UCD or DCU? International languages or applied languages and intercultural studies?

AoifeRyan93

Hi, Im just finshing my leaving cert on thursday and im a little pressed for time as to the closing date for change of mind on the CAO!

Ok so next year I would really love to study French and Spanish in either UCD or DCU and the courses I want to do are International languages (UCD) or Applied languages and intercultural studies (DCU)
The thing is though, I dont know which one to put first!
Ive heard that UCD language courses are very literature based and that a lot of people dont like this or they find it very difficult! Is this true?
So far im heading towards DCU because I know that you can do modules in things such as Spanish film which I have a huge interest in! But I've always wanted to go to UCD!
Are there modules such as Spanish film or other interesting modules like that in International languages in UCD? And if you do this course are you happy with it? Do you enjoy it?

I do really like DCU so I would really like to go there but its much further away from my house than UCD is, it would take me ages to get there by car or bus! But at the end of the day i want to do the course that has the most things that I am interested in! I also would like to know about the drama societies in each college if anyone has any information on these but thats less important than the actual course information!

Any help and information on both these courses would help greatly! Thank you

WeeBushy

I'm afraid I have absolutely no knowledge of the language courses in UCD having not done arts, however have you looked at the prospectus for it (https://myucd.ucd.ie/programme_info/international_languages.ezc?pageID=1417)?

From it, in the 'what will I study' section':

First year

You take courses in two languages, one at advanced and the second either at advanced or at beginner level, as well as:
Two core intercultural courses
Choice of a variety of courses in linguistics, literature, history and cultural studies
A third language if you wish.

Second Year

You focus on two main languages, and a third language if you wish. You also choose whether to retain a broad focus, mixing literary, historical, cultural and linguistic studies, or follow a pathway specialising in one of these areas.
Third Year
Study abroad. You select from a range of linguistic, literary, historical and cultural courses at your host institution.

Final Year

Return to UCD to continue the pathway chosen in second year. Courses may cover:
Literature
Film
Culture
Second-language Teaching & Learning
Research project

I can't help you on the course I'm afraid, hopefully someone else on here will have done it before and can give you an idea what the UCD course is like, but just thought I'd post that in case you hadn't looked at it.

Best of luck in the rest of your LC and choices for next year.

AoifeRyan93

Thanks that actually does help and thanks for the luck as well, I appreciate it

If someone that has done the courses can give their opinions on it as well id really appreciate that too!

macrettoc

I had the same dilemma as you back in the late 1990s. I couldn't decide whether to study languages at DCU or UCD. In the end I compared the prospectus information from both universities and decided that the DCU degree offered a qualification that I could readily apply in a real-life work situation. In other words, the DCU degree was better for my work prospects.

I went on to work as a professional translator (French/German) but have since moved into a new career in Publishing, which involves working with foreign languages. I guess it all depends on what your priorities and goals are in choosing your field of study. Yes, it's really important to enjoy whatever course you choose, but will you realistically be able to find work afterwards based on your degree? Truthfully, either way, I think having languages is a great asset. It can open up new worlds to you.

I loved DCU - it had tons of great clubs and socs, is very central and is a really cool university. Though my degree was called Applied Languages back then and was specifically focused on translation, we covered lots of other areas such as economic, literary and cultural aspects. For example, as part of my German module, I studied TV subtitling and did some dubbing too. We also spent our 3rd year abroad at universities in a country of our chosen languages. Be warned though, they work you really hard at DCU! No harm I suppose. At least when you get your degree, you know you've really earned it.

So, I'd recommend that you get the relevant information from both universities, sit down and go through all the areas/modules you'll cover on the degree. Compare what they both offer. Figure out what appeals to you, or not, and what the degree will actually represent for you at the end of it all.

Anyway, I hope the above helps. The very best of luck to you for the future. I'm sure you'll make the right decision!

mollyoflafal

AoifeRyan93 wrote: »

Hi, Im just finshing my leaving cert on thursday and im a little pressed for time as to the closing date for change of mind on the CAO!

Ok so next year I would really love to study French and Spanish in either UCD or DCU and the courses I want to do are International languages (UCD) or Applied languages and intercultural studies (DCU)
The thing is though, I dont know which one to put first!
Ive heard that UCD language courses are very literature based and that a lot of people dont like this or they find it very difficult! Is this true?
So far im heading towards DCU because I know that you can do modules in things such as Spanish film which I have a huge interest in! But I've always wanted to go to UCD!
Are there modules such as Spanish film or other interesting modules like that in International languages in UCD? And if you do this course are you happy with it? Do you enjoy it?

I do really like DCU so I would really like to go there but its much further away from my house than UCD is, it would take me ages to get there by car or bus! But at the end of the day i want to do the course that has the most things that I am interested in! I also would like to know about the drama societies in each college if anyone has any information on these but thats less important than the actual course information!

Any help and information on both these courses would help greatly! Thank you

Have this same dilemma now! What did you choose? What would you recommend?