BA Modern Languages & Cultures
Understanding your degree
Before you come to university you will have to take some important decisions: you will have to decide which and how many languages you want to study.
You can't just pick any courses: your modules will have 'to fit' your programme. Therefore the first step is: understanding you degree programme. First watch this video and then follow the steps below.
Step 1. Which language(s) do I want to study?
You may have a clear idea about which language(s) you want to study and how many, or you may still be wondering whether to try your hand and one (or two) new languages.
As a BA Modern Languages and Cultures student you have a lot of choice: choose to study one, two, or three languages from your first year or will you add a third language later? Take your time to decide and have a good browse of our language pages. You can study all our languages from beginners' level and French, German, Russian or Spanish as a post A-level language course.
It really is up to you. As long as you tally up 120 in total and stick to the degree requirements (those are just the 'rules' of the degree) . The requirements are outlined below.
We understand that you may want to talk to somebody about what would be best for you. It is always a good idea to have a chat with one of our tutors. Let us know if you need assistance.
Okay, we do have some rules:
You can do a maximum of 3 languages throughout your degree. So if you choose to do 3 languages in your first year, you can either:
stick with your 3 languages throughout your degree
drop 1 or 2 language(s) after your first year.
If you start off with one or two languages, you are free to pick up a third language (and associated culture) at the start of your second year.
Step 2. How many languages do I want to study?
One language
This will have to be French, German, Russian or Spanish.
You have 40 credits of CORE modules (20 credits of language + 20 credits of cultural content).
You can then choose either 60 or 80 credits of Level 1 courses in the School of Languages & Cultures. Up to 20 credits of your 120 credits can be taken in a different department (at every level of study) providing that there is space and that you meet any prerequisites.
Two languages
Choose two languages from our First Year offer: French, German, Russian, Spanish, Czech, Dutch, Portuguese, Catalan, Italian.
You have 80 credits of CORE modules (40 credits of language modules + 40 credits of cultural content).
You then choose 40 credits of Level 1 courses in the School of Languages and Cultures. 20 credits out of these can be taken in a different department (from a specified list) providing that there is space and that you meet any prerequisites.
Three languages
Choose three languages from our First Year offer: French, German, Russian, Spanish, Czech, Dutch, Portuguese, Catalan, Italian.
You have at least 100 credits of CORE modules (at least 40 in your first two languages, and 20 in your third language)
You therefore may have to choose a further 20 credits of options in the School or in another department. This is providing that there is space and that you meet any prerequisites
Step 3. Find out about optional modules within School of Languages and Cultures
Remember, we offer more than language courses. Instead of picking another language you may want to add another module in French, Germanic Studies, Russian or Spanish. Or you may like to do a more generic module about, for example, Visual Cultures. So, please do consider the optional modules we run within the School: Our first-year optional modules in the School
Step 4. Find out about optional modules outside SLC for your 20 unrestricted credits
You also have the option to look further. Click this link to find out about modules in another subject/other subjects outside the School.
Step 5. Online registration
You are now ready to go for you pre-registration. This is when you record your choices officially. Here is more about your online registration.
Step 6. What next?
With you registration sorted you will have time to do some more prep work. It really helps if you have already had a bit of a look around the services you will need. So, here are some suggestions for what to do next.