The School of Modern Languages and Cultures houses a vibrant community of researchers, teachers and students. Its departments figure regularly in the top five in national league tables such as the Good University Guide and the Complete University Guide. In recent years, the School has seen significant growth and development in its smaller units, and it returned all six of its constituent departments in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise. The results for both Durham and the School of Modern Languages and Cultures were excellent.

The School aims to foster a world-class student experience in all its disciplines, with some 50 full-time teaching staff (including 20 dedicated language specialists). Its research community, which is organised in interdisciplinary groups (Literature, History, Theory; Translation, Linguistics, Pedagogy; Visual and Performance Studies; Culture and Difference), is also home to some 70 postgraduate students.

The School also houses the Centre for Foreign Language Study, which offers non-specialist learners, including students, staff and members of the public, the opportunity to learn a range of languages from beginners to more advanced levels.

Professor David Cowling, Head of School