Best universities for Modern Languages & Linguistics
Built only from official government data.
You may not agree with this order. We present the data as we find it, and we say plainly how much we think each measure is worth. Every weight is published, every figure is sourced and dated, and where we cannot prove something we leave it blank rather than fill it in. Complete transparency is the whole claim — disagree with the weighting, and you can see exactly what you are disagreeing with.
Tier 1 — strongest for this subject
On our measures these are the strongest places in our catalogue to study this. They are listed alphabetically: the differences between them are smaller than the uncertainty in the data.
Tier 2
Strong, and separated from Tier 1 by more than the margin of error.
Tier 3
Solid, with a measurable gap to the tiers above.
Tier 4
Further back on the measures we use.
Universities inside a tier are listed alphabetically, and there is no order within a tier — the differences are smaller than the data can carry, so publishing one would be inventing it. Open any university, or several at once, for the published figures behind it: earnings, satisfaction, research and the rest, on the same rows every time so they can be read side by side.
Held back by missing data — listed, not ranked
These have too little published data to score fairly, usually because the official statistics withhold figures for a cohort too small to publish safely. That is not a verdict on the course, so here is what we do hold rather than nothing at all.
Language, Culture & Society — graduates earn +£7,114 against the national average for Modern Languages & Linguistics, five years on. Only 52% of the measures we score are published for it.
Courses we hold that are not in this table
None of these is a judgement on the course. A university marked not in this table at all is missing for one of the reasons below and for no other reason — never because it scored badly.
BA Modern Languages — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
Chinese Studies and International Relations — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
French Studies and International Relations — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
French Studies and Mathematics — HESA classifies this as mathematical sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
German Studies and International Relations — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
German Studies and Mathematics — HESA classifies this as mathematical sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Spanish Studies and International Relations — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Spanish Studies and Mathematics — HESA classifies this as mathematical sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
French and Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
French with Business Management — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
German and Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
German with Business Management — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Hispanic Studies and Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Hispanic Studies with Business Management — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Russian and Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Russian with Business Management — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
BA Modern Languages — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
Dutch with Management Studies BA — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
French with Management Studies BA — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
German with Management Studies BA — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Bulgarian and Yiddish — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
French and Italian — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
Italian and Management Studies — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Italian Studies: UCL-Venice Double Degree — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
Russian with an East European Language — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
Spanish with Management Studies — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Portuguese and Management Studies — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
BA Modern Languages & European Studies — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
Modern Languages BA (Hons) — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
Modern Languages and History of Art — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
Modern Languages and Linguistics — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
Modern Languages and Music — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
Modern Languages with Business Management — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Modern Languages with Translation — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
MA Modern Languages — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
Arabic and Business — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Arabic and Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Arabic and Social Anthropology — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
French and Business — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
French and Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
French and Social Policy — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
German and Business — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
German and Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
German and Social Policy — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Italian and Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Russian Studies and Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Russian Studies and Social Policy — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Spanish and Business — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Spanish and Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Arabic and Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Dual/Juris Doctor (JD) with the Chinese University of Hong Kong — HESA classifies this as law, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
MA Modern Languages — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
Chinese MA — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
English Language & Linguistics MA — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
French/Business and Management — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
French/Mathematics — HESA classifies this as mathematical sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
French/Psychology — HESA classifies this as psychology, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
French/Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Gaelic/Social & Public Policy — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
German/Business and Management — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
German/Economics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
German/Mathematics — HESA classifies this as mathematical sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
German/Psychology — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
German/Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Italian/Mathematics — HESA classifies this as mathematical sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Portuguese/Business and Management — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Portuguese/Mathematics — HESA classifies this as mathematical sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Portuguese/Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Portuguese/Psychology — HESA classifies this as psychology, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Portuguese/Social & Public Policy — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Russian/Sociology — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Spanish/Economics — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
Spanish/Mathematics — HESA classifies this as mathematical sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Spanish/Sociology — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Spanish/Social & Public Policy — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
East Asian Studies and International Relations — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Middle Eastern Studies and Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Modern Languages and Business — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Modern Languages and Economics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Modern Languages and International Relations — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Modern Languages and Politics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
BA Modern Languages — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
Chinese and Linguistics — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
Modern Languages and Business and Management — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
BA Modern Languages — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
BA Modern Languages — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
BA Modern Languages & Linguistics — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
BA European & Middle Eastern Languages — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
BA Asian & Middle Eastern Studies — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
BA Philosophy & Modern Languages — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
Asian and Middle Eastern Studies and Classics — HESA classifies this as historical, philosophical and religious studies, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
BA Modern Languages — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
MA Modern Languages — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
MA Middle East Studies — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
Arabic and Economics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Arabic and International Relations — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Arabic and Management — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Arabic and Mathematics — HESA classifies this as mathematical sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Arabic and Persian and International Relations — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Arabic and Psychology — HESA classifies this as psychology, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Arabic and Psychology (WIYA) — HESA classifies this as psychology, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Arabic and Social Anthropology — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Chinese Studies - Economics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Chinese Studies - International Relations — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Chinese Studies - Management — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
French and International Relations — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
French and Management — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
French and Psychology — HESA classifies this as psychology, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
French and Social Anthropology — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
German and International Relations — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
German and Mathematics — HESA classifies this as mathematical sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
German and Management — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
German and Psychology — HESA classifies this as psychology, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
German and Social Anthropology — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Hebrew and Mathematics — HESA classifies this as mathematical sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Italian and Mathematics — HESA classifies this as mathematical sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Italian and Psychology — HESA classifies this as psychology, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Italian and Management — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Italian and Social Anthropology — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Modern Languages (Arabic and Persian) and International Relations — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Modern Languages (Arabic and Persian) and Management — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Russian and Social Anthropology — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Arabic and Persian and Management — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Middle East Studies and Social Anthropology — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
French and Economics BA — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
German and Economics BA — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Hispanic Studies and Economics BA — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
French with Film Studies — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
German and Business Studies — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
German with Film Studies — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
Hispanic Studies with Film Studies — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
Italian with Film Studies — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
Modern Languages and Economics — HESA classifies this as social sciences, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Modern Languages, Business and Management — HESA classifies this as business and management, so it is measured against that subject rather than this one.
Language, Logic and Communication — we have not yet matched this course to its official record.
A university missing from every list above is not ranked last — it is not ranked. Either we do not list it, or it has no Modern Languages & Linguistics course in the official data at all. An absence means "we do not know", never "it is weak".
Not published: Other — not a discipline — a browsing bucket with no subject classification behind it, so there is nothing coherent to rank its courses against. We would rather leave a subject out than band it on too little.
Who decided this order?
We did, out of eight published government measures with every weight shown — and none of them is a survey of opinion. The next tab has all of it: what each measure contributes, what we deliberately left out, where the order stops being something the data can support, and the source and year of every figure.
Sources: Discover Uni (on_2026_09_29_12_31_32), the Longitudinal Education Outcomes dataset, Graduate Outcomes, the National Student Survey, and REF 2021. Snapshot on_2026_09_29_12_31_32-c6abef4e77df, computed 2026-10-05. Each source publishes annually or less often, so these tables change when a release lands and not otherwise.