Taking an LFA module for degree credit

Please check first with your home department if you are allowed to take an LFA course as part of your programme of study.

Credit bearing modules are:

Year-long courses
Worth 20 credits
Assessed by an end of year exam
Subject to the university regulatory framework
At no extra charge for students

Languages and levels available for credit

	Levels
Arabic	1	2	3
Chinese	1	2	3
French	1	2	3	4	5
German	1	2	3	4	5
Italian	1	2	3	4
Japanese	1	2	3
Latin (Classical)	1	2
Latin (Medieval)	1	2
Russian	1	2	3
Spanish	1	2	3	4	5

Note that for the most widely taught languages in schools, French, German and Spanish, we have an additional entry point, Level 1+. This is to reflect the range of prior learning experiences of our students. See table below for more detail.

How to choose a level if you are taking a module for credit

If you take a language for which you already have some qualification, you must take the next level up. LFA higher levels correspond to degree stages.

You must take:	If you have:
Level 1	Little or no knowledge of the language
Level 1+	Basic Language skills (available in French, German and Spanish)
Level 2	GCSE, LFA level 1/1+ or equivalent
Level 3	A level, LFA Level 2/2+ or equivalent
Level 4	Level 3 or equivalent
Level 5	Level 4 or equivalent

In addition, you need to pay attention to degree stages as this will determine if the module counts towards your degree classification or not.

LFA courses are categorised as follows:

Levels 1 and 2 modules are L-coded and are below C-level
Level 3 modules are C-level (equivalent of first year module)
Level 4 modules are I-level (equivalent of second year module)
Level 5 modules are H-level (equivalent of final year module)

University regulations allow undergraduates to take an LFA module at one or more levels below their degree level. But not all departments permit it. Please check with your home department. Don’t hesitate to ask your academic supervisor for advice if needed.

If you choose an LFA module in line with your degree stage or one level below, your mark will be recorded on your degree transcript the same as for any other credit module. It will count towards your stage average.

In Y2 and Y3, for a module of two levels or more below your stage (known as a dipdown module), the mark will not count towards your stage average which will be calculated from your other 100 credits. It will be recorded as pass or fail on your degree transcript. Please note that it is not compensatable but like any other accredited module, can be reassessed.

For more general information, see Practical information for new students. And remember that you should not register online. You need to fill in an Elective form available on our Registration page.