The integrated Masters degree in Modern Languages (MML)

1. Dr Floriane Place-Verghnes, MML Programme Director floriane.place-verghnes@manchester.ac.uk Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies (20 May 2011) The integrated Masters degree in Modern Languages (MML)

2. PROGRAMME CONTENT AND STRUCTURE • RESIDENCE ABROAD AND PATHWAYS • ASSESSMENT • TOWARDS A NEW MML

3. 1. PROGRAMME CONTENT AND STRUCTURE • 4 years of full-time study • Study of 2 languages post- A-level • 2 compulsory periods of residence abroad • 3 pathways: 4-year, 5-year, or 6-year programme

4. 1. PROGRAMME CONTENT AND STRUCTURE Regardless of chosen pathway, students: • study for 4 years in Manchester • take 480 credits: 120 credits in each year of study (aka study-periods)

5. 1. PROGRAMME CONTENT AND STRUCTURE

6. 1. PROGRAMME CONTENT AND STRUCTURE (SP1/2)

7. 1. PROGRAMME CONTENT AND STRUCTURE (SP3/4)

8. 2. RESIDENCE ABROAD AND PATHWAYS • 2 compulsory periods of residence abroad (1 for each lgg) • Min. requirements (4-year programme): 2 x 8 weeks • summer preceding SP3 (L1) • summer preceding SP4 (L2) • Possibility of 1 or 2 full YA (5- or 6-year programme )

9. 2. RESIDENCE ABROAD AND PATHWAYS:MML 4 (total duration: 4 years)

10. 2. RESIDENCE ABROAD AND PATHWAYS:MML 6 (total duration: 6 years)

11. 2. RESIDENCE ABROAD AND PATHWAYS:MML 5 (total duration: 5 years) Option 1 Option 2 Option 3

12. 2. RESIDENCE ABROAD AND PATHWAYS Current SP3 and 4 students: • 13 on the MML4 pathway (35%) • 17 on the MML5 pathway (46%) • 7 on the MML6 pathway (19%)  • A programme which attracts (excellent) students who may initially be reticent to go abroad... • ... and who then change their minds

13. 3. ASSESSMENT 3.1 Progression (study-periods 1 and 2) • Students must achieve the pass mark (40%) in individual course units amounting to2/3rd of the credits for the year • Students must achieve the compensatable fail mark (30%) in all other course units • MML specificity: min. average 55% (SP 1) and 50% (SP2) 3.2 Failure to progress Immediate transfer onto BA (Joint Hons) in Modern Languages or Single Honours in a modern language

14. 3. ASSESSMENT 3.3 Classification • First (I), Upper Second (2.1), Lower Second (2.2) NB: MML not awarded in the Third Class • calculated from the overall average marks achieved in SP3 and SP4 (50% each) • no carry forward of marks from SP2

15. 3. ASSESSMENT Lower awards • min requirement for award of MML: • programme mark > 50 % • and min. 80 credits in each of SP3 and SP4 > 40% • If not, students may be awarded (at the discretion of the Board of Examiners): • BA (Hons) Language Studies (L1 and L2), 480 credits, programme mark derived from SP3 (50%) and SP4 (50%) • BA (Hons) Language Studies (L1 with L2), 360 credits, programme mark derived from SP3 (75%) and SP2 (25%) • BA (Hons) Language Studies (L2 with L1), 360 credits, programme mark derived from SP4 (75%) and SP2 (25%) • BA (Ordinary Degree) in Language Studies, 300 credits, at least 60 of which are at level 3 or 4

16. 3. ASSESSMENT 3.4 Transfers into and out of the programme • BA/MML transfers possible until start of SP3 • Min 60% to join (or re-join) MML • After SP1, transfers out of MML subject to residence abroad regulations for BA

17. 4. TOWARDS A NEW MML • One of the initial objectives of the programme: generate PG students • Problem: • after 2 dissertations, students tend to be “researched-out” • Coupled with current financial climate = poor PG conversion rates

18. 4. TOWARDS A NEW MML Students increasingly look for “value for money” – which means • acquiring skills which set them apart from other candidates • a degree which gives them an edge, employability-wise ... 2 things that the MML alumni praised about the programme

19. 4. TOWARDS A NEW MML • New Integrated Masters • Expecting to launch in Sept 2012 (subject to final approval) • Attributes: • A challenging, elite programme • Developing student employability   • Retaining the flexibility of the MML (residence abroad)

20. 4. TOWARDS A NEW MML • RA will no doubt be affected by new fees (what do I get for my £54,000?) • But plans are underway to offer residence abroad grants, e.g.: Fee discounts for year abroad/year in industry We want to encourage students to take up opportunities to spend a year abroad or in structured industry placements. We will therefore charge less than the standard half fee for students taking up such opportunities and offer to waive or significantly discount this fee for students from less well-off backgrounds. Source: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees/changes/support/

21. 4. TOWARDS A NEW MML Awards subject to approval by the Office for Fair Access in July 2011. Source: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees/changes/support/

22. 4. TOWARDS A NEW MML • Erasmus grants (<EU) – min 12 consecutive weeks on Erasmus (study or work) • Erasmus fee waiver (<UK gvt) – min 24 consecutive weeks on Erasmus (study or work) • EU and UK Erasmus funding possible on MML5 or MML6 subject to the 2 periods of residence abroad being • 1 Erasmus study • 1 Erasmus work (ELA, work placement)