BA Joint Honours English and Spanish (UCAS Code: QR34)
For entrance requirements
E: admissions@qub.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)28 9097 3838
For course information
Dr Eamonn Hughes
School of English
T: +44 (0)28 9097 3320
E: english@qub.ac.uk
W: http://www.qub.ac.uk/english
BA Joint Requirements
For BA Joint Honours the requirements are stated separately under each programme.
For students whose first language is not English
An IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information on other acceptable English Language qualifications is available here
If you are an international student and you do not meet the English Language requirements, you should consider a preparation course at INTO Queen's University Belfast, which will develop the language skills you need to progress. INTO Queen's University Belfast is based on the University campus and offers a range of courses. For a full list click here
Back to topEnglish at Queen's brings together a variety of specialist approaches under a single subject heading. Our literature programmes encourage students to look at a writer's works in the context of the historical period, the cultural background, and the literary genres to which these works belong. They also introduce students to critical theories such as feminism, structuralism and post-structuralism, which are now a significant part of literary studies.
Our language programmes (also available on the Linguistics pathways) encompass the study of language structure and function, including the day-to-day use of the language and the major influences which have shaped it over the last millennium and a half.
Back to topStage 1
There are six English modules in Stage 1, including English Language and Creative Writing. Joint Honours students take three English modules, whilst Single Honours students take six English modules.
Stage 2
In the second year, students choose from modules in:
18th-Century and Romantic Literature
Discovering the Earliest Writings in English
History of English: Studying Language Change
Introduction to American Writing
Introduction to Renaissance Literature
Irish Literature
Late Medieval Literature
Literature and Society 1850-1930
The English Language: Language and Power
The English Language: Patterns of Spoken English
Stage 3
In the third year, students have a choice from a range of specialist modules:
19th-Century Irish Writing
American Fiction 1945-60
Chaucer's London Poetics
Comic Fiction: Fielding to Austen, 1740-1820
Contemporary Indian Literature in English
Contemporary US Crime Fiction
Corpus Linguistics
Critical Fictions
Critical History: Reading the Classics of Literary Criticism
English Syntax
Interacting with the Late Medieval
Irish Fiction in the 20th Century
Language and Narrative Style
Language in the Media
Literature and Science in the 19th Century
Marvels, Monsters and Miracles in Anglo-Saxon England
Poet, Philosopher and Anti-Christ: Friedrich Nietzsche
Premodern Cultures of Performance
Reading Contemporary Irish and British Poetry
Shakespeare on Screen
Shakespearean Genres
Speech Worlds
Televising the Victorians
The Mock Epic in the Long 18th Century
Women's Writing 1660-1820
Dissertation on an English Language topic
Dissertation on an English Literature topic
Click here for more information on modules
Back to topAt Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable students to achieve their full academic potential.
On the English and Spanish degree programme we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:
Assessment: The way in which you are assessed will vary according to the Learning objectives of each module. Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments. Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations. There are also oral examinations which enable students to demonstrate their ability to analyse and present material in Spanish and pursue high-level discussion in the target language. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction.
Feedback (general): As you progress through your course you will receive general and specific feedback about your work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and your peers. As a university student, you will be expected to take a greater role in reflecting on this and taking the initiative in continuously improving the quality of your work. Feedback may be provided to you in a variety of forms including:
Once you have reviewed your feedback, you are encouragedto identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work.
Back to topStudying for an English and Spanish degree at Queen’s will assist you in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions. Graduates from this degree have the proven ability to analyse subjects in depth and develop coherent arguments in written and verbal form, as well as linguistic fluency and experience of living and working abroad, all of which are highly sought after skills in a global job market.
In a context where over half of all graduate jobs are now open to graduates of any discipline, we have found that employers of all kinds wish to employ English and Spanish graduates. Although many of our graduates are interested in pursuing careers in teaching, business, the civil service, translating/interpreting or advertising, significant numbers develop careers in a wide range of other sectors.
The following is a list of the major career sectors (and some starting salaries) that have attracted our graduates in recent years:
? Advertising
? Librarianship
? Voluntary sector/charities £15,000-£18,000
? Public Relations £20,000
? Banking £28 000
? Export Marketing £15 000-£25 000
? Publishing, Media and Performing Arts £16,000-£25,000
? Teaching £21,500
? Fast Stream Civil Service £25,000
? Translation / Interpreting £18,000-£26,000
? Varied graduate programmes (Times Top 100 Graduate Recruiters/AGR, Association of Graduate Recruiters UK)
Employer Links
Consultations
We regularly consult and develop links with a large number of employers including, for example, BBC Northern Ireland who provide sponsorship for the course in Broadcast Literacy (currently offered at postgraduate level but soon to be offered at undergraduate level also). In Spanish, Santander and the British Council provide sponsorship for our year abroad placements.
Graduate Careers and Achievements
Many of our former graduates have risen to the top of their fields and include many famous figures; for example:
English
Spanish
The Prospects websiteprovides further information regarding the types of jobs that attract English and Spanish graduates. Students can also choose from a wide range of Masters programmes as well as a comprehensive list of research topics. For opportunities in English and French, see relevant pages within the Englishand Modern LanguagesSchool websites.
Other Career-related information: Queen’s is a member of the Russell Group and, therefore, one of the 20 universities most-targeted by leading graduate employers. Queen’s students will be advised and guided about career choice and, through the Degree Plusinitiative, will have an opportunity to seek accreditation for skills development and experience gained through the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer. See Queen’s University Belfast fullEmployability Statementfor further information.
Degree Plus and other related initiatives: Recognising student diversity, as well as promoting employability enhancements and other interests, is part of the developmental experience at Queen’s. Students are encouraged to plan and build their own, personal skill and experiential profile through a range of activities including; recognised Queen’s Certificates, placements and other work experiences (at home or overseas), Erasmus study options elsewhere in Europe, learning development opportunities and involvement in wider university life through activities, such as clubs, societies, and sports.
Queen’s actively encourages this type of activity by offering students an additional qualification, the Degree Plus Award (and the related Researcher Plus Award for PhD and MPhil students). Degree Plus accredits wider experiential and skill development gained through extra-curricular activities that promote the enhancement of academic, career management, personal and employability skills in a variety of contexts. As part of the Award, students are also trained on how to reflect on the experience(s) and make the link between academic achievement, extracurricular activities, transferable skills and graduate employment. Participating students will also be trained in how to reflect on their skills and experiences and can gain an understanding of how to articulate the significance of these to others, e.g. employers.
Overall, these initiatives, and Degree Plus in particular, reward the energy, drive, determination and enthusiasm shown by students engaging in activities over-and-above the requirements of their academic studies. These qualities are amongst those valued highly by graduate employers.
Back to topStudy Abroad: all students taking Spanish as part of their Honours degree are required to spend a period of time in a Spanish-speaking country, normally an academic year. This highlights the potential for working abroad after successful completion of their degree. Joint Honours students with another language spend an academic year in the country of their choice followed by a vacation period in the second language country.
Support: students run a lively Spanish Society, and staff offer support through a personal tutoring system, skills development programme, and a structured feedback framework, aimed at helping students integrate into university life.
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