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An image to illustrate the BA (Honours) History and Languages
Combining History with French, German, or Spanish offers a unique insight into the history and cultures of European and North American countries from the later Middle Ages to the present day. By the time you graduate, you’ll be fluent and confident in communicating with speakers of your chosen language. You’ll also gain a deep understanding of the history and culture of French, German, or Spanish-speaking communities. Learning a modern language gives you an edge in today’s global workplace and your degree title, such as BA (Honours) History and French, will reflect your specialisation.
We also offer a Diploma of Higher Education in History and Languages (W96), which has the same structure as the first two-thirds of this degree. Similarly, our Certificate of Higher Education in History and Languages (T55) corresponds to the first third.
This history and languages degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.
In Stage 1, you’ll study a 60-credit introductory history module. You’ll choose your language and study two 30-credit language modules.
For modern language modules, your choice will depend on your current level of language proficiency. If you are unsure about your current level, you can use our language self-assessment quiz or see the Entry Requirements for more advice.

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
Revolutions (A113)60Oct | Feb
You’ll choose one from:
Exploring languages and cultures (L161)30Oct
Introduction to French studies (beginners) (L102)30Oct
You'll study the following:
French studies 1 (intermediate) (L112)30Oct

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
Revolutions (A113)60Oct | Feb
You’ll choose one from:
Exploring languages and cultures (L161)30Oct
Introduction to German studies (beginners) (L103)30Oct
You'll study the following:
German studies 1 (intermediate) (L113)30Oct

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
Revolutions (A113)60Oct | Feb
You’ll choose one from:
Exploring languages and cultures (L161)30Oct
Introduction to Spanish studies (beginners) (L106)30Oct
You'll study the following:
Spanish studies 1 (intermediate) (L116)30Oct

In Stages 2 and 3, you’ll divide your study equally between history and your chosen language.

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 2 (120 credits)
You'll study the following:
Early modern Europe: society and culture c.1500-1780 (A223)60Oct
French studies 2: language and culture of the French-speaking world (L222)60Oct
Stage 3 (120 credits)
You’ll choose one from:
Empires: power, resistance, legacies (A328)60Oct
Europe 1914-2014: the remaking of a continent (A337) – planned for October 2026
60Oct | Feb
You'll study the following:
French studies 3: language and culture of the French-speaking world (L332)60Oct

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 2 (120 credits)
You'll study the following:
Early modern Europe: society and culture c.1500-1780 (A223)60Oct
German studies 2: language and culture of the German-speaking world (L223)60Oct
Stage 3 (120 credits)
You’ll choose one from:
Empires: power, resistance, legacies (A328)60Oct
Europe 1914-2014: the remaking of a continent (A337) – planned for October 2026
60Oct | Feb
You'll study the following:
German studies 3: language and culture of the German-speaking world (L333)60Oct

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 2 (120 credits)
You'll study the following:
Early modern Europe: society and culture c.1500-1780 (A223)60Oct
Spanish studies 2: language and culture of the Spanish-speaking world (L226)60Oct
Stage 3 (120 credits)
You’ll choose one from:
Empires: power, resistance, legacies (A328)60Oct
Europe 1914-2014: the remaking of a continent (A337) – planned for October 2026
60Oct | Feb
You'll study the following:
Spanish studies 3: language and culture of the Spanish-speaking world (L336)60Oct

By studying this degree, you’ll:
You’ll be supported by personal tutors, high-quality study materials, tutorials, and regular feedback.
You’ll be awarded a BA (Honours) History and Languages upon successful completion. Your degree title will show your language choice:
Your honours classification (first, upper second, lower second or third class honours) will depend on the grades you gain at Stages 2 and 3.
You'll also have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
You can achieve this degree in as little as three years and have a maximum of 16 years to complete it. Our module-by-module approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that works best for you.
Please note: If you start your language at beginners level, your degree will take a minimum of four years to complete because you can’t take beginners and intermediate modules at the same time.
You can complete this degree in three years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s similar to a student at a campus-based university.
You can complete this degree in six years by studying part-time. That’s roughly half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.
At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.
As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.
Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:
Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.
Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.
For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.
See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.
Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:
Discover the support network and learning tools you'll have access to throughout your studies.
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.
However, there’s a choice of starting points in the modern language element – your choice will depend on your current level of confidence and proficiency.
Unless you have prior knowledge of your chosen language equivalent to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level A2, we recommend you start Stage 1 with a beginners’ module.
Beginners’ and intermediate language modules are both 30-credit modules, and both start in October and end in June. Intermediate modules follow on from the learning in beginners’ modules, so you should not study them in the same language concurrently unless you already have significant knowledge of the language.
Our self-assessment quiz can help you decide whether to start with beginners’ or intermediate French, German, and Spanish and provide guidance on choosing the right modern language level for you. We expect to have a version of the self-assessment quiz available for Chinese modules when registration opens.
If you’ve studied at university level before, you may be able to transfer the academic credit you've been awarded towards an OU qualification. This could save you time and money by reducing the modules you need to study.
It’s not just university study that can be considered; you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications, such as HNCs and HNDs.
You should apply to transfer credit before registering, at least four weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where, and when, and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.
For more details and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.
The fees and funding information shown below relate to the 2025/26 academic year and are provided for guidance only. Updated 2026/27 information will be published on the 25th of March, when this qualification next opens for registration.

6 years
£3,892*
A degree is worth 360 credits. The fee per year is based on studying 60 credits per year for 6 years.
£23,352*
That’s 18% less than the cost of an equivalent qualification offered at most other universities in England.
Compare the cost of studying at the OU with other campus-based universities in England.
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£28,605
£28,605
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£23,352
£23,352
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£5,253 (18%)
£5,253 (18%)
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£19,070
£19,070
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£15,568
£15,568
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£3,502 (18%)
£3,502 (18%)
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£9,535
£9,535
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£7,784
£7,784
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£1,751 (18%)
£1,751 (18%)
Qualification
Qualification
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
£28,605
£28,605
£23,352
£23,352
£5,253 (18%)
£5,253 (18%)
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
£19,070
£19,070
£15,568
£15,568
£3,502 (18%)
£3,502 (18%)
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
£9,535
£9,535
£7,784
£7,784
£1,751 (18%)
£1,751 (18%)
*Based on maximum chargeable fees for the 25/26 academic year.
**The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's Fee Rules.
Your course fees cover your tuition, assessment and study materials, but there are still a few additional costs that can come with studying. For this qualification, you'll need:
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's Fee Rules.
Pay nothing upfront – over 85% of our students in England fund their studies with a Part-Time Tuition Fee Loan (sometimes called a student loan), meaning they pay nothing upfront.
Learn more about this and our other funding options below.
Repay in monthly instalments while you study.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
Combine your payment options to fund your studies the way you want.
If you’re a serving member of the British Armed Forces (or you’ve recently left), you may be eligible to use ELCs to cover up to 100% of your course fees.
You may be eligible for:
Studying history alongside a modern language opens up many career options. Your skills in analysis and communication can be applied to many fields ranging from education, business or international organisations. Your understanding of another language and the cultures that use it is an asset that will be highly valued by employers and that will widen your opportunities in the international market. A qualification in history and a language can lead to opportunities in a wide range of areas, such as:
As a linguist and a historian you'll enjoy a broad range of career opportunities directly related to your field: teaching; translating; interpreting; the civil service the diplomatic service; the media (publishing, journalism and advertising); leisure, tourism and travel; and working in international organisations and government bodies. There is also particular demand for language skills in education and more broadly across the economy in client-facing roles. These range from business development, sales, marketing, logistics and tourism to supporting and managing performance in global markets, and to offering services (from health and social care to driving instruction) in an increasingly diverse UK. Studying a language can also be your passport to a new life abroad.
Employers in all fields value applicants who can communicate well, analyse, evaluate and present ideas and arguments effectively. These skills can be used in work where research or written communication.
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you'll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice, including: online forums, website, interview simulation and vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
In the meantime, if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we've put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point (note that some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree):
This course will next start in the 2026/27 academic year and will open for registration on the 25th of March. If you’d like us to keep you updated, register your interest.
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Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
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This course will next start in the 2026/27 academic year and will open for registration on the 25th of March. If you’d like us to keep you updated, register your interest.
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