- linguistics
- cinema
- history
- gender
- identity issues.
To apply, you should first identify and contact a potential supervisor you would like to work with in your intended research area. Find out how to contact a research supervisor.
“It is amazing to have the opportunity to put your language skills to use within a real-life context and rewarding to be able to read a piece of literature or watch a film and understand what is happening. It makes all the hours of studying worth it.”
Chloe-Kate \ - New York, USA
Awards
Second in the UK for languages and linguistics
Guardian University Guide 2026
83% of research activity rated 3* or 4*
Most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021)
School of Modern Languages
The School offers a truly global approach with specialists across eight languages – Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Persian, Russian and Spanish – as well as Comparative Literature.
Expertise spans from the Middle Ages to the present day and includes literature, theatre, film, history, translation, and material culture.
Studying in St Andrews
The University offers a variety of flexible entry options in order to allow all students, regardless of background or personal circumstances, to apply.
Fees and funding
Scholarships and funding options are available at every level of study.
St Andrews has variety of accommodation options to suit all tastes and budgets.
Visit St Andrews
If you’re interested in studying at St Andrews, join us at a visiting day or talk and tour to explore the town, find out about our courses and meet current students. You can also join us for one of our upcoming online events.