Modern European Languages and History with Year Abroad Durham University

Overview

Typically, as a student of Modern European Languages and History with Year Abroad BA course offered by Durham University you will receive an average of approximately 8 hours of timetabled teaching per week during the three years that the course is delivered in Durham.

Key facts

The amount of contact time that you receive will vary depending on the number and type of modules that you choose to study in the Department of History and the School of Modern Languages and Cultures. Teaching will include a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and language classes. Lectures introduce broad historical questions and offer contextualisation and critical commentary; seminars provide an opportunity for you to develop your critical skills through discussion; language classes include grammar, oral and audio-visual components and a variety of techniques to develop your language skills.

The Year Abroad is a key element in the progressive, developmental education that the degree seeks to provide, as it accelerates your acquisition of language skills and expands your intercultural competence. The amount of time spent on academic study during the Year Abroad will vary according to whether you choose to do work or study placements. You will, however, work independently during your time abroad to prepare for your final-year dissertation and the summative Year Abroad assignment submitted at the beginning of the final year.

In the final year, more of your time will be spent conducting independent research. The compulsory dissertation requires you to undertake an independent research project by establishing your own research agenda and exploring extended reading lists. This gives you the opportunity to engage, at an advanced level, with creative cutting-edge research at the forefront of your research topic. Your project will be supported by one-to-one meetings with your supervisor.

In addition to regular support and feedback from module teachers and conveners, your learning will be supported at the individual level by a personal academic adviser, who will meet with you three times a year to discuss your overall progress. This support network continues during the Year Abroad, when every student is supported by a dedicated member of staff. In addition, you will be encouraged to attend the extensive programmes of research-related activities in the Department of History and the School of Modern Languages and Cultures, including research seminars, public lectures from high-profile guest speakers, and other academic events organised by the student-run societies.