Modern Languages and Cultures (MA) (2024 Entry)
Explore our Modern Languages and Cultures taught Master's degree.
The MA Modern Languages and Cultures has been expertly designed to develop your research skills and interests, while also enhancing your professional skills. Study at the University of Warwick's School of Modern Languages and Cultures and deepen your understanding of core debates and concerns in Hispanic Studies, French and Francophone studies, German studies or Italian studies.
Course overview
Are you keen to specialise in the academic study of your chosen language and culture, and do you want to enhance your professional development and communication skills? Do you have the motivation to develop an individual research path, leading potentially to PhD study?
This course combines taught professionally-oriented modules with research-orientated modules in the culture of your chosen Modern Language, offering an advanced preparation for doctoral research. You will work with the support of internationally leading researchers, drawing on expertise in critical debates in the study of Modern languages and their corresponding cultures, research skills, professional and communication skills, public engagement and key research themes.
You will benefit from an introduction to critical theories and perspectives across a variety of intellectual traditions, as well as develop your own research specialism in your chosen language and culture.
Skills from this degree
- Advanced research and information synthesis skills
- Advanced report-writing and written communication skills
- Oral communication skills
- IT skills
- Public engagement skills
General entry requirements
Minimum requirements
2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a related subject.
Language competence
You will need to indicate your level of competence in your chosen language and culture (UG degree level or equivalent to C1 in the CEFR); if formal evidence cannot be provided, you will be assessed individually by the School.
If your first language is not English, or if you have not been taught entirely in English (equivalent to a UK qualification), you will need to provide formal evidence of the following English language requirements.
English language requirements
You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:
- Band B
- IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.
International qualifications
We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.
For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.
Additional requirements
In all cases, we require one academic reference confirming your Undergraduate performance and your suitability for this course.
Deadline
The deadline for applications for our taught postgraduate courses is the 15 July immediately preceding the commencement of study; however, we advise you to make contact much earlier in the year preceding your year of study, ideally by January, in particular if you wish to access any scholarship opportunities.
Core modules
Critical Debates in the Study of Modern Languages and Cultures
This module will introduce you to crucial and often complex questions in the study of Modern Languages and the cultures to which they relate. You will gain a broad theoretical understanding and methodological framework for the detailed study of further texts and/or visual media, so that you can approach critical issues of cultural production, interpretation and the construction of meaning in texts, films and other media. You will also become familiar with relevant vocabulary and methodologies for advanced cultural analysis.
Professional Development and Communication Skills
In this module, you will build on your pre-existing skills in Modern Languages to enhance your professional development as well as your written communication skills in one of the following four languages: French, German, Italian or Spanish. Structured around seminars for the whole cohort and small-group tutorials with a specialist language tutor, you will be encouraged to reflect on cultural and stylistic differences in different professional genres.
Research Skills in Modern Languages
This module helps you develop key research skills that will assist you in your work on your other MA modules, including the use of electronic resources, writing a literature review, creating a bibliography, choosing and writing a dissertation and giving an oral presentation.
These research techniques and the ability to apply a chosen stylesheet consistently and accurately in order to present a piece of work to high standards are also transferable professionalising skills that are valued in a variety of jobs. These skills will also stand you in good stead if you wish to continue to doctoral research after your MA.
Guided Research Project
The Guided Research Project will enable you to pursue individual research pathways with the guidance of a tutor or tutors before undertaking your dissertation. Tailor your own bespoke programme of study in consultation with one of our expert tutors.
Dissertation in Modern Languages and Cultures
Through a combination of independent research and targeted supervisory support and feedback sessions, the final dissertation (15,000 words) will help you produce a coherent and logically argued piece of writing that demonstrates knowledge of and critical ability in a chosen area, commensurate with the accomplishment of an MA degree.
Translation across Cultures: Concepts and Theories
The module seeks to familiarise students with key theoretical concepts in contemporary Translation and Transcultural Studies, explored through case studies across a range of text types in translation; it also provides an overview of the development of Translation Studies as a discipline. Students will be given the opportunity to explore how translation theory relates to translation practice and to the study of translation across a range of text types, as well as reflecting on their own positionality as researchers and practitioners in Translation Studies.
Optional modules
Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:
- Public Engagement
- You can also choose other 15-CAT PGT modules offered in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures (find out more about the modulesLink opens in a new window).
- You can also choose any other 15-CAT PGT module from the Faculty of Arts or wider University, subject to approval by the Director of Graduate Studies.
Teaching
This is a taught MA with a significant research component in the form of a compulsory Dissertation.
Researchers across the four languages (French, German, Italian, and Spanish) collaborate to teach the core modules.
We encourage interdisciplinary teaching or supervision within and outside Modern Languages through optional taught modules, guided research project, and your dissertation.
Class sizes
Seminar teaching is typically in groups of between 1 and 10 students, though groups may be larger in Research Skills, a module shared with other MA programmes within the School.
Individual supervision is provided for the dissertation.
Typical contact hours
The course will involve 35 hours of work per week, typically comprising 3 hours of seminar teaching, 1-2 hour of lectures, 1 hour of tutoring and 30 hours of independent study over Terms One and Two.
In Term Three, which is focused on the Dissertation, you will work closely with your supervisor through one-to-one supervision meetings.
All our PG students can do an additional language for free at the Language CentreLink opens in a new window, subject to availability.
Assessment
Modules are assessed by written and oral assignments, consisting of essays and a presentation for the Critical Debates in the Study of Modern Languages and Cultures module; a portfolio of tasks (comprising book reviews, academic or professional CVs, abstracts for conference papers, among others) for the for Professional Development and Communication Skills module; a literature review and an annotated bibliography for Research Skills; an essay for the Guided Research Project. Students will also submit an approximately 15,000-word final Dissertation.
Your timetable
Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.
Your career
Graduates from these courses are well-equipped to pursue roles such as: PhD students, translators (both freelance and in-house), intercultural communicators, professionals in the publishing industry, marketing associates, language teachers, officials in international businesses or organisations, and civil servant, among others.
Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:
- Careers in the Public Sector
- Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
- Completing effective CVs and Application Forms for students from the School of Modern Languages
- Languages Alumni Evening
Modern Languages and Cultures at Warwick
The School of Modern Languages and Cultures is a close-knit community with an excellent reputation for innovative teaching and world-leading research. The School comprises five major sections – French, German, Italian, Hispanic Studies (all broadly conceived) and Translation and Transcultural Studies – and a Language Centre offering linguistic training in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
Get to know us a bit better by exploring our department websiteLink opens in a new window
Our Postgraduate Taught courses
Our Postgraduate Research courses
Tuition fees
Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.
Fee Status Guidance
The University carries out an initial fee status assessment based on information provided in the application and according to the guidance published by UKCISA. Students are classified as either Home or Overseas Fee status and this can determine the tuition fee and eligibility of certain scholarships and financial support.
If you receive an offer, your fee status will be stated with the tuition fee information. If you believe your fee status has been incorrectly classified you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire (follow the instructions in your offer) and provide the required documentation for this to be reassessed.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides guidance to UK universities on fees status criteria, you can find the latest guidance on the impact of Brexit on fees and student support on the UKCISA website.
Additional course costs
Please contact your academic department for information about department specific costs, which should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below, such as:
- Core text books
- Printer credits
- Dissertation binding
- Robe hire for your degree ceremony
Scholarships and bursaries
Scholarships and financial support
Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.
Living costs
Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.
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How to apply
The application process for courses that start in September and October 2024 will open on 2 October 2023.
Applications will close on 2 August 2024 for students who require a visa to study in the UK, to allow time to receive a CAS and complete the visa application process.
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