To find out more about FIAL courses and programmes and the careers to which they can lead, click the links to jump to FAQs concerning the following topics:
Translation and interpretation
History, archaeology, art history, musicology and ancient languages and literature
General questions
Credits, courses and minors
The credit is the unit of measurement of the student’s work for a class (attendance, library research, individual work, practical work, group work, exam preparation time, etc.). For each successfully completed class, the jury awards the student the number of credits for the class (one credit = 30 hours of work; a 60-credit year of study = about 1,800 hours of work).
What is the difference between lectures, seminars and practical work?
Lectures are often given in an auditorium to groups that can be large. The professor usually gives a presentation to the whole group. Practical work takes place in small groups and allows the student to go deeper into a particular aspect of the subject. Seminars are also often held in small groups, and students are generally invited to participate actively in their learning (for example, by completing a group assignment or several personal assignments).
A minor is a 30-credit option integrated into the bachelor’s programme (half a year divided between the second and third years), allowing students to discover another discipline in the Faculty of Philosophy, Arts and Letters or in another faculty. This allows students to add another string to their bow and design their course according to what they like or want to become. For example, students can take a minor in information and communication to later turn to journalism. Here is the information available in FIAL.
What is the culture and creativity minor?
This minor allows students to engage in artistic creativity. They become authors of a text or co-authors of a script. They engage in a collective work of visual or performing art, etc. The minor brings a more creative dimension to the study programme. Each year the minor is supervised by a different artist-in-residence.
There are about 400 students in the general classes. These are classes taken by all students of the Faculty of Philosophy, Arts and Letters (i.e. students taking philosophy, history, archaeology, musicology, or ancient, modern, Romance or Germanic language courses). The first-year bachelor’s programme also includes many classes with smaller numbers of students (classes reserved for students taking a certain course).
Can I experience what a class is like before I enrol?
Yes, during open classes. They offer the possibility of taking first-year classes (either the common core classes that concern all students regardless of their course, or more disciplinary classes). Open classes are held during the autumn and spring holidays. More information.
These are preparatory summer courses for students in their final year of secondary school. They are not compulsory but offer the opportunity to discover UCLouvain and meet other students who will also enrol here. More information.
Do I need to be a good public speaker to start studying in FIAL?
Oral fluency is not necessary before starting your course. However, as the course progresses, students will be required to present work orally, speak in seminars or practical work, and take oral exams. This is the case in all higher education courses.
Schedules
There is no single schedule: each student’s schedule depends on the classes and electives chosen. However, there is a standard schedule available on ADE (student/FIAL).
Do classes take place every day? On Saturdays? Until what time?
Classes are usually held between 8.30am and 6.00pm Monday to Friday. They do not always cover the whole day. Ideally, free time (two hours here, two hours there) can be used for assignments and personal study. It is possible for a class to be held on a Saturday in the master’s programme, but this is very rare. And exams can be held on Saturday morning.
Internships and Erasmus
What is the difference between an internship and Erasmus?
During an Erasmus course, the student follows a four-month course in one of our partner universities in Belgium or abroad. During an internship, the student acquires professional experience either in Belgium or abroad. The faculty has an international relations service and an internship service, which informs students and assists them with their applications.
Support
Will I get help during my course?
Yes, students are not alone. They are supported from before their arrival (through preparatory summer courses) throughout their academic career in the faculty. Students can also always go to their professors or teaching assistants to ask them questions. Our pedagogical advisor, Cécile Leblanc, helps students individually and collectively with methodology (how to organise their work? how to study?). Our study adviser, Fiorella Flamini, advises students on their choice of classes in order to develop a course that suits them (which minor to choose, which master’s course, which specialisation, etc.). Older students tutor younger students. Finally, students can have access to an adviser. The Faculty of Philosophy, Arts and Letters is here to help students throughout their course.
Is it possible to receive financial or social assistance?
Yes: more information.
Enrolment
When is the best time to enrol?
Enrolments for French Community secondary school students are possible online from June. The university Enrolment Office advises applicants to complete the online application as soon as possible in order to obtain personal access codes well in advance. More information.
Practical information
What is the advantage of studying in Louvain-la-Neuve?
Louvain-la-Neuve is a pedestrian city with a very pleasant atmosphere. It is a university town where students are always meeting students from other faculties, which is very enriching. The cultural and student life is very rich, including kots-à-projets (theme-based student accommodation), which offer activities, quizzes, parties, etc., student clubs and associations, and cultural and sports events! There are a million things to do but nothing is compulsory. Students do as they wish.
Adjustments to the curriculum or exam procedures are possible within the framework of the support offered by UCLouvain to “Students with a specific profile” (PEPS students). It is essential to apply for this status in order to be able to benefit from curriculum adjustments or assistance.
Studying in Louvain-la-Neuve entitles students to a permit providing free access to several car parks. Students can also buy one of a range of parking passes. More information.
Languages and literature
General questions
Is it possible to choose the language in which classes are taught or are they only taught in French?
Students cannot choose the language in which classes are taught. The language depends on the subject being taught. In general, classes are taught in the language of study. For example, in Romance languages and literature, classes in French are taught in French, while classes in Italian and Spanish are taught in those languages. In the modern languages and literature programmes (GERM, ROGE), general classes are taught in French, but all other courses are taught in the two languages studied (e.g. English and Dutch, English and Italian).
What are the career prospects for graduates?
40% of the faculty’s graduates work in education, 60% in other sectors including but not limited to:
- socio-cultural sector;
- media and communication;
- international institutions
- publishing and book trade;
- cultural sector;
- language industry;
- translation and interpreting;
- tourism;
- scientific research;
- management and finance;
- consultancy;
- administration;
- banking and insurance.
What course is required in order to become a language professor?
To become an upper secondary education language professor, students must choose the teaching focus when pursuing the 120-credit master’s course. If they wish to acquire another focus (research or professional) in this same master’s course, they must complete a teaching degree course (30 credits) after completing the master’s course.
How many years of study after the bachelor’s degree are needed to be able to teach?
As the law stands at present, you need either a two-year master’s degree with a teaching focus or a two-year master’s degree with a research or professional focus, followed by an additional year of study for the agrégation de l’enseignement secondaire supérieur (AESS, “upper secondary education teaching degree”).
Which is better: the one-year 60-credit master’s course or the two-year 120-credit master’s course?
Successful completion of the two-year 120-credit master’s course confers eligibility to pursue a specialised master’s course and, if necessary, a PhD. It corresponds to the European model and is better valued abroad. It allows students to choose a particular field of study (research, teaching, professional) and also offers the possibility of spending a semester abroad (Erasmus exchange). The one-year 60-credit master’s course can be valued on the labour market but consists of a general education that does not correspond to the European model.
Modern languages and literature, general (ROGE)
To what extent is it possible to study both English and French?
This is a possibility with the UCLouvain general modern languages and literature programme known as ROGE (“ROmance-GErmanic”). This allows you to study a Germanic language (English, German or Dutch) and a Romance language (French, Spanish or Italian). This offers the possibility of combining English and French. ATTENTION: this allows you to become an English professor, but not a professor of French as a first language (as students experience in secondary school).
Is UCLouvain the only Belgian French-speaking university to offer ROGE?
No, ULB does too.
What is the difference between the ROGE and Romance language programmes?
In ROGE, two languages are put on the same footing and studied equally (one Germanic: English, German or Dutch; one Romance: French, Italian or Spanish). The approach to language is more communicative and pragmatic. Students start learning the language and progress towards its mastery. In Romance language programmes, the education is much more in-depth, especially at the scientific level (literature and linguistics). Half of ROGE programme classes are also part of Romance language programmes. Among Romance language programmes, French accounts for 75% of the classes (French literature and linguistics) and is combined with another Romance language (Italian or Spanish), not with a Germanic language as in ROGE programmes. In Romance language programmes, Italian or Spanish classes concentrate on language learning, literature, linguistics, and culture, and are taught in the relevant language.
Can you teach French after completing ROGE?
No. This course offers the possibility of combining a Germanic language with French. ATTENTION: it allows you to become an English teacher but not a teacher of French as a first language for French-speaking students (as students experience in secondary school).
Is it possible to take ROGE and learn an additional language?
Yes, via a minor in the second and third year of the bachelor’s course.
Yes, the minor in a third language allows you to change major languages in the master’s course, as specified in the admission requirements. It is possible to discuss this with the study adviser.
Modern languages and literature, Germanic (GERM)
Do you become trilingual by the end of your bachelor’s in modern languages and literature course?
It depends. We educate students to become language experts. Students learn all aspects of their chosen languages: literature, linguistics, culture and history. We do not provide conversation classes; if that is what students require, they can do so on their own time, with other students or privately. For this reason, students of modern languages are encouraged to immerse themselves as much as possible in the studied languages (press, internet, radio, etc.). Study abroad is recommended!
I want to speak English and Dutch better. Is it best to take GERM?
Students will develop a command of the language during the course. But students should not take the course just to learn languages or study abroad via Erasmus. The course will enhance students’ knowledge of how language functions and of its influence through literature and culture. It is important to have a feel for language as a tool of communication and a vehicle of culture.
Are conversation classes part of the course?
This is something to be done on students’ own time, if they wish. For example, with other students or privately.
If students choose a major in English and German, a minor in another field should be chosen. This can be a third language (Spanish, Dutch, etc.) or a completely different field. It depends on what students want. If they want to be an expert in Germanic languages, for example, it may be wise to choose a third language, but it is not at all compulsory. Generally speaking, it is better to score well in the two major languages before considering a minor in a third language, whatever it may be.
I would like to take a bachelor’s course in German and English. Are my German skills sufficient?
There is no required level for German. Previous knowledge or study of German is not required, BUT the pace of learning is fast at university (faster than at secondary school), so you have to study rigorously!
What is the difference between the GERM and translation programmes?
The two programmes are very different. In translation, students work towards the mother tongue (French). The learning process will involve passive knowledge of the language while having a thorough and nuanced knowledge of one’s own language (French). Work will be done to improve the mastery of the mother tongue. In GERM and ROGE, French is avoided in order to create the immersion effect. Moreover, the translation course is professional from the start, with only minimal study of culture, literature and civilisations. The perspectives are very different. You have to think carefully to make the right choice.
Can I become a translator after having completed GERM?
Yes. The reverse is also true. There are translators who become teachers, for example.
Yes, the minor in a third language allows you to change major languages in the master’s course, as specified in the admission requirements. It is possible to discuss this with the study adviser, Fiorella Flamini.
French and other Romance languages and literature (ROM)
Are there many classes to choose from in the ROM programme?
The bachelor’s course offers a basic education comprised mainly of a required core curriculum. However, students can choose their minor, their second Romance language (Italian or Spanish) and the subject of their bachelor’s course final project (TFC). They are also free to apply for an Erasmus exchange in the third year. In the 120-credit master’s course, on the other hand, the core curriculum is more limited (30 credits of required classes), allowing students to choose fields (literature, linguistics, teaching, book science, etc.) they want to study in greater depth through their dissertation (30 credits), electives (30 credits) and one of the three focuses (30 credits): research, teaching or professional in book science and trade. Students can also, after earning their bachelor’s degree, enrol directly in a master’s course in French as a foreign language (FLE), linguistics or theatre studies.
In order to obtain the required qualification for teaching French in secondary schools, students must study French and other Romance languages and literature (ROM) or ancient and modern languages and literature (Latin/French, LAFR). Students must then either take a master’s course with a teaching focus or a teaching degree course within one year of earning their master’s degree.
The teaching degree in French and other Romance languages and literature is the required degree for teaching French in upper secondary education. Its holders also qualify for teaching the other studied Romance language (Spanish or Italian). They also have sufficient qualifications to teach philosophy, communication and drama.
How can a Romanist become a Latin teacher?
Romanists who hold the teaching degree in French and other Romance languages and literature can, by completing a complementary 60-credit master’s course in ancient and modern languages and literature (LAFR, Latin/French), become qualified to teach Latin. Ideally, students who have this dual degree project should opt for the minor in antiquity during the bachelor’s course and/or take the bachelor’s classes in Latin (language, literature, authors) that are necessary to apply to the LAFR master’s course. Classes that have not been validated beforehand will be added (as a complementary module) to the programme of the 60-credit LAFR master’s course. Romanists who have already earned the teaching degree can do a complementary 60-credit LAFR master’s course to be able to teach Latin. The ideal for students who have this dual curriculum is to pursue the minor in antiquity during the bachelor’s course and take the necessary classes (Latin grammar, Latin language, etc.) to become eligible to apply to the LAFR master’s course.
Are there any prerequisites for studying French and other Romance languages and literature?
A good level of French is required, usually acquired in secondary school.
Is it possible to take an Italian or Spanish course without any basic knowledge of the language?
Yes, everyone starts with an introductory class for both Italian and Spanish. The classes start “from scratch”, but the pace of learning is more intensive than in secondary school (active participation and regular work are therefore necessary).
I studied little to no Latin in secondary school. Can I still enrol in ROM?
Yes, because students can choose between two levels in the first year of the bachelor’s course, including an introductory class.
There are no prerequisites in Latin. The bachelor’s course has only five compulsory credits in Latin in the first year, with a choice of two classes: introduction to Latin (open to all) or Latin authors (for students who took four hours of Latin per week during the last four years of secondary education, or passed the placement test at the beginning of the year). Via the minor in antiquity bachelor’s course students can take Latin classes in literary approaches and textual analysis. Translations are always from Latin into French. Then there are the medieval literature classes. This creates an articulation between Latin and French, through Old French (French language of the late Middle Ages) and Middle French (French language of the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance).
ROM emphasises French literature and linguistics (history of French literature, reading and analysis of literary texts from the Middle Ages to the present day, how the French language works) and a second Romance language (Spanish or Italian); 70% of the classes focus on French, whereas few focus on Latin.
In LAFR, the split is 50-50. No other Romance language is studied (except possibly via the minor). With a few exceptions, French classes are the same as those in ROM (including medieval French classes, which allow the historical articulation between the two languages to be considered). Latin classes concern the language, the history of literature and the reading of texts by authors in their original language; they are generally centred on Latin of classical antiquity, with openings towards Late Antique, Medieval and Modern Latin.
The choice depends on the student preferences and career goals. The methodological approach of the two programmes differs: while both address linguistic and literary questions, the Latin classes of LAFR develop a more philological approach rooted in history.
ROM emphasises French literature and linguistics (roughly, the history of French literature, the analysis of literary texts, the functioning of the French language) and students study an additional Romance language (Spanish or Italian). In the ROM curriculum, Latin is a supportive element, whereas its study is much more developed in CLAS, whose two major languages are Latin and Greek, which are studied equally (same number of credits).
Modern and ancient languages and literature (Latin/French, LAFR)
ROM emphasises French literature and linguistics (history of French literature, reading and analysis of literary texts from the Middle Ages to the present day, how the French language works) and a second Romance language (Spanish or Italian); 70% of the classes focus on French, whereas few focus on Latin.
In LAFR, the split is 50-50. No other Romance language is studied (except possibly via the minor). With a few exceptions, the French classes are the same as those in ROM (including medieval French classes, which allow the historical articulation between the two languages to be considered). Latin classes concern the language, the history of literature and the reading of texts in their original language; they are generally centred on the Latin of classical antiquity, with openings towards Late Antique, Medieval and Modern Latin.
The choice depends on student preferences and career goals. The methodological approach of the two programmes differs: while both address linguistic and literary questions, the Latin classes of LAFR develop a more philological approach rooted in history.
What can an LAFR graduate teach?
With a master’s degree in teaching or an additional year of teacher training, the LAFR graduate can teach secondary school Latin and French (Latin during the whole of the six years of humanities and French during the last three years).
The study of Latin can be beneficial on several levels. The precision required by the study of an inflectional language brings a certain rigour to reasoning, linguistic approaches and textual analysis. The link between Latin and French makes their joint study particularly enlightening. The study of Greco-Latin civilisation, whose heritage has left a lasting mark on the West, also imparts cultural richness and enables a better understanding of the historical depth of our contemporary culture.
Yes, you can. This allows students to add a string to their bow. The list of minors available to LAFR bachelor’s course students is available in the course catalogue > LAFR bachelor > programme > minor.
Are there any prerequisites for Latin?
There are no prerequisites, but it is ideal to have already taken Latin in secondary school. The programme is open to absolute beginners, but success requires a high level of motivation. During the first four months of the bachelor’s course, students are divided into two groups: those who took four hours of Latin per week during the last four years of secondary school, or who passed a placement test, take an advanced class in Latin authors; the others take an introductory class in Latin which allows them to acquire or review the basics. In the rest of the curriculum, all students take the same classes (language, authors, literature).
Translation and interpreting
What language combinations are studied?
For the 120-credit master’s course in interpreting:
- English + German
- English + Dutch
- English + Spanish
- English + Russian
- English + Turkish
- German + Dutch
- German + Russian
- Biactive French <> Sign Language of French-speaking Belgium (LSFB)
For the 120-credit master’s course in translation:
- English + German
- English + Dutch
- English + Spanish
- English + Russian
- English + Turkish
- English + Italian
- English + sign language
- German + Russian
- German + Italian
- German + Dutch
Is the bachelor’s course in translation and interpreting organised in Louvain-la-Neuve?
No, only the master’s course is organised in Louvain-la-Neuve. The bachelor’s course is organised by the Marie Haps Faculty of Translation and Interpreting at the Université Saint-Louis Bruxelles. Other bachelor’s courses confer eligibility to pursue master’s courses in translation and interpreting, such as the bachelor’s course in modern languages and literature.
What is the difference between translation and interpreting?
Translation is the transposition of a text written in one language, called the source language (e.g. English or Spanish), into another language, the target language (French in our case). Interpreting is the oral rendition of what has been said by a speaker in another language.
Philosophy
Philosophy provides fundamental tools for understanding any discipline. For example, justice must find culprits, determine whether they can remain free, whether they were in full possession of their faculties. These are philosophical questions. In medicine, you have to look for the cause of the coronavirus and the links between cause, efficacy and effect. These are concepts of logic that we learn in philosophy. Philosophy provides analytical tools. Philosophy is about learning to ask questions and execute correct causal reasoning.
There are several possibilities:
- bachelor of philosophy;
- bachelor of philosophy, politics and economics (PPE);
- the minor in philosophy (by being enrolled in another bachelor’s course);
- the university certificate in philosophy (as a complementary training);
- master’s course in philosophy (60 or 120 credits) or master’s course in ethics (120 credits).
What are the job prospects for philosophers?
Philosophers have access to a wide variety of professions in the business world (journalism, human resources, etc.), public service (politics), publishing, culture (organisation of exhibitions, events, etc.), continuing education, and more. Philosophers are recognised on the labour market as having excellent intellectual expertise, analytical and linguistic skills, and an ability to see the big picture.
Is the work mainly oral or in writing?
Both skills are developed. There are many oral debates where students are asked to clearly state their arguments. Classes are made up of about 20 students, which allows for congenial debate in small groups, for example during text reading exercises, which require a methodology for reading and commenting on philosophical texts (this differs from merely reading the newspaper). Students will learn to make oral presentations, write essays on given topics, and write papers with scientific and philosophical rigour.
If I study philosophy, what classes will I take?
During the first year of the bachelor’s course, all students in the Faculty of Philosophy, Arts and Letters take general classes (history, European literature, historical criticism, concepts of archaeology, art history and musicology, philosophy). Students then take introductory classes in all of the major areas of philosophy: logic (to learn how to reason properly), ethics and morality (examining good and evil), political philosophy (the question of the state, what values should be central to the organisation of a state, what type of power is legitimate, etc.), aesthetics, metaphysics (does God exist, is the human spirit capable of surviving after death?), philosophical anthropology (how do different philosophies view humanity?), nature, the cosmos (what can we say about the universe as a whole?). Students do not limit themselves to one particular field. They can be interested in several fields. They learn to develop a way of looking at things. This is philosophical thinking.
Are there any language classes?
Yes, bachelor’s students must choose a Germanic language (English, Dutch or German). They can learn an additional language (Italian, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, etc.) as part of their minor if they wish.
No. However, students can choose the minor in antiquity to study ancient languages.
UCLouvain is the only university in Belgium that offers a bachelor’s course in philosophy, politics and economics (PPE). It is organised by two faculties (ESPO and FIAL). It is a very rich programme that offers several possibilities for pursuing a subsequent master’s course, because the student is educated in all three disciplines. It confers eligibility for seven master’s courses and offers possibilities to do a master’s course abroad.
What is it like to do an Erasmus programme in philosophy?
Doing an Erasmus programme in philosophy is very interesting. A course changes according to the professor who teaches it. If students go to a foreign university, they will have a different perspective and different professors. The faculty’s International Relations Service hold information sessions on the application procedure, which should be undertaken the year before the Erasmus departure.
Communicative skills to write, read and debate. Criticism, autonomy, analysis, research, human skills (taking into account the necessary elements by putting the human at the centre).
No.
Yes, you need to hold a teaching certification, by completing the teaching focus or the teaching degree course. This is a sufficient but not required degree. This can be checked on the Ministry of Education’s Primoweb platform.
History, archaeology, art history, musicology, and ancient languages and literature
General questions
Students choose two language classes per year of the bachelor’s course, and continue to study at least one modern language throughout the course. They choose the remaining credits from the other two modern languages and/or classical languages and literature. The classical languages are Latin and Greek. For modern languages, the student can choose between English, German and Dutch. Students can also enhance their knowledge of other languages through a minor.
You need an intermediate level for English and Dutch, ideally the equivalent of at least four hours of lessons in the last four years of secondary school.
Yes, because students can choose between two levels in the first year of the bachelor’s course, including an introductory class.
When do I choose between archaeology and art history?
Students choose archaeology or art history in the first year of the bachelor’s, which they pursue throughout their course via classes in scientific methods, materials and techniques, seminars on sites, in museums, etc. All other bachelor’s course classes must be taken by both archaeology and art history students.
What do the courses in art history and archaeology consist of?
During the bachelor’s, students will learn about all periods and then specialise. They will develop their methodological skills. From the bachelor’s onwards, they will have internships, go to archaeological sites or museums, have the opportunity to carry out excavations in the field, in Belgium or abroad. The study of material remains, artistic production and iconographic sources, in addition to written sources, marks the difference with art history students.
What degree is required to become a palaeontologist?
There is no master’s course in palaeontology (the study of fossils) in Belgium. You must complete a master’s course (five years) in geology or biology before continuing with a PhD (four years) in palaeontology.
History
This discipline allows us to learn a way of being and thinking and of interacting with a complex world. Historians realise that context is crucial to knowing a phenomenon or an individual. Historians need to make sense of and understand the complexity of any human reality. We learn to do this regarding the past in order to be able to do so regarding the present.
Historians are not bookworms who spend their lives reading old papers or watching The History Channel. Historians play a central role in society because they are specialists in criticism. This is essential in our time when we are overwhelmed by fake news. Students will be analytical and versatile (often multilingual thanks to language courses, communicating easily, eager to share knowledge). Being a historian also means being an informed citizen. So there are also classes on Belgium.
What classes do students take?
In the first year of the bachelor’s, students take introductory classes. These concern the fundamentals of being a historian (having the right tools; knowing what a bibliography is and how to compile one; learning how to write a journal article). Students will do exercises on history topics and take an applied computer science class. There will be a lot of assignments, and a lot of computer training. Students will learn to work with databases, become technology specialists and question technology as a source.
Does the history programme address myths and legends?
Of course. We study and try to understand them. We try to find out why people were interested in a particular myth.
When taking a master’s course, is it possible to have two focuses?
No, you have to choose one. If students want to do another one, they will have to do so after having completed the first chosen focus.
Will my history classes be like those in secondary school?
Not at all. Subject matter will be explained, but students mainly develop methodological skills: 25% pure knowledge, 75% analytical work.
Is it possible to specialise in archive studies?
Yes, there is a master’s course dedicated to archive studies. There are many career opportunities, as many institutions and companies maintain archives. We are specialised in digital archives. It is essential nowadays to work with archives and documents that are being digitised. We are also developing expertise for historical archives that require specific skills such as reading old documents.
Is it possible to combine communication with history?
There is a master’s degree in history communication. It prepares students to work in professions that communicate history to non-specialists. It aims to mobilise historians to help people better understand the past and its heritage. Popularisation and historical research and sources are essential in this context.
Archaeology
Are there many job opportunities in archaeology?
There are many opportunities in the various heritage professions, in museums, scientific institutions and heritage administrations. Conservation, research, administration, communication, art trade, tourism, logistics, and management are areas with job prospects.
What about job opportunities focused on research in the field, on excavations?
Many of our graduates find work in field research and excavations. Internships are a great help in this respect. Recently, several students were recruited at their internship site (institution head, museum director, etc.).
The extracurricular pathway is highly valued in archaeology (excavations, colloquia, working in museums). Internships, including a five-week internship in the bachelor’s programme plus a one-week internship on an excavation site, are available. Internships in the master’s programme last eight weeks (twice as long as art history internships because the field is so vast).
Internships are genuine methodological and professional situations. They allow students to learn, through practical experience, the approaches of field archaeology (prospecting, excavation, drawing and photographic recording), and about the study, conservation and presentation of archaeological objects, whether in the laboratory or in a museum environment (cleaning, tagging, inventory, packaging, digitisation, exhibition, etc.).
Do you have any examples of internship destinations? Like Pompeii?
There are excavations in Belgium (national archaeology), France, Italy and Crete.
It is a possibility for students to highlight activities which are a priori of an extracurricular nature. It is the product of a pedagogical process that takes place over three years. The idea is to encourage students to visit museums while acquiring skills and knowledge: to consider as a professional cultural sites and future places of practice. The portfolio (on Moodle) corresponds to eight typical activities that students must carry out and for which they must produce a critical report. It is an individual project that students pursue at their own pace.
Art history
Is art history a separate subject?
Yes, students choose their subject in the first year: art history or archaeology. They can switch to archaeology during the first year if they conclude choosing art history was a mistake.
Does the art history programme include required Latin classes?
No, Latin courses are not required. It is required to take a modern language (or two), and possibly an ancient language. But the ancient language is not required, unlike the modern language.
Is it a useful subject to study if one wants to become an antique dealer?
Yes, it is a proper starting point. Afterwards, you have to give yourself the means (for example: additional management courses to create your own business, etc.).
Is it possible to do a bachelor’s course in art history and a master’s course in history?
Yes. There will be some required classes to get you up to speed. The best thing is to do a minor in history, in order to take the basic courses.
I would like to be a museum guide. Do you have any advice? What subject should I study?
You should study one of three subjects: history with a focus on communication in history (learning to communicate historians' scientific findings and setting up a tour or an exhibition), archaeology, or art history. The choice depends on the student’s affinities.
Musicology
Being a musicologist means understanding music. Students will be educated with a view to becoming musicologists and working in any music-related profession. The library includes a completely soundproof space dedicated to music.
What skills will I develop in musicology?
- The main skill is the one that all FIAL students acquire: a capacity for synthesis, analysis and critical thinking.
- In terms of music, students will develop a critical, informed and impassioned view of music, whether classical or pop rock, that can lead to jobs in cultural organisations.
- A historical background in musical works and knowledge.
Students can become music teachers in an academy by studying musicology. However, places are scarce. The diploma will attract a host of other, unexpected opportunities. You have to be open-minded.
Will I study only classical music?
The musicology course is open to all kinds of music, not just classical music. There are courses in history, pop rock music, ethnomusicology (concerning African popular or Chinese music, for example). Even though most of the programme concerns classical music, we are open to music for film, popular music, etc. We are an open-minded team of people with different perspectives.
We take students into the field: concerts, the Musical Instruments Museum, Biéreau Farm, opera at La Monnaie (Brussels opera house) and the Opéra Royal de Liège. We go to performances. This is part of the course. We immerse ourselves in musical performances. This is specific to our type of teaching. There are also internships. From the beginning of their programmes, we send students on internships to gain professional experience. Thus students will have contact with a profession fairly early in their course.
Do I need to know anything about music to study musicology?
You don’t need to have any musical skills, but it’s fine if you do. If you don’t know how to read music, you will learn. Dynamic music theory classes teach you to read music as if you’ve been doing it for years and analysis classes to master scores. You don’t have to be a musician. You just have to LOVE MUSIC (not especially classical). Anyone who wants to study musicology will benefit.
What are the job prospects for a musicology graduate?
There are many:
- programme design, educational tours, or public relations for cultural organisations, operas, orchestras;
- museums (musical instruments, ethnomusicology in Africa) and libraries in official organisations;
- informal structures such as music festivals (pop rock, classical, etc.);
- music journalism;
- record companies (very competitive because sometimes very commercial);
- education and research.
Ancient languages and literature
Do many students pursue the ancient languages and literature programme?
There are usually ten students. This modest number allows for greater and more enriching interaction between professors and students. We can support students every step of the way.
What skills are developed in the programme?
The first is analysing a text in detail: developing in-depth analysis and critical analysis. The second is to master the language in great detail. This enables students to explore the entire cultural milieu in which the text was produced. Thus students have an excellent basic education beyond the language and literature of the periods they are studying.
What do we learn in the programme?
Greek and Latin classes are structured according to three main subjects: languages and linguistics (language as the main subject), authors (reading the original text combined with study of the language and realities covered by the text), and literature (history of literature in French with reading of texts translated into French).
What are the job prospects for graduates?
It depends on the subject chosen in the master’s programme. A third of our graduates teach Greek and Latin. Others work in the cultural field in the broadest sense: museums, exhibitions, and publishing houses. Finally, a large proportion continue in research by pursuing a PhD.
Ancient Greek is taught in what programmes?
Ancient Greek is taught in the bachelor’s degree programmes in ancient languages and literature, in either the classical or oriental orientations. Students enrolled in history or history of art and archaeology may also choose to study ancient languages (Greek and/or Latin). Ancient Greek is also taught within the minor in antiquity: Egypt, the Orient, Greece, Rome. Students can thus study ancient Greek even if they chose to study Romance languages and literature, for example.
Are there any prerequisites in the classical languages and literature programme (Greek and Latin)?
It is not essential to have studied both ancient languages in secondary education to enrol in the classical languages and literature programme, but it is preferable to have already studied at least one of the two languages, as such knowledge provides an indication of what students can expect. Learning classical Greek begins with a required introductory class. For Latin, students can choose between an introductory class and a class on authors, depending on their level.
Are any prerequisites required to enrol in the oriental languages and literature programme?
No.
Are there opportunities in secondary education as a professor of oriental languages?
Oriental languages are not taught in Belgian secondary schools. Quite a few students specialise in book science and related professions in order to work in publishing and textual analysis, others in political science (links between the East and Europe), still others in research (PhD).
Still have questions? Contact the Faculty of Philosophy, Arts and Letters.