Student Profiles

I studied BA (Hons) French and Spanish at Manchester Met. I loved my degree because of how diverse it is. The modules that were offered can be in on the one hand quite broad so that you can get a feel for different aspects of the culture, but on the other hand they can also be quite specific, for example if you want to take the career route for translating and interpreting. What I liked about my degree is that it has something for everyone, whether you know what career path you would like to take or not.

I started Spanish in an ab initio class for the first year and then in second year I was put in the same classes as the post A-level students. At first I thought that this would be quite daunting and that I would not understand anything, but the level of teaching and support that you receive in the first year sets you up for this and gives you the basic knowledge that you will need.

One of the best aspects of the degree is the year abroad. During my year abroad I studied at partner universities in Bordeaux, France and Murcia, Spain. The year abroad is an amazing experience which gives you the chance to put into practice the skills that you have learnt and develop new ones. You really do get a feel for the language and the culture of the places you go to. I think it is an invaluable experience for anyone studying languages to spend a significant amount of time abroad.

Go for it and put in as much effort as you want to get out of it. A degree in languages is challenging so you have to work at it but the teachers at Manchester Met are always willing to help.

Also, if there is one thing I would have done differently whilst studying at Manchester Met it is that I would have gotten more involved in the activities and workshops that take place. There are so many different opportunities available for language students, such as language tandems with visiting Erasmus students, being a course rep, or working as a student ambassador to name a few. So I would say try and get involved in as much as possible because it could help you to figure out what type of career route you want to take in the future. If not, these opportunities are a great way to develop new abilities and it also looks great on your CV!

Finally, make the most of your year abroad and do things that push you out of your comfort zone. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity so enjoy it!!

I am inspired by a lot of different things from my family and friends to people who do selfless acts and that have overcome a difficult situation and still carry on.

In terms of university, I am inspired by the teachers at Manchester Met and the effort and hard work they put in. They really do go the extra mile in order to help you, whether it is with something that is university related or not. The languages department is like a little family and we all get on really well together. 

I love that Manchester Met is in one of the best cities in the UK. There is so much to do in Manchester throughout the year and there is a big student presence so students of all types can find something that they enjoy.