Why study German / Spanish at Aberystwyth University?

• From the off-set, you will receive 4 hours of language work per week. This includes reading/writing, aural, listening and translation. These four areas of linguistic development provides you with the solid foundation to increase your fluency competencies in German and Spanish.
• This degree is also available to students who wish to study German and Spanish at beginners level (minimum requirement is a GCSE C grade in the two languages). At beginners level and in your first year, you will be taught differently to the students who are entering the course at advanced level (A level or equivalent) will receive intensive language classes bringing you to the same linguistic level as our advanced students. In your second and final year, you will be continuing the course with all advanced students.
• In addition to linguistic classes, we offer all students core and optional modules that expose you to literature, culture, language, politics and business.
• All students in our department thrive in our multilingual environment. As a vibrant University, we attract students from all corners of the world. Many of our staff who will teach you are native speakers of the target language that they speak. We also teach most of our modules and classes through the target language, therefore the combination of departmental life and academic development will ensure that you have maximum exposure to the target languages that you're learning.
• The highlight of this degree for all of our students is the year abroad. As you're studying two languages, you will be required to spend your year abroad (your third year) equally between Germany and Spain. Some students opt to spend their time equally studying with our partnered Universities in Spain (or a Spanish speaking country) and Germany or Austria. Others have spend their time equally undertaking a paid or unpaid work experience placement in the two countries. Find out what your options are by visiting our Studying Abroad page.

Our Staff

All of the lecturers in the Department of Modern Languages are qualified to PhD level and are research active specialists in their chosen field. We also employ highly qualified and experienced language tutors, and native-speakers, who will ensure that your learning is of the highest possible quality and who will provide you with constant support through your years of study.

Employability is embedded into our teaching across the Department of Modern Languages. The Year Abroad is what makes our graduates stand out from the crowd . On successful completion of the Year Abroad, students return with an increased skill set, stronger language competencies and the ability to adapt to any situation. 

Our graduates have been successful in finding employment after graduation. Our graduates are successful in these fields (amongst others):

• Translation and Interpreting; 
• Broadcasting;
• Education; 
• Marketing; 
• Human Resources; 
• Website Development; 
• International Banking; 
• Civil Service. 

What work experience opportunities exist whilst studying? 

Click here to find out about the various opportunities that our Aberystwyth University Careers team offer.

Enhance your employability prospects with GO Wales and YES (Year in Employment Scheme) managed by our Careers department. 

What will I learn?

The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the four year degree scheme.

In every year you will take a core language module and a range of optional modules. The language modules will cover oral, aural and writing skills. In the first year option modules may cover:

• Introduction to literary studies and civilization;
• European Film;
• Language, Culture  and Identity in Europe.

In your second year you may choose from:

• An independent research project;
• Specialised languages modules (language of business etc.);
• A large choice of content modules on literature, film and art;
• Teaching of English to Speakers of other Languages. 

In your third year, you will study or work abroad, usually sharing the time between a German- speaking and a Spanish-speaking country.

In your final year, you can choose from modules such as:

• Semantics and Lexicography;
• Cultural and Artistic Movements;
• German Literature;
• German Linguistics;
• Actualidades;
• Teaching of English to Speakers of other Languages;
• Independent research project.

How will I be taught?

A variety of teaching formats are used in class. Lectures will introduce you to topics, while in seminars you will be expected to participate in the discussion. 
You will be assessed in a variety of ways in your modules. You will have to give oral presentations, sit listening tests, write reports and undertake increasingly complex translations in language classes, as well as sit oral and written exams. In content modules, you might be asked to write an essay, undertake a research project, give an oral presentation, or sit an exam.