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MA Languages & Image Studies

MA (NFQ Level 9)

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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MA IN LANGUAGES AND IMAGE STUDIES invites students to acquire new language skills, and/or to refresh or extend their knowledge of language(s) already studied from a choice of: French; German; Italian; Portuguese; Spanish. 

From the outset, students will use their cultural expertise to develop their critical and analytical thinking in Image Studies modules taught from a global perspective. Classes are all taught by academic experts from UCD’s School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics. Each student is also invited to undertake a significant Research Essays module or MALI Dissertation module.

The course is designed to be inclusive: for those who wish to learn about Image Studies analysis (film, art, photos, online images); for those who are already language specialists and who may wish to expand their expertise by learning new language(s); and for those who are language non-specialists, that is, those who have never studied language at university before, but who wish to undertake accelerated language learning. 

 

About This Course

Throughout this degree, students work on both their language skills and their Image Studies skills. From the outset, each student will study a range of Image Studies modules which hone their critical thinking skills and expand their ability to engage and comprehend global cultures through study of images, whether film, art, illustration, photography or more. Image studies will be explored via individual modules, both Core (European film analysis; the global prison film) or Options such as Global Surrealism or the Body in C21 Spanish art.

Language study is a cumulative skill, so language will be studied relatively intensively across the entire year. Students are welcome to concentrate solely on their core language OR to also student a second language option. All students are encouraged to work on writing, speaking, listening and writing, with particular focus on oral presentation skills. 

Students bring their core language skills and core taught Image Studies skills into the study of all Image-centred modules, from a range of options which vary, and may include focus on photography, film, art, intermediality,  illustration or other. At the end of the year, they harness their own cultural interests and analytical skills in their own research project(s).

The foreign-language and visual/analytical focus of MALI offers valuable opportunities to graduates who wish to simply challenge themselves to enhance their language skills and to think critically through cultural engagement with images, as well as to graduates who wish to consider a range of career areas with an international dimension, from the arts, culture and education, to business, diplomacy, travel and more.

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
 SLL40390 European Film Analysis Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 SLL40380 Global Prison Film Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - *A)0 of:
Students will be registered to either Research Essays or MALI Dissertation by the Programme Director.
 SLL40400 Research Essays Summer  30
Stage 1 Options - *A)0 of:
Students will be registered to either Research Essays or MALI Dissertation by the Programme Director.
 SLL40820 MALI Dissertation Summer  30
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
All MALI students must take at least 1 Option module in both Trimester 1 and Trimester 2 from this list (and max 3 Option modules in total). Where a student is taking a 2nd Language as an Option module, then just 2 modules must be taken from this list. Where a student is not studying a 2nd language then 3 Options must be taken from this list. Option modules are subject to change. Students must normally balance their credit workload evenly across Trimesters 1 and 2 (30 credits max in each trimester). Please agree your module choices with MALI programme Director before registering to ANY MALI modules.
 SLL40800 Body & Matter: 21C Spanish Art Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
All MALI students must take at least 1 Option module in both Trimester 1 and Trimester 2 from this list (and max 3 Option modules in total). Where a student is taking a 2nd Language as an Option module, then just 2 modules must be taken from this list. Where a student is not studying a 2nd language then 3 Options must be taken from this list. Option modules are subject to change. Students must normally balance their credit workload evenly across Trimesters 1 and 2 (30 credits max in each trimester). Please agree your module choices with MALI programme Director before registering to ANY MALI modules.
 SLL40810 Cross-Border Imaginings Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
All MALI students must take at least 1 Option module in both Trimester 1 and Trimester 2 from this list (and max 3 Option modules in total). Where a student is taking a 2nd Language as an Option module, then just 2 modules must be taken from this list. Where a student is not studying a 2nd language then 3 Options must be taken from this list. Option modules are subject to change. Students must normally balance their credit workload evenly across Trimesters 1 and 2 (30 credits max in each trimester). Please agree your module choices with MALI programme Director before registering to ANY MALI modules.
 SLL40370 Surrealism: A Global Revolution Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
MALI students must take a short language assessment before being registered to language modules. Please contact MALI Programme Director.
 SLL40410 Spanish A1 Autumn and Spring (separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
MALI students must take a short language assessment before being registered to language modules. Please contact MALI Programme Director.
 SLL40420 Spanish B1 Autumn and Spring (separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
MALI students must take a short language assessment before being registered to language modules. Please contact MALI Programme Director.
 SLL40450 Spanish A2 Autumn and Spring (separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
MALI students must take a short language assessment before being registered to language modules. Please contact MALI Programme Director.
 SLL40460 Spanish B2 Autumn and Spring (separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
MALI students must take a short language assessment before being registered to language modules. Please contact MALI Programme Director.
 SLL40470 Spanish C1 Autumn and Spring (separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
MALI students must take a short language assessment before being registered to language modules. Please contact MALI Programme Director.
 SLL40490 Italian A1 Autumn and Spring (separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
MALI students must take a short language assessment before being registered to language modules. Please contact MALI Programme Director.
 SLL40500 Italian B1 Autumn and Spring (separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
MALI students must take a short language assessment before being registered to language modules. Please contact MALI Programme Director.
 SLL40530 Italian A2 Autumn and Spring (separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
MALI students must take a short language assessment before being registered to language modules. Please contact MALI Programme Director.
 SLL40540 Italian B2 Autumn and Spring (separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
MALI students must take a short language assessment before being registered to language modules. Please contact MALI Programme Director.
 SLL40550 Italian C1 Autumn and Spring (separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
MALI students must take a short language assessment before being registered to language modules. Please contact MALI Programme Director.
 SLL40590 French B1 Autumn and Spring (separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
MALI students must take a short language assessment before being registered to language modules. Please contact MALI Programme Director.
 SLL40600 French B2 Autumn and Spring (separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
MALI students must take a short language assessment before being registered to language modules. Please contact MALI Programme Director.
 SLL40610 French C1 Autumn and Spring (separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
MALI students must take a short language assessment before being registered to language modules. Please contact MALI Programme Director.
 SLL40620 German A1 Autumn and Spring (separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
MALI students must take a short language assessment before being registered to language modules. Please contact MALI Programme Director.
 SLL40660 German A2 Autumn and Spring (separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
MALI students must take a short language assessment before being registered to language modules. Please contact MALI Programme Director.
 SLL40670 German B1 Autumn and Spring (separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
MALI students must take a short language assessment before being registered to language modules. Please contact MALI Programme Director.
 SLL40680 German B2 Autumn and Spring (separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
MALI students must take a short language assessment before being registered to language modules. Please contact MALI Programme Director.
 SLL40690 German C1 Autumn and Spring (separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
MALI students must take a short language assessment before being registered to language modules. Please contact MALI Programme Director.
 SLL40700 Portuguese A1 Autumn and Spring (separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
MALI students must take a short language assessment before being registered to language modules. Please contact MALI Programme Director.
 SLL40710 Portuguese B1 Autumn and Spring (separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
MALI students must take a short language assessment before being registered to language modules. Please contact MALI Programme Director.
 SLL40740 Portuguese A2 Autumn and Spring (separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
MALI students must take a short language assessment before being registered to language modules. Please contact MALI Programme Director.
 SLL40780 Portuguese B2 Autumn and Spring (separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:
MALI students must take a short language assessment before being registered to language modules. Please contact MALI Programme Director.
 SLL40790 Portuguese C1 Autumn and Spring (separate)  10

The MALI programme has given me the chance to expand my language skills alongside studying a variety of engaging and culturally relevant image-based modules. Being able to learn a new language while also studying modules with content from Europe and beyond has allowed me to hone my research skills and has opened my horizons to areas of study that I had not imagined. This experience has been invaluable to me and has given me great confidence looking towards my career prospects after graduation.

Gia Simmons (MALI, 2023-24)

 

MA Languages & Image Studies (Z372) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 9100
nonEU    fee per year - € 22600

MA Languages & Image Studies (Z373) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 4550
nonEU    fee per year - € 11300

***Fees are subject to change

Scholarships available

Scholarships to cover MALI fees will be made available for competitive application to MALI in 2023-24 (one scholarship requires Italian to be studied as Core Language – please indicate if you wish to be considered for the Italian scholarship). To be considered for a MALI fees scholarship please email a formal Letter of Application to MALI Director, Síofra Pierse (siofra.pierse@ucd.ie), including a copy of your CV and a Letter of statement of interest in this MA.

 

Applicants should have a min. grade 2.2 or higher in their primary degree (NFQ Level 8 or international equivalent) and ideally ( but not compulsorily) in a cognate area.

 It is not necessary to have previously studied Languages at Third Level before applying to MALI.

 

Application requirements :


  1. Personal Statement (500 - 1000 words max: Why do you wish to take this MA in Languages and Image Studies? Any prior experience of Image Studies? Any prior experience of Language Study e.g. BA level studies OR travel OR school OR self-taught OR hobby OR other?) Please also list which 1 or 2 languages you might wish to study (and estimated level).

  2. One Academic Reference

  3. English Language Test (in line with UCD language requirements). Applicants whose first language is not English are required to submit evidence of their English language proficiency. IELTS (Academic) Overall Band Score of 6.5 with no component band score below 6.0 and 6.5 in Writing and Speaking bands normally required or equivalent.

  4. Short writing sample in English (e.g. Essay/ Assignment on current degree topic), with statement that this is entirely applicant's own work.

  5. A short online interview exchange should be expected in advance of final acceptance to MALI


    6.  

GradDip in Languages and Image Studies is suitable for students who do not wishh to undertake individual research and/or who are unsure of their language learning skills and/or who perhaps wish to begin their studies in January.  If this is the case, please apply for the Graduate Diploma in Languages and Image Studies.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MA Languages & Image Studies:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt Z372
MA Languages & Image Studies
Master of Arts
Full-Time
Commencing September 2024
 Graduate Taught Apply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt Z373
Languages & Image Studies
Master of Arts
Part-Time
Commencing September 2024
 Graduate Taught Not available to International applicantsApply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt Z372
MA Languages & Image Studies
Master of Arts
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
 Graduate Taught Opens 01 Oct 2024
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt Z373
Languages & Image Studies
Master of Arts
Part-Time
Commencing September 2025
 Graduate Taught Not available to International applicantsOpens 01 Oct 2024
* you can change options at the top of the page
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