Humanities Shoot; 17th June 2019

Modern Languages BA (Hons)

Key information

UCAS code:

R902

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Study mode and duration
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Showing content for section Overview

Overview

On this BA (Hons) Modern Languages degree course, you'll study one language in-depth, immersing yourself in the culture, history and identity of the communities that speak it. In an increasingly global world, equip yourself with the ability to connect with millions of people in their native language.

You'll have the choice to work towards fluency in one of the following languages:

  • French – spoken by 267 million people worldwide
  • German – spoken by 135 million people worldwide
  • Spanish – spoken by 543 million people worldwide
  • Mandarin Chinese – spoken by 1,120 million people worldwide

Boost your language and cultural studies with a year abroad on a study or work placement, in a country or region that speaks your chosen language. Previous students have experienced life in Germany, Spain, China, Taiwan, Latin America and Senegal.

Wherever you choose to go, this course and the year abroad will transform your passion for language into practical multilingual skills you can use to build your career in any field – from teaching to international management and finance, or media and marketing.

Course highlights 

  • Take a work or study abroad placement in year 3, to fully absorb the history and culture of another country and develop the skills and experience you need to build a career across borders
  • Put your language skills into practice through subtitling and translation scenarios, and making your own TV reports
  • Opt to focus on the aspects of other countries that fascinate you – from their history and politics, through to economics and business
  • Join the optional Teacher Training pathway to launch a career as a Modern Foreign Language teacher 
  • Choose to mix and match optional modules, or tailor your course by selecting modules specifically within one of four specialisms:
  • teaching and education
  • translation and interpreting
  • culture and linguistics
  • business and industry

Options to customise your degree

Take steps to become a teacher while developing your passion for languages.

You can combine your language studies with teacher training and school teaching placements by taking the Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) pathway.

If successful, you'll save an extra year of study, get a £9,000 bursary in your final year of study and gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which will enable you to teach languages in secondary schools in England and Wales after you graduate.

95%

of graduates in work or further study 15 months after this course

(HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2018/2019)

Entry requirements

BA (Hons) Modern Languages entry requirements

Typical offers

  • A levels - BCC-CCC
  • UCAS points - 96-104 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
  • T-levels - Merit
  • BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DMM-MMM
  • International Baccalaureate - 25

You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept at UCAS.

English language requirements

  • English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.

See alternative English language qualifications

We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

We look at more than just your grades

While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.

Explore more about how we make your offer

Alternative language courses

Explore all our language undergraduate courses, so you can compare your options and apply for the best course for you.

  BA (Hons) Modern Languages BA (Hons) Applied Languages BA (Hons) Language Studies
Languages you'll study 1 (at either advanced or beginner level) 2 (both at advanced level, or 1 at advanced and 1 as a beginner) 1 or 2 (both at advanced level, or 1 at advanced and 1 as a beginner)
Duration 4 years 4 years 3 or 4 years
Study abroad Optional
Language A Level required    
Find out more   Go to course page Go to course page
Interpreting Training Suite

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Which language degree is your best fit?

Unsure which language degree to choose? Take our quick and easy quiz to find out which of our language courses is best suited to you.

 

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Facilities and specialist equipment

Facilities for Applied and Modern Languages courses

Develop the skills needed as an interpreter or translator in our Conference Interpreter Suite – equipped with the same technology used in the European Parliament.

Learn more

Carmen, Senior Lecturer in Interpreting and Spanish

Interpreting is a module that we offer in all of our courses at the University of Portsmouth.

As part of this modules tudents get to take their language skills up to the next level.

The interpreting suite actually offers an outstanding opportunity for our students to actually put their interpreting skills into practice in a very real context.

Toby, Bethan and Matias

Qualities a student would need to succeed in this topic: perseverance, communication, preparation, teamwork and passion about interpreting and the interpretation world.

What I love about interpreting is how much it’s challenging my language skills. I want to be able to facilitate people to integrate into a culture, to make friends, to be able to work, to be able to socialise.

It’s a really safe introduction to interpreting.

This module really pushes me to actually use my Spanish very spontaneously. It encourages the learning of new vocabulary and just to think a little bit outside. You have to think on your feet. It forces you to become good, it keeps you on top!

The interpreting module was one of the main reasons why I came to Portsmouth. I think it really defines well the concept of communication.

You’ll be pushed so much, you’ll learn so much and at the end of the day you’ll have fun! Just trust your command of the language and roll with it!

Digital language laboratories

Perfect your listening and comprehension skills in a rich, multi-media language learning environment. Find out how to integrate and manipulate video, sound, text and internet sources in different languages.

digital language lab
Explore the laboratories

Careers and opportunities

As early as 2014, UK Trade and Investment reported that the UK's lack of language skills was leading to a 3.5% loss in national income through trade. This highlights the need UK companies have for bilingual and multilingual employees.

Fast forward to a post-pandemic 2021, the opportunity to work remotely from anywhere in the world has dramatically increased and globalization of trade continues to grow (according to the DHL Global Connectedness Index). The professional language skills you develop on this course could set you apart in a global job market, whether you plan to work in the UK after graduation or pursue a career abroad.

Both within and beyond Europe, we will need to reach out beyond English, not only to maintain and improve our economic position but to build trust, deepen international influence and cultural relationships, and to keep our country safe.

British Council, Languages for the Future (2017)

Read the report

What jobs can you do with a modern languages degree?

Roles you could go onto include:

  • bilingual consultant
  • multilingual project coordinator translator
  • translator/interpreter
  • diplomat
  • journalist
  • tourist guide
  • market analyst

What areas can you work in with a modern languages degree?

This degree broadens your options so you can pursue almost any career. Learning a second language is useful in all sectors, including:

  • marketing
  • journalism and the media
  • international management
  • translation and interpreting
  • teaching
  • tourism
  • finance

You could also continue your studies at postgraduate level with a Master's in a subject such as Translation Studies or Applied Linguistics and TESOL.

Female student at computer

Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate

Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.

Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.

My degree has given me the confidence to travel and work abroad. I am now in Beijing to complete a MA in European and Asian Affairs.

Jan Chodorowski, BA (Hons) Modern Languages student

Year abroad

After your second year, you'll do a work or study abroad placement based in one or more countries where your chosen language is spoken. The experience abroad will help you build linguistic and cultural fluency that will help you stand out to employers when you graduate.

We'll give you all the support you need before your year abroad to find a work or study abroad placement fits your aspirations. You can take advantage of our links with universities and employers worldwide, including Germany, Spain, China, Taiwan, Latin America and Senegal.

You'll continue to get mentoring and support from us throughout your year abroad, to help you get the most out of your experience.

I had the most fantastic experience on this course. I went to study abroad... which completed my course perfectly and initiated the path into my career. It was the most perfect opportunity.

Lauren Cooper , BA (Hons) Combined Modern Languages student

Studying abroad on the BA (Hons) Modern Languages degree course

Course leader, Paul Joyce, talk about the three different ways you can choose to spend you year abroad: doing a work placement, being a teaching assistant in a foreign country or studying at a university in a different country.

Our students always say to us that the course highlights are the year abroad and the year abroad is the third year in your degree.

There are also three different ways in which you can spend your year abroad. You can find a work placement in marketing, in translating, doing subtitling. The second opportunity you have is being a teaching assistant, an English Language Teaching Assistant in a foreign country.

And the third option is to study abroad at a partner university doing language courses but again learning about the culture and society from the perspective of an Italian university, a Chinese university, German, Spanish, French etc.

One of the things that excites us about the course is our interpreting units and we have a state of the art interpreting suite that enables us to train our final year students.

We teach you how to interpret subtly and fairly and to give both sides of the argument and enable both sides to understand each other. And students at the end of this have a real sense of achievement because they can see the practical benefits of what it is that they are doing and interpreters are also highly in demand in the modern business world.

There are several reasons to come to Portsmouth to do a languages degree. One is the fact that Portsmouth as a city is a place where there is always something happening, particularly during the summer when we have a number of festivals, there are a number of circuses, there are things going on at Southsea common all the time. We have a beach and your friends will always want to visit you.

The other reason why I think the University of Portsmouth is a great place to study is that alongside all the academic support that we give you there are a whole load of support networks that we can give you in terms of career development in terms of writing skills in terms of communication skills.

You will get a personal tutor from your first year onwards with whom you can talk about absolutely anything. Lecturers and tutors at the University of Portsmouth are always accessible and this means that when our students graduate we keep in contact with them. They come back to visit us and we learn about how they are using their languages in practice and we can shape our degree courses in order to include the feedback that they give us about how they found their degree useful.

What you'll study

Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.

In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, four modules worth 20 credits and one module worth 40 credits.

Modules

Core modules

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Read critically and organise points to form a coherent and cohesive argument on a discipline-related topic.

  • Collect and analyse short extracts of authentic spoken data.

  • Report collaboratively on the findings of the research project through a group presentation.

  • Produce a written report of the findings including potential modifications as well as reference to existing research.

  • Reflect on how the research skills developed in this module can contribute towards employability.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Identify and describe some language teaching strategies and approaches and provide a basic rationale for their uses.
  • Identify the main classifications of grammatical and lexical description, and their functions, as applied to English.
  • Reflect upon their experience of learning of an unknown foreign language and make contrasts and comparisons between the unknown foreign language and English.

Explore this module

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Demonstrate a familiarity with key theories of nationalism.

  • Describe the factors which have played a role in nation-building.

  • Familiarise students with a range of illustrative examples drawn from countries and regions in which French, German, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese are spoken.

  • Locate case studies drawn from global contexts within theories of nationalism and nation-building.

  • Demonstrate an awareness of the diversity and plurality of identities within modern nations.

Optional modules

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Through listening obtain information about a range of familiar (and some unfamiliar) topics from audio sources.

  • Use formal and informal registers in simple conversational exchanges, using the TL with an appropriate degree of grammatical accuracy and cultural competence.

  • Extract information about daily activities from sources that include both traditional and electronic formats.

  • Produce written information that describes and comments upon present, past and future events, with an appropriate degree of grammatical accuracy and cultural competence.

  • Use effectively a wide range of resources, and begin to deploy proactive, independent and collaborative learning strategies.

What you'll learn

 

 

The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Extract information about daily activities from sources that include both traditional and electronic formats.

  • Produce written information exchanges, with an appropriate degree of accuracy and cultural competence, including simple translation tasks and summaries.

  • Engage in basic conversation and mediation activities, with an appropriate degree of accuracy and cultural competence.

  • Use effectively a wide range of resources, and begin to deploy proactive, independent and collaborative learning strategies.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Obtain information, ideas and opinions from a variety of simple and complex texts, including some academic texts.

  • Obtain, via listening, information, opinions and ideas from a range of simple and complex spoken registers.

  • Present and discuss orally topics of general and current interest appropriate to their level, including some specialist texts.

  • Express themselves, with reasonable degree of accuracy, through a variety of text types making appropriate use of both formal and informal registers.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Through listening obtain information about a range of familiar (and some unfamiliar) topics from audio sources.

  • Use formal and informal registers in simple conversational exchanges, using the TL with an appropriate degree of grammatical accuracy and cultural competence.

  • Extract information about daily activities from sources that include both traditional and electronic formats.

  • Produce written information that describes and comments upon present, past and future events, with an appropriate degree of grammatical accuracy and cultural competence.

  • Use effectively a wide range of resources, and begin to deploy proactive, independent and collaborative learning strategies.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Extract information about daily activities from sources that include traditional and electronic formats.
  • Produce written information that describes and comments upon present, past and future events, with an appropriate degree of grammatical accuracy and cultural competence
  • Engage in basic conversation and mediation activities, with an appropriate degree of accuracy and cultural competence.
  • Effectively use a variety of resources, and begin to deploy proactive, independent and collaborative learning strategies

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Obtain information, ideas and opinions from a variety of simple and complex texts, including some academic texts.

  • Obtain, via listening, information, opinions and ideas from a range of simple and complex spoken registers.

  • Present and discuss orally topics of general and current interest appropriate to their level, including some specialist texts.

  • Express themselves, with reasonable degree of accuracy, through a variety of text types making appropriate use of both formal and informal registers.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Find, select and extract information from written, audio-visual and multimodal texts in the target language (TL).
  • Summarise extended texts of various genres and types in the TL.
  • Give short individual and group presentations in the TL on cultural, social or current affairs related to the countries or regions you're studying, and respond to questions.
  • Support and manage your own learning by researching in the TL and using resources effectively to conduct a variety of language tasks.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Find, select and extract information from written, audio-visual and multimodal texts in the target language (TL).
  • Summarise extended texts of various genres and types in the TL.
  • Give short individual and group presentations in the TL on cultural, social or current affairs related to the countries or regions you're studying, and respond to questions.
  • Support and manage your own learning by researching in the TL and using resources effectively to conduct a variety of language tasks.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Find, select and extract information from written, audio-visual and multimodal texts in the target language (TL)
  • Summarise extended texts of various genres and types in the TL
  • Give short individual and group presentations in the TL on cultural, social or current affairs related to the countries or regions you're studying, and respond to questions
  • Support and manage your own learning by researching in the TL and using resources effectively to conduct a variety of language tasks

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Through listening obtain information about a range of familiar (and some unfamiliar) topics from audio sources.

  • Use formal and informal registers in simple conversational exchanges, using the TL with an appropriate degree of grammatical accuracy and cultural competence.

  • Extract information about daily activities from sources that include both traditional and electronic formats.

  • Produce written information that describes and comments upon present, past and future events, with an appropriate degree of grammatical accuracy and cultural competence.

  • Use effectively a wide range of resources, and begin to deploy proactive, independent and collaborative learning strategies.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Through listening obtain information about a range of familiar (and some unfamiliar) topics from audio sources.

  • Use formal and informal registers in simple conversational exchanges, using the TL with an appropriate degree of grammatical accuracy and cultural competence.

  • Extract information about daily activities from sources that include both traditional and electronic formats.

  • Produce written information that describes and comments upon present, past and future events, with an appropriate degree of grammatical accuracy and cultural competence.

  • Use effectively a wide range of resources, and begin to deploy proactive, independent and collaborative learning strategies.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Through listening obtain information about a range of familiar (and some unfamiliar) topics from audio sources.

  • Use formal and informal registers in simple conversational exchanges, using the TL with an appropriate degree of grammatical accuracy and cultural competence.

  • Extract information about daily activities from sources that include both traditional and electronic formats.

  • Produce written information that describes and comments upon present, past and future events, with an appropriate degree of grammatical accuracy and cultural competence.

  • Use effectively a wide range of resources, and begin to deploy proactive, independent and collaborative learning strategies.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Extract information about daily activities from sources that include both traditional and electronic formats.

  • Produce written information exchanges, with an appropriate degree of accuracy and cultural competence, including simple translation tasks and summaries.

  • Engage in basic conversation and mediation activities, with an appropriate degree of accuracy and cultural competence.

  • Use effectively a wide range of resources, and begin to deploy proactive, independent and collaborative learning strategies.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Obtain information, ideas and opinions from a variety of simple and complex texts, including some academic texts.

  • Obtain, via listening, information, opinions and ideas from a range of simple and complex spoken registers.

  • Present and discuss orally topics of general and current interest appropriate to their level, including some specialist texts.

  • Express themselves, with reasonable degree of accuracy, through a variety of text types making appropriate use of both formal and informal registers.

Core modules

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • To gain an understanding of the options available for the third year abroad.

  • To make an informed choice regarding year abroad options.

  • To be fully informed of all year abroad requirements in terms of formalities and assessment.

Optional modules

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Explore the role of national, regional and international institutions in regulating global economic relations.
  • Examine and analyse a number of factors that impact on global business, such as privatisation, liberalisation and deregulation, corporate governance or labour market flexibility.
  • Apply selected theories of marketing to analyse specific markets.
  • Identify and discuss how business responds to these issues through company case studies from a national, regional and/or global perspective.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Identify different speech disorders and how they are caused.
  • Recognise different types of speech impairment.
  • Describe a sample of clinical language data in terms of its grammatical structure.
  • Analyse different theories of language impairment.
  • Apply knowledge of language impairment theories to clinical language data.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Recognise and differentiate between key academic debates in this field.

  • Compare and contrast political institutions, actors and ideas in Europe.

  • Apply comparative and theoretical frameworks to analyse and evaluate data independently.

  • Evaluate the advantages and problems inherent in the comparative method.

Explore this module

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Analyse the nature of the military regimes and the aftermath of military rule.

  • Critically evaluate the transitions to democracy in Latin America.

  • Account for the different experiences of democratisation across the region.

  • Appraise the roles played by a range of political actors in processes of political change. 

  • Apply their knowledge of processes and political actors in a verisimilar situation.

What you'll learn

The learning outcomes of this module are:

  • Apply the concepts of modernisation, colonialism and multiculturalism to engage development experiences of East Asian societies.

  • Use gender, class, ethnicity, sexuality, age and physical ability as analytical tools to explore the process of modernisation, colonialism, nation-building and development of East Asian societies.

  • Acquire country-specific knowledge in regard to cultural heritage, colonial legacy, geopolitical structure and economic interaction.

  • Obtain a dynamic regional perspective in regard to a common challenge faced by East Asian societies.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Engage with contemporary debates regarding colonialism, decolonisation and its legacies in Europe and Africa.
  • Critically analyse primary and secondary sources.
  • Present a reasoned argument in written form, using appropriate terminology.

Explore this module

What you'll do
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Communicate clearly and effectively about social problems and their consequences.
  • Evaluate strategies for addressing forms of inequality and/or sustainability and obstacles to their implementation.
  • Demonstrate the ability to be an effective team player able to support others.

Explore this module

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Identify and evidence patterns of language forms.
  • Discuss the relationship between patterns of language forms and social activities.
  • Analyse a variety of texts in relation to the social activities of which they are a part.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Critically examine the language of the law and the discourse of courtrooms in relation to the exercise of power.
  • Critically discuss the tools and principles of authorship identification and plagiarism in order to determine the origin of a text and establish its authenticity.
  • Recognise and critically analyse different forensic text types in order to be able to establish their veracity.

Explore this module

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Appraise the significance of France as an actor in contemporary international relations.

  • Assess the characteristics of French foreign and defence policies since 1958.

  • Discuss contested notions of French power.

  • Present a clear treatment of a topic using appropriate academic and subject specific terminology.

 

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Through listening obtain information about a wide range of topics from authentic audio and video sources.

  • Communicate effectively with native speakers of the TL in a range of social, academic and work-related situations using the appropriate register.

  • Extract information about a range of topics from authentic written sources of different genres.

  • Produce a range of written texts for different purposes using appropriate register, style, vocabulary and grammatical structures.

  • Recognise relevant linguistic conventions and cultural values of the target countries and being able to respond to them in a culturally informed and sensitive manner.

  • Support and manage their own learning by using effectively a wide range of resources and learning strategies.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Communicate effectively with native speakers of the TL in a range of social, academic and work-related situations using the appropriate register.

  • Extract information about a range of topics from authentic written sources of different genres.

  • Produce a range of written texts for different purposes using appropriate register, style, vocabulary and grammatical structures.

  • Recognise relevant linguistic conventions and cultural values of the target countries and being able to respond to them in a culturally informed and sensitive manner.

  • Support and manage their own learning by using effectively a wide range of resources and learning strategies.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Obtain information, ideas and opinions from a variety of complex written texts appropriate to their level, including the printed media and some specialist texts.

  • Obtain, via listening, information, opinions and ideas from a range reasonably complex spoken register, including the broadcast media.

  • Present and participate orally in social discussions on general, current and specialist/academic topics.

  • Express themselves, with a degree of accuracy appropriate to their level, through a wide variety of text types making confident use of both formal and informal registers.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Through listening obtain information about a wide range of topics from authentic audio and video sources.

  • Communicate effectively with native speakers of the TL in a range of social, academic and work-related situations using the appropriate register.

  • Extract information about a range of topics from authentic written sources of different genres.

  • Produce a range of written texts for different purposes using appropriate register, style, vocabulary and grammatical structures.

  • Recognise relevant linguistic conventions and cultural values of the target countries and being able to respond to them in a culturally informed and sensitive manner.

  • Support and manage their own learning by using effectively a wide range of resources and learning strategies.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Communicate effectively with native speakers of the TL in a range of social, academic and work-related situations using the appropriate register.

  • Extract information about a range of topics from authentic written sources of different genres.

  • Produce a range of written texts for different purposes using appropriate register, style, vocabulary and grammatical structures.

  • Recognise relevant linguistic conventions and cultural values of the target countries and being able to respond to them in a culturally informed and sensitive manner.

  • Support and manage their own learning by using effectively a wide range of resources and learning strategies.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Obtain information, ideas and opinions from a variety of complex written texts appropriate to their level, including the printed media and some specialist texts.

  • Obtain, via listening, information, opinions and ideas from a range reasonably complex spoken register, including the broadcast media.

  • Present and participate orally in social discussions on general, current and specialist/academic topics.

  • Express themselves, with a degree of accuracy appropriate to their level, through a wide variety of text types making confident use of both formal and informal registers.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Recognise the varying disciplinary perspectives on the concept of security within a criminological framework.

  • Critically discuss the drivers of societal risk and insecurity.

  • Recognise the nature and impact of economic and political developments.

  • Explain and assess the many forms of threat to the security of states, corporations and individuals.

  • Identify and assess responses to security threats at the global, national, local, corporate and individual levels.

  • Locate, interpret, question and summarise information from a number of different sources.

Explore this module

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Assess key theories in intercultural communication research.
  • Collect data/information and analyse it from an intercultural perspective.
  • Research a certain aspect of culture and communication.

Explore this module

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are: 
  • Generate familiarity with a range of professional language services.

  • Develop basic skills in language services such as subtitling, post-editing and interpreting.

  • Discuss the skills involved in the performance of different language services.

  • Reflect on the links between theory and practice.

Explore this module

What you'll learn

The learning outcomes of this module are:

  • Develop an understanding of the big issues and contemporary debates in education and teaching.

  • Apply the fundamental concepts of teaching and learning theory to the planning and evaluation of a lesson plan.

  • Understand the importance of safeguarding children.

  • Reflect on current developments in teaching and learning.

Explore this module

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Generate familiarity with a range of genres/text types.

  • Develop skills in translation practice.

  • Discuss practical problems posed by authentic texts.

  • Provide opportunities to develop current professional translation skills through research and the use of digital technologies.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Identify the differences in working practices between the UK and the target country (TC).

  • Use their expanded language skills to give oral presentations, be prepared for job interviews and produce professional written communications.

  • Conduct a variety of interpersonal communication functions applied to the business and organisation context.

  • Research in the TL the job opportunities, background, structure, products and services of a given company, international organisation or NGO.

  • Write a multimedia report in the TL on a company or NGO using specialised vocabulary and appropriate software.

  • Reflect on their performance on a range of language-based tasks and activities and support and identify personal development needs.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Identify the differences in working practices between the UK and the target country (TC).

  • Use their expanded language skills to give oral presentations, be prepared for job interviews and produce professional written communications.

  • Conduct a variety of interpersonal communication functions applied to the business and organisation context.

  • Research in the TL the job opportunities, background, structure, products and services of a given company, international organisation or NGO.

  • Write a multimedia report in the TL on a company or NGO using specialised vocabulary and appropriate software.

  • Reflect on their performance on a range of language-based tasks and activities and support and identify personal development needs.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Identify the differences in working practices between the UK and the target country (TC).

  • Use their expanded language skills to give oral presentations, be prepared for job interviews and produce professional written communications.

  • Conduct a variety of interpersonal communication functions applied to the business and organisation context.

  • Research in the TL the job opportunities, background, structure, products and services of a given company, international organisation or NGO.

  • Write a multimedia report in the TL on a company or NGO using specialised vocabulary and appropriate software.

  • Reflect on their performance on a range of language-based tasks and activities and support and identify personal development needs.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Identify and describe features of 'literariness' in a range of texts.
  • Critically discuss such features and how they contribute to the style of texts.
  • Identify, describe and discuss the use of metaphor in literary and non-literary texts.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Employ effectively a range of terminology and concepts appropriate to the field of Human Resource Management.

  • Critically discuss key theoretical models related to the field of Human Resources and apply them to case studies.

  • Appraise the relationship between Human Resource activities and their associated outcomes.

Explore this module

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Find, select and extract information from written, audio-visual and multimodal texts in the target language (TL).
  • Summarise extended texts of various genres and types in the TL.
  • Give short individual and group presentations in the TL on cultural, social or current affairs related to the countries or regions you're studying, and respond to questions.
  • Support and manage your own learning by researching in the TL and using resources effectively to conduct a variety of language tasks.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Find, select and extract information from a wide range of written and audio-visual and multimodal texts in the target language (TL).

  • Summarise extended texts of various genres and types in the TLs.

  • Give short individual and group presentations in the TLs on cultural, social or current affairs related to the countries of regions under study respond to questions.

  • Support and manage their own learning; being able to research in the TL and use resources effectively to conduct a variety of language tasks independently.

Explore this module

 

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Find, select and extract information from written, audio-visual and multimodal texts in the target language (TL)
  • Summarise extended texts of various genres and types in the TL
  • Give short individual and group presentations in the TL on cultural, social or current affairs related to the countries or regions you're studying, and respond to questions
  • Support and manage your own learning by researching in the TL and using resources effectively to conduct a variety of language tasks

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Find, select and extract information from written, audio-visual and multimodal texts in the target language (TL).
  • Summarise extended texts of various genres and types in the TL.
  • Give short individual and group presentations in the TL on cultural, social or current affairs related to the countries or regions you're studying, and respond to questions.
  • Support and manage your own learning by researching in the TL and using resources effectively to conduct a variety of language tasks.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Comment, with critical awareness, on management and leadership in the global workplace.

  • Identify and evaluate a number of different cross-cultural perspectives on the management of organisations and people.

  • Critically analyse chosen aspects of processes and systems for the management of people in different professional cultural contexts.

  • Write a professional report, with reference to relevant theory, which identifies management challenges and possible solutions in a specific cross-cultural workplace.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Through listening obtain information about a wide range of topics from authentic audio and video sources.
  • Communicate effectively with native speakers of the TL in a range of social, academic and work-related situations using the appropriate register.
  • Extract information about a range of topics from authentic written sources of different genres.
  • Produce a range of written texts for different purposes using appropriate register, style, vocabulary and grammatical structures.
  • Recognise relevant linguistic conventions and cultural values of the target countries and being able to respond to them in a culturally informed and sensitive manner.
  • Support and manage their own learning by using effectively a wide range of resources and learning strategies.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Communicate effectively with native speakers of the TL in a range of social, academic and work-related situations using the appropriate register.

  • Extract information about a range of topics from authentic written sources of different genres.

  • Produce a range of written texts for different purposes using appropriate register, style, vocabulary and grammatical structures.

  • Recognise relevant linguistic conventions and cultural values of the target countries and being able to respond to them in a culturally informed and sensitive manner.

  • Support and manage their own learning by using effectively a wide range of resources and learning strategies.

What you'll learn

The learning objectives of this module are to be confirmed.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key sources, concepts, ideas, substantive analyses, and contemporary relevance.

  • Demonstrate ability to compare and contrast analytical approaches to the study and explanation of themes and issues explored on the module.

  • Communicate understanding and knowledge of complex ideas, concepts and themes and issues explored on the module clearly, effectively, and creatively.

  • Work effectively, both independently and as a member of a group, to research, prepare and deliver a report.

  • Produce an organised, well-structured and concise answer to an essay question demonstrating critical engagement with relevant texts and analyses.

Explore this module

What you'll learn

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Critically and reflectively engage with literature exploring nationalism from various disciplines.
  • Analyse current political and economic debates surrounding immigration.
  • Evaluate how global inequalities relate to nationalist social and political structures and ideologies.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how the issues discussed are relevant at micro and macro levels globally.
  • Understand and critically question how nationalism and national identities are often taken for granted in Western societies, and how this relates to contemporary global power relations.

Explore this module

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Examine current issues relative to traditional (i.e. print and/or broadcast) media.
  • Empirically analyse media texts in terms of ideological representation.
  • Identify and justify the selection of appropriate media texts and appropriate analytical frameworks in the formulation of a short empirical research project.

Explore this module

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Critically evaluate the social and political impact of literature and film.
  • Critically analyse cultural representations of Hispanic societies.
  • Situate cultural representations of Hispanic societies in their national and historical context.
  • Communicate ideas in a manner appropriate to the target audience.
  • Present an analytical treatment of a complex topic in written form, using appropriate academic/subject specific terminology.

Explore this module

What you'll learn

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Know and recognize the varying disciplinary perspectives on the concept of the principles of economic crime investigation within criminological, legal, and economic frameworks
  • Become familiar with the main types of organisations involved in investigating economic crime including SFO, NCA and FCA etc.
  • Identify the different modes of investigative techniques employed in investigating economic crime
  • Analyse information on the investigation techniques employed in real economic crime cases
  • Gather, retrieve, and analyse information from a variety of sources

Explore this module

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Apply relevant communication theories within a professional context.

  • Communicate effectively using a range of styles and registers appropriate to specific business contexts.

  • Critically apply different theories related to culture and organisational behaviour to the given contexts.

Explore this module

 

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Reflect on their learning and experience to date and use this as a basis to plan and organise suitable work experience(s) that will enable the development of their professional profile.

  • Propose a programme of learning that enables the development and demonstration of specified professional skills.

  • Critically evaluate their learning and experience and relate this to their future career goals.

  • Communicate the outcomes of their experience, through the effective use of reflective practice.

Explore this module

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Explain the rise of Nazism.
  • Analyse NS ideologies and specific policies.
  • Compare types of support for and dissent to Nazism.
  • Debate the contested origins and implementation of the Holocaust.
  • Analyse the significance of the legacy of the “Third Reich” on German politics and society from 1945 to the present.

Explore this module

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Explain two or more different theoretical and/or empirical approaches to the study of Second Language Acquisition.

  • Compare two or more different theoretical and/or empirical approaches to the study of Second Language Acquisition.

  • Explain, in a form appropriate to a specified audience, the nature and the implications of two or more different theoretical and/or empirical approaches to the study of Second Language Acquisition and the reasons for those implications.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Discuss conceptual and thematic aspects of the literature.
  • Reflect on the ways that subjectivity is formulated at specific periods and is related to place and/or gender.
  • Recognise the materiality and historicity of philosophical and theoretical concepts.
  • Comprehend the significance of perception for the subject and in narrative voice.
  • Define and critically assess key terms and concepts for theoretically-informed literary analysis.
  • Demonstrate critically-informed close reading skills and contextualised literary analysis.

Explore this module

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Through listening obtain information about a wide range of topics from authentic audio and video sources.

  • Communicate effectively with native speakers of the TL in a range of social, academic and work-related situations using the appropriate register.

  • Extract information about a range of topics from authentic written sources of different genres.

  • Produce a range of written texts for different purposes using appropriate register, style, vocabulary and grammatical structures.

  • Recognise relevant linguistic conventions and cultural values of the target countries and being able to respond to them in a culturally informed and sensitive manner.

  • Support and manage their own learning by using effectively a wide range of resources and learning strategies.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Communicate effectively with native speakers of the TL in a range of social, academic and work-related situations using the appropriate register.

  • Extract information about a range of topics from authentic written sources of different genres.

  • Produce a range of written texts for different purposes using appropriate register, style, vocabulary and grammatical structures.

  • Recognise relevant linguistic conventions and cultural values of the target countries and being able to respond to them in a culturally informed and sensitive manner.

  • Support and manage their own learning by using effectively a wide range of resources and learning strategies.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Obtain information, ideas and opinions from a variety of complex written texts appropriate to their level, including the printed media and some specialist texts.

  • Obtain, via listening, information, opinions and ideas from a range reasonably complex spoken register, including the broadcast media.

  • Present and participate orally in social discussions on general, current and specialist/academic topics.

  • Express themselves, with a degree of accuracy appropriate to their level, through a wide variety of text types making confident use of both formal and informal registers.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Analyse samples of spoken and written English, taking into account such factors as grammar, lexis, discourse features and context of production.
  • Analyse samples of spoken English at the segmental and suprasegmental level.
  • Make contrasts and comparisons between English and other languages..
  • Compare and contrast the learning and motivational needs of various types of language learner.
  • Critically evaluate how English for speakers of other language (ESOL) methodologies impact on the practical aspects of lesson planning and exploitation of material (pedagogy).

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Analyse and critically evaluate different scholarly interpretations on the theme of identity formation in modern German history.

  • Provide a critical analysis of appropriate primary sources, including reflection on research, methodology, and interpretation.

  • Effectively communicate in a variety of appropriate formats, either individually or in a group.

Explore this module

 

 

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Analyse the mechanisms employed in the pursuit of truth, justice and reparation for human rights abuses in selected countries.

  • Analyse the effectiveness of transitional justice mechanisms in selected countries.

  • Analyse how political, social, cultural, and legal factors facilitate or hinder transitional justice in selected countries.

Explore this module

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Identify different methods and approaches to the teaching of languages, in particular English as a second or other language (ESOL).
  • Design a series of lesson plans for an ESOL class based on published and own materials.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of materials and make simple adaptations to such materials for use in a defined context.
  • Critically reflect on your own performance as a trainee teacher and draw up action plans for future professional development.
  • Elaborate a series of recommendations for the learner profiled in TESOL including grammar and phonology.

What you'll learn

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Analyse the different types of wildlife crime and summarise environmental factors
  • Recognise and examine the importance of environmental justice and sustainability
  • Locate, access and engage with information pertinent to environmental justice and wildlife crime
  • Interpret and assess new and existing knowledge
  • Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and identify further opportunities within the subject area

Explore this module

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Interpret, analyse and explain aesthetic, thematic, political and economic concerns of transnational films and filmmakers.
  • Apply key theoretical reading to analysis of films.
  • Critically assess how new technologies, production and exhibition contexts impact on national and transnational filmmaking.
  • Evaluate the relationship of film to wider geo-political agendas and concerns.
  • Critically understand and articulate distribution, marketing and reception of transnational work.

Core module

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Explain and illustrate how your knowledge, understanding and subject specific skills (defined in the programme specification and your individual learning agreement) have been enhanced by the learning experience.
  • Contrast the culture of the country (or countries) visited with that of your home country.
  • Explain and illustrate how the learning experience has increased your knowledge of the world you're functioning in (university, school or workplace).
  • Reflect on your learning, strengths, weaknesses and performance including your ability to speak and write your foreign language(s) more fluently and accurately (if your placement is in a non-English speaking country).

Optional modules

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Critically evaluate given creative texts/activities in terms of their potential for developing language learning.
  • Choose creative texts and activities suitable for exploitation in given classroom contexts and justify this choice.
  • Design a series of lessons using creative texts/activities to develop language skills for specified levels of learners.

Explore this module

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Critically evaluate the significance of France in contemporatary international relations.

  • Critically discuss the characteristics of French foreign and defence policy since 1958.

  • Critically evaluate contested notions of French power.

  • Communicate effectively using appropriate academic conventions and subject specific terminology.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Obtain information, ideas and opinions from a variety of complex written texts appropriate to their level, including the printed media and specialist texts originating from different regional variations and registers.

  • Obtain, via listening, information, opinions and ideas from a range complex spoken register, including the broadcast media, film and academic sources.

  • Participate orally in social discussions on general, current and specialist/academic topics, and present professionally on specialised academic topics.

  • Express themselves, with a degree of accuracy appropriate to their level, through a wide variety of text types making confident use of both formal and informal registers, and specialised vocabulary.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Demonstrate a systematic and critical understanding of key concepts, models and research findings associated with language, gender and sexuality.
  • Critically engage with texts and identify socially-related assumptions about gender and issues related to gendered discourse.
  • Critically evaluate gender views projected by the media.
  • Appreciate the different methodologies used in research on gender, language and sexuality.
  • Convey complex theories to a non- specialist audience.

Explore this module

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Obtain information, ideas and opinions from a variety of complex written texts appropriate to their level, including the printed media and specialist texts originating from different regional variations and registers.

  • Obtain, via listening, information, opinions and ideas from a range complex spoken register, including the broadcast media, film and academic sources.

  • Participate orally in social discussions on general, current and specialist/academic topics, and present professionally on specialised academic topics.

  • Express themselves, with a degree of accuracy appropriate to their level, through a wide variety of text types making confident use of both formal and informal registers, and specialised vocabulary.

Additional content
 

 

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Identify and critically define key concepts that influence Holocaust writing.

  • Assess critically the ways in which Holocaust writing is influenced by trauma and (post) memory.

  • Analyse the importance of Holocaust writing in the formation of cultural memory.

  • Conduct critical readings of Holocaust writing that are informed by a broad selection of critical and theoretical approaches, and reflective of wide-ranging independent research.

  • Creatively author a portfolio of innovative reflections on selected Holocaust writing.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Use conceptual and theoretical frameworks to analyse the main issues in contemporary debates about the Asia-Pacific.

  • Explain and critically analyse the foreign and security policies of key regional powers.

  • Critically evaluate how and why a range of contemporary issues have come to be treated as 'security threats'.

  • Develop a reflective approach to differing points of view on security claims within a politically diverse region.

Explore this module

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Demonstrate the ability to listen actively to a dialogue on general topics.

  • Show effective communication skills.

  • Accurately and fluently render the message into the target language, inferring and grasping relevant language and cultural references from the source language.

  • Critically review their practice and that of their peers.

  • Reflect on the links between theory and practice, ethics and etiquette.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Demonstrate the ability to listen actively to a dialogue/speech on general and specialised topics.

  • Show well developed communication skills appropriate for real-life scenarios.

  • Accurately and fluently render the message into the target language, inferring and grasping relevant language and cultural references from the source language in interpreting contexts and settings.

  • Critically review their own practice.

  • Critically reflect on the links between theory and practice, ethics and etiquette.

What you'll learn

When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:

  • Develop a critical understanding of the big issues and contemporary debates in education and teaching.
  • Analyse and apply the fundamental concepts of teaching and learning theory to the planning and evaluation of a lesson plan.
  • Understand the importance of safeguarding children.
  • Critically reflect on current developments in teaching and learning.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Obtain information, ideas and opinions from a variety of complex written texts appropriate to their level, including the printed media and specialist texts originating from different regional variations and registers.

  • Obtain, via listening, information, opinions and ideas from a range complex spoken register, including the broadcast media, film and academic sources.

  • Participate orally in social discussions on general, current and specialist/academic topics, and present professionally on specialised academic topics.

  • Express themselves, with a degree of accuracy appropriate to their level, through a wide variety of text types making confident use of both formal and informal registers, and specialised vocabulary.

Explore this module

Additional content
 

 

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Compare the structure and functions of different types of social media.
  • Critically evaluate various communication strategies on different types of new media.
  • Evaluate the way social relationships and identities are affected by electronic communication.
  • Develop presentation and public speaking skills.

Explore this module

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Obtain information, ideas and opinions from a variety of complex written texts appropriate to their level, including the printed media and specialist texts originating from different regional variations and registers.

  • Obtain, via listening, information, opinions and ideas from a range complex spoken register, including the broadcast media, film and academic sources.

  • Participate orally in social discussions on general, current and specialist/academic topics, and present professionally on specialised academic topics.

  • Express themselves, with a degree of accuracy appropriate to their level, through a wide variety of text types making confident use of both formal and informal registers, and specialised vocabulary.

Additional content
 

 

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Critically evaluate the social and political impact of literature and film.
  • Critically analyse cultural representations of Hispanic societies.
  • Situate cultural representations of Hispanic societies in their national and historical context.
  • Communicate ideas in a manner appropriate to the target audience.
  • Present an analytical treatment of a complex topic in written form, using appropriate academic/subject specific terminology.

Explore this module

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Critically evaluate personal professional profile and relate this to the development of effective job application strategies.
  • Research, compare and contrast and critically evaluate employers expectations in terms of candidates' skills, attributes and competences in different sectors of employment.
  • Reflect on and evaluate their scores from a range of Psychometric tests to prepare for an upcoming employment assessment.
  • Communicate professionally the outcomes of their experience to potential employers via the production of a CV, statement, video pitch and a mock and formal job interview.

Explore this module

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Reflect on their learning and experience to date and use this as a basis to plan and organise suitable work experience(s) that will enable the development of their professional profile.
  • Propose a programme of learning that enables the development and demonstration of specified professional skills.
  • Critically evaluate their learning and experience and relate this to their future career goals.
  • Communicate the outcomes of their experience, through the effective use of reflective practice.

Explore this module

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Design a viable project proposal.

  • Make use of a range of current research or equivalent advanced scholarship in the relevant field.

  • Deploy established and relevant techniques of analysis and enquiry within an ethical framework to a specific and focused area relevant to the subject of the project.

  • Critically discuss and analyse assumptions, arguments and data (which may be incomplete) in order to form a judgement, frame further questions and identify potential solution.

  • Manage and reflect upon own learning and communicate in writing to a specified audience relevant to either the academic or workplace community.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Obtain information, ideas and opinions from a variety of complex written texts appropriate to their level, including the printed media and specialist texts originating from different regional variations and registers.

  • Obtain, via listening, information, opinions and ideas from a range complex spoken register, including the broadcast media, film and academic sources.

  • Participate orally in social discussions on general, current and specialist/academic topics, and present professionally on specialised academic topics.

  • Express themselves, with a degree of accuracy appropriate to their level, through a wide variety of text types making confident use of both formal and informal registers, and specialised vocabulary.

Additional content
 

 

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Analyse critically examples of spoken discourse in the workplace
  • Apply theories of interpersonal communication to specific spoken workplace contexts
  • Apply knowledge of rhetoric to deliver a professional and persuasive presentation

Explore this module

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Critically evaluate different political science approaches discussing the EU as an actor in international politics.

  • Critically assess the impact of EU external policies, for example: common commercial (trade) policy, development, and enlargement.

  • Critically assess the impact of EU internal policies on the globe, for example: common agricultural policy, competition policy and the single market, economic and monetary coordination, and environmental policy.

  • Critically assess the limited global impact of EU foreign, security and defence policy.

Explore this module

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Identify and analyse the key textual and linguistic features of a variety of source text types for translation and comment on their translational difficulties.

  • Apply and critique theoretical principles of translation strategies.

  • Devise appropriate translation strategies to express the textual and linguistic information of source texts in the target language in a range of contexts.

  • Convey the information of the source text by a variety of translation methods.

  • Propose appropriate translation strategies for the key textual and linguistic features of a selected source text type.

  • Produce an appropriate and commercially viable translation project and demonstrate the necessary analytical and reflective skills to evaluate their skills.

What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
  • Apply theoretical frameworks to critically analyse examples of written professional communication.
  • Evaluate and produce examples of professional writing.
  • Apply knowledge of rhetoric to deliver a professional presentation.

Explore this module


Changes to course content

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

Teaching

Teaching methods on this course include:

  • lectures
  • seminars
  • skill development sessions
  • oral practice classes
  • work placement

You can access all teaching resources on Moodle, our virtual learning environment, from anywhere with a Web connection.

For more about the teaching activities for specific modules, see the module list above.

Teaching staff profiles

User profile default icon

Miss Sara Gomez Villa

Senior Teaching Fellow

Sara.Gomez-Villa@port.ac.uk

Read more

How you're assessed

You’ll be assessed through:

  • essays
  • use of software including desktop publishing, podcasts, subtitling and web design
  • case studies
  • blogging
  • examinations
  • book reviews
  • professional and business reports
  • group and individual projects
  • oral presentations
  • portfolio of achievement

You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

How you'll spend your time

One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.

We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies.  As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.

A typical week

We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your Modern Languages degree. In your first year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as lectures, seminars and workshops for about 9 hours a week. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course. You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.

Term dates

The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.

See term dates

Supporting your learning

The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:

Types of support

Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.

As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.

You'll have help from a team of faculty learning development tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.

They can help with:

  • Improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
  • Delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
  • Understanding and using assignment feedback
  • Managing your time and workload
  • Revision and exam techniques

As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University's Academic Skills Unit (ASK).

ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:

  • Academic writing
  • Note taking
  • Time management
  • Critical thinking
  • Presentation skills
  • Referencing
  • Working in groups
  • Revision, memory and exam techniques

If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.

Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.

You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.

If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.

They'll help you to

  • discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
  • liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
  • access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
  • liaise with external services

Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.

The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.

If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.

Student group discussion

Global Café

You can meet students from all over the world at the Global Café on Wednesday afternoons. Learn about other's cultures and practise speaking in each other's languages while making new friends and getting to share your own culture.

Student writing

Language Corner

Meet with a language tutor, get help with specific challenges and practise your skills with proficient speakers of your chosen language in this optional weekly drop-in session.

Course costs and funding

Tuition fees

  • UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • EU students – £9,250 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
  • International students – £18,100 per year (subject to annual increase)

Funding your studies

Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.

Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.

Additional course costs

These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.

Additional costs

Our accommodation section show your accommodation options and highlight how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.

You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.

You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.

We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.

 

If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.

In your third year for your placement abroad, you’ll need to fund the costs of travel, transport and accommodation. The exact costs will depend on the destination. If you're studying at one of our partner universities, you won't need to pay fees at your host institution, but there may be other costs such as visa, insurance or extra tuition. If you choose to work abroad, can help you find an internship, which may be paid or unpaid.

During your placement year, you’ll be eligible for a discounted rate on your tuition fees. Currently, this discount amounts to 90% of the year’s fees. Placement year tuition fees are as follows:

  • UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £925 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • EU students – £925 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
  • International students – £1,800 a year (subject to annual increase)

The costs associated with your specific destination will be discussed during your second year, as well as possible sources of additional funding.

Enhance your degree with an internationally recognised qualification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages: the Trinity College London Cert TESOL. This opportunity is conditional on a successful performance in an entry test and interview in order to fulfil professional requirements.

There's no cost if you take the Trinity College London Teaching Practice module as one of your options.

If you choose to take this module outside your planned curriculum, there's a fee of £355.

If you take a placement year or study abroad year, tuition fees for that year are as follows:

  • UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £925 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • EU students – £925 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
  • International students – £1,800 a year (subject to annual increase)

Apply

How to apply

To start this course in 2024, apply through UCAS. You'll need:

  • the UCAS course code – R902
  • our institution code – P80

If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.

You can also sign up to an Open Day to:

  • Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
  • Speak with lecturers and chat with our students 
  • Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join

If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.

Applying from outside the UK

As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things. 

You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.

Find out what additional information you need in our international students section

If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Admissions terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.

Contact information

Admissions

+44 (0) 23 9284 5566

Contact Admissions