BA (Hons) (World Languages) - CK110

Overview

NFQ Level 8, Major Award

The BA (Hons) World Languages is a four-year full-time honours degree programme. Applicants for this programme must fulfil the minimum entry requirements (see here).

Languages available:

  • First Arts (World Languages): Chinese, English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL), French, Gaeilge/Irish, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Portuguese, Spanish;
  • Second Arts (World Languages): as First Arts (World Languages);
  • Fourth Arts (World Languages): as Second Arts (World Languages), plus Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL).
Language Second Arts Fourth Arts
Chinese 10 or 151 or 20 or 30 10 or 151 or 20 or 30
English as a Second or Other Language 102 102
French 10 or 15 or 20 or 25 or 30 10 or 15 or 20 or 25 or 30 or 40 or 50
Gaeilge/Irish 10 or 15 or 20 or 25 or 30 10 or 15 or 20 or 25 or 30
German 10 or 151 or 20 or 25 or 30 10 or 151 or 20 or 25 or 30 or 40 or 50
Italian 10 or 151 or 20 or 25 or 30 10 or 151 or 20 or 25 or 30 or 40 or 50
Japanese 10 or 151 or 20 10 or 151 or 20
Korean 10 or 151 or 20 10 or 151 or 20
Latin 10 or 151 10 or 151
Portuguese 10 or 151 or 20 10 or 151 or 20
Spanish 10 or 151 or 20 or 25 or 30 10 or 151 or 20 or 25 or 30 or 40 or 50
Teaching English as a Foreign Language 15
1

May also be taken as a new subject for 15 credits, subject to timetable constraints.

2

May be taken for 10 credits only in either Second Arts or Fourth Arts.

Notes:

** May also be taken for 10 or 20 credits by students who took it as a new subject in Second Year, subject to timetable constraints.
 

First Year - Arts (World Languages)

In First Arts (World Languages) students take three languages (15 credits each) from those listed below, together with dedicated content (World Languages: 15 credits). To avoid timetable clashes no more than one subject may be chosen from any separate group below.

  1. Portuguese
  2. Gaeilge/Irish
  3. Chinese Studies1, German1, Latin
  4. French
  5. Italian
  6. Spanish
  7. English as a Second or Other Language
  8. Japanese
  9. Korean
1

Note: Some provision has been made to allow students to take both Chinese and German language, but this may affect the possibility of combining with other languages.

Points to Note

General: Students must pass the subject World Languages to progress to Second Year.

At least one language taken in First Arts (World Languages) must be continued throughout the four years of the programme. All languages not taken in First Arts (World Languages), except English as a Second or Other Language, French and Gaeilge/Irish, may be taken in Second or Fourth Arts (World Languages) at beginner level, subject to timetable constraints, but students may not take more than 15 credits of Level 1 modules in Fourth Arts (World Languages). Please note that some modules may be taught in the evening: a full timetable will be available in advance of registration.

  1. Portuguese: This subject is available in First Arts (World Languages) and thereafter as a 30-credit, 25-credit, 20-credit, 15-credit or 10-credit subject in the Second and Fourth Years of the programme. Students may spend all or part of the Third Year of their degree studying at an approved university and/or on a work placement in a Portuguese-speaking country, subject to having completed 25 credits of Portuguese in total across First and Second Arts (World Languages).
  2. Gaeilge/Irish: This subject is available in First Arts (World Languages), and thereafter as a subject for 30, 25, 20, 15 or 10 credits in Second and Fourth Arts (World Languages). Students spend the Third Year of their programme studying at an approved university and/or on a work placement in one or two of the countries of the other language or languages studied.
  3. Chinese Studies: This subject is available in First Arts (World Languages) and thereafter as a subject for 30, 20 or 10 credits in the Second and Fourth Years of the programme. Students may spend all or part of the Third Year of their degree studying at an approved university in China, subject to having completed 30 credits of Chinese in total across First and Second Arts (World Languages). 
  4. German: This subject is available in First Arts (World Languages), and thereafter as a subject for 30, 25, 20, 15 or 10 credits in Second Arts (World Languages) and for 50, 40, 30, 25, 20, 15 or 10 credits in Fourth Arts (World Languages). Students wishing to select German (Non-Beginners) should have a minimum grade H4 in German in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent). Students wishing to take German (Beginners) must, in any case, satisfy the special language requirement for the programme of the equivalent of a minimum of Grade H3 in any language other than English in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent). Students will be accepted to the Beginners group only if they have no prior German, or if they have reached a level no higher than Junior Certificate German. Students may spend all or part of the Third Year of their degree studying at an approved university and/or on a work placement in a German-speaking country, subject to having completed 30 credits of German in total across First and Second Arts (World Languages).
  5. Latin: This is available in First Arts and thereafter only as a 15-credit or 10-credit subject. Students spend the Third Year of their programme studying at an approved university and/or on a work placement in one or two of the countries of the other language or languages studied.
  6. French: A student will not normally be allowed to select French unless he/she has attained a pass standard in French in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent). This subject is available in First Arts (World Languages), and thereafter as a subject for 30, 25, 20, 15 or 10 credits in Second Arts (World Languages) and for 50, 40, 30, 25, 20, 15 or 10 credits in Fourth Arts (World Languages). Students may spend all or part of the Third Year of their degree studying at an approved university and/or on a work placement in a French-speaking country, subject to having completed 30 credits of French in total across First and Second Arts (World Languages).
  7. Italian: This subject is available in First Arts (World Languages), and thereafter as a subject for 30, 25, 20, 15 or 10 credits in Second Arts (World Languages) and for 50, 40, 30, 25, 20, 15 or 10 credits in Fourth Arts (World Languages). Students wishing to select Italian (Non-Beginners) should have a minimum grade H4 in Italian in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent). Students wishing to take Italian (Beginners) must, in any case, satisfy the special language requirement for the programme of the equivalent of a minimum of Grade H3 in any language other than English in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent). Students who have studied Italian at second level and obtained a grade below H4 can join the Beginners' Italian course. Students may spend all or part of the Third Year of their degree studying at an approved university or on a work placement in Italy, subject to having completed 25 credits of Italian in total across First and Second Arts (World Languages).
  8. Spanish: This subject is available in First Arts (World Languages), and thereafter as a subject for 30, 25, 20, 15 or 10 credits in Second Arts (World Languages) and for 50, 40, 30, 25, 20, 15 or 10 credits in Fourth Arts (World Languages). Students wishing to take Non-Beginners' Spanish must have obtained a minimum Grade H4 in Spanish in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent). Students wishing to take Spanish (Beginners) must, in any case, satisfy the special language requirement for the programme of the equivalent of a minimum of Grade H4 in any language other than English in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent) OR evidence of competence equivalent to a minimum Grade H4 in a foreign language other than Spanish. Students who have studied Spanish at second level and obtained a Grade below H4 can also join the Beginners' Spanish course. Students may spend all or part of the Third Year of their degree studying at an approved university or on a work placement in a Spanish-speaking country, subject to having completed 30 credits of Spanish in total across First and Second Arts (World Languages).
  9. English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL): This subject is available in First Arts (World Languages) and thereafter as a 10-credit subject in the Second and Fourth Years of the programme. Students may spend all or part of the Third Year of their programme studying at an approved university and/or on a work placement in an English-speaking country, subject to having completed 25 credits of ESOL in total across First and Second Arts (World Languages).
  10. Japanese: This subject is available in First Arts (World Languages) and thereafter as a subject for 20, 15 or 10 credits in the Second and Fourth Years of the programme; Students may take Japanese as a 20-credit Subject in Fourth Arts (World Languages) on condition that they have the prerequisite for AS3008, namely 'a significant standard of Japanese Language (assessed before entry)', and would normally be expected to have made good progress having spent the Third Year studying at a Japanese university. Students may spend all or part of the Third Year of their degree studying at an approved university in Japan, subject to having completed 25 credits of Japanese in total across First and Second Arts (World Languages).
  11. Korean: This subject is available in First Arts (World Languages) and thereafter as a subject for 20, 15 or 10 credits in the Second and Fourth Years of the programme. Students may take Korean as a 20-credit Subject in Fourth Arts (World Languages) on condition that they have the prerequisite for AS3006, namely 'a significant standard of Korean Language (assessed before entry)', and would normally be expected to have made good progress having spent the Third Year studying at a Korean university. Students may spend all or part of the Third Year of their degree studying at an approved university in Korea or studying Korean in Japan, subject to having completed 25 credits of Korean in total across First and Second Arts (World Languages).

Notes:

  • As specified in the general regulations for passing the year, students must pass the subject World Languages with an aggregate of at least 40% in modules WL1101 Language: Sounds and Structures and WL1103 Becoming Multilingual.
  • Programme Requirements are listed below by language.
  • Some provision has been made to allow students to take both Chinese and German language, but this may affect the possibility of combining with other languages.
  • Please note that some modules may be taught in the evening: a full timetable will be available in advance of registration.

Programme Requirements for Language Choices begin here.

Second Year - Arts (World Languages)

No student may register for Second Arts (World Languages) until he/she has passed the First University Examination in Arts (World Languages). The selection of any module is conditional on the Professor or Lecturer concerned and the College being satisfied that a student is capable of profiting by attendance thereat. Students may not select modules which involve a timetable clash. Please note that some modules may be taught in the evening: a full timetable will be available in advance of registration.

In Second Arts (World Languages), students take 10 credits of designated World Languages modules, plus two or three languages from those listed below, including at least one continued from First Year, for a total of 50 credits in any of the following combinations: 25+25; 30+20; 20+15+15; 20+20+10; 25+15+10; 30+10+10. Before choosing the number of credits to be taken in each language, students must consult with the Programme Director, who will bring to students’ attention the need to ensure that the credits taken provide appropriate pathways to Third Arts (World Languages), which is to be spent in one or two countries of the languages studied, postgraduate study, teaching careers, etc.: to this end, students must attend a meeting held in June of the First Year. In choosing the languages to be studied in the Year Abroad, students should be aware that one of them must be continued in Fourth Arts (World Languages).

Two Languages

Students register for 10 credits of World Language modules, plus option A or B (at least one language must be continued from First Year)

Option A
World Languages modules10
Select twenty-five credits each in any two of these languages:50
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Spanish
Option B
World Languages modules10
Select thirty credits in one of these languages:30
Chinese
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Spanish
Select twenty credits in one of these languages:20
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Portuguese
Spanish

Three Languages

Students register for 10 credits of World Language modules, plus option A or B or C or D (at least one language must be continued from First Year)

Option A
World Languages modules10
Select twenty-five credits in one of these languages:25
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Spanish
Select fifteen credits in one of these languages:15
Chinese 1
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese 1
Korean 1
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish
Select ten credits in one of these languages:10
Chinese
English
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish
Option B
World Languages modules10
Select thirty credits in one of these languages:30
Chinese
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Spanish
Select ten credits each in any two of these languages:10
Chinese
English
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish
Option C
World Languages modules10
twenty credits in any two of these languages20
Chinese
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Portuguese
Spanish
Select ten credits in one of these languages:10
Chinese
English
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish
Option D
World Languages modules10
Select twenty credits in one of these languages:20
Chinese 1
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Portuguese
Spanish
Select fifteen credits in any two of these languages:15
Chinese 1
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese 1
Korean 1
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish
1

Note: Only available as a 15-credit subject if taken as a new language in Second Arts (world Languages).

Notes

  • Students must continue at least one language studied in First Arts (World Languages) throughout the four years of the programme.
  • Programme Requirements are listed below by language.
  • New subjects may be added in Second Arts (World Languages) subject to timetable constraints.
  • Please note that some modules may be taught in the evening: a full timetable will be available in advance of registration.

Programme Requirements for Language Choices begin here.

Third Year - Arts (World Languages)

Students complete the Third Year of BA (World Languages) by choosing Option 1 below. In exceptional circumstances, Option 2 or 3 may be chosen.

  1. Students spend the Third Year Abroad
  2. Students for whom travel restrictions are in place in the host country spend the Third Year at UCC
  3. Students for whom travel restrictions are in place in the host country spend One Semester Abroad and One Semester at UCC.

Students are reminded that if they wish to transfer from the BA (World Languages) - CK110 to the BA - CK101, they may do so at the start of Semester 1 by submitting a student request form to the Office of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies, and Social Sciences.

  1. Students spending Third Year Abroad

    Students spend Third Arts (World Languages), at an approved partner institution or at an approved partner institution and on an approved work placement in one or two countries of the languages studied: students taking English as a Second or Other Language or Gaeilge/Irish must spend the Third Year of their programme studying at an approved university and/or on a work placement in one or two of the countries of the other language or languages studied. Subject to a sufficient number of credits being taken in First and Second Arts (World Languages), as specified in the requirements for individual languages, students may spend either two semesters in one country (study at partner institution or at a partner institution and work placement), or one semester at a partner institution in one country and one semester studying or on a work placement in a second country. Students will be assessed by their host university and, in the case of work placements, by the Work Placement Module, LL3901 International Work Placement (20 credits) and the Online Language Module, LL3902 or HS3012 Online Advanced Spanish Language (B2) (10 credits). The Third Year will be assessed entirely on a Pass/Fail basis.

    Note:
    • Students will be consulted regarding study and work placements, but there is no guarantee that they can be accommodated exactly as they wish.
    • Students will be advised of the partner institutions in the meeting held in June of the First Year.
    • Students are encouraged to take the initiative in organising work placements themselves, this being a valuable learning experience in itself, but this will be facilitated by the Board of Studies in collaboration with the Careers Service. All placements must be approved by the Board of Studies.
    • Please note that work placements in China, Japan and Korea will not initially be available.
    • One of the languages taken in Third Arts (World Languages) must be continued on return to UCC for Fourth Arts (World Languages).
  2. Students spending Third Year in UCC

    This option is only available to students (1) where travel restrictions are in place in their host country as a result of Covid-19 or (2) whose host university is no longer able to accept international students as a result of Covid-19.

    In Third Arts (World Languages) students must take a total of 60 credits for the Year, chosen in agreement with their Departments and Programme Director. At least one of the languages studied in First Arts (World Languages) and Second Arts (World Languages) must be continued in Third Arts (World Languages).

    No electives may be repeated from Second Year modules (i.e. if these modules have already been taken); modules chosen from Final Year (including one of the electives from WL4101 Language and Power, WL4102 Languages and Information Technologies, WL4103 Introduction to Translation Studies) may not be taken again in Fourth Arts (World Languages).
  3. Students spending One Semester Abroad and One Semester in UCC

    In some instances, students may complete one semester in UCC and one semester abroad taking a total of 60 credits for the year, in agreement with the Programme Director.

    This option is only available to students (1) where travel restrictions are in place in their host country as a result of Covid-19 or (2) whose host university is no longer able to accept international students as a result of Covid-19.

    No electives may be repeated from Second Year modules (i.e. if these modules have already been taken); modules chosen from Final Year (including one of the electives from WL4101 Language and Power, WL4102 Languages and Information Technologies, WL4103 Introduction to Translation Studies) may not be taken again in Fourth Arts (World Languages).

    Note: Students studying in UCC in Semester 2 may not select modules for which they do not have the relevant pre- and co- requisites.

    Where students spend one semester in UCC they will be required to take modules to the value of 30 credits. These must be agreed with the relevant Department and the Programme Director.

Fourth Year - Arts (World Languages)

No student may register for Fourth Arts (World Languages) until he/she has passed the Third University Examination in Arts (World Languages). The selection of any module is conditional on the Professor or Lecturer concerned and the College being satisfied that a student is capable of profiting by attendance thereat. Students may not select modules which involve a timetable clash.

In Fourth Arts (World Languages), students take 10 credits of designated World Languages modules, plus two or three languages from those listed below, including at least one continued from First Year and studied during the Second Year and the Third Year abroad, for a total of 50 credits in any of the following combinations: 50; 40+10; 25+25; 30+20; 20+15+15; 20+20+10; 25+15+10; 30+10+10. N.B. Students may not take more than one 15 credit new subject (including Teaching English as a Foreign Language) in Fourth Arts (World Languages). As for Second Year, students will be made aware of the fact that their choices may determine postgraduate and teaching options.

Major Language

Students register for 10 credits of World Language modules, plus 50 credits of French, German, Italian or Spanish (this language must have been studied from First Year)

World Languages modules10
Select fifty credits in one of these languages:50
French
German
Italian
Spanish

Two Languages

Students register for 10 credits of World Language modules, plus option A or B (at least one language must be continued from First Year)

Option A
World Languages modules10
Select twenty-five credits each in any two of these languages:50
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Spanish
Option B
World Languages modules10
Select thirty credits in one of these languages:30
Chinese
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Spanish
Select twenty credits in one of these languages:20
Chinese
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Portuguese
Spanish
Option C
World Languages modules10
Select forty credits in one of these languages:40
French
German
Italian
Spanish
Select ten credits in one of these languages:10
Chinese
English
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish

Three Languages

Students register for 10 credits of World Language modules, plus option A or B or C or D (at least one language must be continued from First Year)

Option A
World Languages modules10
Select twenty-five credits in one of these languages:25
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Spanish
Select fifteen credits in one of these languages:15
Chinese 1
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese 1
Korean 1
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish
Teaching English
Select ten credits in one of these languages:10
Chinese
English
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish
Option B
World Languages modules10
Select thirty credits in one of these languages:30
Chinese
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Spanish
Select ten credits each in any two of these languages:10
Chinese
English
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish
Option C
World Languages modules10
twenty credits in any two of these languages20
Chinese
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Japanese
Korean
Italian
Portuguese
Spanish
Select ten credits in one of these languages:10
Chinese
English
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish
Option D
World Languages modules10
Select twenty credits in one of these languages:20
Chinese
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Portuguese
Spanish
Select fifteen credits in any two of these languages:15
Chinese 1
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese 1
Korean 1
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish
Teaching English
1

Note: Only available as a 15-credit subject if taken as a new language in Second Arts (world Languages).

Notes

  • Students must continue at least one language studied in First and Second Arts (World Languages) and in Third Arts (World Languages) – the Year Abroad.
  • Programme Requirements are listed below by language.
  • New subjects may be added in Fourth Arts (World Languages) subject to timetable constraints.
  • Please note that some modules may be taught in the evening: a full timetable will be available in advance of registration.

Programme Requirements for Language Choices begin here.

Programme Requirements

For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements.