Course summary

Aberystwyth is one of a handful of universities in the UK that offers students the opportunity to combine the study of three languages, two of which will not require prior knowledge. You can choose from among French, Italian, German and Spanish depending on the pathways you wish to take. In your third year you will undertake a Year Abroad, offering you the opportunity to live, and study or work, in the countries of your main language(s) of study. In the BA Modern Languages degree, you will not only gain practical knowledge of and fluency in three languages, but you will also learn to understand the position of these languages in a wider global context. We believe that our students should be fully immersed in the languages they study. Our close-knit international community encourages our students to use these languages in their daily lives, while we also offer opportunities for students to study abroad. On your Year Abroad, your time is usually split between two countries, to facilitate your total immersion in more than one language and culture. We are committed to offering you opportunities to develop your language skills, and to learn about, enjoy and embrace the cultures of the countries in which the languages you study are spoken. The Year Abroad will enable you to master the languages that you have chosen and will give you possibly the best year of your life! This course will also provide you with the opportunity to study a wide range of specialised modules in literature and culture, as well as language. In the recent National Student Survey (NSS), our department scored 93% student satisfaction (NSS, 2017). Students become part of our friendly community where all of our departmental staff know you by your name and not as a number. A degree in Modern Languages ensures secure and constant demand for employment after graduation. This statement is reflected in our graduate employability figures produced by HESA (Higher Education Statistics Authority), where 85% of our graduates from 2016 entered work at a professional level, this figure is 35% higher than language graduates nationally. Our departmental philosophy is to ensure that you will have a smooth transition from campus to career. What will I learn? The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the four-year degree scheme. During your four years, you will have four weekly hours of language work, which includes: Oral, Written, Aural, Translation. In addition to your language work, in your first year, you can also discover: Introduction to Literary Studies; European Film; The politics and culture of language across Europe; The history and culture of the Spanish speaking world; The cultural history of Italy and German literature. In your second year you could explore: Specialised languages modules (Language of Business etc.); Spanish American Cinema; The Cinema of Spain; Modern Literature; Prose in German literature; Current Issues in French and Francophone Society. In your third year, you will undertake your year abroad, working or studying in a foreign country relative to your chosen languages.In your final year you could choose from options such as: The Cuban Revolution; French Literature; Spanish Cinema; Spanish Literature; German Literature. How will I be taught? A variety of teaching formats is used in class. Lectures will introduce you to topics, while in seminars you will be expected to develop your knowledge in certain areas and participate in class discussions. You will learn to adapt to any situation and will be provided with the learning tools necessary to be able to deliver oral presentations (individually and in groups), sit listening tests, write reports and undertake increasingly complex translations in language classes, as well as sit oral and written exams. In content modules, you will develop the skills necessary to write essays, undertake research projects, give oral presentations, or sit exams.