Languages at Sussex image

Languages at Sussex

To view programme information choose from the list on the left

Essentials

You can choose from French, German, Italian and/or Spanish, taking either one or two languages with a joint subject, or one language as a minor. Please indicate your choice of language(s) on your UCAS application

What A levels/IB scores do I need?

(For other qualifications information, refer to Applicants from outside the UK)

Typical A level offer range: ABB-BBB

To study two languages, either on their own or combined with another subject, you must have A level grade B (or equivalent) in one of your chosen languages. Your other language can be taken from beginner’s level if it is Italian or Spanish. However, if it is French or German we would expect you to have at least a GCSE grade A* (or equivalent) in that language

To study French (UCAS Code: R100), Spanish (UCAS Code: R400) or to study one language as part of a joint degree with another subject, you must have A level grade B (or equivalent) in the chosen language

To study a language as a minor (eg History with a Language), the requirement varies depending on your chosen language. To study French or German, you need at least GCSE (or equivalent) at grade A* in the chosen language. Italian or Spanish, however, can be taken from beginner’s level as long as you have at least GCSE (or equivalent) at grade A* in any one of our four languages

The requirement for Law with a Language is different. For details refer to the law subject entry

Typical IB diploma offer range: 32-34 points

What qualities should I bring?

Aptitude for language; interest in communication in its cultural and social contexts; intellectual curiosity

Fees

Refer to information on fees

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall and not less than 6.0 in both the Listening and Writing sections. For alternative English language requirements, refer to English language requirements

How do I find out more?

For more information, contact the admissions tutor:

E ug.admissions@
languages.sussex.ac.uk
T +44 (0)1273 877258
F +44 (0)1273 678476

Sussex Language Institute, University of Sussex,
Falmer, Brighton BN1 9SH, UK

Sussex Language Institute website

When can I visit?

Our open day dates for 2009 are 13 June and 10 October. We also run regular campus tours.

Please book online on the visitors web page or call 01273 876787

Why languages?

The study of languages enables you to acquire excellent communication skills and enhance your understanding of your own and other cultures. Knowledge of a foreign language gives you access to the intellectual achievements and social developments of the countries where the target languages are spoken. In addition, the ability to speak a second language and the experience of having spent time studying or working abroad are major assets in the employment market.

Why languages at Sussex?

  • Sussex is ranked among the top 15 universities in the UK to study languages: 11th in The Guardian University Guide (2010).
  • Intellectually stimulating degree with relevant practical applications.
  • Specialise in one or two languages, or combine with related subjects.
  • Start post-A level and/or from beginner’s level at the appropriate standard.
  • Reach a high level of proficiency with the expert tuition of experienced native-speaking lecturers.
  • Enjoy all the academic, social, personal and, ultimately, professional benefits of the year abroad, whether working, teaching or studying at a partner university.
  • Profit from studying alongside visiting and exchange students from continental Europe and beyond.

What sort of career could I have?

Employers will value your communication and language skills, not to mention the maturity and life experience gained during your year abroad.

  • arts and media
  • journalism and publishing
  • business and marketing
  • commerce and finance
  • Civil and Diplomatic Services
  • public service and politics
  • teaching and academia.

    • Recent employers include:

  • Amnesty International
  • Red Cross
  • Sony
  • Headstar
  • DeHavilland News.

How will I learn?

Learning and teaching methods include lectures, question and answer sessions, seminars and classes on individual topics as well as on broad issues. There will be opportunities for group work, as well as for individual exploration. Study materials include literature and other texts dealing with subjects as wide ranging as popular culture, philosophy, politics, history, science and technology, as well as music and visual artefacts such as paintings, photographs and films.

Assessment methods include essay writing, individual and group presentations, oral and aural language examining, unseen exams and dissertations.

What will I achieve?

  • Advanced language and communication skills, as well as skills in intercultural mediation such as translation and interpreting.
  • Intellectual skills, including the ability to acquire appropriate knowledge, to analyse and evaluate cultural products of various kinds, to make comparisons between different areas of intellectual and cultural concern and the approaches that characterise them, and to express arguments and ideas effectively in both English and your target language(s).
  • Knowledge and understanding of significant aspects of the culture, developments, artefacts and achievements of Europe and of countries in other continents where French, German, Spanish or Italian are spoken.
  • Informed and sympathetic comprehension and appreciation of the diversity, but also the interrelatedness, of different cultures.
  • Through the cross-cultural experience of a year spent studying or working abroad, skills and adaptability that give you excellent preparation for your future professional life.

There are a number of ways to study languages at Sussex. With most of these you will spend your third year abroad, studying or working in a foreign-language setting. You can choose from French, German, Italian and Spanish.

Languages major degree

You can choose to specialise in French (UCAS Code: R100) or Spanish (UCAS Code: R400), or study two languages (UCAS Code: R900), choosing from French, German, Italian or Spanish. Alongside language tuition, you will also study linked courses in the historical, social and cultural aspects of the countries concerned.

Languages joint degrees - 50 per cent language(s) - combined with another joint subject

Here you can choose either to study two languages, concentrating on the language study itself, or you can specialise in one language only, allowing yourself more time to explore historical, cultural and social aspects of that language in greater depth. Normally, you choose one or two languages from French, German, Italian or Spanish but see details below.

Joint majors with one or two languages:

  • Language(s) (one or two from French, German, Italian or Spanish) and Contemporary European Studies
  • Language(s) (one or two from French, German, Italian or Spanish) and Cultural Studies
  • Anthropology and Languages (French and Spanish)
  • English Language and Language(s) (one or two from French, German, Italian or Spanish)
  • English Language Teaching and Language(s) (one or two from French, German, Italian or Spanish)
  • International Relations and Language(s) (one or two from French, German, Italian or Spanish)

Joint majors with one language:

  • Anthropology and French
  • Anthropology and Italian
  • Anthropology and Spanish
  • Art History and a Language (one from French, German, Italian or Spanish)
  • Drama Studies and a Language (one from French, German, Italian or Spanish)
  • English and a Language (one from French, German, Italian or Spanish)
  • Film Studies and a Language (one from French, German, Italian or Spanish)
  • Geography and a Language (one from French, German, Italian or Spanish)
  • Media Studies and a Language (one from French, German, Italian or Spanish)
  • Philosophy and a Language (one from French, German, Italian or Spanish)
  • Politics and a Language (one from French, German, Italian or Spanish)
  • Sociology and a Language (one from French, German, Italian or Spanish)

Language as a minor

You can take one of French, German, Italian or Spanish (choice of which of these languages are available varies) alongside your major subject. You will spend about a quarter of your time studying the language and aspects of the relevant society and culture in which the language is spoken. You may be able to study the language from beginner’s level. In some degrees you will continue this study after spending your third year abroad.

BA, BSc and LLB

Language electives

In addition to degrees including a named language, there are also opportunities to study a language as an option as part of your programme during the first year or two years. In this case there are a number of entry levels from beginner’s to advanced.

Open language courses

If you are interested in learning a new language or improving your existing foreign-language skills outside the context of your chosen degree programme, Sussex offers the opportunity to study a language on a weekly basis with other students, postgraduates, and members of the University staff and the local community. You can choose from Arabic, British Sign Language, Czech, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Mandarin, Polish, Russian and Spanish classes. Classes take place at lunchtimes or in the early evening.

All of our open language courses offer the opportunity to develop language skills and to learn about the country and customs concerned.

Independent language learning

The Language Learning Centre provides state-of-the-art technology that supports self-access language learning. Foreign-language newspapers and magazines are also available.

Further information about these courses and tuition fees is available from the Open Course Office (email opencourses@sussex.ac.uk) or on the Languages website.

Zoe’s perspective

Zoe Markillie

‘Sussex is a great place to learn languages and my whole experience has been challenging yet rewarding so far. There’s a friendly and diverse population of students, the staff are approachable and enthusiastic and, of course, the campus is the sunniest in the UK!

‘Unlike language learning at school or college, the focus at Sussex is on self motivation. You’re given the freedom to use the facilities of the Language Learning Centre to explore further your own areas of interest and develop your skills, whether through watching live television, foreign-language films or reading newspapers and magazines. It’s surprising how quickly your fluency in the language can grow by immersing yourself in a country’s culture in this way - by the end of my first year, I was amazed to find how much more easily I could chat away to the locals on holiday, and I can’t wait to start my year abroad.’

Zoe Markillie