University Language Centres

Snufkin

Universities Forum Helper

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 1

Vincente

UoL colleges have a joint language centre which means you can incorporate a language module (all levels) into your degree (this is mainly for single honours) and I think you can definetely do this at UCL. Not sure about other universities. Though I suspect many would definetely offer evening courses if you are prepared to pay for it.

Reply 2

TheOneWho

There are loads of geography and French courses. The UCAS course search should show them up.

Most, if not all, universities that offer language courses will also offer classes in languages to students as well as the public. You will probably have to pay for these though, and they can be quite expensive. You might be able to take a language course as an elective module though.

Reply 3

cpj1987

At UCLan, you can study languages free throughout the duration of your course, either as an elective module within your degree, or as a seperate qualification.
Otherwise, the courses are £205 each.

Reply 4

River85

Samual

My college doesn't offer any language courses, and iv never seen a Bsc geography and/with french degree so my real question is, do universities have language centres where students not taking a language degree can study them?

I know that Durham do and offer them to the general public (but, for students, at a reduced cost). I'd imagine other universities may have things similar to this.

Reply 5

Snufkin

Universities Forum Helper

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 6

psychocustard

Portsmouth do. And I think that Swansea do, too. It's something I'm really interested in doing too, so *subscribe* :smile:

Reply 7

River85

Some universities may also allow you to take modules from outside your department in your first year (sometimes second and third too). I know that, in Durham's BSc programme, you can take two modules in your first year and one in your second. This obviously restricts the number of optional geography modules you can take and it's not as though, with 60 credits under your belt, you'll be a fluent speaker. Just be aware that previous A-level study may be required.

There are also combined honours courses but these are only offered at a handful on unis (Durham, Exeter and Newcastle, off the top of my head). So, at Newcastle for example, you could take 40 credits of geography, 40 of French and 40 of a third subject. In your second and final year you can then drop the third subject and turn it into what's effectively a geography and French JH degree. It would probably be unwise to apply for one combined course alongside four SH geography courses. The French content of your PS may count against you. The Scottish unis, the ancients in particular, offer a similar broad-based degree set up where you'll be able to study other subjects alongside your specialism in the first year or two.

Reply 8

Snufkin

Universities Forum Helper

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 9

River85

Samual

i want to take an eramus year, so thats an option i guess! am i right in thinking if you take an erasmus year you can get language classes?

I don't know about Erasmus, but I did forgot to say this, if you do chose the combined honours route then you'll also usually have the chance of a year abroad. I know that, at Newcastle, you're required to take a year abroad if you take a language as part of the course. Even if you take it as beginner's level. So if you don't want to spend that extra year the combined route, at Newcastle at least, probably isn't for you.

http://www.ncl.ac.uk/hss/undergrad/combined/degree

Reply 10

TheOneWho

Samual

they're nearly all for BA

They might be called BA but actually offer you physical geography as well. Or must your degree title be a BSc for some reason? I know Glasgow and Edinburgh will give you a balanced geography education with the option of doing more physical in your honours years, but if doing it with French you would an MA (equivalent to a BA) just because of the language.

Don't most pure language courses require a year abroad in a country that speaks the language? All the ones I've come across do. If doing a joint course doesn't offer you that then you would still be able to go to France and study in the Erasmus/Year Abroad schemes.

Reply 11

megan28

Portsmouth offer the Institute Wide Language Programme free to any student.
You can do it for credit, or just for fun/because you want to.
There's loads of langagues on offer like the normal french, spanish, german, italian but also more "exotic" ones like japanese, arabic and chinese madarin

Reply 12

ChrisTheRockGod

York has a Languages for All centre. It's £100 for the year and you can gain a proper qualification at the end of it all, plus it has all different levels of ability, unlike electives.