University College Dublin

Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)


Advanced knowledge of European cultures and languages, spoken worldwide, has never been more important. The MA Modern Languages offers you guided graduate study in French, German, Italian or Spanish studies or in any two of these areas. With a blend of disciplinary and interdisciplinary studies you will engage with current humanities research in foreign-language areas, guided by internationally recognised scholars. In some cases, an Erasmus term at a partner university may be available. You will develop sophisticated critical and theoretical tools needed for deep engagement with language, literature, and culture. The programme will appeal both to students wishing to develop deep familiarity with the cultures of one language area and those looking for a more broad exploration of the cultures of two language areas.


Please visit our website for more information: https://www.ucd.ie/slcl/study/postgraduateprogrammes/mainmodernlanguages/

Small-group seminars taught by leading experts in a variety of fields

Subject-specialist, comparative and interdisciplinary analyses of Europe and beyond

Open and friendly academic learning environment with a strong international dimension


Who should apply?


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


The MA in Modern Languages will interest students who have completed language, literature and culture studies at undergraduate level, and who would now like to pursue these studies in one or more languages (French, German, Italian, Spanish) at an advanced level of proficiency and with comparative possibilities.


Vision & Value Statement

Students engage with current research and develop the advanced analytical, critical and theoretical tools necessary for sophisticated engagement with literature, culture, and language. The programme aims to combine choice with coherence, flexibility with focus, depth with the opportunity to broaden one's cultural horizons. Students choose an area or areas of specialisation from a broad range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary modules.


Whether deepening existing knowledge or exploring new areas of study, students enjoy intensive interaction with academic specialists in small-group seminars. Individual supervision on an independent academic research project culminates in the preparation of a minor thesis on an original subject.


Individual and group presentations, symposia, literature reviews, bibliographical research and extended written projects are central elements of the programme's design. As postgraduates, MA students join in School research seminars as full members of the academic community.


Programme Outcome

Students should have established a sophisticated level of expertise in one or more of the programme's languages.


deepened a contextually informed understanding of and engagement with the literary and cultural production of communities speaking one or more of the programme's languages.


developed a familiarity with prominent critical and theoretical schools and tendencies.


identified and circumscribed an independent and significant research problematic that extends current thinking.


investigated the chosen research problematic in a systematic, critically and theoretically informed way, presented an analysis in appropriate academic form and language, and evaluated the conclusions of that analysis in relation to previous work in the area.


increased expertise in oral presentation and communication, especially in presenting and discussing substantial research questions in formal and specialist fora (seminars, symposia etc.) and to diverse audiences of experts and peers.


Students should have established a sophisticated level of expertise in one or more of the programme's languages.


deepened a contextually informed understanding of and engagement with the literary and cultural production of communities speaking one or more of the programme's languages.


developed a familiarity with prominent critical and theoretical schools and tendencies.


identified and circumscribed an independent and significant research problematic that extends current thinking.


increased expertise in oral presentation and communication, especially in presenting and discussing substantial research questions in formal and specialist fora (seminars, symposia etc.) and to diverse audiences of experts and peers.


investigated the chosen research problematic in a systematic, critically and theoretically informed way, presented an analysis in appropriate academic form and language, and evaluated the conclusions of that analysis in relation to previous work in the area.