Modern Languages (French and Spanish) BA (Hons) - 2026/7
Awarding body
University of Surrey
Teaching institute
University of Surrey
Framework
FHEQ Level 6
Final award and programme/pathway title
BA (Hons) Modern Languages (French and Spanish)
Subsidiary award(s)
| Award | Title |
|---|---|
| DipHE | Modern Languages (French and Spanish) |
| CertHE | Modern Languages (French and Spanish) |
| Ord | Modern Languages (French and Spanish) |
Modes of study
| Route code | Credits and ECTS Credits | |
| Full-time with PTY | UPB13051 | 480 credits and 240 ECTS credits |
QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)
Languages, Cultures and Societies
Other internal and / or external reference points
N/A
Faculty and Department / School
Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences - Literature & Languages
Programme Leader
YUNES VINCKE Estefania (Lit & Langs)
Date of production/revision of spec
18/12/2024
Educational aims of the programme
- The programme aims to: enable students to become confident, resilient and responsible individuals and professionals
- enable students to cultivate a range of transferable skills that will enhance their employability
- enable students to develop a high standard of written and oral competence in two Languages
- enable students to develop intercultural awareness and understanding
- further students' explicit knowledge of the linguistic structures of these languages and their ability to mediate between languages, particularly by means of translation
- nurture a lifelong passion and talent for languages, cultures and communication
- provide opportunities for students to develop resilience and resourcefulness through the PTY
- provide opportunities to experience professional life during the PTY
- provide students with a thorough knowledge of the history, culture and political and social institutions in the societies where these languages are used, and enable them to access primary and secondary sources in the target languages
Programme learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Awards | Ref. | |
| On completion of the programme students will have: the ability to use the target languages confidently and creatively for communication in a range of purposes and with diverse audiences | KCPT | DipHE, Ord, BA (Hons) | |
| acquired a wide-ranging vocabulary and knowledge of the linguistic structures, grammar and stylistic registers of the target languages | KCPT | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BA (Hons) | |
| the ability to use linguists' tools, including digital resources such as online dictionaries | KPT | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BA (Hons) | |
| a broad knowledge of the history, cultures and institutions of the societies in which the languages are used | KC | DipHE, Ord, BA (Hons) | |
| practical understanding of issues involved in translating between English and target languages | KCPT | DipHE, Ord, BA (Hons) | |
| the ability to analyse and interpret texts and other cultural products, and to select and synthesis key information from them | CPT | DipHE, Ord, BA (Hons) | |
| the ability to organise and present ideas within the framework of a reasoned argument and to exercise critical judgement in the light of evidence and argument | CPT | Ord, BA (Hons) | |
| the ability to engage in analytical and evaluative thinking | CPT | DipHE, Ord, BA (Hons) |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Programme structure
Full-time with PTY
This Bachelor's Degree (Honours) programme is studied full-time over four academic years, consisting of 480 credits (120 credits at FHEQ levels 4, 5, 6 and the professional training year). All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Bachelor's Degree (Ordinary) (300 credits)
- Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)
- Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)
Students who have not had the opportunity to take a language up to A level can apply for the ab initio pathway. This is available only to students with proven language learning aptitude (such as another language at A level), and will involve very intensive language learning modules in the first year, enabling students to reach approximately A level standard and join the rest of the cohort for all modules in the second year.
Programme Adjustments (if applicable)
N/A
Modules
Professional Training Year (PTY) -
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LANP032 | PROFESSIONAL TRAINING YEAR MODULE (FULL-YEAR WORK) | Core | 120 | Year-long |
| LANP033 | PROFESSIONAL TRAINING YEAR MODULE (WORK-STUDY 50/50) | Core | 120 | Year-long |
| LANP034 | PROFESSIONAL TRAINING YEAR MODULE (FULL-YEAR STUDY) | Core | 120 | Year-long |
Module Selection for Professional Training Year (PTY) -
N/A
Year 1 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 4
Module Selection for Year 1 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 4
Students must take the compulsory modules of the two named languages.
Students without A level or equivalent in a language will take two ab initio modules in the first year, in place of Language for academic study and Language for the professional world. For all other modules they will join post-A level students.
Year 2 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 5
Module Selection for Year 2 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 5
Students must take the compulsory modules of the two named languages in their pathway and choose 4 of the relevant optional modules
Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6
Module Selection for Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6
Compulsory: choose Long dissertation or short dissertation in one language, and Advanced Language Skills module in the same language.
Options: choose 5 or 6 from the relevant optional modules, maintaining a balance between the two named languages of the pathway.
The Short Dissertation and Advanced Language Skills are also available as optional modules in the other language.
Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity
| Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics | N | |
| Professional Training Year (PTY) | N | |
| Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) | N | |
| Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) | N | |
| Study exchange (Level 5) | N | |
| Dual degree | N |
Other information
Surrey's Curriculum Framework is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This programme is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills and capabilities in the following areas:
Global and Cultural Capabilities: This pillar is central to our programmes. Every module on our programme invites students to learn more about global societies and cultures, and intercultural awareness and understanding is a key element underpinning our whole philosophy. Students will develop the linguistic competencies which will allow them to engage in meaningful communication and collaboration with individuals and organisations in other parts of the world. They will also gain a deep understanding of the complex realities behind cultural differences around the world and will develop the ability to approach cultural differences in a constructive and productive manner and interact with others in a culturally sensitive manner.
Digital Capabilities: Students are expected to engage with modern technology and to learn to use it in a professional way. We focus from L4 on developing a professional communication style, both in English and in target languages, highlighting the importance of developing e-reputation and protecting integrity online. Students learn to use online library resources in order to engage with scholarship, and online translation resources as they develop their competence as translators. They also learn to use technology for assessment, for example, recorded oral presentations, both individual and group, using online translation tools.
Employability: Our programmes have a strong professional orientation, meaning that many of our modules are explicitly focused on employability. The focus is very much on preparing students to use their language competencies in the professional world, and increasing awareness of the opportunities available to language graduates. In Levels 4 and 5 the core language modules cover key elements of working life in the target language and assessments include producing a CV and cover letter in the target language and organising and filming a focus group. In Level 5 there are practical modules on teaching in the UK and teaching EFL; in Levels 5 and 6 there are practical translation modules. The PTY is an integral part of the programme and offers opportunities for work in a wide range of companies and industries, in Europe and beyond.
Resourcefulness and Resilience: Students are required to demonstrate these attributes throughout their degree programme, as they develop into independent learners, acquiring the ability to draw on their own resources and to manage the challenges of their programme. The PTY is key to this pillar in that the experience of living and working or studying abroad often results in students having to develop these qualities very quickly. They are then well prepared for the higher level of autonomy required in final year. At every level students are required to engage with resources and undertake research in their target language, often whilst engaging with subject material that is new and potentially daunting.
Sustainability: Students will learn about sustainability in the context of learning about other cultures and societies. No country can afford to ignore the issues of sustainability and students will learn to discuss and analyse the issues in their target languages. Students will acquire the vocabulary and structures to enable them to talk and write about sustainability in their target languages. They will also learn how different aspects of sustainability have greater importance in different national contexts. In learning about these issues in specific national and regional contexts students will reflect on the wider impacts of the concept of sustainability.
The programme is studied over four years in full-time mode. At FHEQ Levels 4 and 5 students take compulsory modules which address the core requirements for Languages and Related Studies as they are outlined in the Benchmarking statement. Students spend Semesters 5 and 6 on professional and/or study placements.
Quality assurance
The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2026/7 academic year.