Modern Languages

Study Modern Languages and graduate with a university degree

What is the significance of learning French and Spanish in our increasingly globalised world? How might the development of linguistic and intercultural skills allow students truly to become ‘global citizens’?

In today’s society, closer integration with speakers of modern European languages is becoming increasingly useful for careers and for forging links with other countries.

The University offers courses that allow for the study of two modern European languages (French and Spanish), which have a global presence, with a range of other disciplines – Management, Marketing, Politics, Film & Media, Global Cinema, Psychology and Social Policy. French and Spanish are also available as Single Honours courses.

With this course, you’ll be well qualified for careers in the arts, the media, government, journalism, tourism,  in human resources management and in many other fields.

Entrance requirements

Year 1

Highers BBBB.
A-levels BBC.
IB Diploma with a total of 32 points.
HNC or HND with 3 Bs in graded units.

Access courses and other UK/EU and international qualifications are also welcomed.

General entrance requirements apply.

International students can study our Undergraduate Certificate if they do not possess the necessary entrance requirements to be admitted directly to the first year of an undergraduate degree course.

Other information

If examinations are taken over two sittings, or there are repeats or upgrades, the entrance requirements may be higher.

Required subjects

English Standard Grade (2), Intermediate 2 (C), GCSE (C) or equivalent.
Applicants with English Standard Grade (3) will also be considered, although alternative entry conditions may be made in this case.
Beginners’ courses are available in all languages with no prior knowledge required.

Funding

Modes of study

Full-time (three modules per semester).
Part-time (one or two modules per semester).
February entry also available.


All Modern Languages Honours degree courses include a period of residence and study abroad.

Course contact

Dr Cristina Johnston University of Stirling
Stirling
FK9 4LA
Scotland
UK + 44 (0) 1786 467531 www.stir.ac.uk/arts-humanities

Course Director

Dr Cristina Johnston

Find out more

http://www.stir.ac.uk/arts-humanities

Degree course

The University recognises that not all students will have studied a language before or may have dropped this discipline early in their school life. Therefore, you can start the study of French or Spanish from beginners’ level, as well as from advanced level. During Year 2, both streams merge and students can graduate at the end of four years with full language skills. In addition, we also offer four modules in Global Cinema and Culture, which can be taken by any student as stand-alone modules or as a sequence to form a second subject.

Modern Languages and Business

This degree combines the study of French or Spanish with management. At the end of Year 2, you will continue to specialise in Business Studies, as well as continuing the study of two languages.

International Management Studies with European Languages and Society

All students undertaking this degree follow two pathways, namely French or Spanish and either Business or Marketing. The third strand is chosen from one of Economics, Finance, Business Law, Politics or a second language, depending on where your interest lies. You will study modules with an international or European content.

International Management and Intercultural Studies

This almost unique degree course leads to the award of a double degree with either the Ecole de Management in Strasbourg, France (EMS), or the University of Passau in Germany (the latter for native speakers of German only). The Strasbourg version involves French, and the option of taking Spanish too, as well as Business or Marketing, while the Passau version for German native speakers involves the study of French or Spanish, Politics, History, and Business. An extra year is required to complete the double degree, with students spending Semester 6 in France or Spain, and one year at the partner institution. The Strasbourg strand is open to students from across the EU, including Germany, France and Spain.

European Languages and Psychology

This distinctive combination allows the study of French or Spanish with Psychology. Teaching is supported by the renowned research experience of Stirling’s Psychology department.

French/Spanish and Education

The University offers Combined Honours degrees in Modern Languages and Education, which allows graduates to teach at secondary education level. Unusually, the qualifications are taught concurrently, meaning that the academic subjects are taught alongside the teaching qualification.

International Politics and Modern Languages

This combination builds on the importance of European Politics together with either French or Spanish. Graduating students are well placed for jobs in Europe or Britain, with the added advantage of a European language.

European Film and Media

This course combines film and media, placing it in a European context, with the mastery of either French or Spanish. As the course continues, you can concentrate on either European Media or European Film, always closely linked with the European language studied.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching is by a mixture of lectures, tutorials and small group language classes. In addition, the use of information technology and native language assistants encourages rapid progress. Assessment focuses on a variety of skills gained across the modules studied and ranges from translations to essays, from grammar tests to oral exams. We use both continuous assessment and final examinations.

Study abroad

On most degree courses involving French, Honours students must spend a period of residence abroad, usually in Semester 6, studying at a university or business school in France, Quebec or Switzerland. All students also have the option, in addition, of spending a year abroad between Semesters 4 and 5, which you will often spend in paid employment in France or elsewhere in the Francophone world, typically as a language assistant teaching English in a school. In certain degrees, the whole of Semesters 5 and 6 can be spent at a French university. The School has exchange agreements with the Universities of Aix, Geneva, Laval (Quebec), Limoges, Nancy, Perpignan and Tours and with business schools in Cergy-Pontoise near Paris (ESSEC) and Strasbourg (EMS).

Strengths

French and Spanish are studied as global languages at Stirling, with an emphasis placed on the languages’ importance within the European Union, but also on relationships between France and Spain and other parts of the globe, ranging from Africa to Latin America. As well as examining the Francophone and Hispanophone worlds from a range of different perspectives, you will also have a number of opportunities to spend time living, studying and/or working abroad. You might, for example, apply to spend a year working as an English Language Assistant anywhere from the Alps to Galicia, or further afield in Quebec, in the French Caribbean, or in Latin America. Many of the degree combinations we offer also include a semester of study abroad at one of our partner institutions in France, Switzerland, Spain, Quebec or Latin America.

We also offer a number of innovative integrated degree courses, including a double degree with IECS Strasbourg in International Management and Intercultural Studies and degrees in International Management Studies with European Languages and Society.

Academic strengths

French and Spanish at Stirling are particularly strong in areas related to film and other visual cultures, in innovative language teaching, and in our focus on connections with other countries, regions and cultures.

Our students


I was a mature student, and I had studied French at school in the 1980s and then did the Higher in six months as part of the Access Course. When I started my French and Spanish degree I found the jump to degree level quite daunting, especially when our grammar book was in French and the seminars were conducted in French. However, I soon found that this was the best way to push my French to a higher level very quickly. I found all the tutors very approachable and the classes very relaxed which certainly was conducive to learning.

Throughout the course, I thought that the teaching materials were well chosen and I enjoyed learning about France past and present whilst learning the language. There was a good mix of books, newspaper articles and films of different genres so there was something for everyone.

Susan Peattie BA (Hons) French and Spanish, graduated 2011.

Stirling has excellent opportunities for language students to immerse themselves in the target language and culture. I really enjoyed my time as a Language Assistant in Spain and there is also the chance to study abroad in a French- or Spanish-speaking university. I benefitted immensely from these experiences on both a personal and professional level.

There is also a lot of flexibility in the degree course at Stirling, which allows students to combine languages with other subjects such as business, tourism or finance. The support from staff and fellow students is fantastic and the campus has a close-knit community feel about it. The course was challenging but very rewarding, and I would definitely recommend the University of Stirling as a fantastic place to study languages.

Louise Conn BA (Hons) Modern Languages and Business Studies, graduated 2011.

Career opportunities

Language graduates are confident communicators and growing European integration offers increasing job opportunities. The combinations of subjects available with either French or Spanish, or in some cases both, allow students to go on to a wide variety of careers in publishing, journalism, television, advertising, translating or law, teaching in French or English as a foreign language, administration and management. Many students also choose to pursue further study upon completion of their undergraduate degree.

Modern Languages
  • Degree award BA (Hons)
  • Type Full-time, Campus based
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Please note: Scottish and EU students can apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have tuition fees paid by the Scottish government.

Please note: Students from the rest of the UK can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of the tuition fees, from the Student Loan Company.

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