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University Language Programme

The University Language Programme (ULP) at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) provides a range of language courses to students, staff and members of the general public. You'll have the opportunity to learn a new language or improve your existing foreign language skills.

    Student in library

    Explore your opportunities - learn a language

    Whether you're a beginner or at an advanced level, we'll help and support you to build your ability so that you can communicate confidently in your chosen language.

    You'll be taught by experienced language specialists, many of whom are native language speakers, so that you can benefit from an authentic language experience.

    Courses and entry requirements

    • Arabic

      • Stage One (no prior knowledge or qualification needed, includes GCSE grades D - G (3 - 1))
      • Stage Two (GCSE at grade C ( 4 ) or above in the language or equivalent)
      • Stage Three (GCSE at grade A* / A (9 - 7) in the language or equivalent)
      • Stage Four (AS level grade C or above, or A level grade E or above in the language or equivalent)

    • Business English (for non-native speakers of English)

      • Stage Five (A-level at grade C or above in the language or equivalent)
      • Stage Six (A-level at grade E or above in the language or equivalent, plus at least one year study/experience of the language)
      • Stage Seven (A-level grade E or above in the language or equivalent plus at least two years study/experience of the language)

    • Chinese (Mandarin)

      • Stage One (no prior knowledge or qualification needed, includes GCSE grades D - G (3 - 1))
      • Stage Two (GCSE at grade C ( 4 ) or above in the language or equivalent)
      • Stage Three (GCSE at grade A* / A (9 - 7) in the language or equivalent)
      • Stage Four (AS level grade C or above, or A level grade E or above in the language or equivalent)
      • Stage Five (A-level at grade C or above in the language or equivalent,)
      • Stage Six (A-level at grade E or above in the language or equivalent, plus at least one year study/experience of the language)

    • English as a Foreign Language (EFL)

      • Stage Five (A-level at grade C or above in the language or equivalent)
      • Stage Six (A-level at grade E or above in the language or equivalent, plus at least one year study/experience of the language)
      • Stage Seven (A-level grade E or above in the language or equivalent plus at least two years study/experience of the language)

    • French

      • Stage One (no prior knowledge or qualification needed, includes GCSE grades D - G (3 - 1))
      • Stage Two (GCSE at grade C ( 4 ) or above in the language or equivalent)
      • Stage Three (GCSE at grade A* / A (9 - 7) in the language or equivalent)
      • Stage Four (AS level grade C or above, or A level grade E or above in the language or equivalent)
      • Stage Five (A-level at grade C or above in the language or equivalent)
      • Stage Six (A-level at grade E or above in the language or equivalent, plus at least one year study/experience of the language)

    • German

      • Stage One (no prior knowledge or qualification needed, includes GCSE grades D - G (3 - 1))
      • Stage Two (GCSE at grade C ( 4 ) or above in the language or equivalent)
      • Stage Three (GCSE at grade A* / A (9 - 7) in the language or equivalent)
      • Stage Four (AS level grade C or above, or A level grade E or above in the language or equivalent)
      • Stage Five (A-level at grade C or above in the language or equivalent)
      • Stage Six (A-level at grade E or above in the language or equivalent, plus at least one year study/experience of the language)

    • Italian

      • Stage One (no prior knowledge or qualification needed, includes GCSE grades D - G (3 - 1))
      • Stage Two (GCSE at grade C ( 4 ) or above in the language or equivalent)
      • There is no Stage Three for Italian.
      • Stage Four (AS level grade C or above, or A level grade E or above in the language or equivalent)
      • Stage Five (A-level at grade C or above in the language or equivalent)
      • Stage Six (A-level at grade E or above in the language or equivalent, plus at least one year study/experience of the language)

    • Japanese

      • Stage One (no prior knowledge or qualification needed, includes GCSE grades D - G (3 - 1))
      • Stage Two (GCSE at grade C ( 4 ) or above in the language or equivalent)
      • Stage Three (GCSE at grade A* / A (9 - 7) in the language or equivalent)

    • Spanish

      • Stage One (no prior knowledge or qualification needed, includes GCSE grades D - G (3 - 1))
      • Stage Two (GCSE at grade C ( 4 ) or above in the language or equivalent)
      • Stage Three (GCSE at grade A* / A (9 - 7) in the language or equivalent)
      • Stage Four (AS level grade C or above, or A-level grade E or above in the language or equivalent)
      • Stage Five (A-level at grade C or above in the language or equivalent)
      • Stage Six (A-level at grade E or above in the language or equivalent, plus at least one year study/experience of the language)

    Video icon
    University Language Programme
    Hear from our students as they talk about their experience studying on the University Language Programme.

    What you'll study

    Classes take place on the City Campus. The courses start in October and run until the end of April for 22 weeks during term time. Depending on the language, a range of classes are offered at different times of the week, including evenings.

    You will be required to attend two hours per week of class contact time over one full academic year in order to complete a stage of the language programme. In addition you will need to complete, on average, two to four hours per week of directed or independent learning.

    View the class timetable for 2018.

    Assessments

    Assessments will take place in class during University term time. To progress onto the next stage of your chosen language you must complete and pass all the assessments on the previous stage.

    Jessica Riley-Heenan

    I managed to take a Spanish course alongside my degree through the University Language Programme (ULP) and through this I won a scholarship to visit a Spanish speaking country! Because I want to work globally, speaking different languages puts me at a huge advantage.”

    Jessica Riley-Heenan, BA (Hons) Global Studies and TESOL

    Information for NTU Students

    The University Language Programme (ULP) is open to all current NTU students and Erasmus or other exchange students registered with the University.

    Accredited and supplementary students

    As an NTU student, you may study the ULP as an accredited or supplementary part of your course.

    As an accredited student, you'll be eligible to take languages as an option module as part of your studies. You'll be able to gain 20 credit points which will count towards your 120 credit points. In this instance, the fee for the course will already be included in your university tuition fee. To find out whether your degree accepts these modules, please contact your course administrator.

    If you are not eligible to take a language as an optional module on your course, you'll be classed as a supplementary student and will be required to pay an additional fee.

    Supplementary students who successfully complete a language stage will be eligible for a Language Learning Award.

    How to apply

    To apply for one of our courses you should attend a registration session. Do not apply using the online booking. At the registration sessions your level of learning will be assessed by our tutors to ensure that you are placed in the relevant language class. This will be an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about the course.

    • If you’re an NTU undergraduate student, you must bring your timetable with you to the registration session to ensure that there is no clash between your core studies and your language classes.
    • If you’re an Erasmus student, you must bring your learning agreement with you to registration if you are taking your language as accredited module.
    • If you’re repeating a module or have referred your language studies you must attend a registration session.

    If you're studying an undergraduate or postgraduate course at NTU, the course fee will be refunded upon successful completion of the course.

    Fees 2018/19

    If you intend to study a language for credit points towards your degree, the course fee will be included in your university tuition fee. If you wish to study a language in addition to your degree, you’ll be classed as a supplementary student and will be required to pay an additional fee. If you're studying an undergraduate or postgraduate course at NTU, the ULP supplementary course fee will be refunded upon successful completion of the course.

    • £200 NTU undergraduate and postgraduate students
    • £140 Erasmus or exchange student (one semester of study)

    You may also be required to buy a course book. See booklist.

    You will need to pay your fees at the registration session. We accept all major credit and debit cards. Cash payments can be accepted but we do not accept personal or business cheques.

    Taster sessions

    To find out more about our language courses join us at a taster session.

    Alternatively, visit our information desk at the Newton Upper Gallery, City Campus. A language tutor will be there Tuesday 25 September - Friday 28 September, 12 pm - 2 pm.

    Gida Malafronte

    In the future, I would like to work for the United Nations as well as taking the time to aid and volunteer at refugee camps. By learning Arabic with the ULP, I feel more confident in being able to achieve my career goals.

    Gida Malafronte, BA (Hons) Global Studies and International Relations

    2018/19 scholarships include a £1,000 travel grant and £425 towards study resources.

    Scholarships 2018 entry

    We offer an annual scholarship, 'The Clear Thinking Languages Scholarship', to a first year undergraduate student who is able to study a language on the University Language Programme at stage three or above.

    For scholarships beginning in 2018/19 or later this includes:

    • a travel grant up to £1000
    • an annual payment up to £425 so you have more money available for study resources.

    To apply you'll need to write a personal statement, please see the terms and conditions for further details.

    Applications will be assessed on:

    • whether the minimum required grade for the first assignment has been met
    • the quality of the personal statement.

    If several applicants are closely matched, interviews will be held with the shortlisted applicants. The successful candidate will be contacted by us directly.

    I used my scholarship to visit Spain for three weeks as research for my third year project. I even had the chance to visit the costume department at Valencia Opera House.

    I was able to use my language knowledge and learn new technical vocabulary. I feel that I now have more confidence and this experience has opened up the possibility of a future living and working in Spain.

    Hannah Varley, BA (Hons) Costume Design and Making

    Information for staff and the public

    The University Language Programme (ULP) is open to all NTU employees and members of the general public (over 18 years old only). Students who successfully complete a stage will be eligible for a Language Learning award.

    How to apply

    You can register online if you're applying for stage one (beginners), or if you've successfully completed the previous ULP stage in the same language. If you want to apply for a stage higher than stage one and haven’t completed the previous stage, you'll need to attend a registration session.

    At the registration sessions your level of learning will be assessed by our tutors to ensure that you are placed in the relevant language class. This will be an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about the course.

    2018/19 courses

    Registration for 2018/19 has now closed. Our next registration period will begin in October 2019.  If you would like us to send you further details when they become available please complete the form here.  Further details will be sent to you in September 2019.

    Fees 2018/19

    • £250
    • £200 for Nottingham City Council (NCC) teachers on production of a NCC payslip from the previous three months.

    Bespoke courses

    If you’re looking for a bespoke course for a group of students or for your business please get in touch. These can take place at NTU or at a location of your choice.

    Email: ulp@ntu.ac.uk

    Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 6156

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    Important information for registration

    • You must be 18 or over to register.
    • If you are an NTU undergraduate student, you must bring your timetable with you to registration to ensure that language classes do not clash with your timetable.
    • There are different registration sessions depending on whether you are a member of the general public, NTU staff, postgraduate or undergraduate. Please check the registration timetable to find out which session you should attend.
    • Although we offer separate registration sessions all students are combined in class.
    • If you are an Erasmus student, you must bring your learning agreement with you to registration if you are taking your language as accredited.
    • If you are repeating / referred your language you must attend a registration session, however you will not be required to see a tutor.

    Refund policy

    Terms and conditions of our refund policy.

    Contact us

    If you'd like more information about our language courses and registration sessions please email us.

    You can also call us on +44 (0)115 848 6156, or visit the Nottingham Language Centre at the address below:

    Nottingham Trent University
    DICe Building
    Clarendon Street
    Nottingham
    NG1 5JD

    Still need help?

    +44 (0)115 941 8418