Commencing in September 2014, the BA (World Languages) is a four-year specialist language programme, which includes study abroad and, in most of the languages offered, Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) to complement more traditional teaching. This programme delivered by UCC, where Modern Languages were ranked in the top 100 institutes worldwide (QS World University Rankings by Subject (2013), offers the possibility to study a wide and attractive range of languages: some are offered as Major Subjects, while the number of credits offered in other, complementary languages is limited. While the focus of the programme is on living European and World languages, Latin is also offered for its value as an academic discipline and as the root of several of the other languages available. Most of the languages offered can be taken without having been studied previously, but students of French or Irish must have taken them to Honours level in the Leaving Certificate or equivalent and, in any case, all students must have demonstrated competence in a language other than English. The Third Year of the programme is a structured Year Abroad, involving study at a partner institution or a combination of study at a partner institution and a work placement: students are encouraged to take the initiative in organizing work placements themselves, this being a valuable learning experience in itself, but this will be facilitated by the Board of Studies in collaboration with UCC’s Careers Service.
