FAQ
- Can I sign up for just a 10 credit version? Do I have to do both Autumn & Spring?
Students in Languages and Cultures have to commit to a full academic year for their language modules. This means that you always have to select them in pairs of 10 credits, one for the Autumn semester and the same language for the Spring semester. You will not be allowed to drop a language halfway through the academic year.
- When will I get my timetable? How do I access it?
Your timetable should become available online from the 5th September, provided your modules are on your record and you have completed your registration. You can find how and where to see it, as well as how to import it in your Google calendar here.
The other thing to keep in mind is that some of our modules (Languages ones in particular) are group based. You will only be able to see these on your timetable once you have been allocated to a specific group like a seminar group or an oral practice group. This might take place later in September.
- When are classes starting and finishing?
Classes start on the hour and should finish 10 minutes before the hour. This is to give students enough times to move between classes (often in different buildings). Your classes may appear as hour blocks in your timetable, but the 10 minute rule still applies.
Typical teaching times are Monday to Friday 9am until 6pm. Wednesday afternoons (from 1pm) are usually left clear for extracurricular activities whenever possible. Exceptionally, you may have some classes until 7pm (like film viewing, or certain language classes)
- What do I do if I have a clash?
Our programmes have a lot of students who are taking very varied modules from many separate departments. Unfortunately, this sometimes means that two of your classes are timetabled at the same time. You are definitely not expected to be in two places at once, so you will be asked to fill a form which alerts the relevant departments of that clash (link here).
Possible outcomes are:
you are moved to another group that will not clash
the entire class is moved to another time and venue (only possible if rooms are available and it isn't creating clashes for other students)
one of the modules clashing is an option and you are asked to choose a different one
If both modules are core, and all possible avenues have been exhausted, the departments concerned will liaise with each other to find alternatives that allow your learning in good conditions despite both classes being at the same time. This is a last resort solution and will only be considered if all else fails.
- Which classes start in Week 1 and Week 2?
Most of your classes will start in Week 1 of semester 1. Some modules have a staggered start with seminars beginning in week 2.
There are 12 weeks of teaching in each semester (including a reading week - week 6 in semester 1 and week 12 in semester 2)
- I’m a in a dual degree with another department, and want to do 2 languages. I’ve just been told by both of my languages teams that it’s really important to do a culture module, but I don't have enough credits available to do so - what should I do?
This happens to students who are registered in a dual degree where the other subject is taken in the Faculty of Social Sciences (Economics, Politics and Business Management). In this scenario, you must take exactly 60 credits in each department, and this means that you only have enough credits to take a culture module for one of your two languages. In some cases, one culture module can be used to buttress two languages (like MDL105 for both Spanish and Catalan; or MDL118 for Czech and Russian). In all other cases, you would have to decide which language will be your "main" language. We warmly encourage you to talk to our language teams (we can put you in touch) if you need help to reach a decision.
- My uni email isn’t working yet - have I missed anything?
When the Admissions team has issued you with an offer, you should receive an email from UniversityAccountSetup@sheffield.ac.uk which invites you to set up and activate your IT account. Once you have activated your account you will have access to your University account (in an environment call Muse) and it will give you access to your Uni email. If you haven't received this Setup email within three days of receiving your offer, please contact UniversityAccountSetup@sheffield.ac.uk
- I’d like to take up a third language but I don’t have the A-level and I’m not a beginner either - what do I do?
All our languages are available from beginners at level 1. While we expect you would like to build on your A level, we wouldn't assume that this is necessarily the case. HOWEVER, learning a language requires time and can be arduous. This is why we would not allow students to register for three languages if they are beginners in all of them. Remember as well that you will have the option to take up a third language at level 2, and you might find it easier to settle in with two languages at first.
Regarding what specific module to take if you do not have an A level in a language but aren't a complete beginner either, we would advise as a first step to choose the Beginner version (they are intensive and go fast, in any case). Once in Sheffield, our language teaching team can individually assess if the module's level is adapted to you or not, and can move you to a more appropriate level if necessary.
- Can I do the culture module this year and the language module next year?
No, this isn't possible. Both language and culture modules support each other and allow you to progress at the correct level, whether linguistically or academically. The language modules allow you to progressively engage more and more with material in the original language, while the Culture modules will also help you improve, by practicing and engaging with a language with all its cultural facets.
- Can I do another language on top of my 120 credits? If so, do I have to pay for it? And could I make that language part of my degree next year?
You already are a student of Languages with modules set up to rapidly increase your proficience. But you also have the option to take another language which we don't teach via the Languages for all (LfA) Scheme. This would have to be outside of your 120 credits and will not count towards your degree. You would also have to pay a fee (£270 for 1 semester, £480 for 2 semesters). You can find further information on the MLTC webpages.