Undergraduate Prospectus 2009

Why study Modern Languages & European Studies at Bath?

The Department of European Studies and Modern Languages provides a fertile and supportive environment for the study of language. Within a close-knit community of highly motivated staff and students, subject knowledge and language proficiency can be developed to new levels within a contemporary and highly relevant framework.

Our successful formula allows students to take in tandem either two languages from an advanced level or one language from an advanced level and a beginners ‘ab initio’ level language (please see listings for possible combinations). Ab initio students undergo an intensive programme of language study in the first semesters, and are able to reach a standard comparable to students who enter at an advanced level. Our resources include modern, digital language labs and a Self Access Language Centre (SALC) with a wide selection of audio visual material for private study.

Students value the integrated nature of the degree programme, which maintains a balance between the two languages throughout their time at Bath. They engage with topics ranging across the following key areas: Language, Politics and Society, Culture, and European Studies. A comprehensive suite of National Options straddling the areas of Politics and Society and Culture for the countries studied is available from the second year, as is a variety of European Options.

We produce highly articulate students who are confident in researching issues and expressing their views orally and in writing on a wide range of topic areas in the target language. These transferable skills make them highly desirable to employers.

The Year Abroad

In the Year Abroad students decide how best to divide their time between countries and activities. Possibilities include working as a language assistant in schools or colleges, studying at a university, or completing a work placement. The Department has a large number of ERASMUS exchanges and also has links with universities in Chile, Russia and Mexico. The Department’s Work Placement Officer helps those who prefer to find work placements abroad.

Further information on the Year Abroad can be found at:

www.bath.ac.uk/esml/students/

Career opportunities

www.bath.ac.uk/careers/destinations/intro.html

Some of our graduates become professional linguists – working as teachers, translators or interpreters. Most find work in a wide range of public and private sector institutions, where their communication skills, cultural and social awareness are highly valued.

Recent employers of graduates include Arthur Andersen, the Bank of England, BNP Paribas (Paris), Deutsche Bank, JP Morgan; Airbus Industrie, Bloomsbury Publishing, BMW, Bosch (Stuttgart), Bovis (Moscow), Ferrari, Givenchy, Radisson Hotel Group, Unilever (Rome); the Diplomatic Service; the Ministry of Defence; the European Commission; CNN, Independent Television News and Reuters.

For further details, please take a look at the careers pages on the web:

www.bath.ac.uk/esml/mles/requirements.html