History & Modern Languages (French, German, Portuguese or Spanish) with a year abroad BA at Kings College London

Overview

Study History and Modern Languages in the heart of London.

Within History, choose modules from European medieval history to modern British politics. We encourage you to take a comparative approach to your studies, looking at the connections and contrasts between different eras of history from around the globe.

For the language part of your degree you can choose to study either French, German, Portuguese or Spanish. Our language modules support all levels of language competence and conform to the internationally recognised Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).  You will attain a high level of proficiency in speaking, writing and reading the language of your degree, whilst developing your knowledge and critical understanding of its culture and society. Our cultural curriculum is innovative and diverse, covering a range of modules in literature, culture, film studies and history, from the medieval period to the contemporary.

Students can take this course either with an A-level (or equivalent) in the degree language, or as a beginner, following a specially- designed ab initio language course

History

• One of the best history departments in the world, ranked 9th in the UK by The Guardian University Guide (2016).
• Graduates get top jobs in a wide range of sectors, including law, business, government, heritage, finance and teaching.
• A wider range of periods and places than most history degrees, from medieval Europe to modern India.
• Students are taught in a friendly and supportive environment by expert historians.
• The central London location offers students easy access to world-class museums, collections and libraries.

Modern Languages

• French, German and Spanish have been taught at King’s since 1831 and Portuguese since the 1860s, making us one of the oldest modern languages programmes in the country.
• Our language departments are consistently voted among the best in the UK and offer our graduates excellent career prospects.
• Broad range of specialist modules in French, German, Portuguese and Hispanic Studies, from medieval to contemporary literature as well as politics, history, cultural studies, and film.
• You can study French, German, Spanish or Portuguese language either post A-level (or equivalent) or with no previous knowledge of the language (ab initio).
• Based in the heart of London, King’s location offers access to a variety of galleries, theatres, specialist libraries and resources, including the Goethe-Institut and Austrian Cultural Forum., the Institut Français, Canning House, Camoes Centre for Portuguese Language and Culture, and the Instituto Cervantes, as well as events organised by embassies and other related cultural institutions.
• The Year abroad in a French, German, Portuguese or Spanish-speaking country offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in culture and society and attain language fluency. We have exchanges with several partner universities in Europe, as well as North and South America.
• Personal attention is given to each student, creating an intellectually stimulating and warm environment that is reflected in consistently excellent student satisfaction ratings.

Description

TeachingModules are taught by leading academics through a combination of lectures, small seminars or tutorials, and expert one-to-one supervision. Language classes involve in-depth work with different kinds of media, literary and academic texts. Teaching is in both English and the language studied, according to the subject area. Our teaching style is interactive; you will participate informally in small group discussions, in seminars or online discussion platforms, and formally through seminar presentations and oral assessments.

Career prospects

By encouraging critical reflection on both the past and the present contexts of the French, German, Portuguese or Spanish -speaking worlds, the programme broadens students’ knowledge base and strengthens their interdisciplinary profile, challenging narrow, monocultural assumptions, thus preparing students for the challenges of multicultural and global realities.

Studies of graduate employability repeatedly stress the career value of language degrees, which provide graduates with international experience and enhancing cultural awareness, helping them to develop flexibility, resilience and resourcefulness. Employers value foreign language ability, not just as a specialist skill, but as a personal quality that develops relationship-building, teamwork, and the capacity to move easily in international contexts. Typical destinations of KCL Modern Languages graduates include international business, the press and media, IT and technology, marketing and public relations, public administration, international development, law, finance, teaching and lecturing, interpreting, translating and others.