Languages Degree

TSR Wiki > University > Choosing a Subject > University Courses > Languages Degree

Course Overviews

Admissions

Academic Requirements

The majority of Universities have relatively low expectations when it comes to entry requirements. This is mainly due to the undersubscription on most language courses. With the exception of the most prestigious universities, you can expect an offer within the region of ABB-BBC (with the language you are going to study included in this).

In instances whereby you are studying a brand new beginner's language (say Russian, Swedish etc) the majority of universities expect an A level in an other modern foreign language.

UCAS Form & Personal Statement

Course Structures

Most people choose to do a joint honours degree either with 2 foreign languages or another subject, such as Marketing with a language. Some universities (Durham, Nottingham, St Andrews and more) allow you to study 3 languages, and a few offer the chance to study more than this.

Foreign Languages university courses tend to have 3 or four elements to them. Firstly there is the language element which includes skills such as grammar, translation and oral classes. Most courses then include modules on the literature, history and culture of the country/countries which speak the language(s) you are studying. Certain universities may focus more on literature, others on culture. You should choose your course carefully depending on which you prefer. For example, if you despise literature, it is probably not a good idea to apply to Oxford, as this course is very literature-heavy.

In addition to this, almost every language student must spend time abroad as part of their degree. Normally you spend the time either as a teaching assistant, studying at a foreign university or working (either paid or voluntary). It is usually up to the student to do the majority of the organisation of the year abroad and to decide how to split it between the languages studied. The year abroad is usually in the 3rd year of study, but this can vary depending on the university. Make sure you check this out before you apply.

Personal Statement Help

No matter what the subject is, many people are unsure when it comes to writing their personal statement and get writer’s block. Before you start writing then, have a look at this and see if it helps.

You must remember that your personal statement is the first, and sometimes only thing an admissions tutor has on which to base their decision to give you (or not to give you) a place. You only have 4000 characters/47 lines to present yourself, so use them wisely!

So what are admissions tutors looking for in a personal statement? (From Bristol University's School of Modern Languages site)

• interest in and commitment to the subject;

• evidence of clear thinking and understanding, problem solving and analytical skills;

• appropriateness of this course for the applicant;

• time spent in one or more countries where the language(s) to be studied are spoken;

• some knowledge and appreciation of the particular linguistic culture;

• reading or research which goes beyond the AS and A Level syllabus (or equivalent);

• non-academic achievements, extra-curricular interests and positions of responsibility;

• other relevant skills and experiences;

• team working;

• response to challenges faced;

• standard of written English.

Whilst it is realistically impossible to always include each aspect of the above, you should be aiming to show most of it, particularly if you are applying to a top university.

At its most basic level, your personal statement should have a clear structure, guiding the admissions tutor through with ease. Usually it is split into four parts:

• General Introduction [snappy opening, why do you want to study languages?]

• Academic information [things related to your studies that interest you about the target language(s), any literature you have read, responsibilities at school…]

• Extra-curricular activities [what you enjoy out of school, whether you have a part time job, Duke of Edinburgh award, travelling…]

• Conclusion [to tie together all that you have mentioned with clear enthusiasm, your future goals, leaving an impression on the admission tutor so s/he will give you an offer]

You should be very careful not to make any personal statement faux-pas, many of which can be detrimental to your application, some even more so if you are selected for interview. Some of these include:

• Horrendous written English, or statements riddled with spelling, punctuation and/or grammar mistakes. You must remember that your personal statement is a formal document, and must be written as such (no abbreviations or contractions!).

• Inaccurate proof reading [with words or book titles in the target language misspelled, or in some cases mis-copied!]

• Lies! Some people say they have read X, Y, and Z book in the target language, yet when quizzed on them at interview fall to pieces. You must know your material particularly when the university in question chooses to interview its candidates.

• Clichés! For example, “I always knew I wanted to be a linguist” or “Ever since the age of five, I knew languages were my true calling”. In reality, these are seldom the case. In addition, words such as ‘passion’, ‘fascination’, etc might sound good to you, but to an admissions tutor who sees these words in every personal statement will sound uninspiring and insincere.

• Monotonous language. You need to show flair in your personal statement, and the ability to write well will convey this easily. Using boring sentences like “X about Italy interests me”, or starting every sentence with “I…” does not show your enthusiasm for your subject and will most likely cost you a place.

Good luck and happy writing!

Life as a Foreign Languages Student

As a languages student, you will probably have around 12-14 hours a week of classes. These can be big lectures, smaller seminars, tutorials, language labs (listening classes). You will also receive homework, as there will be lots of vocabulary and grammar work to do each week. This means that you may be a lot busier than most other arts students.

Language students also tend to be quite social as the very nature of the degree invovles speaking. You will also find that linguists have a huge passion for their area of study, so you will meet a lot of enthusiastic and hard-working students.

Most universities will have societies for the languages, e.g Russian Society, French Society, etc., where Languages students and language enthusiasts alike meet to talk in the language, watch films and have social events.

Graduate Destinations and Career Prospects

The government graduate careers website, Prospects has a great article on graduate destinations for Languages Students.[1]

Frequently Asked Questions