Modern Languages and Translation Studies Undergraduate Studies School of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures
Welcome Welcome to the School of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures. We are proud of the prestigious degree programmes we offer. These involve French, German, Italian and Spanish language, and engage with art, culture and translation in innovative ways. The wide-ranging skill-set developed by a degree in Modern Languages provides our graduates with a competitive edge in today’s job market. A Modern Languages degree can offer much more than others in the Arts and Humanities. Our students develop excellent communication, analytical and research skills alongside a sophisticated awareness of different cultures, marking them out as potential high flyers in an increasingly globalised world. All of our degrees are taught by topflight academics and they develop the kind of critical, communication and leadership skills that employers value highly. Our students can also benefit from a year working or studying abroad. If you are determined to gain a competitive advantage and are passionate about culture and language, join us! The School is extremely proud of its international research reputation and of the vibrant interdisciplinary intellectual culture that informs and shapes its teaching. Our staff publish world-class books and articles in prestigious journals, help curate art exhibitions, regularly win prizes and acquire research funding, advise governments and contribute to radio and television programmes in the UK and beyond. We are all passionately committed to languages and to sharing our professional expertise with our students. We very much look forward to welcoming you into our thriving and friendly community. Professor Giuliana Pieri Head of School
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School of Modern Languages, Literatures & Cultures Contents Why study Modern Languages and Translation Studies at Royal Holloway
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Our programmes
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Year abroad
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Your future career
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Contact details School of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures Head of School
Professor Giuliana Pieri giuliana.pieri@royalholloway.ac.uk Admissions Tutor
Dr Emily Jeremiah emily.jeremiah@royalholloway.ac.uk General Enquiries
ModLangAdmin@royalholloway.ac.uk
More information
CONNECT WITH US
This brochure is designed to complement Royal Holloway’s Undergraduate Prospectus and information on the School’s website at royalholloway.ac.uk/mllc
royalholloway.ac.uk/mllc
It is also available as a PDF at royalholloway.ac.uk/studyhere
@RHULModLangs
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Why study Modern Languages and Translation Studies at Royal Holloway? We offer: • A friendly and tailor-made experience We attract students from all over the UK, Europe and beyond. We are a friendly, diverse, yet close-knit community which values each individual. You’ll have your own Personal Advisor to guide you through your studies and help you to make the most of your potential. We employ a range of teaching and assessment methods to suit different learning styles.
“What I love most about the School of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures at Royal Holloway is how friendly and supportive the academic and administrative staff are. It really makes a difference to be greeted with a warm smile when you see them on campus. The lecturers are also always very encouraging and happy to help with any questions or concerns we may have. I really love the nice atmosphere in the department!” M. Angela Evans-Olano Third-year modern languages student
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• A wide choice of programmes With BA Modern Languages, you’ll develop critical and communication skills, as well as proficiency in one or more foreign languages, typically to native or near-native fluency. With BA Translation Studies, you’ll combine advanced study of one or more languages with a focus on theories and practices of translation. With both programmes you have the chance to choose options spanning literature, film and art, from the medieval period right up to the present day. The School also offers Comparative Literature and Culture (CLC), Liberal Arts, a Joint/Minor degree in History of Art and Visual Culture and a minor in International Film. Please see separate brochures and flyer for more information on these programmes. • Prize-winning, research-led teaching Everyone you’ll study with is passionate about languages and culture. We’re proud to have been awarded an exceptional number of teaching prizes for innovation and excellence, in addition to having our research in Modern Languages ranked 9th in the country and top in London (2014 Research Excellence Framework). When you join us you will work with world-renowned specialists who share their expertise in an approachable way, helping you to get the most out of your degree. • A competitive edge: your integrated year abroad This unique experience is one of the most exciting elements of many of our degree programmes: a year spent working or studying in one or two different countries. See pages 6 and 7 for further information. • An inspiring working environment We are located in the International Building, at the heart of Royal Holloway’s beautiful 135-acre campus. Many of our students live on campus, enjoying its vibrant cultural life and participating in a wide range of events, sports and societies. These include the student-run languages societies which organise film screenings, plays, parties, study trips and short breaks in Europe. Egham is only 40 minutes away from the galleries, museums, theatres, libraries and cinemas of London, so you can easily tap into the many cultural opportunities on offer.
Our Programmes and Degree Structure BA Modern Languages With BA Modern Languages, you can study one, two or even three languages, French, German, Italian and/or Spanish, with all of these taught at advanced, beginners’ and native-speaker levels. Your core language courses will develop your skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing in the relevant language(s). In your first year, you will take a course called Critical Analysis for Linguists, which will help you develop the critical and analytical skills needed for a degree in Modern Languages. Alongside this, and throughout your degree, you are able to choose from a wide range of options courses, including courses on translation and translation studies, literature, culture, film and the visual arts. In your third year you are able to enjoy the fantastic benefit of a year abroad (see pp. 6-7) and in your final year you can choose to write a research dissertation on a topic of your choice. You can combine Modern Languages with Comparative Literature and Culture or with Translation Studies, for example, in order to tailor-make your degree to your interests.
BA Translation Studies BA Translation Studies involves a focus on the theory and practice of translation. You will combine courses on translation with the study of one or two languages – French, German, Italian and/or Spanish – with at least one of these being at advanced level. This course is available either as a three-year or four-year programme, with the four-year option involving the exciting opportunity of a year abroad (see pp. 6-7). In your first and second years you will take courses on the theory of translation (Introduction to Translation: Professional Skills in Year 1; Questions of Translation and Transcultural Communication in Year 2) alongside courses on the practice of translation, where you will apply and test out these theories. You will also take courses in the relevant language(s). In your final year you will undertake a supervised translation project. Throughout your degree you can also take options in literature, culture, film and the visual arts alongside your language and translation courses. You can combine Translation Studies with Comparative Literature and Culture or with Modern Languages for maximum flexibility.
Modern languages
UCAS code
Translation studies
UCAS code
BA Modern Languages*
R900
BA Translation Studies*
Q910
BA Translation Studies with a year abroad*
Q911
Modern languages as a major subject BA Modern Languages with History of Art and Visual Culture*
R9W6
Translation studies as a major subject
BA Modern Languages with International Film*
R9P3
BA Translation Studies with History of Art and Visual Culture*
Q9W6
BA Modern Languages with International Relations*
R9L2
Q9W9
BA Modern Languages with Mathematics*
R9G1
BA Translation Studies with History of Art and Visual Culture with a year abroad*
BA Modern Languages with Music*
R9W3
BA Translation Studies with International Film*
Q9P3
BA Modern Languages with Philosophy*
R9V5
BA Translation Studies with International Film with a year abroad*
Q9P9
BA Modern Languages with Translation Studies*
R9Q9
Modern languages joint degrees
Translation studies joint degrees BA Translation Studies & Comparative Literature and Culture*
QQ92
RQ92
BA Translation Studies & Comparative Literature and Culture with a year abroad*
QQ99
RW94
BA Translation Studies & History of Art and Visual Culture*
QW96
BA Modern Languages & English*
RQ93
QW99
BA Modern Languages & Greek*
RQ97
BA Translation Studies & History of Art and Visual Culture with a year abroad*
BA Modern Languages & History*
RV91
BA Modern Languages & History of Art and Visual Culture*
RW96
BA Modern Languages & Latin*
RQ96
BA Modern Languages & Management*
RN92
BA Modern Languages & Music*
RW93
BA Modern Languages & Philosophy*
RV95
BA Modern Languages & Translation Studies*
RQ99
BA Modern Languages & Classical Studies*
RQ98
BA Modern Languages & Comparative Literature and Culture* BA Modern Languages & Drama*
*Programme under development
*Programme under development
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Year abroad
Your year abroad is one of the most exciting elements of your degree programme: an academic year spent in one or two countries, either working or studying. We are one of the few Modern Languages departments in the UK to let you choose between studying at a university, applying to work as a British Council English Language Assistant or arranging your own work placement in, for example, business or industry. This horizon-expanding year is academically beneficial and rewarding in terms of intellectual, career and personal development. It is a period of language immersion designed to cultivate the impressive language proficiency and intellectual maturity which set our graduates apart from others in the UK. This year is offered at much reduced fees and is currently funded by the Erasmus exchange scheme.
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We have a varied and exciting range of placements for students studying French, German, Spanish or Italian, with links to universities in France, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Spain, Latin America and Italy. Throughout your year abroad, you will find your language skills flourishing, as well as the confidence you have in your language abilities, as you experience the richness and vitality of different cultures. Our experienced year abroad tutors and administrators will help you make the right choice and support you throughout your time abroad.
Your future career Modern Languages and Translation Studies graduates from Royal Holloway are extremely well-placed to take full advantage of the global job market. Languages represent an increasingly vital component of the portfolio of skills sought by today’s employers; equipped with such a splendid ‘passport’, the world can truly be said to be open to you. A Modern Languages or Translation Studies degree will give you: • in-depth and practical experience of other cultures and societies • fluent communication skills in at least one European language • a high level of competence in the analysis and communication of information • experience in the art of debate and in the critical evaluation of a wide variety of cultural forms
• a n impressive range of other key skills much sought after by employers, including flexibility, self-reliance, resilience, independent thinking and the confidence and ability to develop arguments and express complex ideas.
This brochure was published in May 2017 and the information given was correct at that time. It is intended primarily for those considering admission to Royal Holloway, University of London as undergraduate students in 2017-18. Occasionally it may be necessary for the University to vary the content and delivery of programmes so we advise all applicants to refer to the website prior to making any application. Full terms and conditions of admission can be found at royalholloway.ac.uk/ studyhere
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Royal Holloway, University of London, is ranked in the top 30 of all UK universities. Through the dedication of our teachers, discoveries that change the world and the feel of the Royal Holloway experience, ours is a community that will inspire you to succeed academically, socially and personally. Our university was founded by two social reformers who pioneered the ideal of education and knowledge for all who could benefit. Their vision lives on today. As one of the UK’s leading research intensive universities, we are home to some of the world’s foremost authorities in the sciences, arts, business, economics and law. As teachers and researchers they change lives, expand minds and help current and future leaders understand power and responsibility. Students and academics travel from all over the world to study and work here, ensuring a global perspective within a close knit, safe and historic campus.
Royal Holloway, University of London Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX T: +44 (0)1784 434455 royalholloway.ac.uk
7650 05/17