Course overview
This course offers you the opportunity to take up Spanish from scratch and combine it with advanced study in German language alongside modules in areas like literature, history, linguistics, film and politics. An intensive beginners' course in Spanish will enable you to capitalise on your proven language-learning ability and develop Spanish to degree level. In German you will undertake language study at the appropriate post-A level standard. We offer a wide choice of modules in literature, linguistics, history, politics, and media, so that you will be able to tailor the course to match your interests.
You will graduate with a broad knowledge of German- and Spanish-speaking cultures and a high level of expertise in both languages. Your international experience will prove to employers that you are independent, resourceful and able to cope in challenging situations.
Year one
In German, the first year core language course develops the four skills of reading, listening, speaking and writing. In addition, you will take modules in literature, history, politics and society, and may opt for modules in linguistics. In Spanish, you will begin a structured course in the language to take you from beginners' to degree level and also are introduced to aspects of Spanish and Spanish American culture, art and history.
Year two
In German and Spanish your language skills will be consolidated to prepare you for the year abroad. You will take modules in literature, history, politics and society from a wide choice of modules in German, Spanish and Spanish American Studies. As part of the German course, linguistics is normally available.
Year three
Spent abroad, you will divide your time between a German speaking country and Spain or Spanish America with the opportunity to study, work or teach as an assistant in a school.
Year four
You will develop your command of both languages and their use in increasingly sophisticated contexts, and study optional modules drawn from the areas of literature, history, politics, society, media and linguistics. In both subjects you may also choose to write a dissertation.
More information
See also the
Department of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies.
Entry requirements
A levels: ABB, including B in German at A level
English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 (no less than 6.0 in any element)
TOEFL iBT 100 (no less that 20 in speaking and 19 in each other element)
Alternative qualifications
For details please see the alternative qualifications page
Flexible admissions policy
We may make some applicants an offer lower than advertised, depending on their personal and educational circumstances.
Modules
The modules we offer are inspired by the research interests of our staff and as a result, may change from year to year. The following list is therefore subject to change but should give you a flavour of the modules we offer.
Typical year-one modules
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Beginners' Spanish Language
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Introduction to Literature in Spanish
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German Language I
Typical year-two modules
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German Language 2
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Lengua Española I (Year 2)
Typical year-three modules
Year spent abroad.
Please see the Department of German Studies Year Abroad page and the Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies Year Abroad page.
Typical year-four modules
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Lengua Española III
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German Essay and Oral
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Translation from German
Typical optional modules
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The New German Cinema
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Hispanic Visual Culture
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Reading German History: Nation and Society
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Metropolis and Empire: Spain, Portugal and the Americas 1492 to Independence
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Linguistics I : The sounds of German
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Renaissance & Baroque Culture in the Golden Age 1
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Exotic Spain
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The Life and Demise of the GDR
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Literature and Film under Franco
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Reading Women's Writing
Careers
You will have a broad knowledge of German and Spanish-speaking cultures and a high level of expertise in both languages. Your international experience will prove to employers that you are independent, resourceful and able to cope in challenging situations.
Average starting salary
The average starting salary for 2010/11 full-time graduates of the Department of German Studies was £22,454 and for graduates of the Department of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies it was £16,622*
*Average starting salary from known destinations of first-degree leavers who studied full-time, 2010/11
Careers Support and Advice
Studying for a degree at The University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take. Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.
Have a look at our Careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students.
KIS
Key Information Sets (KIS)
KIS is an initiative that the government has introduced to allow you to compare different courses and universities.
Assessment
This course contains a period of study abroad. Students normally spend a semester in each country and are assessed in the following:
German: students' language skills and cultural understanding, developed during their year abroad, are assessed by a presentation.
The assessment forms part of the final year language module R23201 or R23202 (essay and oral, worth 10 credits) and contributes 20% to the overall module mark.
Spanish/Portuguese: the assessment consists of a grammar and translation exercise, completed in class during week one under exam conditions, and a written report on a topic related to the year abroad. This is submitted in week two.
The grammar and translation exercise tests knowledge on all grammatical structures studied in years one and two. The report should be 500 words, word processed and about a relevant cultural, social, political or religious aspect of the country where the year was spent. The average of both pieces gives 10% of the final mark for each final year language module.