(BA) Bachelor of Arts
French Studies and Modern Languages
Inactive
University of Essex
University of Essex
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Languages, Cultures and Societies
BA RR19
08/05/2024
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
- A-levels: BBB - BBC or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels. If Portuguese is taken as the major language, an A-level pass (or equivalent) in Italian, French, Spanish or Portuguese or first language level fluency in Italian, French, Romanian or Spanish is required.
- BTEC: DDM - DMM or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels. The acceptability of BTECs is dependent on subject studied and optional units taken - email ugquery@essex.ac.uk for advice.
- Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A levels or equivalent. Tariff point offers may be made if you are taking a qualification, or mixture of qualifications, from the list on our undergraduate application information page.
- IB: 30 - 29 points or three Higher Level certificates with 555-554.
- IB Career-related Programme: We consider combinations of IB Diploma Programme courses with BTECs or other qualifications. Advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
- QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 6 level 3 credits at Distinction and 39 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
- T-levels: We consider T-levels on a case-by-case basis, depending on subject studied. The offer for most courses is Distinction overall. Depending on the course applied for there may be additional requirements, which may include a specific grade in the Core.
Contextual Offers:
We are committed to ensuring that all students with the merit and potential to benefit from an Essex education are supported to do so. For October 2024 entry, if you are a home fee paying student residing in the UK you may be eligible for a Contextual Offer of up to two A-level grades, or equivalent, below our standard conditional offer.
Factors we consider:
- Applicants from underrepresented groups
- Applicants progressing from University of Essex Schools Membership schools/colleges
- Applicants who attend a compulsory admissions interview
- Applicants who attend an Offer Holder Day at our Colchester or Southend campus
Our contextual offers policy outlines additional circumstances and eligibility criteria.
For further information about what a contextual offer may look like for your specific qualification profile, email ugquery@essex.ac.uk.
If you haven't got the grades you hoped for, have a non-traditional academic background, are a mature student, or have any questions about eligibility for your course, more information can be found on our undergraduate application information page or get in touch with our Undergraduate Admissions Team.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.
Details of English language requirements, including component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.
English language shelf-life
Most English language qualifications have a validity period of 5 years. The validity period of Pearson Test of English, TOEFL and CBSE or CISCE English is 2 years.
If you require a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
Pre-sessional English courses
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Pending English language qualifications
You don’t need to achieve the required level before making your application, but it will be one of the conditions of your offer.
If you cannot find the qualification that you have achieved or are pending, then please email ugquery@essex.ac.uk
.
Requirements for second and final year entry
Different requirements apply for second and final year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK. Details of English language requirements, including UK Visas and Immigration minimum component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
Ms Cathy Molinaro
Senior Lecturer
Cardiff University
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
Enable students to become proficient in French and one or more modern languages, developing an appropriate level of fluency and accuracy in using the languages as a medium of understanding, expression and communication (both oral and written), with knowledge of stylistic and sociolinguistic variation (language skills and intercultural awareness are integrated in all classes). In their final year, students have the option to develop a corresponding level of proficiency in translation, interpreting and subtitling.
Develop students' understanding of aspects of the culture and society of French-speaking regions and countries through the study of a range of media, including press, cinema, music and literature. Enable students to draw comparisons with their own culture and observe contrasts, and (through the year abroad) to experience, engage with and integrate into the French-speaking culture.
Offer students the opportunity to become familiar with linguistic techniques used to describe aspects of the structure of one or more modern languages, or to acquire knowledge, understanding and skills in another field (depending on the options chosen) Equip students with a range of transferable cognitive, practical and key skills, and a foundation for further study, employment and lifelong learning.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Phonology, morphology, syntax, lexis, usage, and socio-stylistic variation in the chosen modern language(s), and (on relevant higher-level courses) techniques of translation, interpreting, and subtitling.
A2: Aspects of the culture and society of one or more countries which use the chosen modern language(s) as a medium of communication, drawing comparisons with their own culture and observing contrasts.
A3: Linguistic concepts and metalanguage used to describe and analyse the chosen modern language(s), and analytic methods and techniques used to analyse texts and other authentic modern language materials from a variety of perspectives
Learning methods
Modern Language proficiency A1 is developed through classwork, homework, use of dedicated software and Web materials, and the year abroad.
Cultural awareness A2 is developed through class and web materials, and the year abroad. During the year abroad, students experience, engage with and integrate into another culture, either by a period of study at a partner institution offering the opportunity to operate in a different academic, linguistic and cultural environment, or by working (language assistantship or work placement) and thereby acquiring valuable vocational experience of working abroad.
Skills of linguistic analysis A3 are developed through study of authentic (textual, or video, or film, or aural) materials in class.
All three types of knowledge and understanding are reinforced by feedback from staff in class, in office hours, or by email.
Assessment methods
Methods employed to assess knowledge and understanding on Modern Languages courses test the four language skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking) as well as a range of other transferable skills. Assessment typically includes: role-play activities; class presentations; oral exams; written coursework, e.g. Essays, book reports, translations, project work; unseen written exams; class tests; online assignments; dissertation.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Analyse authentic language materials in French and the other chosen modern language(s) from a variety of perspectives
B2: Abstract and synthesise information from authentic written and spoken materials in French and the other chosen modern language(s
B3: Interact in French and the other chosen modern language(s), expressing one's own ideas (and responding to those put forward by others) coherently and articulately
Learning methods
Methods employed to develop cognitive skills on Modern Languages courses typically include: group discussion of topical themes and analysis of authentic (textual, or video, or film, or aural) materials in class; laboratory work involving use of dedicated software and Web materials; research projects, finding sources of information and critically evaluating them; self-reflection tasks; support and feedback from staff face-to-face and via email.
Assessment methods
Methods employed to assess cognitive skills on Modern Languages courses typically include: role-play activities; class presentations; oral exams; written coursework, e.g. Essays, book reports, translations, project work; unseen written exams; class tests; online assignments; dissertation.
C: Practical skills
C1: Organise and present (orally and in writing) ideas and materials in French and the other chosen modern language(s) coherently and articulately
C2: Gather and process information from different sources, e.g. do a bibliographic search in the library, access material from online databases and locate and download appropriate modern language materials from the Web
Learning methods
Methods employed to develop practical skills typically include: group discussion of topical themes and analysis of authentic (textual, or video, or film, or aural) materials in class; laboratory work involving use of dedicated software and Web materials; research projects, finding sources of information and critically evaluating them; self-reflection tasks; support and feedback from staff face-to-face and via email.
Assessment methods
Methods employed to assess practical skills typically include: role-play activities; class presentations; oral exams; written coursework, e.g.Essays, book reports, translations, project work; unseen written exams; class tests; online assignments; dissertation.
D: Key skills
D1: Communicate ideas, information and arguments (both orally and in writing) in French and the other chosen modern language(s), with a level of fluency, accuracy, clarity and effectiveness (and sensitivity to register and style) which depends on the level of the courses taken
D2: Demonstrate a range of IT skills which will typically include the ability to do word processing, use Powerpoint and e-mail, conduct bibliographic searches, locate and download modern language internet materials, and utilise software packages
D4: Analyse language materials in French and the other chosen modern language(s), identifying problems and creatively discussing solutions
D5: Collaborate with others to work creatively and flexibly as part of a team
D6: Work autonomously showing organisation, self-discipline and time management; reflect on their own work and respond constructively to the comments of others; learn new material; adapt to new ways of learning.
Learning methods
Methods employed to develop key skills on Modern Languages courses typically include: group discussion of topical themes and analysis of authentic (textual, or video, or film, or aural) materials in class; laboratory work involving use of dedicated software and Web materials; research projects, finding sources of information and critically evaluating them; self-reflection tasks; support and feedback from staff face-to-face and via email.
Assessment methods
Methods employed to assess key skills on Modern Languages courses typically include: role-play activities; class presentations, in some cases using Powerpoint; oral exams; written coursework, e.g. Essays, book reports, translations, project work; unseen written exams; class tests; online assignments; dissertation.