Bachelor of Arts in Applied Languages

General Information

This programme aims to produce graduates with a high level of competence in at least two languages combined with a specialist knowledge of the societies in which those languages are spoken. The course also offers the unusual opportunity to take three languages to degree level. Graduates will also possess professional expertise in an area such as Marketing, Politics and International Relations,Teaching English as a Foreign Language,Technical Writing or Computing.

Course Structure

The programme is four years in duration. Studies in the first three semesters provide a foundation in key disciplines including:

• Two core languages selected from French, German, Irish and Spanish
• Contemporary societies in which the target languages are spoken
• Linguistics
• Electives:
• Marketing
• Politics and International Relations
• Third Language (from core languages above or Japanese).
• Computing

French and Irish are offered at advanced level. Spanish and German are offered at Beginners’ and Advanced level while Japanese is offered at Beginners’ level only.

Two subsequent six-month periods of Cooperative Education and External Academic Placement provide students with an opportunity to exercise and develop the skills they have acquired within a work or study environment.These placements will be undertaken in a country or region where one of the student's main target languages is spoken.

During the third and fourth years students acquire a deeper understanding of the historical, political, economic and cultural factors that have shaped the societies in which their two languages are spoken, while also continuing the study of these languages to a high level of proficiency.

Entry Requirements

Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with at least Grade C3 in two Higher Level subjects and Grade D3 in four Ordinary or Higher Level subjects (including Mathematics; Irish or another language; and English).

In addition applicants are required to hold at least the following in the Leaving Certificate, or an approved equivalent: Grade B3 in Higher Level French or German or Irish or Spanish.

We welcome applications from Mature Students.Application forms for mature student entry are available from the UL Admissions Office.

Career Prospects

• Further study with a view to an academic career. Some recent graduates have gone on to do exceptionally well at postgraduate level at UL and other prestigious universities in Ireland and beyond.
• Modern language teaching at secondary level.The degree is recognised by the Teachers' Registration Council as a primary degree from which you can go on to do the H.Dip, or you could choose to do the Graduate Diploma in Education (Languages) here at UL, which also qualifies you as a teacher.
• Other language-oriented careers. For example, Speech Therapy - some recent graduates have successfully obtained places on the highly competitive MSc Speech and Language Therapy (professional qualification) at UL.
• International business.The 2006 Forfás International Competitiveness Report describes one of Ireland's major weaknesses as "Limited management expertise in innovation and international sales and marketing." Foreign language skills are clearly a key element in the international arena. • Public service • Professional interpreting and/or translating • Technical writing • English Language Teaching