World Languages (BA (Hons)) at University College Cork

The BA World Languages is a four-year specialist language programme, including a year of study abroad and, in most of the languages offered, Computer-Assisted Language Learning to complement traditional teaching.

It aims to produce graduates with sought-after language skills, as well as an understanding of language as a system and of the cultures of the languages studied. While the focus of the programme is on living European and world languages, Latin is also offered for its value as an academic discipline and as the root of several of the other languages available.

Most of the languages offered (except French or Irish) can be taken without having been studied previously, but all students must have demonstrated competence in a language other than English.

Year 3 of the programme is a structured year abroad, involving study at a partner institution or a combination of study at a partner institution and a work placement. 

In Years 1, 2 and 4 you will take courses in a range of languages, together with dedicated content (eg language structures, translation theory/practice, digital skills, teaching English as a foreign language).

Government and private bodies worldwide (IBEC, PayPal, Google, British Academy) testify to shortages of graduates with language skills. In Ireland, Forfás has repeatedly reported, most recently in the report on Key Skills for Enterprise to Trade Internationally (2012), on the need to extend the range and number of language graduates.

The programme’s flexibility and the possibility of studying multiple languages will enable graduates to meet these needs. The range of languages offered in UCC (including seven of the 10 languages identified by the British Council as most important for Britain’s future) is unique in Ireland.

The inclusion of English as a Second Language alongside other world languages will also appeal to international applicants; non-EU students will now be able to benefit from ERASMUS funding for study abroad.

Students of this programme will be eligible for the Mary Ryan Language Scholarships, awarded by the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences to highly qualified students who choose to study two languages. The naming of the Scholarships after the first woman professor in Ireland and Britain, appointed to the Chair of Romance Languages in 1910, marks UCC’s commitment to and long tradition of excellence in languages.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

Study and/or placement abroad are an integral part of this degree programme. You will spend Year 3 in either one or two of the countries of the languages studied. The UCC Schools involved have well-established links with leading universities across the globe, where students will spend all or part of Year 3.

UCC’s outstanding International Education Office and Careers Service provide unbeatable support for students while studying or on work placements.

Students are encouraged to take the initiative in organising work placements but this will be facilitated by the Board of Studies. All work placements must be approved by the Board of Studies.

You can also avail of UCC's new Arts work-placement module in Year 2 of this degree. 

Skills and Careers Information

Graduates can expect to find employment in a wide range of areas in both the public and private sectors, including:

• teaching
• the financial sector
• international trade
• retail management

Employers of UCC language graduates include:

• the EU
• the European Central Bank
• Bord Bía
• Enterprise Ireland
• Google
• Emc2
• Bank of Ireland
• Allied Irish Bank
• Musgraves
• Lidl
• Apple

Various postgraduate opportunities exist within the schools delivering the programme.