Heriot-Watt

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  • England, Wales and Northern Ireland
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Go Global:

  • Erasmus+

The course

UCAS code
R100
Duration
4 years
Location
Edinburgh
Delivery type
Full-time

Heriot-Watt University ranked as the Number 1 University in Scotland for Modern Languages in the National Student Survey 2018. We also gained the highest ranking in Scotland for employability from Modern Languages in the Guardian University Rankings 2019.

Find out how to apply More about this subject area

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Overview

Our MA (Hons) Applied Language Studies (ALS) degree is designed to allow students to 'major' in French, German or Spanish, whilst also studying a range of complementary subjects.

This is our most flexible language degree as it allows you to specialise in the study of French while delving deeper into subjects that complement your interests and career aspirations, or a further language, through optional courses and electives.

Year 3 is spent abroad, immersed in your chosen language. You will have the choice of studying at one of our partner institutions or teaching English as a foreign language. Year 4 allows you to refine your professional profile further through specialist optional courses.

Accreditation

The Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies is a member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI).

We are also official higher education partner of the Chartered Institute of Linguists – a professional body that maintains the highest standards for practising interpreters and translators: Chartered Institute of Linguists

In addition, we are founding members of CIUTI, the world’s oldest and most prestigious international association of universities who train interpreters and translators: CIUTI
 

Go Global

With Go Global, Heriot-Watt's global student programme, you can carry your studies to new places and experience new cultures, expanding your horizons on the way.

You'll discover what it means to be a true global citizen and emerge prepared for wherever your career journey will take you.

Course content

Detailed course guide

Year 1

Semester 1

  • Introduction to Language and Intercultural Studies
  • French: Intermediate (1)
  • Elective
  • Elective

Semester 2

  • Introduction to French History and Culture
  • French: Intermediate (2)
  • Elective
  • Elective

Year 2

Semester 1

  • French Society and Comparative Studies
  • French: Advanced (1)
  • Option
  • Option

Semester 2

  • General Linguistics
  • French: Advanced (2)
  • Option
  • Option

Through options in Semester 1 and 2 students can study a second language or choose from a variety of subjects such as Economics,Marketing, or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

Year 3

Students complete two study placements at partner universities or teaching English in countries where their two chosen foreign languages are spoken.   

Year 4

Semester 1

  • Dissertation (1)
  • Applied Language Studies (1) or Interpreting and Translation Skills (1)
  • International Politics and Organisations
  • Option

Options:

  • Translation Technologies for Professional Translators
  • Applied Linguistics 1
  • Heritage: International Perspectives
  • Business Management options

Semester 2

  • Dissertation (2)
  • Applied Language Studies (2) or Interpreting and Translation Skills (2)
  • Option
  • Option

Options:

  • Translation and Interpreting Studies
  • Applied Linguistics 2
  • Sustainable Development and Intercultural Context
  • National Perspectives and EU Context
  • Business Management options                 

Employability

Managerial/professional position

  • 70% of those working are in a professional/managerial position six months after graduating.

Salary

  • The average salary of students six months after graduating: £20000
  • The average UK salary of students six months after graduating from a similar course: £19000

Jobs

These are the most common jobs students go into six months after graduating:

  • Business and public service associate professionals
  • Artistic, literary and media occupations
  • Business, research and administrative professionals
  • Teaching and educational professionals
  • Administrative occupations

Entry requirements

Year 1

Standard entry requirements
  • Highers AAAB including main language at A (over two sittings)
  • A-Levels BBB (including main language)
  • Int. Baccalaureate 30 points (with main language at Higher Level 5)
  • BTEC DDM (Main language at A-Level B or equivalent required)
  • HNC B in graded unit (with main language Higher A or A-Level B grade or equivalent)

Minimum entry requirements*

  • Highers BBBC including main language at B (over two sittings)
  • A-Levels BCC including main language at B

* Minimum: under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for some Scottish students depending on their circumstances. Our minimum requirements will apply if you:

  • live in an area within the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation lowest 20% (SIMD20), or
  • are care experienced.

We can also make exceptions for some Scottish students with grades above minimum but below standard. Read more about our Minimum and standard entry requirements

Year 2

As our languages courses include a compulsory year abroad at Level 3, the normal entry route for all languages courses is to Year 1 of a four-year honours course. However, candidates with outstanding Advanced Highers or A-Level results may be considered on an individual basis.

Year 3

As our languages courses include a compulsory year abroad at Level 3, the normal entry route for all languages courses is to Year 1 of a four-year honours course. However, candidates with outstanding Advanced Highers or A-Level results may be considered on an individual basis.

Additional information

English language requirements

  • If English is not your first language, you have to show that your English is good enough to succeed on your course. Please see our English language requirements.

Fees

Tuition fees for 2020 entry (by residency status)
Status* Scotland / EU** England / Northern Ireland / Wales*** International
Fee Paid by SAAS £9,250 £15,080

* Your residency 'status' is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course. Find out more about tuition fees.

** European Union countries (not including England, Northern Ireland or Wales).

*** 'Rest of the UK' (RUK) students entering at Level 1 receive a fee waiver of one year's tuition fee. Normally this will be the final year, or a year during which students study abroad (either at a partnership institution, or at one of Heriot-Watt's overseas campuses).

4 years for the price of 3

If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, study with us and save £9,250 over your 4-year degree.

Additional costs

You may incur additional costs in the course of your studies at Heriot-Watt over and above tuition fees in an academic year. Depending on your programme of study, these may include: protective equipment, field trips, professional memberships, studio fees, required course texts or other study resources.

Scholarships and bursaries

Featured scholarships

Bursaries for students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales starting undergraduate degree courses in 2020

In addition to government loans and grants towards the costs of fees and living costs, we are offering generous financial support to attract and support eligible students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales:

View our full range of undergraduate scholarships.