BA Modern Languages (R900)

2024 entry | view 2025 entry

Course summary

Expertise in modern languages has never been more important as the UK forges a new relationship with its European partners and seeks to develop its trading and cultural ties throughout the world. With our dedicated teaching staff and our state-of-the-art Multimedia Centre, we offer an outstanding environment in which to study modern languages and develop a valuable skill set that is ideally tailored to the globalised workplace.

We offer a flexible degree in which you can choose to study one, two, or three modern European languages. If you are studying one or two languages, you may also have the option to begin Arabic, Catalan, Czech, Japanese, Korean or Mandarin as a non-degree language.

In the first year, you gain an introduction to the culture and history of the countries in which your language(s) are spoken. In subsequent years, you choose from a range of units which may include literature, linguistics, film and visual culture, history, politics and gender studies.

You will spend the third year abroad and you can split your year between different countries, according to the languages you study. To find out more about studying abroad, visit Centre for Study Abroad.

The course ensures that you gain transferable skills such as different types of writing, presentation skills, and team work. Assessments may include presentations, essays, commentaries, exams, collaborative projects, podcasts, video essays, and dissertations.

Our programmes encourage strong synergy between research and teaching, resulting in a vibrant learning environment as staff incorporate new research into their classes.

Course options:

One language
French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish. These languages are available at beginner level and post-A level (or equivalent). Your degree title will indicate the language, e.g. BA French.

Two languages
Choose from French, German, Italian, Portuguese (for beginners only), Russian and Spanish. One of your languages must be at post-A level (or equivalent). Your degree title will list both languages, e.g. BA German and Russian.

Three languages
Choose from French, German, Italian, Portuguese (for beginners only), Russian and Spanish. Two of your languages must be at post-A level (or equivalent). Your degree title will be BA Three Modern Languages.

If you study Spanish and Portuguese, you can add Catalan in the second year for a degree called BA Hispanic Studies.

Language choices are made after you accept an offer to study with us. You can request to change your combination at the beginning of the first year.

The school hosts extracurricular activities such as talks, societies, language cafes, student newspapers, and talent shows.

Course structure

The link below takes you to our Programme Catalogue. To view relevant units, search by typing in your chosen language preceded by an asterisk. Within the programme catalogue, search by your language of interest.

Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.

Go to programme catalogue

Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

ABB including a modern language. Where a candidate is not taking an A-level in a modern language, we may accept ABB plus a standalone language qualification at CEFR level B1.
BBC including B in a modern language. Where a candidate is not taking an A-level in a modern language, we may accept BBC plus a standalone language qualification at CEFR level B1.

Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer
DDM in any Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma and B in a modern language A-level (or equivalent). We may accept a standalone language qualification at CEFR level B1, in lieu of a modern language.

Find out more about BTEC entry requirements
32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in a modern language. We may accept a standalone language qualification at CEFR level B1, in lieu of a modern language.
29 points overall with 14 at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in a modern language. We may accept a standalone language qualification at CEFR level B1, in lieu of a modern language.

Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer
77% overall with 8.0 in a modern language. We may accept a standalone language qualification at CEFR level B1, in lieu of a modern language.
Advanced Higher: AB including a modern language, and Standard Higher: AABBB. We may accept a standalone language qualification at CEFR level B1, in lieu of a modern language.
Access to HE Diploma in Humanities, Social Sciences, Law or History (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include 15 credits at Distinction and 30 at Merit or above and B in a modern language A-level (or equivalent). We may accept a standalone language qualification at CEFR level B1, in lieu of a modern language.

More about Access to HE entry requirements
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

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More about UK qualifications.