BA German Studies and Modern Languages

Bachelor's degree

In Colchester

£ 9,250 + VAT

Description

  • Type

    Bachelor's degree

  • Location

    Colchester

  • Duration

    4 Years

About the course
Language is fundamental to our thought, our relationships, and our civilisations

Through language we transmit knowledge, from inviting someone for coffee, to promoting the latest scientific theory, to settling global political disputes


German is the most widely spoken language in Europe, with 120 million native speakers in the world

In the top 3 export nations in the world, Germany is not all business; it also has a rich cultural heritage of literature, philosophy, music, which learning German will give you access to


On our course you’ll become highly proficient in German and will be able to study up to a further two of the modern languages taught at Essex, including Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French, and Mandarin Chinese

These languages can be studied alongside a complementary range of cultural and professional skills modules from translating, interpreting and subtitling, to German cinema and culture

You can start German from scratch or at an advanced level


For most of our languages, we offer modules in all six different levels recognised by the Common European Framework

With two modules completed in German each year, you are expected to reach Mastery level in the language by the end of our course, and are also encouraged to gain confidence in one or two other languages of your choice

As well as gaining fluency in German, you become proficient in the broad range of its practical use, from professional translation to creative writing


We also offer a month-long summer course with fees paid for by us if you start a language from scratch via the intensive route

Facilities

Location

Start date

Colchester (Essex)
See map
Wivenhoe Park, CO4 3SQ

Start date

On request

Questions & Answers

Add your question

Our advisors and other users will be able to reply to you

Who would you like to address this question to?

Fill in your details to get a reply

We will only publish your name and question

Reviews

Subjects

  • Teaching
  • Music
  • Translation
  • Interpreting
  • Creative Writing
  • Cinema
  • Global
  • Employability
  • Writing
  • Skills and Training

Course programme

Example structure
Studying at Essex is about discovering yourself, so your course combines compulsory and optional modules to make sure you gain key knowledge in the discipline, while having as much freedom as possible to explore your own interests. Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field, therefore to ensure your course is as relevant and up-to-date as possible your core module structure may be subject to change.
For many of our courses you’ll have a wide range of optional modules to choose from – those listed in this example structure are just a selection of those available. The opportunity to take optional modules will depend on the number of core modules within any year of the course. In many instances, the flexibility to take optional modules increases as you progress through the course.
Our Programme Specification gives more detail about the structure available to our current first-year students, including details of all optional modules.
The language module that you will study will depend upon your level when you arrive in the department, and we are happy to accept students with no previous knowledge of the language. The structure below is an example of the progression for a student with no prior knowledge of German or any other language, but it is also possible to begin this course at an advanced level. Please refer to the progression pathway table to find out which modules are suitable for your linguistic profile.
In your first, second and fourth year you can choose optional modules from other subject areas if you wish.
Year 1
Intensive Initial German (Double Module) (optional)
Intensive Initial Italian (Double Module)
Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics
Year 2
Advanced German (optional)
Three Countries One Language - Austria, Switzerland and Germany (optional)
Advanced Italian (optional)
Spanish / Italian / Romanian to Portuguese Conversion (optional)
Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics
Final year
Mastery Level German
Translation, Interpreting and Subtitling Skills
Proficiency Level Italian (optional)
Advanced Portuguese (optional)
Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics
Year abroad
On your year abroad, you have the opportunity to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised. The rest of your course remains identical to the three-year degree.
Teaching
Teaching takes the form of lectures and seminar sessions or discussion classes
State-of-the-art technologies and materials create an ideal learning environment
Activities designed to develop your practical language skills, such as role-play and class presentations
Cultural and social themes are explored through film, music, the internet, theatre and literature
Assessment
Language abilities are assessed through role-plays, translations, essay writing, creative writing, and quizzes
Written examinations are also taken for the majority of modules at the end of each academic year
Weighted 50% coursework and 50% exams
Previous
Next

Additional information

If you want a global outlook, are interested in human communication, and want to study for a degree with real-world practical value in a world-class department, welcome to Essex “The Department of Language and Linguistics is very friendly and well-organised; everyone is made to feel welcome and students are all offered advice or guidance if they need it, particularly in their first year Being a student at Essex was one of the best and most important experiences of my life!” Trevor Katsanis, BA Modern Languages, 2011 Study abroad Our course offers three possibilities for your year abroad The first allows you to study at one of the prestigious universities with which we have exchange links You continue to study modules relevant to your course, learning your chosen languages within a country that speaks them, and you pay no tuition fees for your time overseas The second option allows you to work as a language assistant, thereby acquiring valuable professional experience in an international context in addition to earning money Alternatively, you can study at a university abroad for one term in your third year, after which you work with an organisation in the same country This unique experience helps you stand out when applying for jobs Whichever option you choose, your year abroad allows you to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised Our expert staff At Essex, we maintain excellent student-staff ratios, and we integrate language learning with linguistics wherever there is synergy In addition to helping you acquire practical foreign language skills, our staff share their expertise with you in the areas of professional translation, interpreting and subtitling, film and art, business, and culture Specialist facilities Access to two multimedia language teaching labs which are equipped with state-of-the-art...

BA German Studies and Modern Languages

£ 9,250 + VAT