Philosophy and Modern Languages

Description

Our BA Philosophy and Modern Languages is a four-year course which provides a wide-ranging and flexible philosophy curriculum, embracing both analytic (Anglo-American) and Continental (modern European) trends of philosophical thought. It enables you to become proficient in one or two modern languages (out of French, German, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese).and you major in at least one language, taking it up to Mastery Level. Your third year is spent abroad in a country where the major modern language being studied is spoken. This means you experience, engage with and integrate into another culture, either by a period of study at a partner institution (in France, Germany, Italy Spain/Latin America and Portugal/Brazil) offering the opportunity to operate in a different academic, linguistic and cultural environment, or by working as a language assistant and thereby acquiring valuable vocational experience of working abroad

You do not have to have studied a language at school in order to study it to Mastery level at Essex: our intensive (double) modules (in German, Italian and Spanish), combined with a summer vacation course in a country you are studying the language of, enables you to reach level B2 (advanced) in a year, and to reach Mastery level (C2) at the end of your final year. Portuguese can also be studied from scratch (via a Spanish-to-Portuguese conversion module) for those of you with A-level Spanish or equivalent knowledge. If you intend to take French as the major language, you must achieve at least grade C at A-level. All five languages can be studied from scratch as minor languages. In each language, we offer core modules at all six different levels recognised in the Common European Framework and also, for each language, we offer a range of thematic modules (on contemporary cinema, culture, society, art, or history) designed to increase your cultural awareness, as well as modules designed to develop professional skills.

Languages open doors to other cultures, other ways of thinking, and work opportunities. Similarly, philosophical reflection is a powerful tool for understanding and criticising both our own practices and those of different cultures. The study of modern languages and the acquisition of language skills, together with the development of analytical and problem-solving abilities, which are typical of philosophy, will greatly broaden your perspective and put you in a good position for further studies or a professional career. You will be able to attain Mastery level (C2) in at least one of the two languages studied. We endeavour to equip you with a range of transferable cognitive, practical and key skills, and a foundation for further study, employment and lifelong learning. You will also be developing an appropriate level of fluency and accuracy in using your chosen language(s) as a medium of understanding, expression and communication (both oral and written), with awareness of stylistic and sociolinguistic variation, and (where relevant higher-level modules are taken) developing a corresponding level of proficiency in translation, interpreting, and creative writing.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 11950 Year (Non-EEA)

• English

Course Content

The special characteristics of our course are flexibility and choice. In your first and second years you take a compulsory module and three optional modules, one must be a philosophy module and another must be a language option. During your final year all your modules are optional, two must be philosophy modules, one must be a language module and one can be a social science module. You will spend your third year abroad. There is a great deal of choice for these optional modules due to the extensive range of modules offered by our departments.
With a small number of exceptions, if you successfully complete the first year of your BA, then you are qualified to enter the second year of that course and a range of other courses: for example, if you take economics, politics, philosophy and sociology, then you have a choice of at least nine possible single or joint honours courses at the end of your first year. This means you can change your course, providing you have taken the appropriate pre-requisites and places are available.
We operate a credit framework for our awards, which is based on principles widely used across the UK university sector. Each module has a credit rating attached and our standard three-year course consists of 360 credits (120 credits in your first year, and 240 credits across your second and final years).
Please note that module information on our course finder provides a guide to course content and may be subject to review on an annual basis.

Year 1

Introduction to Philosophy;
Introduction to Ancient Philosophy or one social science option;
one language option; and
one language option or one social science option

Year 2

Rationalists and Empiricists or one philosophy option;
Ethics or one philosophy option;
one language option; and
one language option or one social science option

Year 3

Year abroad

Year 4

Two philosophy options;
one language option; and
one language option or one social science option

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6

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

Requirements

• A-levels: ABB-BBB
• GCSE English: C
• IB: 32-30 points (we consider IB certificates at the Higher Level on a case-by-case basis)
• Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 6 level three credits at distinction and the remainder at merit (or above) or achievement of the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 45 level three credits at merit (or above).
• If French or Portuguese is taken as the major language, A-level French or Portuguese/Spanish (or equivalent) is required. German, Italian and Spanish can be studied as the major language either from scratch, via our intensive route, or via our post A-level route. All languages can be studied from scratch as the minor language.
• If you are interested in studying a language for which you consider yourself to be a native speaker, please contact our Undergraduate Admissions Office.

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each component (or equivalent). Different requirements apply for second year entry.

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 Essex.

Funding

For up-to-date information on funding opportunities at Essex, please visit: www.essex.ac.uk/studentfinance.

The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Modern Languages at the University of Essex is a comprehensive interdisciplinary program designed to provide students with a deep understanding of philosophical thought alongside proficiency in at least one modern language. The course aims to cultivate critical thinking, analytical skills, and cultural awareness through a curriculum that combines core philosophical studies with the study of contemporary and classical language and literature.

Students enrolled in this program have the opportunity to explore major areas of philosophy, including ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of mind, and political philosophy. The philosophy component is crafted to develop students’ capacity to analyze arguments, think critically about complex issues, and engage with philosophical texts from a variety of traditions. The modern languages part of the degree may include languages such as French, Spanish, German, or other options, allowing students to gain fluency and cultural insights into the relevant countries and regions where these languages are spoken.

The program also emphasizes developing practical language skills such as speaking, writing, reading, and comprehension, often incorporating cultural studies, literature, and history relevant to the language studied. This combination of philosophy and language studies provides a unique interdisciplinary perspective that encourages students to think critically about global and philosophical questions, and to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries.

Students will benefit from the university’s excellent teaching facilities, comprehensive support services, and opportunities for study abroad, which allow for immersive language learning and cultural exchange. The integration of philosophy and modern languages in the curriculum fosters versatility and enhances employability in a range of careers including education, translation, international relations, media, and public policy.

Throughout the course, students are encouraged to undertake independent research, participate in debates, and engage with contemporary issues through seminars and workshops. Assessment methods typically include essays, presentations, exams, and research projects, designed to develop academic writing and oral communication skills.

Graduates of this program will emerge with a broad intellectual foundation, linguistic proficiency, and cultural knowledge that prepares them for postgraduate study or professional careers in numerous fields. The university’s strong links with cultural institutions, international organizations, and industry ensure that students have access to valuable networking opportunities and practical experiences to complement their academic learning. Overall, the Philosophy and Modern Languages degree at the University of Essex offers a balanced and enriching academic journey aimed at developing well-rounded, culturally aware, and critically engaged graduates ready for the globalized world.