European Languages

The Department of European Languages teaches French, German, Spanish and some Italian, offering you an attractive range of degree schemes. French, German, Italian and Spanish offer beginners’ courses, which can in the case of French, German and Spanish lead to degree level study, as well as advanced courses. Italian can be studied to degree level within the Romance Languages and the European Languages degree schemes.

We attach great importance to the practical study of both written and spoken language, and in addition we offer a range of cultural, literary and linguistic modules. Although there are traditional lectures, much time is also devoted to computer-assisted learning, and all students have regular oral classes with native speakers. The Department has good staff-student relations and classes are small in comparison with those found in many universities. Assessment is by a combination of regular assignments and examinations.

We offer excellent facilities, including exceptionally well-equipped language laboratories with state-of-the-art computing facilities and video recording equipment, together with a wide range of audio-visual materials and receive live television broadcasts from Europe. Foreign newspapers and magazines are available in the library. Each of the languages has an active student society.

European Languages Degree Courses

In the first year of your degree in a European language the teaching is aimed at increasing your linguistic competence and deepening your familiarity with, and understanding of, the culture and literature of the country concerned. The schemes for beginners follow a similar pattern, consisting of intensive language modules and a general introduction to the civilisation and culture of the country concerned.

Each language offers a distinctive range of modules which can be taken in various combinations in single and joint honours or major and minor schemes. Joint honours students take either two languages or one language and another subject. There is usually a roughly equal balance between language and ‘content’ modules (eg literature, linguistics, politics). During your year abroad you write a dissertation in the target language which counts towards your final degree result or you bring back marks from the university at which you studied.

Our current range of degree courses include:

Modules are available to students outside the Department who wish to acquire some basic knowledge of French or Spanish or who wish to build on prior knowledge.

Year Abroad

An attractive feature of all the European Languages degree schemes is a period of residence abroad. All students studying language to honours level normally spend one academic year - usually the third - in countries of the foreign language or languages which they are studying. Students studying two languages will normally divide their time abroad equally between higher-education institutions in two countries. Students of one language usually choose to study at a university, obtain a post as an English-language assistant in a school or find employment in a country where the language they are studying is spoken. Assistantships are also open to students who are studying two languages.

Career Opportunities related to your European Languages degree

Graduates with degrees in European languages are in demand. You will have acquired the same skills as other Arts students (oral/written presentations; critical analysis; the ability to structure an argument) but you will also have a major advantage: you will have lived independently in at least one foreign country and have learnt the important social skill of communicating with other people. Employers value this independence, this confidence and these communication skills highly. Past students of our European Languages degrees are employed in the public and private sectors. Some have gone on to become teachers, translators, administrators, managers, army officers, journalists and solicitors.

97% of Aberystwyth first degree European Language graduates entered employment/further study six months after graduation, 12% more than language graduates nationally.

First degree Aberystwyth European Language graduates perform better than Language graduates nationally on 3 employability measures – number entering work/further study, unemployment and number entering graduate level work.

Penelope Toomer BA European Languages
Gloucester

I liked the idea of being part of a very friendly community that everyone was talking about. I came here on an Open Day, and it definitely helped me make my decision, the staff put a lot of effort into it and the tours were useful. Once I arrived, it was quite easy to fit in here.

The Department is very organised and immediately made me feel welcome. The libraries and computers here are of a very high standard.

There are good sports facilities and there’s a wide range of interesting events and things happening at the Arts Centre, theatres and cinemas.

The social life is very good because the Union is very close (within walking distance) to most of the residences, and Cwrt Mawr hall bar is also very easily accessed from other residences. The social life in town is very pleasing, as there’s a great choice of bars and pubs.

I was awarded an Entrance Scholarship, which gave me an opportunity to get an additional source of funding. Also, as it’s paid in instalments throughout the year, I am at an advantage of being able to manage my finances a bit more, not spending a lot of money all at once.

Aberystwyth is very welcoming and the teaching here is of a very high standard.