B30 - BA (Honours) Modern Language Studies

Description

This qualification is only available until 31 December 2017.

To claim this qualification, you must complete the required 360 credits by this date.

If you have any questions about your eligibility for this qualification, please contact the Centre for Qualifications and Ceremonies on +44 (0)1908 653003 or by email.

Learning languages opens doors to other cultures and gives you an experience of the world that goes deeper than the average tourist trip. It can also provide a key to the global workplace. The BA (Honours) Modern Language Studies, delivered through a mix of online and face-to-face tuition, gives you a choice of two modern languages (from French, German and Spanish) or one modern language and English. You can also learn Italian to intermediate level, and beginners’ Chinese and Welsh. On completing this degree course, you’ll be a fluent communicator in at least one modern language and you’ll understand how language is structured, and how its use varies in different contexts. You’ll also acquire valuable transferable skills in managing and motivating yourself, setting and achieving goals, working with others and using ICT.

Studying French, German or Spanish provides you with opportunities to learn how to communicate effectively in another language, both in speaking and writing and to learn something of the society and cultures in which that language is used.

Studying English Language provides you with an understanding of the history of English, its development as a global language and its contemporary use in a range of social contexts. You will learn of different theoretical approaches to the study of language and have opportunities to analyse English used in a variety of media, e.g. books, newspapers, TV, websites, etc.

Planning your studies

Whether or not you are new to study or to the OU, we recommend that you start with a module at Level 1.

Ideally you should start with one or more of the Level 1 language modules. Alternatively, if you already have knowledge of the language(s) concerned, you might want to start with The arts past and present (AA100).

If you complete this Level 1 work successfully, you will have built a firm foundation for further study at higher level as well as credits that count towards your degree.

There are six possible combinations of modules:

English and French
English and German
English and Spanish
French and German
French and Spanish
German and Spanish

For students selecting English and a modern language, compulsory modules amount to 300 credits plus an optional 60 credits selected from a range of modules.

For students selecting two modern languages, compulsory modules amount to 360 credits, there is no optional element in these three pathways.

You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 120 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you (with the exception of an undergraduate-level qualification of less than 120 credits). If you have graduated with an OU BA degree without honours and are continuing your studies on to honours, this minimum requirement is reduced to 60 credits. Before being awarded any intermediate qualifications on the way to your OU honours degree, we advise you to check that you’ll have sufficient new credits to qualify for your degree.

Career relevance and employability

As a linguist, the world is your oyster. You’ll enjoy a broad range of career opportunities: teaching; translating; the media (publishing, journalism, advertising); leisure, tourism and travel; diplomacy; and working in international organisations. You’ll be an effective communicator with an awareness of cultural differences and similarities – skills that are particularly valuable in an environment of increasing international contact.

In the workplace, you’ll have skills that make you valuable to a range of employers. Some, such as translation and the ability to communicate fluently in more than one language, flow directly from your study. Others are broader but no less vital. You’ll be able to compose and analyse a range of texts, and work well with members of other cultures. As an OU graduate you’ll be able to manage and motivate yourself, and you’ll be practised and proficient in the use of online technologies.

Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.

Modules

For this 360-credit honours degree you require:

Level 1 study required for all subject combinations – 60 credits from the list of optional modules below:

Level 1 optional modules	Credits	Next start
Andante: beginners’ Italian (L195)	30
Beginners’ Chinese (L197)	30
Bon départ: beginners’ French (L192)	30
English for academic purposes online (L185)	30
Portales: beginners’ Spanish (L194)	30
Rundblick: beginners’ German (L193)	30
The arts past and present (AA100)	60
Vivace: intermediate Italian (L150)	30

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules A102, A103, AZX103, D103, DD100, DD101, DD121, DD122, DD131, DD132*, L120, L130, L140, L196, LL120, LL130, LXR123, LXR132, LZX120, LXR122, LZX130, LZX140 LZX192, LZX193, LZX194

*You must study DD131 before DD132

English and French

240 credits from the following modules:

Level 2 compulsory modules	Credits	Next start
Worlds of English (U214)	60
Envol: upper intermediate French (L211)	60

Level 3 compulsory modules

Credits

Next start

Exploring English grammar (E304)

60

or Language and creativity (E302)

60

and Mises au point: advanced French (L310)

60

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, at Level 2 the discontinued module LZX211, or the pairing of discontinued modules L221/LL221 + L224 (60), U210, U211, at Level 3 the discontinued modules E300, E301, E303, E825, or the pairing of modules L210 + L302 (60) (or the online version LZX302) (L210 paired with L302 counts as 60 credits at Level 3 for this qualification), LZX310

And 60 credits from the optional modules below or any Level 2 or 3 language module in any of the compulsory sections:

Level 2 optional modules	Credits	Next start
Reading classical Greek: language and literature (A275)	60
Classical Latin: the ancient language of Rome (A276)	60

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, at Level 2 the discontinued modules A205, A206, A207, A296, A297, at Level 3 the discontinued modules A324, A396, A397, AA300, AA304, AA305, AAZX300, D318

English and German

240 credits from the following compulsory modules:

Level 2 compulsory modules	Credits	Next start
Worlds of English (U214)	60
Motive: upper intermediate German (L203)	60

Level 3 compulsory modules	Credits	Next start
Exploring English grammar (E304)	60
or Language and creativity (E302)	60
and Variationen: advanced German (L313)	60

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, at Level 2 the discontinued modules U210, U211, LL203 or LZX203 or the pairing of discontinued modules L230/LL230 + L231 (60), at Level 3 E300, E301, E303, E825, LZX313, the pairing of discontinued modules L213 + L303 (60)

And 60 credits from the optional modules below or any Level 2 or 3 language module in any of the compulsory sections:

Level 2 optional modules	Credits	Next start
Reading classical Greek: language and literature (A275)	60
Classical Latin: the ancient language of Rome (A276)	60

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, at Level 2 the discontinued modules A205, A206, A207, A296, A297, at Level 3 the discontinued modules A324, A396, A397, AA300, AA304, AA305, AAZX300, D318

English and Spanish

240 credits from the following compulsory modules:

Level 2 compulsory modules	Credits	Next start
Worlds of English (U214)	60
Viento en popa: upper intermediate Spanish (L204)	60

Level 3 compulsory modules

Credits

Next start

Exploring English grammar (E304)

60

or Language and creativity [E302)

60

and A buen puerto: advanced Spanish (L314)

60

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, at Level 2 the discontinued modules LZX204, U210, U211, at Level 3 the discontinued modules E300, E301, E303, E825, LZX314

And 60 credits from the optional modules below or any Level 2 or 3 language module in any of the compulsory sections:

Level 2 optional modules	Credits	Next start
Reading classical Greek: language and literature (A275)	60
Classical Latin: the ancient language of Rome (A276)	60

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, at Level 2 the discontinued modules A205, A206, A207, A296, A297, at Level 3 the discontinued modules A324, A396, A397, AA300, AA304, AA305, AAZX300, D318

French and German

300 credits from the following compulsory modules:

Level 2 compulsory modules	Credits	Next start
Envol: upper intermediate French (L211)	60
Motive: upper intermediate German (L203)	60
Worlds of English (U214)	60

Level 3 compulsory modules	Credits	Next start
Mises au point: advanced French (L310)	60
Variationen: advanced German L313	60

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, at Level 2 the discontinued modules LZX203, the pairing of L230/LL230 + L231 (60), LZX211, the pairing of L221 + L224 (60), U210, U211, at Level 3 the discontinued modules LZX302, the pairing of L210 + L302 (60), LZX310, LZX313, the pairing of L213 + L303 (60)

No optional modules permitted

French and Spanish

300 credits from the following compulsory modules:

Level 2 compulsory modules	Credits	Next start
Envol: upper intermediate French (L211)	60
Viento en popa: upper intermediate Spanish (L204)	60
Worlds of English (U214)	60

Level 3 compulsory modules	Credits	Next start
Mises au point: advanced French (L310)	60
A buen puerto: advanced Spanish (L314)	60

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, at Level 2 the discontinued modules LZX204, LZX211, the pairing of L221 + L224 (60), U210, U211, at Level 3 the discontinued modules LZX310, LZX314, the pairing of L210 + L302

No optional modules permitted

German and Spanish

300 credits from the following compulsory modules:

Level 2 compulsory modules	Credits	Next start
Motive: upper intermediate German (L203)	60
Viento en popa: upper intermediate Spanish (L204)	60
Worlds of English (U214)	60

Level 3 compulsory modules	Credits	Next start
Variationen: advanced German (L313)	60
A buen puerto: advanced Spanish (L314)	60

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, at Level 2 the discontinued modules LZX203, the pairing of L230/LL230 + L231 (60), LZX204, U210, U211, at Level 3 the discontinued modules LZX313, LZX314, the pairing of L213 + L303 (60)

No optional modules permitted

To find modules not listed here, go to the Module search page.

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:

Knowledge and understanding
Cognitive skills
Practical and professional skills
Key skills

Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.

Credit for previous study elsewhere

If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of modules so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.

Classification of your degree

On successful completion of the required number and type of modules you will be awarded a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Modern Language Studies degree. Your honours degree will be classified either as first-class honours, upper second-class honours, lower second-class honours or third-class honours. The class of degree is determined by the grades you achieve in the compulsory modules above Level 1, but taking account of your chosen combination of languages. If you are taking the degree in English and one modern language, 120 of these credits must be from modules in English and 120 credits in the appropriate modern language. If you are taking the degree in two modern languages, 120 credits must be from modules in each of those two languages. At least 120 of those credits must come from modules at Level 3. You will have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.

BA (Honours) Modern Language Studies

How to register

If you want to study for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module. During the registration procedure you will be asked to declare which qualification you are studying towards.

See a full list of modules available for this qualification

BA (Honours) Modern Language Studies

Description

Planning your studies

Career relevance and employability

Modules

Level 1 study required for all subject combinations – 60 credits from the list of optional modules below:

English and French

240 credits from the following modules:

And 60 credits from the optional modules below or any Level 2 or 3 language module in any of the compulsory sections:

English and German

240 credits from the following compulsory modules:

And 60 credits from the optional modules below or any Level 2 or 3 language module in any of the compulsory sections:

English and Spanish

240 credits from the following compulsory modules:

And 60 credits from the optional modules below or any Level 2 or 3 language module in any of the compulsory sections:

French and German

300 credits from the following compulsory modules:

French and Spanish

300 credits from the following compulsory modules:

German and Spanish

300 credits from the following compulsory modules:

Learning outcomes

Credit for previous study elsewhere

Classification of your degree

Regulations

How to register

The Open University

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OU Students Community

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Study

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