Why Study Modern Languages?
Skills in Modern Languages have never been more important as the world becomes increasingly more connected. In addition, as the United Kingdom establishes new ways of working with partners abroad, multilingual communication is increasingly central to both commerce and culture. At Bangor, you will be able to develop an understanding of other cultures and hone your skills in a range of languages which will enable you to communicate with the speakers of other languages across the globe. Intercultural knowledge and multilingual skills are highly valued by employers and will give you a competitive edge in the international marketplace.
As well as enhancing your employment prospects, by studying languages at Bangor, you will become part of a supportive learning community in which students soon feel very much at home. We offer learning in small classes, where you get to know the staff and your fellow students in a friendly environment. You will have support through your studies from an experienced group of dedicated staff and expert advice in relation to the year abroad. There are also plenty of opportunities to develop your language skills beyond the classroom by getting involved in our student society, LangSoc, taking part in our Language Buddy scheme or volunteering as a Language Ambassador at one of our partner local schools.
The atmosphere in Bangor is friendly, inclusive and calm. Obviously, there are deadlines and assignments and exams, but the environment with which you are surrounded makes that all manageable.
What our students say
Our students get plenty of opportunities to engage with their chosen languages here at Bangor University. From studying abroad to immersing themselves in class here is what some of our students have to say about their experiences.
Elearnor Harris - My Year Abroad
Languages student Eleanor talks about moving to Spain for a year as part of her Spanish degree. Eleanor is working in a primary school and has immersed herself in the Spanish culture!
Sophie Helliwell - My student experience
"Both the Law and Modern Language schools are fantastic, the lecturers and teachers are all very engaging with great communication and feedback, you can go to them for absolutely anything."
Got any questions? Chat to students and staff
Do you have a question about life as a Bangor University student? Our ambassadors will be happy to help you find the answer.
They can tell you more about studying here, about the amazing Clubs and Societies we have, and how they made friends and settled in to life at university as a Modern Languages student.
If you have any questions about the course, our lecturers are on hand to help. Below are some examples of frequently asked questions. Can you think of any more?
- What are the qualities of a successful Modern Languages student at Bangor?
- How can I prepare myself to study Modern Languages at Bangor?
- How will I know that Modern Languages at Bangor is the right choice for me?
What our graduates say
We have graduates working all over the world in various roles. Here is Olivia and Charlotte talking about their time at Bangor University and how studying Modern Languages has helped them in their career.
Charlotte Fairclough
Sarah Worth
Undertaking a modern languages degree gave me the skills to be able to learn other languages. The year I spent abroad provided valuable experience and insight into teaching and delivering training to others has been a key part of my career since graduating. I loved my time at Bangor University. I studied (and played) hard, made some lifelong friends, and fell in love with the area.
Jamie McAllister
I thoroughly enjoyed studying at Bangor, much more than I could have imagined, and I look back at that time with such fond memories. I loved all my modules, and my lecturers were all so engaging. I made many good friends there and embraced the social life as well, of course. It opened my eyes to different cultures and perspectives and helped shape me into the person I am today.
Charlotte Watson
I changed my mind about going to Bangor after an open day, as I had originally planned to attend a different university. It was clear I was going to be better supported in my studies and well-being. Bangor also offered far nicer accommodation to most universities, which I felt was important as it would be the first time living away from home. Bangor’s offering to take up a new language in the first year and then be integrated into classes with others who’d studied to A-level in the second year was a real opportunity to broaden my horizons.
Charlotte Fairclough
My time at Bangor University was the most enjoyable of my life! I felt so at home studying the languages that I loved in a beautiful part of the UK. I met friends for life, honed my language skills and gained valuable real-life working experience which has led me to my dream job. I choose to study at Bangor University because the department was extremely welcoming. I remember attending the Open Day with my parents and feeling that each staff member would know who I was if I studied here.
Your Careers Starts Here
0:00 [Music]
0:06 I think this is the absolutely perfect opportunity for our students to
0:10 start and to build their confidence, to develop techniques for liaising or
0:18 or for speaking with employers and it's in a safe environment because it's actually on
0:22 campus. Something for everybody. Be brave make sure that you actually talk to some employers
0:29 and if you ever go to an event like this before make sure that you find out who's going to be
0:34 here and do a little bit of homework so that you can use your time really wisely.
0:39 [Music]
0:42 We were lucky enough to have fairs of this nature but I think I personally went from
0:47 University to the Anglesey council at first just as an administrative role and I would never have got
0:53 that without my degree so it's just a combination of everything. We're looking for graduates who are
0:59 graduating in the summer and there may be openings then to become trainees with us.
1:04 [Music]
1:06 We provide workshop for students ahead of career fairs so that they can get the most out of the
1:12 fair, we try and help them with their networking skills and feeling confident about approaching
1:18 potential employers and what kind of questions that they should be asking. They're very well
1:23 aware that at the end of their academic careers with us that they're going to be competing in a
1:29 labour market with thousands of other students so we want to focus on producing confidence, aspiring
1:35 and resilient students that can effectively compete in the labour market. I think we've
1:39 got a very good mix of employers across many different disciplines that would appeal to a range
1:46 of students that we have within the college and the feedback that we're getting is very positive
1:51 [Music]
1:54 Ask as many questions and actually it's okay to have a different Viewpoint of stuff
1:58 that's what we're trying to promote be curious and find out a different solution
2:02 to problems. I think Bangor University is a place close to my heart I'm an ex-student
2:06 here having graduated 26 years ago, I'm thrilled to be able to come and talk
2:11 to people like myself who 26 years ago needed that help and guidance.
2:16 [Music]
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0:07 It's really nice after covid to come back and be in one place and meet potential employers face to face and really
0:14 see what's out there. It's hard to ignore all the opportunities that are ahead of me when they're
0:20 literally in the room in front of you and it's so nice to be out and about networking and meeting
0:25 people who have never done it before. Know what you want coming in filter out what you don't want
0:30 look for what you do want. Come prepared and ready to sort of present yourself as an opportunity
0:36 rather than just being given an opportunity, you know have confidence in yourself too. See yourself
0:41 as an asset and sell yourself to these potential employers.
0:48 So at this point, this event is really really crucial for me because I'm in my final year now so I am already looking for a
0:54 graduate job and obviously I've spoken to so many employers to generate leads so when I graduate and
0:59 I've got a pipeline where I'm going to go and I've got a job planned already.
1:04 So my best advice for future students would be to would be literally just get involved take part especially
1:10 in Bangor University. Bangor University has so much to offer, this is going to help
1:14 you build not your academic skills but your interpersonal skills which are really really
1:18 crucial in this competitive job market these days you don't only need academic skill you need
1:23 interpersonal skills as well these activities are a really important part of your studies.
1:28 [Music]
1:32 It's really done well and I would like students to come in and you know like see this fair this festival
1:38 especially I would like to like request all the advice all the you know International
1:43 students to come and see that yes there are more like opportunities than you think there is.
1: 49 [Music]
1:51 So we've been developing like CV work right now so I've had a look at my CV and what sort of things I want to do
1:56 so that's really helped me for future career advice and things like that. It helps students explore different places they can go
2:02 ask questions that tutors or professors may not be able to ask. Come prepared
2:07 that's a massive thing do your research and even if it's just a five minute search into the
2:11 business do it. Don't be worried about asking silly questions because ask any question that you want
2:16 to ask they'll answer anything. Know what you're looking for it's a massive help if you go in there
2:20 with you don't really know what you're going to do your anxiety about this sort of thing
2:24 will go up massively know what you're going to do and you're going to be perfectly fine.
2:27 [Music]
Student Support
Where is Bangor?
Our Research in Modern Languages
Our international research profile in modern languages is derived from the dynamic work of academic and research staff, who have built major individual and collaborative projects in the histories, cultures and politics of the Francophone, Hispanic, German and Italian-speaking worlds, with a growing specialism in Translation Studies and Chinese Studies.
Particular research strengths lie in postcolonial approaches to Francophone and Iberian Cultures, the politics of memory and memorialisation, travel writing, Catalan and Galician Studies, Italian organised crime, translation, power and critical discourse, film and national identities, popular culture and comics, material cultures and material texts, visual cultures and contemporary art.
Our students benefit from a lively and inclusive research community. Not only does our research inform our teaching, we also run an exciting Research Forum each term, comprising a variety of events, including talks from visiting scholars and our own research staff and students, book launches and art, music and poetry performances.
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