2023 entry (view 2024 entry)
BA Music and Portuguese (WR35)
Course overview
Typical offer
A-level standard offer: AAB
A-level contextual offer: BBB
See entry requirements for full details and eligibility.
Course duration
4 year(s) full-time
Part-time study is not available for this course
Application method
Full-time: UCAS
Fees
£9,250 per year, home students
£27,200 per year, international students
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Location
This degree combines music with the study of Portuguese, the most widely spoken language in the southern hemisphere. The political importance of countries like Angola and Brazil means that Portuguese speakers are increasingly in demand. The course offers an enriching experience with exciting intellectual challenges and a range of options that will allow you to pursue your own interests.
Music offers a broad range of units in musicology, composition and performance, across diverse styles and genres. These are complemented by weekly concerts, regular masterclasses and performances in the department and opportunities to get involved in the dynamic music scene in Bristol.
You will following a structured language course in Portuguese, as well as explore the rich literature, cinema, history, thought, politics, visual culture of Portuguese-speaking countries and communities. You will spend your third year abroad in a Portuguese-speaking environment, extending your language skills and cultural knowledge. To find out more about studying abroad, visit Global Opportunities.
Both departments encourage strong synergy between research and teaching, as well as stimulating performance opportunities in music, resulting in a vibrant learning environment for students as staff respond to new research in their teaching.
Teaching is delivered through lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, and one-to-one project supervision. Assessments may include presentations, essays, commentaries, exams, collaborative projects, debates, podcasts, video essays, and dissertations.
Our course will ensure you practice a range of skills, which will make you attractive to future employers in the globalised workplace and in the sector of your choice.
Portuguese can be studied from beginner’s level only. All modern languages students have access to our state-of-the-art Multimedia Centre. You can also access extracurricular activities such as talks by visiting speakers, societies, language cafés, student newspapers, and talent shows.
Course structure
This joint degree provides a wide range of units that allows you to pursue your own interests in both fields. In your first year you will take 60 credits in each department and in years two and four you can specialise in one subject (80 credits in one and 40 in the other).
You will have access to the Department of Music's magnificent 19th-century Victoria Rooms, a familiar Bristol landmark with a 530-seat auditorium, and the School of Modern Languages' state-of-the-art multimedia centre.
In year one the music harmony and analysis unit Technical Studies is compulsory, in addition to which you have a choice of composition, performance* or a history unit. Second and fourth years allow even more choice and your third year is spent abroad. Alongside music, you will study Portuguese language, history and culture units, choosing from a wide range of options that allow you to pursue your own interests.
*In performance, we offer a wide range of instruments and vocal styles. In the event that tuition on your particular instrument/vocal type is not currently offered in Bristol, you will be able to discuss options with the Department.
Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.
Go to programme catalogueEntry 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.
A-level standard offer
AAB including Music and a modern language. Where a candidate is not taking A-level Music, we will accept AAB plus Grade 8 Theory or Practical (ABRSM or Trinity) at Pass.
A-level contextual offer
BBB including Music and a modern language. Where a candidate is not taking A-level Music, we will accept BBB plus Grade 8 Theory or Practical (ABRSM or Trinity) at Pass.
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerBTEC
DDD EITHER in Music Technology BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma OR in any Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma. All applicants must also meet our Music requirement (eg with B in Music at A-level (or equivalent) or Grade 8 in a Trinity or ABRSM practical or theory exam), PLUS B in a modern language at A-level (or equivalent)
Find out more about our BTEC entry requirementsInternational Baccalaureate Diploma
34 points overall with 17 at Higher Level, including 5, 5 at Higher Level in Music and a modern language. Pass in Grade 8 Theory or Practical (ABRSM or Trinity) can be accepted in place of Higher Level Music.
International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer
31 points overall with 15 at Higher Level, including 5, 5 at Higher Level in Music and a modern language. Pass in Grade 8 Theory or Practical (ABRSM or Trinity) can be accepted in place of Higher Level Music.
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerEuropean Baccalaureate
80% overall, with 8.0 in Music and in a modern language. Where a candidate is not taking EB Music we will accept 80% overall plus a Pass in Grade 8 Theory or Practical (ABRSM or Trinity).
Scottish Qualifications Authority
Advanced Higher: AB (in any order) in Music and a modern language, and Standard Higher: AAABB. Pass in Grade 8 Theory or Practical (ABRSM or Trinity) can be accepted in place of Advanced Higher Music.
Access to HE Diploma
Access to HE Diploma in Humanities, Social Sciences, Law or History (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include 24 credits at Distinction and 21 at Merit or above, plus either B in A-level Music or Pass in Grade 8 Theory or Practical (ABRSM or Trinity). Applicants must also demonstrate proven capacity for language learning, usually through a B in a modern language A-level
Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.
Welsh Baccalaureate
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.
Cambridge Pre-U
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.
International qualifications
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Search international qualificationsApplicants must also meet these requirements
GCSE profile requirements
No specific subjects required.
Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
- 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing and 6.5 in all other skills
- GCSE English Language grade B or 6
- An alternative English Language Profile B qualification
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels
Additional requirements
Where an academic qualification in Music is not available, Pass in ABRSM/Trinity Grade 8 Music Theory can be considered.
More about UK qualifications.
Selection process
- We only use your information in UCAS to assess your application. There are no other selection criteria or processes.
- Full information about our selection processes for this course:
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement:
