School of Languages and Area Studies (SLAS)

SLAS homepage image - Park Building

RAE 2008
Staff in the School of Languages and Area Studies are members of the Centre for European & International Studies Research. European Studies research at the University of Portsmouth was ranked top in the UK in the 2008 UK Research Assessment Exercise, according to the Research Power Index compiled by the highly respected journal Research Fortnight. The Centre is also the largest centre for European Studies research in the UK.


We are a well-established department and one of the largest departments of its kind in the country teaching six languages to degree level (French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish and English as a foreign language) and associated area studies to more than 900 undergraduate students on over twenty courses. We now offer three degree programmes with a Chinese pathway and a study year in China. We also offer courses in American Studies, either as single honours or combined honours. If you are thinking of applying to us why not come to one of our faculty preview or open days.

In the latest National Student Survey, Portsmouth came equal third in the UK for European Languages and Area Studies. All courses in the School recorded very high levels of satisfaction among students graduating in 2009, with staff availability and pastoral support being especially appreciated by students.

We have invested a quarter of a million pounds over the last three years in new, state-of-the-art, multimedia digital language laboratories and up to update classrooms with the latest teaching technology.

We welcome applications from EU students and International students. We offer extra modules for home and overseas students studying on different courses, programmes such as English for Academic Purposes (EAP) and the Institutional Wide Language Programme (IWLP). All EAP and IWLP courses are provided to students free of charge. We also run Pre-sessional courses for students needing to improve their English before starting their course.

The School of Languages and Area Studies is involved in a variety of Knowledge Transfer projects.

We offer a dynamic environment for the study of modern languages and area studies. Click here for a brief overview of our courses and some guidance that may help you choose between them. We have a reputation for excellence in teaching and research. All our subject areas are attached to the Centre for European and International Studies Research (CEISR), which received a top rating of '5' in the last Research Assessment Exercise.