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  • Modern Languages (with two of French, German, Japanese, Portuguese or Spanish) (BA) (Part-time)
  • 2013/2014 entry
  • Contact us
  • Assessment

    • Language modules: work done during the year counts in different proportions in different modules. Written and oral examinations normally take place in May and June. All other modules are normally assessed either by coursework essays or a combination of coursework and in-class tests.

  • Attendance
      • Two–three evenings a week.
      • October–June.
  • Duration
      • Four years part-time.
  • Entry requirements
      • On this programme you can focus on two of the following languages: French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish. You must have at least AS-level/B2 (CEFR) competence in one of the two languages you choose. The other language can be at any level of competence from complete beginners to proficiency (native speakers of the target languages are welcome to apply).
      • Japanese: may be taken from complete beginners level. If Japanese is the stronger of the two languages you wish to study, you must be able to enter at Japanese 2 or higher (entry test normally required).
      • At least AS-level/B2 (CEFR) standard (or equivalent) is required in one of the two languages chosen.
      • Admission is based on a language entry test in both languages (where appropriate) and an interview.
      • Entry requirements: No formal qualifications required for applicants over 21. Information for applicants under 21 can be found here.
      • English language requirements (for non-native speakers): our normal requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.
      • Credit for prior studies may be possible depending on whether your earlier studies are relevant and on when they took place.
  • Fees and funding
  • Location
      • Central London.
  • Teaching

    • Lectures; face-to-face teaching in small, informal groups. Language classes are predominantly interactive and taught by experienced native or near-native speakers. You will also make use of off-air TV recordings, the internet and a modern language laboratory.

      Find out more about studying at undergraduate level.



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Study at Birkbeck | Undergraduate study | Undergraduate courses, 2013/2014 entry: browse by course title - (A-Z) | Modern Languages (with two of French, German, Japanese, Portuguese or Spanish) (BA) (Part-time)

Modern Languages (with two of French, German, Japanese, Portuguese or Spanish) (BA) (Part-time) - 2013/2014 entry

Would you love to develop your understanding of the cultures and values that lie at the heart of French, German, Japanese, Portuguese or Spanish-speaking countries, and become a highly proficient linguist in the process? You can, by raising your language skills to near-native standard in at least one of two languages studied, and learning related skills in translating, summary-writing, and written and oral presentations. At the same time, increase your cultural understanding through options in literature, film and society. Our students gain confidence in speaking and writing both the foreign languages and English.

This course is also available for full-time evening study.

  • Course structure

    • You take 12 modules: if you are a beginner in one language, you take three modules at Level 4; five at Level 5; and four at Level 6; otherwise you take two modules at Level 4; five at Level 5; and five at Level 6.

      In each language you will follow one of a number of language pathways, depending on your language level at entry.  Starting as a beginner in one of the European languages offered, you will reach level C1 in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages, though if your other language is already at a high level, you may study intensively in year one and attain Level C2.  For all other language pathways, you reach Level C2 by the end of year four of study at the latest, and perhaps as soon as the end of year two.  Level C2 is described as 'mastery or proficiency' and is considered the 'typical' exit level for a degree in languages.  We expect you to have already reached Level B2 (aproximately equivalent to A level or a good A/S level) in ONE of your languages.

      In Japanese, the highest level - Japanese 5 (Advanced) - is pegged to the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), Level N2.  Students starting at an 'upper beginner's' level (Japanese 2) will seek to exit the programme with Japanese 5.  Students starting as a complete (or near-complete) beginner will reach 'Upper Intermediate' (Japanese 4), which progressess you beyond an equivalence of JLPT Level N3 and into the introductory stages of Level N2.

      Remaining modules may be chosen from those relating to the culture (literature, film, visual arts, contemporary history) of the languages studied, many taught primarily in the language in question; or from a range of cross-cultural modules, which offer a comparative perspective on the cultures of France and francophone countries, Germany and German-speaking countries, Spain, Portugal, Latin America and East Asia (taught in English); or from modules in applied linguistics.

  • Study resources
  • Further study opportunities

    • We offer a range of Master's programmes in languages and linguistics.

  • Careers information
  • Apply now
  • Key information set

    • Welcome to Birkbeck, London's evening university: Number 1 in London for teaching and student satisfaction (National Student Survey 2012).

      Birkbeck specialises in part-time, evening study. The Key Information Set has been developed for full-time, daytime courses. We are providing some additional information about our evening courses to help you make an informed choice.

      Fees:
      The Key Information Set (KIS) for this degree course shows the annual fee for a 3-year, full-time degree. This is a 4-year, part-time evening degree and the annual fee is lower than the fee shown in the KIS. See 'Fees and funding' in the left hand menu for the correct fee for this course.

      Years of study:
      The KIS presents all degrees as 3-year courses. Birkbeck's standard part-time, evening degree is a 4-year course.