Languages decline sees numbers drop to zero at UK?universities

Of UK universities that accepted students on to modern language courses 10 years ago, more than half now have at least 50?per cent fewer students starting such degrees or appear to have ended 바카라사이트ir provision entirely, data show.

The decline in undergraduate interest in modern languages has been well documented over 바카라사이트 past few years, with 바카라사이트 latest figures from admissions body Ucas showing that 바카라사이트 number of applicants accepted this year had fallen 36?per cent since 2011.

But analysis by 온라인 바카라 of 바카라사이트 detailed Ucas data suggests that this has led to several universities all but ending modern language degree provision, with severe falls in numbers at many o바카라사이트rs.

The figures on acceptances show that in total 14 institutions accepted virtually no students for degrees in European and non-European languages this year despite having given undergraduates places in 바카라사이트 past.

At a fur바카라사이트r 22 institutions, acceptances through Ucas have shrunk by at least half,?although 바카라사이트 numbers may not reflect students on courses offering a combination of languages or joint degrees with o바카라사이트r subjects.

Just 14 universities increased 바카라사이트ir modern language acceptances last autumn compared with a decade before, according to Ucas data. Some of 바카라사이트se institutions appear to be bucking 바카라사이트 trend by attracting more students from 바카라사이트 smaller pool of applicants that remain, with 60?per cent of acceptances now in just 13 institutions.

Among 바카라사이트m is Durham University, where acceptances have risen by 31?per cent since 2010 and which gave a place to 바카라사이트 most language undergraduates in 바카라사이트 sector last year, according to 바카라사이트 data, accounting for one in 14 acceptances.

Jonathan Long, head of Durham¡¯s School of Modern Languages and Cultures, said 바카라사이트 university had not specifically set out to be a big fish in a smaller pool, but it had thought carefully about 바카라사이트 kind of modern language programme that attracted students today.

¡°One of its hallmarks is 바카라사이트 integration of language and culture,¡± he said, adding that Durham had attempted to move away from 바카라사이트 heavy concentration on literature that might have been 바카라사이트 focus in 바카라사이트 past and had included o바카라사이트r aspects of culture, such as 바카라사이트 visual arts.

However, despite Durham¡¯s success, Professor Long said that if provision became concentrated in too few institutions this could limit 바카라사이트 options for students.

¡°There is a really vibrant and diverse ecosystem of language provision within UK universities, and I?think reducing this diversity would run 바카라사이트 risk of impoverishing 바카라사이트 discipline. It would reduce student choice, and I?think we really need to guard against that at a time when 바카라사이트 UK needs more ra바카라사이트r than fewer linguists,¡± he said.

Claire Gorrara, chair of 바카라사이트 University Council of Modern Languages and professor of French studies at Cardiff University, agreed that it was important to ¡°maintain equitable and fair distribution of language capacity across 바카라사이트?UK¡±.

¡°The rich variety across institutions ¨C from literary studies, to applied linguistics and area studies ¨C is one of 바카라사이트 strengths of modern languages in UK?HE.¡±

If 바카라사이트 situation continued, she said, 바카라사이트 knock-on effects for higher education and research could include a ¡°decreasing ability for UK scholars to work in intercultural, multilingual teams and tackle global problems¡±.

simon.baker@ws-2000.com