Mrs N Rosado, Acting Head of MFL Faculty and Head of Spanish, tells us about the benefits of studying a foreign language and how to choose a course when you're in Sixth Form, looking at university.

What can I study?

There is so much choice and flexibility when studying a language at university. You have the choice to study the language on its own, with another language or with other subjects. The Degree combinations are extreme. Ever thought of a language Degree with Anthropology, Maths, Drama, Forensic Science or Music? You can also start a new language completely from scratch with a wide variety of languages on offer including German, Italian, Japanese and Arabic!

Will learning a language at university be useful?

Incorporating a language into your Degree can put you ahead of everybody else when applying for jobs after university. Studying languages shows a high level of communication skills, the ability to work independently and also shows that you are mature, confident and can easily adapt to different situations and cultures. These skills are essential in the multicultural, global society that we live in.

How do I choose my course?

It can be a nightmare trying to figure out which course to apply for with such a variety and flexibility of courses on offer. Never choose a course based solely on the university’s location.

Your decision should come from a number of factors. To help decide what course to take, make a list of languages that you know, languages that you would like to speak and other subjects that you enjoy learning about. By creating a shortlist, you will be in a better place to start searching for the right course for you.  Of course, the Languages department are always here to help!