School of Modern Languages & Cultures
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 70 language departments globally.
Our Centre for Foreign Language Study offers language teaching to Durham students on other degree programmes and to the public.
Ready for Your Year Abroad Adventure?
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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.
What's New?
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Fusako Innami has been named runner-up for the British Comparative Literature Association's inaugural First Book Prize
Fusako Innami's book Touching the Unreachable: Writing, Skinship, Modern Japan has been named runner-up for the British Comparative Literature Association's inaugural First Book Prize 2025Research news/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/departments-/modern-languages-amp-cultures-school-of/publications/Innami-Touching-the-Unreachable.png)
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Daniel Newman speaks at the Bradford Literary Festival
Our colleague Daniel Newman spoke at the Bradford Literary Festival with acclaimed food writer Fiona Dunlop, together offering a sensory journey through the rich culinary heritage of al-Andalus.Research news/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/departments-/modern-languages-amp-cultures-school-of/staff/Newman.png)
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Durham Film Festival 2025: Celebrating Student Talent and International Voices
The 2025 Durham Film Festival took place from June 11th to 14th, transforming various venues across Durham into lively hubs celebrating cinema. Highlights included an Open Air Cinema at Aidan’s beer garden, a Hollywood-style Speakeasy at Bar 33, and a formal award ceremony at Durham School.Student news/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/departments-/modern-languages-amp-cultures-school-of/thumbnail_FEST3.jpg)
Fusako Innami has been named runner-up for the British Comparative Literature Association's inaugural First Book Prize
Fusako Innami's book Touching the Unreachable: Writing, Skinship, Modern Japan has been named runner-up for the British Comparative Literature Association's inaugural First Book Prize 2025
Daniel Newman speaks at the Bradford Literary Festival
Durham Film Festival 2025: Celebrating Student Talent and International Voices
Our research
World-leading status affirmed in QS World University Rankings 2026
Durham University has been named in the QS World University Rankings world top 100, a position it has achieved every year since 2010. The rankings have confirmed the University’s strong global reputation for employability (64th) and it is also 22nd in the world for sustainability.
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 2630
Questions about studying here?
Check out our list of FAQs or submit an enquiry form.
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