Bachelor of Arts in Applied Languages Course content
Key information
Pathways and Electives for Applied Languages
It is compulsory to study 2 of the languages below as core languages. All languages are available at an advanced level, with French, 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:
- An additional language from the initial list
- Law
- Marketing
- Politics and International Relations
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:
Semester 1
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| Language, Culture and Society A: French OR German OR Irish OR Japanese OR Spanish | |
| Language, Culture and Society B: French OR German OR Irish OR Japanese OR Spanish | |
| LI4211 | Linguistics 1 |
| Elective 1: French OR German OR Irish OR Spanish OR Japanese OR Marketing OR Law OR Politics and International Relations | |
| Elective 2: Literature in Language A OR B OR Cultural Studies and New Media |
Semester 2
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| Language, Culture and Society A: French OR German OR Irish OR Japanese OR Spanish | |
| Language, Culture and Society B: French OR German OR Irish OR Japanese OR Spanish | |
| LI4212 | Linguistics 2 |
| Elective 1: French OR German OR Irish OR Spanish OR Japanese OR Marketing OR Law OR Politics and International Relations | |
| Elective 2: Literature in Language A OR B OR Language and Culture |
Semester 3
| Module title |
|---|
| Language, Culture and Society A: French OR German OR Irish OR Japanese OR Spanish |
| Language, Culture and Society B: French OR German OR Irish OR Japanese OR Spanish |
| Language and Technology |
| Elective 1 : French OR German OR Irish OR Spanish OR Japanese OR Marketing OR Law OR Politics and International Relations |
| Elective 2: Literature in Language A OR B OR Cultural Studies |
Semester 4
Semester 5
Erasmus/Exchange placement with a partner institution abroad
Semester 6
| Module title |
|---|
| Language, Culture and Society A: French OR German OR Irish OR Japanese OR Spanish |
| Language, Culture and Society B: French OR German OR Irish OR Japanese OR Spanish |
| Elective 1 : French OR German OR Irish OR Spanish OR Japanese OR Marketing OR Law OR Politics and International Relations OR Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages OR Technical Writing |
Semester 7
| Module title |
|---|
| Language, Culture and Society A: French OR German OR Irish OR Japanese OR Spanish |
| Language, Culture and Society B: French OR German OR Irish OR Japanese OR Spanish |
| Applied Languages Project |
| Elective 1:French OR German OR Irish OR Spanish OR Japanese OR Marketing OR Law OR Politics and International Relations OR Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages OR Technical Writing |
| Elective 2: Literature in Language A OR B OR Cultural Studies OR European Cinema OR New Media |
Semester 8
| Module title |
|---|
| Language, Culture and Society A: French OR German OR Irish OR Japanese OR Spanish |
| Language, Culture and Society B: French OR German OR Irish OR Japanese OR Spanish |
| Applied Languages Project |
| Spanish OR Japanese OR Marketing OR Law OR Politics and International Relations OR Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages OR Technical Writing |
| Elective 2: Literature in Language A OR B OR Cultural Theory OR European Cinema OR Travel Literature |
Frequently Asked Questions
What languages can I study?
Irish is only available at the advanced level (i.e. post Leaving Certificate or equivalent). French, German, Japanese and Spanish are offered at both advanced and beginner levels.
What does Applied Languages mean?
The term ‘Applied Languages’ is commonly used to describe degrees which produce graduates with a high level of proficiency in their chosen languages and an in-depth understanding of the culture and society where they are spoken, combined with an appreciation of how they might best be used in a range of professional contexts at home and abroad.
How many languages can I take?
You must take 2 languages; you can take a third as an option. At least one language must be taken at the advanced level. The exceptional opportunity offered by this course to study three languages to degree level is one of its most attractive features for students who wish to pursue careers as language professionals.
Which languages can I take?
As core languages, you can choose two from French, German, Irish, Japanese and Spanish. Irish is only available at advanced level (i.e. post Leaving Certificate or equivalent); the other languages are available at both advanced and beginner levels. If you would like to take a third language, you can take any of the above.
What elective options can I take?
From Year 1, a third language (as above), Marketing or Politics and International Relations. In Year 3, you can continue with these or take up Technical Communication or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
Will I spend time abroad at a university or working?
Yes! You will spend at least two six-month periods on work placement and study abroad. It is particularly important when learning foreign languages that you keep working regularly rather than “cramming” in the week before exams. It is also a good idea to take advantage of holiday periods to spend more time living in countries where your chosen languages are spoken. This is particularly important if you decide to take three languages. You might do a summer job or visit a language course – it’s your choice.
