Modern Languages (French with German) BA (Hons) – 2024 entry
Key information
Start date: September 2024
| Award | UCAS code | Course duration |
|---|---|---|
| BA (Hons) | UCAS: RR12 | 4 years with professional training View KIS data set |
Apply for your chosen course online through UCAS, with the following course and institution codes.
| Course | UCAS code | Institution code |
|---|---|---|
| BA (Hons) with professional training | RR12 | S85 |
Why choose this course
Our flexible BA (Hons) Modern Languages (French with German) course focuses on training world-class language experts.
You will need an A-level or equivalent in at least one of the languages, but you can take one of them ab initio. You will study both French and German to a high level, be taught in and gain near-native fluency in both languages and develop your understanding of how languages work, with the opportunity to focus more on one language in the final year.
We’re one of the UK’s leading universities for modern languages and we were shortlisted for University of the Year in The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023.
What you will study
Our BA (Hons) Modern Languages (French with German) course will improve your practical language skills and allow you to acquire a strong understanding of how languages work.
You’ll have the opportunity to take translation modules in each year of your course. You’ll also learn about the cultures and societies of the countries where your chosen languages are spoken in interactive modules taught in the target language.
The course includes a Professional Training placement abroad, giving you the choice between work, study, or a combination of the two.
Facilities
Our language teaching facilities include digital language labs, a multimedia lab, our own virtual learning environment and an e-portfolio system.
Between classes, you can use our Language Study Area, in the University’s purpose-built Learning Centre, which is open 24 hours a day, six days week, as well as most of Sunday during semester times.
We have a computer network of 28 PCs offering the latest in language learning technology and interactive programs in 18 different languages to develop your language skills.
You can read the international press and choose from a range of books and audio materials which are graded and colour-coded for easy access to your language and level.
If you prefer film or video as a means of learning, you can access our media store of programmes and films. You can watch online, view live satellite TV from five countries, or choose a foreign-language film from our world cinema collection.
Global Graduate Award in Languages
As a Surrey student you’ll have the opportunity to study an extra foreign language alongside your other studies. You can start a new language, brush up a half-forgotten one or continue a language you have learned previously.
The programme is open to all Surrey students free of charge, and students from departments across the University are brought together by their mutual interest in foreign languages and cultures.
All language modules are accredited for undergraduate students. While these credits do not count towards your degree, they are recorded on your transcript as the Global Graduate Award in Languages. You may opt for a language module in each year of your undergraduate studies.
Find out more about our Global Graduate Award in Languages.
Careers and graduate prospects
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
Our graduates do exceptionally well in the employment market as a result of their academic excellence and their experience abroad.
Our students’ proficiency in languages, combined with their significant understanding of intercultural processes and socio-political contexts, gives them a distinct advantage in an increasingly competitive international employment market.
Our emphasis on transferable skills such as presentation and research techniques, and communication across linguistic and cultural boundaries, ensures that our graduate profile fits the expectations of prospective employers.
Some examples of companies in which our graduates have found employment in recent years include:
- Electricité de France
- Santander
- Siemens
- Europe BAE Systems
- JP Morgan
- Kingfisher plc
- Lloyds Banking Group
- UBS
- Amazon
- Macmillan Publishing
- Aldi
- Capgemini
- Mercedes Benz.
Many students go on to further study in the UK and across Europe. Examples include:
- MSc International and European Politics, University of Edinburgh
- MSc Business Analytics, University of Surrey
- MBA European Business, University of Reutlingen, Germany
- MBA International Marketing, Sorbonne, Paris
- MA European Studies, Cambridge/Sorbonne
- PGCE/CAPES.
Our own School of Literature and Languages offers a broad range of postgraduate degree courses in translation studies. Graduates of our internationally recognised courses are well prepared for the professional market, as well as for further research.
Staff
This course is taught by academic staff from the School of Literature and Languages.
Academic year structure
The academic year is divided into two semesters of 15 weeks each. Each semester consists of a period of teaching, revision/directed learning and assessment.
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff. Modules usually can be either 15, 30, 45 or 60, 75 and 120 credits, and additionally for some masters dissertations, 90 credits.
The structure of our programmes follow clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes.
Please note: The full module listing for the optional Professional Training placement part of your course can be viewed on the relevant programme specification.
Optional modules for Year 1 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 4
Students must take the compulsory modules of the two named languages of their pathway.
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.
Optional modules 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.
Optional modules 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.
Timetables
Course timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. View our Code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF).
Teaching
We support you in becoming an independent language learner and confident communicator, and place great emphasis on the teaching of study skills. Our teaching style is innovative and highly engaging in both lectures and seminars. You are taught mostly in small groups, and almost always in the target language.
Tutors encourage you to participate in discussions. Individual module tutors happily discuss academic concerns and personal tutors are always ready to advise and assist you if you have any personal or academic issues.
There may be occasions when the delivery of your teaching is supported by graduate teaching assistants. The University has a set of procedures that govern the use of postgraduate research students in this way.
Assessment
We assess modules individually and award credits for the successful completion of each one. Assessment takes place through a combination of examination and/or coursework, practical examinations and reports.
Check individual module information to see full details at a module level.
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Entry requirements
Do I meet the requirements for this course?
We require you to submit a full application so that we can formally assess whether you meet the criteria published. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an outcome based on an enquiry (via email, webform enquiry, phone or live chat).
International entry requirements by country
Other international qualifications
If you are an international student and you don’t meet the entry requirements to this degree, we offer the International Foundation Year at the Surrey International Study Centre. Upon successful completion, you can progress to this degree course.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in each other element.
View the other English language qualifications that we accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Selection process
We normally make offers in terms of grades.
If you are a suitable candidate you will be invited to an offer holder event. During your visit to the University you can find out more about the course and meet staff and students.
Recognition of prior learning
We recognise that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning (RPL) process may allow you to join a course without the formal entry requirements or enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience.
There are restrictions on RPL a for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims. Please see the code of practice for recognition of prior learning and prior credit: taught programmes (PDF) for further information.
Please contact Admissions on +44 (0)1483 682222 with any queries.
Fees
The annual tuition fees for courses starting in September 2024
BA (Hons) (with professional training year)
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- To be confirmed
- Professional training
- To be confirmed
View a complete listing of all ongoing fees for our undergraduate courses.
- Fees for UK students: The University will apply annual regulated increases in the fee rates as set by Government each year, in order to maintain the same value in real terms.
- Fees for EU students: The UK is now no longer part of the EU, we are awaiting further instruction from the UK government and we will publish this as soon as it is provided. Find out more information about Studying in the UK and the Scholarships for EU students.
- Fees for international students: Annual fees will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements.
- Fees for international students with an integrated foundation year: The programme fee for Year 0 will match the lowest Year 1 overseas fee rate from across the substantive programmes for that year of entry. Students subsequently progressing into Year 1 will be liable for the same fee as overseas students joining at Year 1 for the same programme in that year. Annual fees after Year 1 will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements.
The University will assess your fee status. If you are unsure whether you are likely to be considered a home, EU or overseas student for fees purposes, the UKCISA website offers more information.
Payment schedule
- Students in receipt of a Tuition Fee Loan: will have their fees paid by the Student Loans Company in line with their schedule.
- International students, or UK/EU students who have not taken out a Tuition Fee Loan: are required to pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be early October of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
The exact date(s) will be detailed on invoices. Students on certain part-time programmes, where fees are paid on a modular or stage basis, are not eligible to pay their fees by instalment.
If you are sponsored: you will provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of your study.
Professional Training placement fees
If you are studying on a programme which contains a Professional Training placement year there will be a reduced fee for the academic year in which you undertake your placement. This is normally confirmed 12 to 18 months in advance, or once Government policy is determined.
See the information about 2023/24 academic year Professional Training placement fees.
Placements
Our award-winning Professional Training programme offers you the option to spend a career-enhancing year in industry, either in the UK or abroad. We have thousands of placement providers to choose from or you can source your own placement.
Most placements are paid, and we will support you every step of the way.
Find out more about Professional Training placements and discover how these have transformed our students’ lives and career choices.
Modern languages (French with German) placements
The Professional Training placement is one of the reasons for our very high employment rates in the School of Literature and Languages.
Professional Training is an integral part of this course, be it in the form of a work placement or a study period abroad.
During your first year
The Professional Training placement cycle begins right away in your first year, you’ll learn about the cultures and societies related to your chosen languages and practise CV writing and presentation techniques.
During your second year
You’ll have regular sessions where we focus on employability and Professional Training placements throughout the year.
During your third year
In your third year, you are given the opportunity to practise and develop your linguistic, intercultural and transferable skills while working and/or studying abroad. Our placement team will help you organise a placement that fits your needs.
Where you go, and how many placements you do, depends on your course. Whether you do a study or work placement depends on your interests and skills. The majority of our students spend their third year working abroad, gaining valuable international work experience.
The Professional Training placement starts when you have secured a work placement or a study exchange. Our students make excellent candidates for placements in areas such as marketing, international relations, sales, PR, translation and even finance.
Our placement partners
We have a wide range of links with internationally renowned companies, which currently include:
- British Council
- EDF France
- Fork Unstable Media
- InterNations GmbH
- Lionshome GmbH
- Office du Tourisme, Paris
- RTE International.
If you choose to work for all or part of your year abroad (rather than study), you'll receive at least one visit from your placement tutors. The purpose of this unique approach to work placements is to support you in your transition to a new language, a new country and a new work environment.
Your visiting tutors will also assess your performance at work, mediate between you and your placement organisation, and help prepare you for your final year back at university.
At the end of your Professional Training placement our goal is for you to be able to reflect upon and articulate your experience so that you can discuss it in a future job interview upon graduation.
Applying for placements
Students are generally not placed by the University, however we offer support and guidance throughout the process alongside access to a vacancy portal representing thousands of placement opportunities each year. We also provide support if you wish to source your own placement.
Find out more about the application process.
Please be aware there may be travel costs incurred when attending interviews and assessment centres at the placement provider’s premises.
Working with BMW and EA Games
Study and work abroad
Studying at Surry opens up a world of opportunity. We want you to take advantage of our international partnerships, explore the world and expand your skills for the graduate job market.
Perhaps you would like to volunteer in India or learn about Brazilian business and culture in São Paulo during your summer holidays? With more than 200 partnerships, from 50 different countries worldwide, there is something for everyone.
View our study and work abroad information to find out more and see where you can go.
If you opt to do a study exchange, you can choose from a number of partner universities in Europe with which we have Erasmus+ bilateral agreements. These include:
- Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Germany
- Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg, Germany
- Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3, France
- Université Gustave Eiffel, Paris, France
- ESSEC Business School, Paris, France
- HEC, Montréal, Canada.
Students share their experiences of going on an international exchange to Hong Kong.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and procedures, the student regulations , and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions for the 2023/24 academic year and our registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2022/23 academic year as a guide as to what to expect.
Please note: our offer terms and conditions will generally be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will vary to take into account specifics of your course and changes for the specific academic year.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us and before you accept an offer. Read our full disclaimer.
Course location and contact details
Campus location
Stag HillStag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
Placement location
As part of this course you have the option to complete a Professional Training placement which would require attendance off campus, depending on where you secure your placement.
University of Surrey Admissions
- Phone: +44 (0)1483 682222
Address
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH