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Do you consider yourself to be a European and global citizen? If the answer is yes, our Joint Honours degree in Italian and German is the course for you. Grasp this opportunity to gain an in-depth knowledge of the language and culture of two pillars of the European continent, each with its own unique characteristics. By studying for this degree, you will develop competence across the full range of linguistic skills in Italian and German. You will also explore the society and culture of Italy and Germany through our broad range of options.
During your third year, you will embark on the biggest adventure of your life so far. You will live abroad and will be able to take advantage of a wealth of opportunities to hone your linguistic skills as you immerse yourself in the language and cultural richness of the Italian and German communities of your chosen destinations, and make new friends while you're at it.
By the end of the course, you will have a portfolio of transferable skills that are highly valued by employers, and there will be a broad range of careers open to you at home and abroad.
Student Satisfaction and Employability Results
100% of students from the Department of Modern Languages agree that staff are good at explaining things (NSS 2020).
95% of our graduates were in work or further study within 6 months, 4% more than Language graduates nationally (HESA 2018*)
Overview
Why study Italian and German at Aberystwyth University?
Aberystwyth is a small town with a big heart and a cosmoplitan outlook. As a vibrant and friendly University, we attract students from all corners of the world, and the intimate atmosphere makes it a great place to get to know people.
You will easily find people with whom to practise your Italian and German and you might want to take advantage of Aberystwyth University's Language Exchange Platform for tandem learning. Learners work together with a partner from another country or with one who speaks the language they wish to learn in an informal setting.
We're a small, friendly department and we get to know our students well. Our lecturers are always on hand if you need to discuss anything.
All students in our department thrive in our multilingual environment. We teach most of our modules and classes through the target language, many of our teaching staff are native speakers and all are experts in their respective languages.
From the outset, you will receive a minimum of 4 hours of language tuition per week in each of the target languages, plus modules on Italian and German culture taught in the target language. All our classes are designed to provide you with the solid foundation to enable you to become fluent in Italian and German and to gain a deep knowledge of German and Italian culture.
This degree is available to students who wish to study Italian from complete Beginners level together with German post-A level. For the Italian half of the course you will receive intensive language classes to bring you up to post-A level standard in your second year.
In addition to specific classes in speaking, listening, translation and grammar, all students are offered core and optional modules that explore literature, culture, language, politics and business.
The highlight of this degree for all of our students is the year abroad. As you will study two languages, you will be required to spend your year abroad (your third year) split equally between Italy (or an Italian-speaking country) and Germany (or a German-speaking country). There are a number of options for your year abroad, including studying as part of the Erasmus programme or undertaking a work placement . 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.
Modules
Please note: The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery during the next academic year and may be subject to change. They are included here to give an indication of how the course is structured.
* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh
Employability
Career Prospects
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. Students return from their year abroad with a wider skill set, stronger language competencies and the ability to adapt to any situation.
Language skills are in great demand and they open up opportunities across a wide range of careers.
In the Complete University Guide for 2021 (released 9 June 2020) German at Aberystwyth University was ranked 1st out of 37 departments for Graduate prospects.
Here are some of the fields where our graduates have been successful in finding employment:
Translation and Interpreting
Broadcasting
Education
Marketing
Human Resources
Website Development
International Banking
Civil Service
Learning & Teaching
What will I learn?
The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during this four year degree scheme.
In each year you will take a core language module where you will develop your skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening and translating, and a number of optional modules.
In the first year, optional modules may cover:
Introduction to European Film
Language, Culture and Identity in Europe
Exploring German Cultural Identity
In your second year you may choose from:
Extended Essay Module
The Language of German Drama
Rethinking Late 20th Century Italy
Italian Cities
Modern Italy
Short Prose in German
German-speaking Refugees from National Socialism in the UK
In your third year, you will study or work abroad, sharing the time equally between an Italian-speaking and a German-speaking country.
In your final year, you can choose from modules that include:
Dissertation Module
Extended Essay Module
Italian Cities
Rethinking Late 20th Century Italy
The Language of Current Affairs
Contemporary German Politics
Autobiography and Life Writing in German
German-speaking Refugees from National Socialism in the UK
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
discussions.
You will learn through a combination of small-group classes, lectures and a small number of seminars in Year 1, and increasingly seminar-based teaching in later years. Throughout, you will be encouraged to undertake independent reading both to supplement and to consolidate taught learning and to broaden your individual knowledge and understanding of the subject.
You will receive additional support through both assisted and self-access facilities for language learning in the Language Resource Centre.
How will I be assessed?
You will be assesed through oral presentations, listening tests, written reports and increasingly complex translations in language classes, as well as through 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.
