(BA) Bachelor of Arts
Global Studies and Language Studies (Including Foundation Year)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Essex Pathways
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Area Studies
Languages, Cultures and Societies
BA R105
10/05/2023
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. Specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK.
Other English language qualifications may be acceptable so please contact us for further details. If we accept the English component of an international qualification then it will be included in the information given about the academic levels required. Please note that date restrictions may apply to some English language qualifications
If you are an international student requiring a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
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.
Additional Notes
Our Year 0 courses are only open to UK and EU applicants. If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to your chosen 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
Dr Francisco Carballo
Lecturer in the Politics and Culture of Latin America
Goldsmiths, University of London
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
- To provide students with a distinctive skill-set required to understand and analyse contemporary developments and policy challenges from an international perspective.
- To provide students with opportunities to broaden their cultural horizons by taking up the challenge of studying new disciplines such as Art History, Philosophy, Literature, History, Sociology, Languages, Film Studies.
- To provide students with opportunities to experience and acquire a number of different critical approaches through a balanced mix of teaching, reading and research in a range of academic disciplines from an interdisciplinary perspective.
- To develop students’ analytical, critical, research and problem-solving skills.
- To provide students with the necessary skills to undertake further study and/or pursue vocational training in employment.
- Enable students to become proficient in a modern language, developing an appropriate level of fluency and accuracy in using the language as a medium of understanding, expression and communication (both oral and written), with awareness of stylistic and sociolinguistic variation, and (where relevant higher-level courses are taken) 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 that use the chosen modern language(s) as a medium of communication, enabling them to draw comparisons with their own culture and observe contrasts
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: Students will be able to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the social, political and economic processes that have shaped the world.
A2: Students will be able to demonstrate, through a variety of means, a knowledge and understanding of the different styles of enquiry in a range of Humanities and Social Science disciplines.
A3: 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 creative writing
A4: Aspects of the culture and society of one or more countries which use the chosen modern language(s) as a meduim of communication, drawing comparisons with their own culture and observing contrasts
A5: 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
A1 and A2 are acquired through core module lectures and classes in years 1, 2 and the final year.
A3 and A4 are developed through classwork, homework, use of dedicated software and Web materials. Skills of linguistic analysis A5 are developed through study of authentic (textual, or video, or film, or aural) materials in class. A3-A5 are reinforced by feedback from staff in class, in office hours, or by email.
Assessment methods
A1 and A2 are assessed in continuous coursework plus oral and written exams in all years.
A3-A5 are assessed on Modern Languages courses by a range of methods which typically include: role-play activities; presentations; oral exams; written coursework, e.g. essays, book reports, translations, project work; unseen written exams; tests; web-based assignments involving a web search or producing web materials.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Students will use their discipline-based training to think critically and analytically in relation to a number of different academic disciplines
B2: Students will be capable of appropriately applying a wide range of relevant primary and secondary sources.
B3: Students will be able to identify, analyse and solve problems, using appropriate techniques of writing, methodologies and theories.
B4: Students will be able to demonstrate and exercise independence of mind and thought.
B5: Abstract and synthesise information from authentic written and spoken modern language materials
B6: Interact in the chosen modern language(s), expressing their own ideas (and responding to those put forward by others) coherently and articulately
B7: Analyse authentic modern language materials from a variety of perspectives
Learning methods
B1-B4 are acquired in classes and seminars, in group discussion and through the submission of coursework in all years. Students are expected to do independent research to consolidate classwork. B1 and B3 are also acquired through lectures and feedback on course work. Students are encouraged to compare the approaches of different disciplines and to think across disciplines.
B5-B7 are developed on Modern Languages modules by a range of methods which typically include: group discussion of topical themes and analysis of authentic (textual, or video, or film, or aural) materials; laboratory or online work involving use of dedicated software and Web materials; and staff advice, feedback and interaction with students in academic support hours (face-to-face or online) and via email.
Assessment methods
B1-B4 intellectual/cognitive skills are assessed in continuous course work in all years and through end of year examinations.
B5-B7 are assessed on Modern Languages courses by a range of methods which typically include: role-play activities; presentations; oral exams; written coursework, e.g. essays, book reports, translations, project work; unseen written exams; tests; web-based assignments involving a web search or producing web materials.
C: Practical skills
C1: Students will be able to communicate ideas clearly and coherently in a range of disciplines in both written and oral form
C2: Students will be able to present written materials using appropriate language and referencing
C3: Students will be able to work independently, write and think under pressure, meet deadlines, manage their own time and workload and demonstrate initiative.
Learning methods
All practical skills are acquired through classes, the submission of course work and preparation for examinations in all years of study.
Assessment methods
Assessment of practical skills is through the submission of essays and assignments, and written examinations.
C1 is also assessed on Modern Languages modules by a range of methods which typically include: role-play activities; presentations; oral exams; written coursework, e.g. essays, book reports, translations, project work; unseen written exams; tests; web-based assignments involving a web search or producing web materials.
D: Key skills
D1: Students will be able to present knowledge or an argument in a clear, coherent and creative manner
D2: Students will be able to use the relevant information technology to research and present written work
D3: Students will be able to identify problems and apply relevant research methodologies and techniques of writing to resolve them.
D4: Students will develop skills in collaborative learning and research - and gain experience in group presentations of research results.
D5: Students will be able to reflect on their own learning, to seek and make use of feedback on their own performance, to recognise when further knowledge is required and to undertake the necessary research.
Learning methods
Key skills are acquired through participatory classwork in all years of study, through the presentation of continuous coursework and preparation for examinations. Students are encouraged to engage in discussion, to listen effectively and to participate in group work to the benefit of the group as a whole. On many courses oral presentation skills are assessed.
Assessment methods
Assessment is through the submission of coursework and through written examinations. Some modules assess D1 and D5 through assessed oral participation or presentations.