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Welcome to the School of Modern Languages and Cultures at Durham

The School of Modern Languages and Cultures consists of Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hispanic Studies, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and the Centre for Foreign Language Study. The School also hosts the BA in Visual Arts and Film. Our community of academics, teachers and support staff aim to foster a world-class student experience in all our disciplines.

Sections within our School feature regularly in the top five in national league tables such as the Good University Guide and the Complete University Guide. In the Complete University Guide 2023, our School of Modern Languages and Cultures at Durham University is ranked 3rd in Chinese and Japanese Studies (Asian Studies), 4th in Italian and Arabic (Middle Eastern & African Studies), 5th in French and Russian, 6th in Spanish and 9th in German. The School of Modern Languages and Cultures is ranked 9th in the UK and 58th globally in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023.

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3rd for Asian Studies The Complete University Guide 2023
4th for Middle Eastern Studies The Complete University Guide 2023
5th for French The Complete University Guide 2023
4th for Italian The Complete University Guide 2023
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Our 2023 Conference

The School of Modern Language and Cultures hosted the conference, 'Where Are We Now? The Location of Modern Languages and Cultures' from 19th-21st April 2023.

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Study with us

Some 80 full-time members of staff are engaged in teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, offering expertise in a wide range of subjects, including language, literature, cultural history, cinema and visual culture, and translation; this is reflected also in an exciting range of taught degrees at postgraduate level. The Centre for Foreign Language Study offers learners not taking a specialist degree in Modern Languages, including students, staff and members of the public, the opportunity to learn a range of languages from beginners to more advanced levels.

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The Helen Sharp Undergraduate Scholarship in Modern Languages

Thanks to a generous gift from our alumna Helen Potts, we have a scholarship to offer to a talented student from a low-income background

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Our research

The School's research community is organised through a number of interdisciplinary Research Groups and is home to some 60 postgraduate students pursuing research degrees.
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Upcoming events

Dis/possession: De/constructing Property in Contemporary Literature and Film

Friday 23 June 2023 - Friday 23 June 2023
1:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Online
Clearing of the Köpi Wagenplatz on Köpenicker Strasse in Berlin

'Dis/Connections: Vernetzung und Digitalität in der deutschsprachigen Gegenwartsliteratur

Tuesday 25 July 2023 - Thursday 27 July 2023
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Durham University
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What's new?

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The Bigas Luna Tribute announces new events in Los Angeles this March

The Bigas Luna Tribute announces new events in Los Angeles in collaboration with American Cinematheque, Durham University, Instituto Cervantes LA, Egeda US and Algarrobo Films.
Colourful photograph of a cinema billboard displaying the word American Cinematheque

French Slogan Writing Competition

We are delighted to launch a slogan competition in French on the themes of ‘le français: une nouvelle langue, une nouvelle culture, un nouveau monde’
Information about competition

Bigas Luna Tribute 14-15 October 2022

New BIGAS LUNA TRIBUTE announced for October 14-15th, 2022 as part of the Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival
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Dr Kevin Lin, UK top Chinese-English interpreter offered professional training to Durham MATS and TESOL students

Dr Kevin Lin (OBE), the interpreter to Queen Elizabeth II and six UK Prime Ministers, brought his language service expertise to 30 MATS and TESOL students with his colleagues from KL Communications from 16 July 2022 to 27 July 2022. Dr Lin was previously appointed by MLAC as the first Professor in Translation Practice at Durham University.
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‘Where Are We Now? The Location of Modern Languages and Cultures' 2023 conference

The 2023 conference ‘Where Are We Now? The Location of Modern Languages and Cultures’, hosted by the School of Modern Languages and Cultures at Durham University from 19-21 April, will bring together key thinkers, scholars and practitioners to debate the future of Modern Languages.
View of Durham Castle, Durham Cathedral and Framwellgate Bridge across the river

‘Where Are We Now? The Location of Modern Languages and Cultures' 2023 conference

The 2023 conference ‘Where Are We Now? The Location of Modern Languages and Cultures’, hosted by the School of Modern Languages and Cultures at Durham University from 19-21 April, will bring together key thinkers, scholars and practitioners to debate the future of Modern Languages.
View of Durham Castle, Durham Cathedral and Framwellgate Bridge across the river

County Durham pupils crack the code and become ‘language detectives’ at Durham University

Secondary-school pupils from County Durham recently became certified ‘language detectives’ after completing a series of after-school sessions delivered by School of Modern Languages & Cultures undergraduates, who acted as language ambassadors.
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Student updates

Hear from our students at The School of Modern Languages and Cultures.

Highlights

My year abroad experience

Combined Honours 4th year student, Marina tells about her exciting trips abroad during her degree.
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A Day in the Life of a Languages, Literature and Cultures MA student

MA Languages, Literature and Cultures student, Rebecca takes us through her day-to-day experience at Durham.
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Get in touch

Find out more about our undergraduate and postgraduate opportunities at The School of Modern Languages and Cultures.

School of Modern Languages & Cultures

Durham University
Elvet Riverside
New Elvet
Durham DH1 3JT

 

+44 (0) 191 334 3420

Questions about studying here?

Check out our list of FAQs or submit an enquiry form.

Your Durham prospectus

Order your personalised prospectus and College guide here.