Skip to main content

Welcome to the School of Modern Languages and Cultures

You can study Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hispanic Studies, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Visual Arts and Film with us at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Our undergraduate courses allow you to study one or more languages, or take a language alongside history, English or many other subjects. Studying here is transformative for your employment prospects.

We rank in the top 40 language departments globally.

Our Centre for Foreign Language Study offers language teaching to Durham students on other degree programmes and to the public.

 

Find out more about us
2nd for Italian Studies Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
3rd for Russian Studies
3rd for Russian Studies Complete University Guide 2027
4th for Iberian Languages
4th for Iberian Languages Complete University Guide 2026
5th for French Studies Complete University Guide 2026

Ready for Your Year Abroad Adventure?

From Italy, Spain, all the way to Jordan, China, and Japan: Hear what our students have to say about their exciting time abroad.
Watch My Year Abroad videos
My year abroad heroes
This is the image alt text

Scholarships in Modern Languages

Are you considering starting your undergraduate study with us in 2025? Thanks to generous gifts from our alumnae, we have scholarships to offer to talented students from low-income backgrounds.

Find out more

What's New?

MLAC alumna Sophia Smith-Galer explores the future of languages in new book

MLAC alumna Sophia Smith-Galer celebrates the publication of How to Kill a Language, a Sunday Times Book of the Week, following her journey from Durham student journalist and performer to award-winning reporter and author.
Sophia Smith-Galer

Professor Marcela Cazzoli champions the future of modern languages through widening access and international collaboration

Professor Marcela Cazzoli, Professor of Hispanic Studies and Director of the MA in TESOL and Applied Linguistics, has recently published a thought provoking article in Wonkhe on the future of modern languages through widening access and inclusion. She has also visited China Pharmaceutical University in Nanjing to strengthen international partnerships, promote postgraduate study opportunities at Durham, and explore future collaboration in teaching and research.
Marcella Cazzoli Keynote in China

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.
Find out more
Cable car station, Innsbruck, Austria
QS World University Rankings 2027

QS World University Rankings 2027: Durham ranks 85th, up 9 places

Our global reputation for employability reflects the quality and real-world relevance of our education and research. Ranked 85th overall, we are also among the world’s top 50 for Employer Reputation and placed joint 24th for Sustainability.

Learn more about the QS World University Rankings

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

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.

Stay connected

Stay informed about life at the School of Modern Languages and Cultures, from student experiences and research to events, partnerships and achievements.