(BA) Bachelor of Arts
Modern Languages and Linguistics (5 Years Including Foundation Year)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Essex Pathways
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Languages, Cultures and Societies
Linguistics
BA RQ98
08/05/2024
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
UK and EU applicants:
All applications for degree courses with a foundation year (Year Zero) will be considered individually, whether you
- think you might not have the grades to enter the first year of a degree course;
- have non-traditional qualifications or experience (e.g. you haven’t studied A-levels or a BTEC);
- are returning to university after some time away from education; or
- are looking for more support during the transition into university study.
Standard offer:
Our standard offer is 72 UCAS tariff points from at least two full A-levels, or equivalent.
Examples of the above tariff may include:
- A-levels: DDD
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma: MMP
- T-levels: Pass with E in core
To study Portuguese as your major language, you need an A-level pass (or equivalent) in Italian, French, Spanish or Portuguese or fluency in Italian, French, Romanian or Spanish.
If you are unsure whether you meet the entry criteria, please get in touch for advice.
Mature applicants and non-traditional academic backgrounds:
We welcome applications from mature students (over 21) and students with non-traditional academic backgrounds (might not have gone on from school to take level 3 qualifications). We will consider your educational and employment history, along with your personal statement and reference, to gain a rounded view of your suitability for the course.
International applicants:
Essex Pathways Department is unable to accept applications from international students. Foundation pathways for international students are available at the University of Essex International College and are delivered and awarded by Kaplan, in partnership with the University of Essex. Successful completion will enable you to progress to the relevant degree course at the University of Essex.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, 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.
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 one or more Modern Languages, developing an appropriate level of fluency and accuracy in using the chosen language(s) as a medium of understanding, expression and communication (in oral and written forms), with awareness of stylistic and sociolinguistic variation, and (where relevant) developing a corresponding level of proficiency in translation, interpreting, and creative writing
Develop students’ understanding of aspects of the culture and society of one or more countries which use the chosen Modern Language/s as a medium of communication, enabling them to draw comparisons with their own culture and observe contrasts, and through the study abroad, to experience, engage with and integrate into another culture
Introduce students to contemporary linguistic approaches to the study of language
Offer a varied and flexible curriculum which allows students to choose their own areas of specialisation within Linguistics
Develop students’ knowledge and understanding of the key concepts, issues, ideas, theories, styles of argumentation, evaluation criteria and research methods used in contemporary work in the chosen areas of specialisation in Linguistics, and of associated theoretical, descriptive and methodological issues
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
Learning methods
Modern Language proficiency A1 is developed through classwork, homework, use of relevant software and Web materials, and through the study abroad.
Cultural awareness A2 is developed through class and web materials, and through the study abroad. During the time 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 (as a language assistant or in a work placement) and thereby acquiring valuable vocational experience of working abroad.
Skills of linguistic analysis A3 are developed through the study of authentic (textual, or video, or film, or aural) materials in class.
Skills A1 to A3 are developed in Modern Languages modules and reinforced by peer feedback and staff feedback (written or oral feedback) and consultation with staff in academic support hours and via email.
Skills A4 to A6 are developed in Linguistics modules through a range of teaching and learning methods which will typically include: lectures, seminars, and classes; tutorials for project work; library and internet materials; printed/web course materials; advice in Departmental Handbooks; independent learning or research; peer feedback and staff feedback (written or oral feedback) and consultation with staff in academic support hours and via email.
Assessment methods
Skills A1 to A3 are assessed in Modern Languages modules by a range of methods which will typically include: role-play activities; class presentations; written and/ or oral coursework, oral and written examinations, e.g. essays, book reports, translations, project work, unseen written exams, class tests, web-based assignments involving a web search or producing web materials.
Skills A4 to A6 are assessed in Linguistics modules by a range of methods which will typically include some combination of the following: written unseen exams; coursework assignments; exercises; a literature review; an individual or team research project; and an oral presentation.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Abstract and synthesise relevant information from a range of sources using books, journal articles, library and internet resources.
B2: Interact in the chosen languages, expressing one's own ideas (and responding to those put forward by others) coherently and articulately
B3: Analyse authentic Modern Language materials from a variety of perspectives
B4: Make observations and generalisations about behaviour or data, or other materials in the chosen area of Linguistics using appropriate analytic techniques
B5: Critically evaluate contrasting linguistic theories/ accounts/explanations/approaches, demonstrating an understanding of the relationship between theory and data or practice
Learning methods
Skills B1 to B3 are developed in Modern Languages modules by a range of teaching and learning methods which will typically include: group discussion and analysis of authentic (textual, or video, or film, or aural) materials in class; laboratory work involving use of relevant software and Web materials; peer feedback and staff feedback (written or oral feedback) and consultation with staff in academic support hours and via email.
Skills B1, B4 and B5 are developed in Linguistics modules through a range of teaching and learning methods which will typically include: lectures, seminars, and classes; tutorials for project work; library and internet materials; printed/web course materials; advice in Departmental Handbooks; independent learning or research; peer feedback and staff feedback (written or oral feedback) and consultation with staff in academic support hours and via email.
Assessment methods
Skills B1 to B3 are assessed in Modern Languages modules by a range of methods which will typically include: role-play activities; class presentations; written and/ or oral coursework, oral and written examinations, e.g. essays, book reports, translations, project work, unseen written exams, class tests, web-based assignments involving a web search or producing web materials.
Skills B1, B4 and B5 are assessed in Linguistics modules by a range of methods which will typically include some combination of the following: written unseen exams; coursework assignments; exercises; a literature review; an individual or team research project; and an oral presentation.
C: Practical skills
Learning methods
Skills C1 and C2 are developed in Modern Languages modules by a range of teaching and learning methods which will typically include: group discussion and analysis of authentic (textual, or video, or film, or aural) materials in class; laboratory work involving use of relevant software and Web materials; peer feedback and staff feedback (written or oral feedback) and consultation with staff in academic support hours and via email.
Skills C2 to C4 are developed in Linguistics modules through a range of teaching and learning methods which will typically include: lectures, seminars, and classes; tutorials for project work; library and internet materials; printed/web course materials; advice in Departmental Handbooks; independent learning or research; peer feedback and staff feedback (written or oral feedback) and consultation with staff in academic support hours and via email.
Assessment methods
Skills C1 and C2 are developed in Modern Languages modules by a range of methods which will typically include: role-play activities; class presentations; written and/ or oral coursework, oral and written examinations, e.g. essays, book reports, translations, project work, unseen written exams, class tests, web-based assignments involving a web search or producing web materials.
Skills C2 to C4 are developed in Linguistics modules by a range of methods which will typically include some combination of the following: written unseen exams; coursework assignments; exercises; a literature review; an individual or team research project; and an oral presentation.
D: Key skills
D1: Present ideas, information and arguments (both orally and in writing) effectively and clearly in English and the chosen Modern Language/s (with the level of Modern Language fluency depending on the level of the modules taken)
D2: Demonstrate a range of IT skills, which will typically include the ability to do word processing, use presentation software and e-mail, conduct bibliographic searches, locate and download internet materials in English and the chosen Modern Language/s
D3: Analyse relevant materials, identifying problems and creatively discussing solutions
D4: Collaborate with others to work creatively and flexibly as part of a team
D5: Work autonomously showing organisation, self-discipline and time management, responding constructively to feedback and learning new material and techniques.
Learning methods
All five skills are developed in Modern Languages modules by a range of teaching and learning methods which will typically include: group discussion and analysis of authentic (textual, or video, or film, or aural) materials in class; laboratory work involving use of relevant software and Web materials; peer feedback and staff feedback (written or oral feedback) and consultation with staff in academic support hours and via email.
All five skills are also developed in Linguistics modules through a range of teaching and learning methods which will typically include: lectures, seminars, and classes; tutorials for project work; library and internet materials; printed/web course materials; advice in Departmental Handbooks; independent learning or research; peer feedback and staff feedback (written or oral feedback) and consultation with staff in academic support hours and via email.
Generic IT skills are also taught on induction courses run by the University and the Department.
Assessment methods
Skills D1-D5 are assessed in Modern Languages modules by a range of methods which will typically include: role-play activities; class presentations; written and/ or oral coursework, oral and written examinations, e.g. essays, book reports, translations, project work, unseen written exams, class tests, web-based assignments involving a web search or producing web materials.
Skills D1-D5 are assessed in Linguistics modules by a range of methods which will typically include some combination of the following: written unseen exams; coursework assignments; exercises; a literature review; an individual or team research project; and an oral presentation.