Pathways and Electives for Applied Languages
For a general overview of Applied Languages and the various options available through the course, click here.
It is compulsory to study 2 of the languages below as core languages. All languages are available at an advanced level, with German, Japanese and Spanish also available at beginners' level.
Along with your 2 core languages, you will generally have 1 additional core module each semester, as well as a professional elective stream and 1-2 literature/cultural elective modules.
In Semester 1:
For your professional elective stream, you must choose one of the following:
You must also choose one Literature/Cultural elective from:
- Literature in one of the languages you are studying
- Introduction to New Media and Cultural Studies
What you will study
Semesters 1, 2 and 3: You will spend the first three semesters in UL, building a foundation in your two (or three) chosen languages and the societies in which these languages are spoken, as well as in Linguistics, which is the science of language, and in your elective subjects.
Semesters 4 and 5: You will spend semesters 4 and 5 away from UL. You will be on a work placement for the first semester (cooperative education) and you will be studying in a university for the second semester (external academic placement). Working and studying abroad gives you a fantastic opportunity to deepen your linguistic skills and cultural knowledge. Students generally divide their time between their two main languages; so if German and Spanish are your main languages, you could spend your cooperative education in Spain or Argentina for example and spend your external academic placement in a German-speaking country. If you are studying Irish, you may be working in the Gaeltacht or in Irish-medium schools and media organisations. Whatever your language combination, you will get plenty of advice and guidance about these choices and you will start planning them well in advance.
Semesters 6, 7 and 8: During semesters 6, 7 and 8, you will acquire a deeper understanding of the historical, political, economic and cultural factors that have shaped the societies in which your two languages are spoken, while also continuing the study of these languages to a high level of proficiency. You will also acquire specialised, advanced skills such as interpreting and translating. In addition, you have the opportunity in your last 3 semesters to continue the study of your third language/ politics and international relations/marketing, or you can choose to specialise in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages or Technical Communication. You can also choose to study literature modules in your second language. In addition, you can choose from a variety of interesting electives in the areas of linguistics, media, sociology, literature and film.
A full year by year breakdown of modules is below: