Spanish, Minor Field - 2012 entry
BA (Hons)
/
BSc (Hons)
- combined (see 'Combine with...' tab for available combinations)
Typical A-level offer: BBC, or equivalent
Overview
This course is run by the Department of English and Modern Languages
This course enables you to further your knowledge of the Spanish language from GCSE/AS (intermediate) or post A-level (advanced) while exploring a variety of topics related to the literature, cinema, society, and the business and political culture of contemporary Spain and Latin America. Graduates with a good knowledge of languages are increasingly valued by employers and have a higher than average employment rate.
Spanish (Minor) counts for 25% as part of a combined undergraduate degree at Oxford Brookes. It must therefore be combined with a major subject (75%). Your major field of study can be chosen from a wide variety of subjects, including other language courses: French Studies and Japanese Studies. See the Combine with... tab above for the full list of possible combinations.
As part of your degree you will go abroad to Spain or Latin America in either your second or third year, depending on your Spanish entry level.
Why Brookes?
- Excellent teaching - the Department of Modern Languages at Oxford Brookes prides itself on the quality of its teaching and research.
- Staff creatively combine their research interests with their teaching, giving students exciting insights into developments in Spanish and Latin American studies.
- Exciting opportunities - you'll have the opportunity to spend a year in Spain or Latin America to gain experience of the culture and improve your fluency in the Spanish language.
- Invaluable support - the department encourages and supports its students’ cultural activities and all the languages we offer have thriving societies.
Teaching, learning and assessment
Language classes are taught in Spanish while content modules are mostly taught in English. Seminars enable you to acquire vocabulary and structures of the language linked to themes which are central to the study of the culture and society of the country. They also cover the production of written language through writing summaries, articles, reports, etc. Multimedia language laboratory sessions will help you develop your listening, comprehension and oral skills.
Learning a language enables you to improve your linguistic and interpersonal skills. The emphasis on student-centred learning means that you will take an active part, often working in a team with other students, practising the language in informal and semi-formal situations. Language is usually studied in parallel groups for three hours a week, encouraging student participation and the development of both speaking and writing skills.
Assessment methods vary. For some modules continuous assessment may take the form of in-class written and oral tests.
Learning outcomes
When you have successfully completed the course, you will have:
- language skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking to a level commensurate with your starting point in the course and relating to one of the levels of the Common European Framework
- an understanding of the culture of the countries in which Spanish is spoken
- highly developed analytical, teamworking, communication, time management and oral skills for employment.
In detail
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Course content
Those of you who are predicted to achieve Spanish A-level grade C or above, or who have the linguistic equivalent, will start Year 1 at advanced level.
You can start at intermediate level if you have already taken Spanish at GCSE-level with grade B, or at AS-level, or have grade D at A-level.
If you have achieved Spanish A-level, you will spend the second year in Spain, or in Latin America.
If you start from GCSE/AS-level Spanish, you will spend the third year in Spain, or in Latin America.
In Years 3 and 4 (A-level Spanish entry) or Years 2 and 4 (GCSE/AS-level Spanish entry) you will continue to learn practical skills in understanding, speaking, reading and writing in contexts applicable to both professional and social life. You will also acquire knowledge of Spain and Latin America and their cultures, and develop a number of transferable skills including oral and written communication, managing your own learning and working with others.
Your other subject will be your major field of study.
Spanish language modules are taught throughout the course. As courses are reviewed regularly, the module list you choose from may vary from that shown here. You can read detailed descriptions of some of the modules here.
Year 1
- Spanish 3 and 4 (spoken and written language skills)
- Contemporary Culture of the Spanish-speaking World (taught in Spanish)
- Key Issues in Film Studies I
- Foundations of Business
Years 2 to 4
- The Business Environment in Europe
- Methodology of Foreign Language Teaching
- Spanish Core Language
- Independent Study in Spanish Studies
- Spanish 5 and 6
- Language Studies in Spain or Latin America
Study abroad
The Spanish (Minor) course includes a year abroad and is therefore four years long. You will have the option to study at one of our partner universities in Spain (Alicante, Grenada, Madrid, Pamplona, Salamanca, Valencia and Zaragoza), or you could apply to become an English language assistant in a Spanish-speaking country under the British Council scheme. Alternatively, you could be considered for a work placement which is normally taken in Spain.
The Erasmus programme provides funding from the European Commission and is specifically designed for students for going abroad within the EU. Tuition fees are normally waived as part of the Erasmus agreement.
If you prefer to go to Latin America, we also have links with universities in Argentina, Mexico and Uruguay where you can experience a different type of culture.
Free language courses for students - the Open Module
Free language courses are available to all full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students who are studying any course on our Headington (including Marston Road), Harcourt Hill or Wheatley Campuses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.
Key facts
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Department
Department of English and Modern Languages
Course length
Full-time: 4 years
Part-time: up to 8 years
Teaching location
Headington Campus, Gipsy Lane
Start date
September 2012
Combine with...
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This course can be combined with one of the following subjects:
Business Management
N2R4 Mod/SXDP
Drama
W4R4 Mod/SXDW
Education Studies
X3RL Mod/SXWD
English
Q3RL Mod/SXEA
English Language and Communication
Q9R4 BA/SXLD
Film Studies
P3R4 Mod/SXFM
Fine Art
W1R4 Mod/SXFX
French Studies
R1R4 Mod/SXFC
History
V1R4 Mod/SXHI
History of Art
V3R4 Mod/SXHA
International Relations
L2RK Mod/SXRL
Japanese Studies
T2RK Mod/SXJB
Music
W3R4 Mod/SXMS
Publishing Media
P4RK Mod/SXPJ
Fees / funding
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Tuition fees
UK/EU students
Full-time: £9,000
Part-time: £750 per module. You can take up to five modules per academic year.
International students
Full-time: £11,000
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
+44 (0)1865 483088
finance-fees@brookes.ac.uk
Funding and scholarships
For general sources of financial support, see:
Apply / Entry reqs
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Typical offers
A-level: BBC, or equivalent
IB Diploma: 31 points
Advanced Diploma: grade B, including A-level at grade B
2 AS-levels will be recognised in place of a maximum of 1 A-level.
Specific entry requirements
A-level: Advanced-level entry: Spanish A-level grade B or equivalent
GCSE: Intermediate-level entry: Spanish GCSE grade B / AS-level or equivalent
If you wish to pair Spanish (Minor Field) with Japanese Studies or French Studies, you must have an A-level in one of your chosen languages.
Please also see the university's general entry requirements.
English language requirements
Please see the university's standard English language requirements.
English language requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Border Agency's minimum language requirements as well as the university's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Full-time students should apply for this course through UCAS.
Part-time students should apply directly to the university.
Conditions of acceptance
When you accept our offer you agree to the conditions of acceptance. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Credit transfer
Oxford Brookes operates the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). All undergraduate single modules are equivalent to 7.5 ECTS credits and double modules to 15 ECTS credits. More about ECTS credits.
Student experience
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Why Oxford is a great place to study Spanish, Minor Field
Oxford is the perfect city in which to study: truly multi-cultural and rich in heritage and entertainment, yet small enough to feel welcoming and accessible and just over one hour from London. The city’s two universities attract 40,000 students from around the world, making Oxford a meeting place of minds, a place where ideas begin.
General support services
Supporting your learning
From academic advisers and support co-ordinators to specialist subject librarians and other learning support staff, we want to ensure that you get the best out of your studies.
Personal support services
We want your time at Brookes to be as enjoyable and successful as possible. That's why we provide all the facilities you need to be relaxed, happy and healthy throughout your studies.
Accommodation
At Brookes we understand that when you live away from home it's important to be somewhere that you feel comfortable and safe.
After graduation
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Career prospects
A qualification in another language will be a significant addition to your CV and enhance your employability in an increasingly international market. Employers value graduates with language skills, and also their more general communication skills and their knowledge and understanding of other cultures.
Previous graduates in Spanish gained employment in a wide variety of areas such as the media, public and international relations, cultural institutions and business corporations. Popular employment sectors also include hotel and restaurant management, tourism and international law. Spanish is also an excellent basis for postgraduate study and the teaching profession.
Students of Spanish will learn to assimilate and analyse information, work in teams, make presentations, undertake independent research and above all communicate with clarity, all skills highly valued by employers. Linguists are renowned for their broad academic education, their flexible and creative approach to problem solving and their ability to adapt to new situations.
