Languages & Image Studies

The course is designed to be inclusive: for those who wish to learn about Image Studies analysis (film, art, photos, online images); for those who are already language specialists and who may wish to expand their expertise by learning new language(s); and for those who are language non-specialists, that is, those who have never studied language at university before, but who wish to undertake accelerated language learning.



Throughout this degree, students work on both their language skills and their Image Studies skills. From the outset, each student will study a range of Image Studies modules which hone their critical thinking skills and expand their ability to engage and comprehend global cultures through study of images, whether film, art, illustration, photography or more. Image studies will be explored via individual modules, both Core (European film analysis; the global prison film) or Options such as Global Surrealism or the Body in C21 Spanish art.



Language study is a cumulative skill, so language will be studied relatively intensively across the entire year. Students are welcome to concentrate solely on their core language OR to also student a second language option. All students are encouraged to work on writing, speaking, listening and writing, with particular focus on oral presentation skills.



Students bring their core language skills and core taught Image Studies skills into the study of all Image-centred modules, from a range of options which vary, and may include focus on photography, film, art, intermediality, illustration or other. At the end of the year, they harness their own cultural interests and analytical skills in their own research project(s).

Stage 1 Core Modules

SLL40390 European Film Analysis Autumn 10

SLL40380 Global Prison Film Spring 10



Stage 1 Options - *A)0 of:

Students will be registered to either Research Essays or MALI Dissertation by the Programme Director.

SLL40400 Research Essays Summer 30

SLL40820 MALI Dissertation Summer 30



Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:

All MALI students must take at least 1 Option module in both Trimester 1 and Trimester 2 from this list (and max 3 Option modules in total). Where a student is taking a 2nd Language as an Option module, then just 2 modules must be taken from this list. Where a student is not studying a 2nd language then 3 Options must be taken from this list. Option modules are subject to change. Students must normally balance their credit workload evenly across Trimesters 1 and 2 (30 credits max in each trimester). Please agree your module choices with MALI programme Director before registering to ANY MALI modules.



SLL40800 Body & Matter: 21C Spanish Art Autumn 10

SLL40810 Cross-Border Imaginings Autumn 10

SLL40370 Surrealism: A Global Revolution Spring 10

SLL40830 Gender and Feminism in African Image studies Spring 10



Stage 1 Options - C) Min 1 of:

MALI students must take a short language assessment before being registered to language modules. Please contact MALI Programme Director.

SLL40410 Spanish A1 Autumn and Spring (separate) 10

SLL40420 Spanish B1 Autumn and Spring (separate) 10

SLL40450 Spanish A2 Autumn and Spring (separate) 10

SLL40460 Spanish B2 Autumn and Spring (separate) 10

SLL40470 Spanish C1 Autumn and Spring (separate) 10

SLL40490 Italian A1 Autumn and Spring (separate) 10

SLL40500 Italian B1 Autumn and Spring (separate) 10

SLL40530 Italian A2 Autumn and Spring (separate) 10

SLL40540 Italian B2 Autumn and Spring (separate) 10

SLL40550 Italian C1 Autumn and Spring (separate) 10

SLL40590 French B1 Autumn and Spring (separate) 10

SLL40600 French B2 Autumn and Spring (separate) 10

SLL40610 French C1 Autumn and Spring (separate) 10

SLL40620 German A1 Autumn and Spring (separate) 10

SLL40660 German A2 Autumn and Spring (separate) 10

SLL40670 German B1 Autumn and Spring (separate) 10

SLL40680 German B2 Autumn and Spring (separate) 10

SLL40690 German C1 Autumn and Spring (separate) 10

SLL40700 Portuguese A1 Autumn and Spring (separate) 10

SLL40710 Portuguese B1 Autumn and Spring (separate) 10

SLL40740 Portuguese A2 Autumn and Spring (separate) 10

SLL40780 Portuguese B2 Autumn and Spring (separate) 10

SLL40790 Portuguese C1 Autumn and Spring (separate) 10

Applicants should have a min. grade 2.2 or higher in their primary degree (NFQ Level 8 or international equivalent) and ideally ( but not compulsorily) in a cognate area.



It is not necessary to have previously studied Languages at Third Level before applying to MALI.



Application requirements :

- Personal Statement (500 - 1000 words max: Why do you wish to take this MA in Languages and Image Studies? Any prior experience of Image Studies? Any prior experience of Language Study e.g. BA level studies OR travel OR school OR self-taught OR hobby OR other?) Please also list which 1 or 2 languages you might wish to study (and estimated level).

- One Academic Reference

- English Language Test (in line with UCD language requirements). Applicants whose first language is not English are required to submit evidence of their English language proficiency. IELTS (Academic) Overall Band Score of 6.5 with no component band score below 6.0 and 6.5 in Writing and Speaking bands normally required or equivalent.

- Short writing sample in English (e.g. Essay/ Assignment on current degree topic), with statement that this is entirely applicant's own work.

- A short online interview exchange should be expected in advance of final acceptance to MALI



GradDip in Languages and Image Studies is suitable for students who do not wish to undertake individual research and/or who are unsure of their language learning skills and/or who perhaps wish to begin their studies in January. If this is the case, please apply for the Graduate Diploma in Languages and Image Studies.



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

https://tinyurl.com/2ae2ffax

Z372 -1 Year Full Time

Z373 - 2 Years Part Time

Delivery: On Campus

Z372 MA Languages & Image Studies Master of Arts Full-Time

Commencing September 2025

Graduate Taught



Z373 Languages & Image Studies Master of Arts Part-Time

Commencing September 2025

Graduate Taught

The foreign-language and visual/analytical focus of MALI offers valuable opportunities to graduates who wish to simply challenge themselves to enhance their language skills and to think critically through cultural engagement with images, as well as to graduates who wish to consider a range of career areas with an international dimension, from the arts, culture and education, to business, diplomacy, travel and more.