Modern Languages

Description

The key to understanding another society is the mastery of the language. From this starting point, you can examine a country's history, its literature and culture; and by comparison you can learn more about our own society. The BA Modern Languages suite of programmes is designed for students who wish to specialise in the study of two or more languages. You’ll need to be highly motivated and able to demonstrate a real interest in, and flair for, languages.

Our five core languages are French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish, but we also offer Portuguese, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese and English Language. You’ll be learning at one of the biggest, most prestigious centres for the study of modern languages in the UK, with teaching from experts in their field. It’s an exciting chance to develop skills that will equip you for a huge range of careers, both in this country and abroad. The wide range of posts they have secured includes roles in journalism, law, publishing and teaching at every level.

Employability

Modern Languages graduates from Birmingham benefit from a higher than average rate of employability for the subject, with 90% going into work or study within six months of graduation. An impressive 80% of those graduates go into professional or managerial roles within six months of graduation.

Modern Languages graduates have a range of skills that are highly prized by graduate employers: oral and written communication in one or more foreign languages, critical thinking, intercultural awareness and understanding. You will also develop leadership, teamwork and organisational skills through activities such as group projects and your year abroad.

Detailed Course Facts

£9000 - Home/EU students / £12140 - Overseas students

Course Content

If you wish to specialise in two or three languages, this degree is for you. You can choose to study French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, Russian, English Language, Japanese or Mandarin Chinese in a variety of weightings and combinations.

First year

Pathway 1: You study two languages of equal weight (60:60 credit split).

Pathway 2: You study two languages in a Major/Minor combination (80:40 credit split).

Pathway 3: You study three languages, all as Minor subjects (40:40:40 credit split).

Please note:

• Each pathway allows you to study just one language from beginners level (except French and English, which are only available from post-A level or equivalent).
• In Pathway 2, an A level in the language is normally required in the subject proposed as the 80-credit Major.
• If you choose to study three languages, you are expected to have followed two of them to A level standard.
• Portuguese, Catalan, English Language, Chinese and Japanese can only be studied as 40-credit options within Modern Languages degrees.
• For timetabling reasons it is not possible to combine German with English Language, Italian with Portuguese, Italian with Chinese, Portuguese with Chinese or Beginners Spanish with post-A level Russian.
• The English Language Minor is not normally taken as a second language. It consists of advanced linguistics and requires the linguistic competence of a native speaker of English; non-English native speakers will only be considered if they have this level of competence.

Second year

Although most students simply continue along the pathway chosen in their first year, our programme allows students to change emphasis at this point in order to devote a different proportion of their time to the study of one or two languages. Thus you may:

• Choose to remain on the same pathway
• Move from Pathway 1 to Pathway 2 or vice versa
• Move from Pathway 3 to either Pathway 1 or 2

The only change not permitted is from Pathways 1 or 2 to Pathway 3.

Year abroad

The third year is spent abroad. You will normally study at a university or teach in the countries of two of your languages. If you are studying three languages, it is possible to follow a vacation course in the third language.

Fourth year

In the final year, you will normally follow the same pathway as in Years 2 and 3.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching is done via language classes, small group seminars, lectures, workshops and language laboratories. Assessment consists of a mix of continuous assessment essays and language assignments and end-of-year examinations.

English Language Requirements

CAE score : 80(Grade A)

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

Number of A levels required: 3

Typical offer: AAB

Required subjects and grades: A level (or equivalent) in at least one modern language

International Baccalaureate: 36 points including a modern language at Higher Level

General Studies: accepted

Additional information:

Other qualifications are considered.

Please state the languages that interest you in Section 3F of your UCAS form.

International students:

Standard English language requirements apply: IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band; TOEFL IBT 93

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Birmingham.