Progress and assessment is aligned to the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for languages. This framework is in use throughout Europe.
The CEFR Global Scale gives an indication of general language proficiency for each of the six bands.
There are ten stages of study and you can start each pathway from either beginner or intermediate depending on your level. For French and Spanish you can also start at advanced level and follow the Professional Purposes pathway.
Module levels:
| Name of module | Level on entry | CEFR FGIS | CEFRACJ | Level of course UK equivalence | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Ab initio A* | For beginners, assuming no previous knowledge | A1 | A1 | Beginner |
| Stage 2 | Ab initio B | For post-beginners with an elementary knowledge of the language who have completed Stage 1 | A2 | A2 | Foundation GCSE |
| Stage 3 | Intermediate A* | For lower intermediate learners who have completed Stage 2, have a high GCSE grade, or equivalent | A2*-B1 | A2*-B1 | Higher GCSE |
| Stage 4 | Intermediate B | For intermediate learners who have completed Stage 3 | B1 | B1 | AS level |
| Stage 5 | Advanced A | For upper intermediate learners who have completed Stage 4 | B1/+ | B1 | AS level |
| Stage 6 | Advanced B | For advanced learners who have completed Stage 5 | B1+ | B1+ | A level |
| Stage 7 | Language in Context A ** | For advanced learners who have completed Stage 6 | B2 | B1*-B2 | Undergraduate first/second year |
| Stage 8 | Language in Context B ** | For advanced learners who have completed Stage 7 | B2 | B2 | Undergraduate second year |
** Available from 2019-20
| Name of module | Level on entry | CEFR | Level of course UK equivalence | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 6 | Professional Purposes 1A* | For advanced learners who have a good A level grade, or equivalent | B1-B2 | Undergraduate first year |
| Stage 6-7 | Professional Purposes 1B | For advanced learners who have completed Professional Purposes 1A, Stage 6 | B2 | Undergraduate first year |
| Stage 7 | Professional Purposes 2A | For advanced learners who have completed Professional Purposes 1B, Stage 6-7 | B2/+ | Undergraduate second year |
| Stage 8 | Professional Purposes 2B | For advanced learners who have completed Professional Purposes 2A, Stage 7 | B2-C1 | Undergraduate second year |
| Stage 9 | Professional Purposes 3A | For advanced learners who have completed Professional Purposes 2B, Stage 8 | C1 | Undergraduate third year |
| Stage 10 | Professional Purposes 3B | For advanced learners who have completed Professional Purposes 3A, Stage 9 | C1/+ | Undergraduate third year |
* indicates a Pathway entry point. All pathways begin in the autumn term (part A). Modules can be studied as stand-alone electives subject to availability of places and Visiting and Exchange students are placed appropriately subject to availability of places.
For a more detailed description of these levels, study SCLS ML Elective Placement - Typical use of language on entry.
Choosing the right study levels
The language pathways include modules at Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels.
If you wish to start an Ab initio (Beginners) language you must do so in Term 1 of Year 1. You can only begin a pathway at a higher level if you have equivalent prior learning to meet the pre-requisites. You may be asked to carry out a placement test to decide the most appropriate level for you.
Availability of modules and levels:
| Language elective pathway modules | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ab initio AB (A1-A2) | Intermediate AB (A2-B1) | Advanced AB (B1-B1+) | Language in Context AB (B1+-B2) | Professional Purposes 1AB | Professional Purposes 2AB | Professional Purposes 3AB | |
| Arabic | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (from 2019-20) | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| French | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (from 2019-20) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| German | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (from 2019-20) | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Italian | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (from 2019-20) | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Japanese | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (from 2019-20) | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Mandarin Chinese | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (from 2019-20) | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Spanish | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (from 2019-20) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
*Please note that the availability of places on some modules may be limited.
| British Sign Language and Deaf Culture elective pathway modules | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSL 1A | BSL 1B | BSL 2A | BSL 2B | BSL 3A | BSL 3B | |
| BSL | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |