Introduction

Undertaking studies in modern languages and literature means making an important choice for the society of tomorrow. Those who master the French language, literature and culture because they are able to decode all types of rhetoric and construct convincing arguments, have the keys to understanding the issues at stake in our contemporary civilisation and to intervening in the public sphere or in the media.

When this is combined with knowledge of another Germanic language, even more perspectives are opened up and interculturality becomes a major value. Fluency in French and English or Dutch is an asset in the professional world. In addition, a third language (Romance or Germanic) can also be part of this programme. Thanks to these studies, students will be able to build bridges between different cultural worlds and highlight the richness specific to each of them.

 

Your profile

• You value linguistic and cultural diversity.
• You wish to be highly proficient in French and a Germanic language, with the possibility to learn a third language (Romance or Germanic).
• You love to read and you love literary works of all kinds, including those written before our century. Discovering other cultures appeals to you. You would like to have a better idea of the processes, understand their mechanisms, analyse them and interpret them.
• You are curious about languages, their mechanisms and their development throughout history, and you would like to acquire a high level of proficiency in them.
• In a spirit of openness, you are interested in the possibility of studying for a term abroad or at a Belgian university in the north of the country.

The modern languages and literature programme is for you!

Your future job

Studies in modern languages and literature can lead to careers in teaching and research. But many other fields are open to you thanks to your linguistic and cultural knowledge, analytical skills and rigour:

• Teaching French and the other language studied (upper secondary and higher education, abroad)
• Academic research
• Information and communications sector: journalism, literary criticism, communications training, advertising
• Cultural institutions: museums, theatres, cultural centres
• Books and publishing: collection management, choice of publications, proofreading, relations with authors
• Language services (translation, documentation, interpreting) for national and international institutions
• Books and publishing: bookshops, libraries, documentation centres
• Public administration (level 1)
• Private sector: human resources management, communications consultancy, banks, insurance, etc.
• Humanitarian sector

Your programme

The bachelor's degree in modern languages and literature offers you:

• an education in both literature and linguistics, in French and in a Germanic language. In both cases, the programme offers a historical approach (history of literature, historical linguistics, etc.) and a synchronic approach (text analysis, literary theory, grammar, sociolinguistics, etc.)
• a solid general education in the humanities: philosophy, history, historical criticism, art history, European literature and language sciences, also providing you with an understanding of academic methods
• the possibility to take optional courses (minor subject), to study a third language (Romance or Germanic), or to further your general education in philosophy or history

As a central part of the programme, the study of your chosen languages will focus not only on their practical use (oral and written), but also on an in-depth understanding of their functioning and their cultural and literary dimensions.

Your parcours

After your bachelor's degree, you can continue your studies with a Master [120] in Modern Languages and Literatures : General, or with a Master [60] in Modern Languages and Literatures : General. Your bachelor's degree will also allow you to move into other related fields of study (such as Master [120] in Multilingual Communication, Master [120] in Linguistics, Master [120] in Translation, or Master [120] in European Studies).

Pursuing a dual bachelor's degree

Our dual bachelor's degrees are one of the special features of UCLouvain Saint-Louis - Bruxelles.

Students can take a second bachelor's degree, in tandem with their main bachelor's degree. This means that they complete their main programme with a minimum of 60 and a maximum of 125 additional credits spread over several years. The additional bachelor's degree can be completed after the main bachelor's degree. A series of courses taken as part of the main programme count towards the additional bachelor's degree and are therefore no longer subject to assessment. The additional bachelor's degree has the same value as the main bachelor's degree and provides immediate access to the corresponding master's degree.
The following additional bachelor's degrees are available:

• history
• French and Romance languages and literature: general

For further information, please contact the faculty administration: phlb-slb@uclouvain.be