Modern Languages, Literature & Culture MA

Overview

Our Modern Languages, Literature and Culture MA gives you the opportunity to deepen your knowledge of one or more of the languages and cultures of the French, German, Portuguese and Spanish-speaking worlds. You’ll be able to choose from the widest range of modules from the medieval to the contemporary and covering film, literature, visual arts, drama, philosophy, cultural memory and history.

Prior study in Modern Languages is not a prerequisite for the course, but familiarity with analysing and writing about cultural representation would be beneficial.

Key benefits

Our French, German and Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies Departments are amongst the oldest in the country, with an international reputation for the quality of our teaching and research
We provide each student with close and personal attention, with teaching offered in small groups that draw on the breadth and depth of research expertise and enthusiasm
Study in London offers easy access to a wide range of institutes and centres that promote French, German, Hispanic and Lusophone culture.
Students can take advantage of our central location in London giving them easy access to a wide range of institutes and centres that promote French, German, Hispanic and Lusophone cultures. We regularly collaborate with distinguished London partners (previous collaborations have included the Tate, Imperial War Museum, Freud Museum and the Wiener Library).
Our broad range of modules offer a truly interdisciplinary approach within and across languages that can be tailored to suit individual interest.

What our students say

"King’s provided me with first-class academic support and facilities. As an international student, I have always been concerned to bring my own cultural background into dialogue with European cultures. The encouragement and support I received played a pivotal role in the development of my current PhD project looking at Chinese and German socialist women’s writing in comparative perspective." Yejun, German Department Alumnus
"The department’s interdisciplinary nature encouraged me to further develop my interests in gender constructs and representation in Latin American cultural media. The friendly nature of the lecturers and fellow students made for a close-knit learning and social environment. London offers an unparalleled array of academic and cultural opportunities to complement your studies." Ryan, Spanish, Portuguese and Latin Amercian MA Alumnus

" I especially appreciated the international environment at King’s, an invaluable experience that led me to a career in International Relations. Today, I’m working for the Goethe-Institut, Germany’s cultural institute abroad which promotes international cultural cooperation and exchange in 98 countries. Looking back, getting a Master’s degree from King’s was a great asset for my personal and professional development." Michael, German Department Alumnus

Key information

Application status Open

Duration One year full-time, Two years part-time, September to September

Study mode Full-time, Part-time

Credit value UK 180/ ECTS 90

Course leaders Dr Federico Bonaddio

Further details

Course contact for further information

General enquiries: Postgraduate Admissions Team, Admissions Office tel: +44 (0) 20 7848 7000 fax: +44 (0) 20 7848 7200

Contact form

Course contact form Postgraduate admissions

Awarding institution King's College London

Faculty Faculty of Arts & Humanities

Department Department of French Department of German Department of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies

Locations

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Modern Languages, Literature & Culture MA

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Course detail

Description

MA Modern Languages, Literature and Culture is a one-year course (two-years part-time) which combines the research strengths and subject specialisms of the three modern languages departments at King’s: French; German; and Spanish, Portuguese and Latin-American Studies. In addition to the core dissertation and compulsory module on research methodologies and critical theory, you may choose from options on subjects from the Middle Ages to the present day. The course offers you the flexibility to focus on one or more of the cultures of the French, German and Spanish-speaking worlds.

Course format and assessment

Teaching
If you are a full-time student, we will provide six hours of teaching each week through lectures and seminars. We will expect you to undertake 34 hours of independent study.

If you are a part-time student, we will provide two to four hours of teaching each week through lectures and seminars, and we will expect you to undertake 16 to 18 hours of independent study.

For your dissertation, we will organise a workshop and provide you with four hours of supervision.

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Assessment
Most of the modules on this course are assessed through coursework, although this may be different for modules from beyond this course. You will also be required to write a dissertation.

Location
This course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Strand Campus. Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the optional modules you select.

The Strand Campus is in the heart of London, within easy access to a wide range of institutes and centres (e.g. the Instituto Cervantes, Camões Institute, the Goethe Institut, the Institut français) that promote French, German, Hispanic and Lusophone culture, including theatre, music, and art.

The Maughan Library contains an extensive collection on the French, German, Hispanic and Lusophone worlds, including in the Rare Books collection. London offers unparalleled cultural and historical resources, including the British Museum, British Library, British Film Institute, Tate, Imperial War Museum, Wiener Library and National Gallery.

Regulating body
King’s College London is regulated by the Office for Students.

Structure

Year 1

Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 180 credits. Please be aware that for some modules the readings are only available in the relevant language and your module choice may therefore be constrained. Please email emma.bielecki@kcl.ac.uk for further information.

You can find more info about modules here.

Required Modules

You are required to take:

Research Methodology: Reading Theory/Reading Practice I (20 credits)
Dissertation (60 credits)

Optional Modules

In addition, you are required to take 100 credits from a range of optional modules, which may typically include:

Beyond the Human (20 credits)
Culture and Identity in Brazil: Contradictions of Modernity (20 credits)
Culture and Society in Spain (20 credits)
Documenting the Camp: Testimony, Memory, Legacy (20 credits)
German in the World (20 credits)
Latin American Narrative in the Twentieth Century (20 credits)
Learning from Experience: The Postcolonial, the Personal and the Literary (20 credits)
Renaissance Transgressions: Identity in European Perspective (20 credits)
Rights before Human Rights: Eighteenth Century Theories and Representations (20 credits)
Text, Image, Object and Gesture in Twentieth-Century French Writing (20 credits)
The Troubadours and their Legacy (20 credits)
Unsettled Modernities: Tales of the Untameable in the South Atlantic World (20 credits)
Research Methodology: Reading Theory/Reading Practice II (20 credits)

Students are also able to take related modules that are taught outside of the Department and subject to the approval of the course convenor.

If you are a part-time student, you will take the compulsory Research Methodology module in your first year, along with 60 credits of optional modules. In your second year you will take your dissertation along with a further 40 credits of optional modules.

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Entry requirements & how to apply

Modern Languages, Literature & Culture
Minimum requirements	2:1	Minimum 2:1 BA honours degree or equivalent in Modern Languages or a related discipline. In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme.
International requirements		Visit our admissions webpages to view our International entry requirements.
English Language requirements	Band C	Visit our admissions webpages to view our English language entry requirements.

Application procedure

Your application will be carefully read by the convenor, and second read where appropriate by a second academic. We do not interview all applicants, but you are welcome to call the programme leader to arrange a visit. We aim to process all complete applications within four to six weeks although this may take longer in February and March, and over holiday periods.

Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £70 applies.

Personal statement and supporting information

You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

Modern Languages, Literature & Culture checklist
Personal Statement	Yes	A personal statement is required. This can be entered directly into the online application form (maximum 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment to the online application form (maximum 2 pages).
Previous Academic Study	Yes	A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents.
References	Yes	One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. In some cases, we may request an additional reference from you.
Writing Sample	Yes	Please include a writing sample of your work of up to 4,000 words preferably on a subject relevant to the MA.
Other	Optional	Applicants may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of their application.

Application closing date

We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible. Our first application deadline is the 31 March 2020. After this date, applications will remain open if places are available, but programmes will be closed as soon as they are full. For programmes with spaces remaining, no further applications will be accepted from non-EU (Overseas) nationals after 31July 2020 or from UK/EU nationals after 28 August 2020.

Please note you will not be eligible for an application fee refund if you apply after the first application deadline and places are filled before the final deadlines above and we are unable to process more offers.

Help and support

If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, or if English isn't your first language, our academic preparation courses can help you get ready for study in the UK.

Preparation courses

Fees and funding

Full time Home/EU fees: £9,990 per year (2020/21)
Full time overseas fees: £22,350 per year (2020/21)
Part time Home/EU fees: £4,995 per year (2020/21)
Part time overseas fees: £11,175 per year (2020/21)

Students starting their programme in 2020/21 who are eligible to pay EU fees will pay the same rate of tuition fees as UK students. This will apply for the duration of their programme, but may be subject to change by the UK Government for subsequent cohorts from 2021/22.

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

Deposit

When you receive an offer for this course you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. The deposit will be credited towards your total fee payment.

The UK/EU deposit is £500.

The INTERNATIONAL deposit is £2,000.

If you receive an offer on or before 31 March 2020, payment is due by 30 April 2020.
If you receive an offer between 1 April 2020 and 30 June 2020, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
If you receive an offer between 1 July 2020 and 31 July 2020, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
If you receive an offer on or after 1st August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.
If you receive an offer in late August, payment is due within 2 days of receiving the offer.

If you are a current King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.

Funding Opportunities

Thanks to the generosity of an alumnus of the College, Mr Richard Gapper, the Department of French at King’s College London is able to offer a studentship (to the value of £20,000) to one student taking the MA in Modern Languages, Literature & Culture (French Pathway, or French and another language) in 2020-21. The studentship, called the Sévigné studentship, is open to all nationalities and is for full-time students. It is awarded on the basis of scholarly merit.

Applicants wishing to be considered should apply online via the King's admissions portal by 27^th March. They will also need to complete an additional case for support form and return it to the department’s office (languages@kcl.ac.uk) by the same date. The case for support form can be found here.

For any further information, please contact emma.bielecki@kcl.ac.uk

Financial help and support

Visit the fees and funding webpages to find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans and other financial help available at King's.

Career prospects

Some of our students go on to research in our department or at other institutions. Others have gone on to excel in a diverse range of careers such as teaching, journalism, cultural management, politics and world of finance.

Testimonials

Phoebe

I chose King's because of the high quality of research and wide range of modules available. My MA developed my interests in women's literature and challenged me to try new things like critical theory. Studying in London gives access to the British Library and the Institut Français.

French MA