Ancient History and Spanish (BA)
- UCAS code: RV4C
- Next intake: September 2020
- Duration: 4 years
- Mode: Full time
Why study this course
Our aim at the School of Modern Languages and the School of History, Archaeology and Religion is to develop and educate our students to become ‘global citizens’. By combining Spanish and Ancient History, you will gain a variety of transferable skills and knowledge beneficial to the world of employment, making you competitive and attractive in an increasingly global workforce and opening the doors to a variety of career paths.
The Ancient History courses cover the period from the Aegean Bronze Age to the fall of the Roman Empire in the west and its survival in the east as the Byzantine Empire. There is a balance between modules covering specific historical periods and those that examine broad social and cultural topics, such as warfare, gender, religion, art, medicine and science.
This programme enables you to explore and understand Greek and Roman history, whilst developing your Spanish language skills.
In addition to developing high-level Spanish language skills, students gain an in-depth intercultural understanding that encompasses a specific knowledge of Spanish cultures. You will develop high-level communication and critical-thinking skills, and foster resilience and independence through time spent in immersive foreign language contexts.
Spain is a major actor on the European and world stage, possessing a rich and sophisticated culture. Spanish is one of the official working languages of the European Union and of the United Nations.
We offer Spanish for both advanced students and beginners. In your first year, in addition to your language tuition, an introduction to Spanish history and culture seeks to provide a solid foundation for more specialised studies as you progress through your course.
Your understanding of the language will be further developed and refined during your year abroad, when you will experience life in a Spanish-speaking country at first hand.
In the final year, you have the opportunity to write a dissertation, which stimulates initiative and can serve as a useful preparation for postgraduate study.
It is important to remember that studying languages is not just about the language itself, it involves exploring many aspects of a country, and we aspire to offer a genuinely broad course that offers challenging and stimulating modules.
As a joint honours student, you will find that often there are complementary issues and perspectives that link subjects, be they critical analysis, historical contexts or recent research. On completion of this four-year programme, you will have a high level of language proficiency, as well as a critical understanding of key aspects of Spanish history, culture, literature, politics and contemporary society.
Distinctive features
- Research led teaching that allows you to engage with new ideas that are shaping the future of Ancient History and Spanish studies.
- High-quality language teaching delivered by native speakers.
- A vibrant programme of extra-curricular activities to support your language learning and immersion into Spanish culture.
- A curriculum with a clear learning arc, drawing on the latest research and providing a thorough understanding of Spanish culture.
- A structured skills programme which embeds academic, transferable and employability skills into learning from the very beginning.
- The option of taking a credit-bearing work placement.
- The opportunity to spend your third year either studying or working in a country that predominantly operates in your chosen language of study.
- An exciting range of opportunities beyond your formal studies to engage with local schools and communities in promoting language learning and develop your own skills and profile.
Where you'll study
School of Modern Languages
One of the most dynamic modern languages schools in the UK. We actively engage with a range of stakeholders to promote the benefits of multilingualism.
School of History, Archaeology and Religion
Curious about the human experience across millennia and cultures, we are seeking to better understand our past, to illuminate our present and improve our future.
Entry requirements
ABB-BBB Please note Critical Thinking and General Studies will not be accepted.
Extended Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard A level offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.
The Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in lieu of one A-Level (at the grades listed above), excluding any specified subjects.
DMM in Humanities or Social Science Any other BTEC subject if combined with an A-Level excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking.
Achieve IB Diploma with 665 in 3 HL subjects.
Other UK qualifications may also be accepted, often in lieu of A-levels, but subject requirements must be met. If you are offering non-UK qualifications, our qualification equivalences guide should allow you to calculate what kind of offer you are likely to receive.
Please be aware that this is a general guide, and that some programmes may have more detailed or specific entry requirements which will be reflected in your offer.
Find out about our Schools' admissions criteria, offer guarantee scheme, changes to programmes and translating your documents.
GCSE
Grade C or grade 4 in GCSE English Language.
IELTS (academic)
At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill.
TOEFL iBT
At least 90 overall with minimum scores of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading and 20 for speaking.
PTE Academic
At least 62 overall with a minimum of 51 in all communicative skills.
Trinity ISE II/III
II: at least two Distinctions and two Merits.
III: at least a Pass in all components.
Other accepted qualifications
Please visit our English Language requirements page for more information on our other accepted language qualifications.
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course. If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement, including the ability to travel to outside of the UK or to undertake a placement/studies outside of Cardiff University
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Interview or selection process
Each candidate’s profile is considered as a complete picture, taking into account your interest in and suitability for the degree, as shown in your personal statement and referee’s report, as well as achieved and predicted grades. Your ability to present an argument, evidence of intellectual curiosity and your enthusiasm for and commitment to studying will also be assessed.
Tuition fees
UK and EU students (2020/21)
| Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|
| £9,000 | None |
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Students from outside the EU (2020/21)
| Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|
| £17,700 | None |
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Additional costs
Course specific equipment
Many students choose to invest in personal copies of unabridged bilingual dictionaries and reference grammars. While copies of most course materials are available in the library, many students opt to acquire personal copies of set texts.
Accommodation
We have a range of residences to suit your needs and budget. Find out more on our accommodation pages.
Course structure
The BA Ancient History and Spanish is a four-year degree programme. It is structured in such a way that you will acquire high-level language and historical competencies and the skills to become an independent and critical thinker, equipped for professional employment.
In each year of the programme you will study 120 credits, equally split between 60 credits in Ancient History and 60 credits in Spanish Your third year will be spent studying or working abroad in Spain or another Spanish-speaking country.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2020/21 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2020.
Year one
Year one is a foundation year to give you the skills for advanced study and an overview of the two subjects to inform your later choices. You will take 120 credits in total equally split between 60 credits in Ancient History and 60 credits in Spanish.
In year one we run two pathways for students; an advanced pathway for students with an A-level or equivalent competence in Spanish and a beginner’s pathway for students with limited or no knowledge of Spanish. The first year of this programme provides a thorough foundation in the grammar of the language for those students on the beginner’s pathway, and develops the linguistic skills for post A-level students on the advanced pathway. You will also study a non-language module which introduces you to the development of Spain as a nation, exploring what it has symbolised for different groups at different moments in history.. The module will enable you to develop a good understanding of intercultural awareness, and the highly-prized ability to mediate between cultures.
To provide a foundation for more specialised studies, Year One Ancient History provides you with a focused introduction to the study of Greek and Roman history at University which fosters your critical and analytical skills through close engagement with the ancient sources and modern interpretations.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Investigating the Ancient World: Skills and Evidence | HS3103 | 20 credits |
| Understanding Hispanidad in a Global Context | ML0187 | 20 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Spanish Language Year 1 | ML0188 | 40 credits |
| Beginners Spanish Language Year 1 | ML0189 | 40 credits |
| A World Full of Gods | HS0001 | 20 credits |
| Projecting the Past: Film, Media and Heritage | HS0002 | 20 credits |
| The Ancient World in 20 Objects | HS3104 | 20 credits |
| Introduction to Ancient History 1: Gods, Kings and Citizens, 1000-323 BCE | HS3105 | 20 credits |
| Introduction to Ancient History 2: Empires East and West, 323 BCE to 680 CE | HS3106 | 20 credits |
| Reading Latin1 | HS3121 | 20 credits |
| Reading Latin 2 | HS3122 | 20 credits |
| Reading Greek 1 | HS3123 | 20 credits |
| Reading Greek 2 | HS3124 | 20 credits |
Year two
In year two you will again take 60 credits of optional Ancient History modules and 60 credits in Spanish.
The language elements will build on the work undertaken in year one, and prepare you for your year abroad. In addition to language, you will study 30 credits looking at Spain in a transnational context. This will introduce you to key approaches, methodologies and critical tools which you can apply to an in-depth study, looking at a range of topics such as culture, history and politics, in addition to 60 credits in Ancient History modules.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Cultures in Context (Spanish) | ML0282 | 30 credits |
Year three: Sandwich year
Your third year will be spent abroad in a Spanish-speaking country. Options include studying at one of our partner universities, working as an English assistant in a school, or working for a Spanish organisation or company. No matter what you choose, the year abroad is a great opportunity for you to improve your understanding of the language, immerse yourself in another culture, and gain international study or work experience.
If you choose the study option, we have established links with universities in Barcelona, Caceres, Ciudad Real, Granada, Santiago de Compostela y Valencia. In Spanish America we have exchange agreements with universities in Lima (Peru), Mexico City and Guadalajara (Mexico)
Placements for teaching assistants on a scheme run by the British Council can take you to either a major city or a small, rural town. This option provides first-hand teaching experience and allows you to earn a salary sufficient to live on, although you only work on a part-time basis. Prior to the start of your placement, the British Council provides a training weekend in the destination country. In addition, the school you have been assigned to should also guide you in your role as a teacher and help you to find a place to live.
The third option consists of a work placement with an organisation or company in the Spanish-speaking world. The necessary arrangements can be made through personal contacts you may have or by approaching organisations directly. In order to ensure that your work placement affords you plenty of opportunity to speak Spanish and provides you with a beneficial experience, such arrangements will require prior approval by the School.
Any student who undertakes a study placement or a traineeship/work placement in Europe is eligible to apply for an Erasmus grant.
The year abroad is a great opportunity for you to improve your understanding of the language, immerse yourself in another culture, and gain international study or work experience.
While you are away from Cardiff, you will be assigned a year abroad coordinator, who will keep in touch with you and monitor your progress. You may also get a visit from one of your lecturers who will be keen to find out how you are getting on.
Final year students are usually happy to help with our regular year abroad briefings and have contributed to our extensive ‘year abroad module’ on Learning Central which provides you with student-centred advice throughout your year abroad.
Studying or working abroad is excellent preparation for your final year and gives you a level of self-confidence and maturity that has proven popular with employers.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Intercalary Semester Abroad: Study Abroad (Spanish, Spring) | ML0090 | 60 credits |
| Intercalary Semester Abroad: Work Placement (Spanish, Spring) | ML0093 | 60 credits |
| Intercalary Semester Abroad: Work Placement | ML0097 | 60 credits |
| Intercalary Semester Abroad: Study Abroad | ML0099 | 60 credits |
| Sandwich Year Project (Autumn Semester) | ML1240 | 60 credits |
| Sandwich Year Project (Spring Semester) | ML1241 | 60 credits |
Year four
When we welcome you back to Cardiff in your final year, you will continue to develop your language skills, studying 30 credits of language and a 30 credit Spanish option module, in addition to 60 credits from Ancient History option modules.
You will have the opportunity to build on the broad base of knowledge and skills you have developed to study an area of research expertise in the School, through taught modules and/or a dissertation. You will also have the opportunity to take part in our very popular teaching module, an accredited module where you will build on study and workshops at the University to undertake a teaching placement at one of our partner schools in the area.
Final year dissertation modules give you the option to engage more deeply with a chosen topic area, as well as enhancing your research and analytical skills.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| High-Level Proficiency in Spanish Language | ML0366 | 30 credits |
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
Most of our modules consist of a mixture of lectures, seminars and language classes that enable you to develop communication and analytical skills, and to develop critical thinking in a supportive environment. The teaching covers all the key competencies, and is enhanced by the inclusion of digital learning.
Lectures provide an overview of the key concepts and frameworks for a topic, equipping you to carry out independent research for the seminars and to develop your own ideas.
Seminars provide an opportunity for you to engage critically with key ideas and explore the ideas outlined in lectures in a small group environment, usually consisting of around 15 students and the seminar leader (a member of the teaching team). Seminars may take various formats, including plenary group discussion, small group work and student-led presentations.
Language classes are taught in groups to enhance confidence and active learning. A varied timetable includes oral expression, aural comprehension and writing skills, which are taught in small groups to enhance confidence and active learning. These vital communication skills are practiced and developed through regular classwork exercises and written work. Our teaching methods allow you to engage with a range of language-learning technologies. Materials including textbooks, videos, films, novels, audio files and websites are supported by online resources that compliment classroom activities and promote and enable independent learning. Class materials include a range from literary and historical to contemporary journalistic texts, providing a broad insight into language and culture.
Independent study forms a key part of your learning, and our independent learning portfolios have been developed to provide you with online resources to support your independent language learning.
Year 1
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
38%
Guided independent study
62%
Placements
0%
Year 2
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
0%
Guided independent study
0%
Placements
0%
Year 3
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
0%
Guided independent study
0%
Placements
0%
Year 4
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
0%
Guided independent study
0%
Placements
0%
How will I be supported?
Our BA programme in Ancient History and Spanish is team-taught, with the programme as a whole overseen by the Programme Director. You will be supported by a number of different staff, some focussing on academic performance in a particular area and some looking at learning and progress more holistically.
All academic staff have designated hours where they are available to meet with you to offer advice and feedback on the subjects that they teach.
You will also be allocated a personal tutor, who will meet with you regularly to reflect on your progress and development across your studies, and to think about how to build on your achievements and advance further. The personal tutor can also guide you if you are experiencing difficulties towards appropriate support.
While you are away from Cardiff, you will be assigned a Year Abroad Coordinator, who will keep in touch with you and monitor your progress. You may also get a visit from one of your lecturers who will be keen to find out how you are getting on.
A skills development week each semester allows for guided study and a chance to catch up on assessed work, reading and revision. These weeks are also used by staff to visit students on their year abroad.
You will have access through the Learning Central to relevant learning resources, presentations, lecture handouts, bibliographies, further links, electronic exercises and discussion circles.
We pride ourselves on the level of engagement we have with our student body, giving you the opportunity to express your opinions and be partners in School decision-making where possible. We survey students regularly to make sure we are always working in your best interests.
The School of History, Archaeology and Religion has a dedicated Work Placements Officer who supports you with work experience opportunities both in and out of term time.
The University offers a range of services including the Careers Service, the Counselling Service, the Disability and Dyslexia Service, the Student Support Service, the Academic Skills Development Centre and excellent libraries and resource centres.
Feedback
Feedback on your work is given frequently and in a wide variety of formats and is intended to help you identify strengths and weaknesses in your learning, as well as give indications of how you might improve in your performance in examinations and coursework.
You will be given general feedback in relation to examinations following the examination period and you will be able to discuss your overall performance with your personal tutor as part of the monitored student self-assessment scheme.
Year 1
Written exams
37%
Practical exams
7%
Coursework
57%
Year 2
Written exams
0%
Practical exams
0%
Coursework
0%
Year 3
Written exams
0%
Practical exams
0%
Coursework
0%
Year 4
Written exams
0%
Practical exams
0%
Coursework
0%
What skills will I practise and develop?
Knowledge & Understanding:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- The ability to speak, write, and understand one or more foreign languages to a high level of competency.
- An in-depth intercultural understanding including specific knowledge of other cultures, allied to the ability to navigate and mediate between more than one culture.
- Evaluating a range of types of evidence available to ancient historians, including literary texts, inscriptions, archaeological material and visual evidence.
- Evaluating different ways in which ancient history is presented today, such as scholarship, websites, museums and popular culture.
Intellectual Skills:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- Enhanced linguistic skills, as well as a broad appreciation of the culture, literature, and history of Spain and Spanish speaking countries.
- The ability to communicate clearly, concisely and persuasively in writing and speech, in English and Spanish.
- The application of standard referencing and bibliographic conventions in ancient history, by locating passages in ancient texts, looking up examples of material evidence, and correctly formatting a bibliography.
- Constructing an effective essay plan which summarise the arguments of others concisely and accurately.
Professional Practical Skills:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- Using a range of IT programmes and digital media, where appropriate.
- Resilience and independence through time spent in immersive foreign language contexts.
- Communication and critical-thinking skills.
- Working to deadlines and priorities, managing a range of tasks at the same time.
- Skills when working as part of a team, developing a collaborative approach to problem-solving.
Transferable/Key Skills:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- The ability to grasp complex issues with confidence.
- The ability to analyse complex texts.
- The ability to interpret and apply relevant data.
- Practical research skills.
- Imaginative solutions of your own that are rooted in evidence.
- Learning from constructive criticism and incorporate its insights.
- Taking responsibility for your own learning programme and Professional development.
- Critical skills (reasoning, evaluating evidence, problem-solving, relating theory to practice).
- Creativity and innovative thinking.
- Leadership, teamwork and self-management skills.
- The ability to identify, record and communicate your relevant career attainments.
Careers and placements
Career prospects
School of Modern Languages
In 2015/16, 94% of the School’s graduates who were available for work reported they were in employment and/or further study within six months of graduating.
Many graduates enjoy their year overseas so much that they take time out for more travel, or go abroad on graduation in search of employment.
Of those who choose to remain in the UK, many pursue postgraduate studies such as one of the School’s Postgraduate Taught degrees or a PGCE. Others start work immediately following their graduation, and our graduates go on to secure excellent careers in international diplomacy, the Civil Service, teaching, business and journalism. Other employment options include roles as translators, language assistants, export assistants and proof-readers.
School of History, Archaeology and Religion
In 2015/16, 94% of the School’s graduates who were available for work reported they were in employment and/or further study within six months of graduating.
We organise interactive workshops with the Careers Service to help students identify skills and attributes. History graduates find work in a wide range of related and non-related professional employment. Some choose to undertake postgraduate study at Cardiff or elsewhere, and some have become internationally reputed historians.
Placements
If you are interested in teaching you may have the possibility of completing an internship teaching language in a UK secondary school in your final year.
Both Schools offer credit-bearing work placement opportunities.
