BA Film and Modern Languages (WR50)
2027 entry | view 2026 entry
Course summary
This exciting joint honours degree enables you to combine the study of Film and Television with a language (French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish) and its related cultures.
Based in the Department of Film and Television and the School of Modern Languages respectively, the two sides of this degree are a perfect complement to each other. Ours is an increasingly globalised world, where multilingualism and intercultural understanding have never been more important. Studying film, television, and visual culture enables us to question that world, discover new ideas and ways of being, evaluate historical and social processes, and think through the complexities of our own times.
All languages can be studied from beginners' level or post-A level (or the equivalent), apart from Portuguese, which is offered from beginners' level only. You choose your language after you accept an offer.
Over the course of your degree, you will explore a rich variety of visual material in its social, political and historical contexts and will develop excellent critical and communication skills, both in English and in your chosen language. There are leading film and visual culture specialists in both departments, while the School of Modern Languages also has expertise in such diverse fields as history, literature, linguistics and cultural studies.
Through your study at Bristol and the experience you will gain on your year abroad, you will build invaluable interpersonal and intercultural skills that will support your personal and professional development and open up a world of international career opportunities, whichever sector you go on to work in.
Modern Languages and Film and Television at Bristol are both vibrant academic communities that will give you the opportunity to participate in research and extracurricular activities such as talks, workshops, film festivals, student societies, language cafés, student newspapers and talent shows. As a modern languages student, you will also have access to the school's wonderful Multimedia Centre, complete with a video editing suite, language lab facilities, extensive foreign-language film collection and mini-cinema.
Course structure
The degree lasts four years, with years 1, 2 and 4 spent in Bristol. Year 3 is spent working or studying abroad in a country where your chosen language is spoken, refining your language skills and cultural knowledge and gaining valuable work experience. To find out more about studying abroad, visit the Centre for Study Abroad.
In each of Years 1, 2 and 4, you take a combination of units from the School of Modern Languages and the Department of Film and Television.
On the film and television side of your degree, you will learn to combine critical, historical, theoretical and practical approaches to the study of film and television. You will explore how films are made and engage in a range of creative work throughout the programme.
The curriculum progresses from introductory units, which use specific topics to teach you how to analyse film and television, to more advanced and specialist units. These cover significant historical movements, contemporary practices and the theoretical concepts that underpin, inform and shape film and television.
On the modern languages side, you will take a structured language course each year in your chosen language of study (reading, writing, listening, grammar and speaking). Alongside this, you will take core and optional units relating to the culture(s) in which your language is spoken. Options include topics such as literature, history, film, politics, linguistics and visual art. In Year 2, you may also have the option to begin a new, non-degree language, such as Arabic, Catalan, Japanese, Korean or Mandarin.
Teaching styles differ from unit to unit, but include lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, and one-to-one project supervision. You will encounter a range of assessment styles over the course of your degree, such as presentations, essays, practical film-making, commentaries, exams, collaborative projects, debates, podcasts, video essays, and dissertations.
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.
Find out more about BTEC entry requirements
More about Access to HE entry requirements
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Selection process
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement are found in the University admissions policies and procedures.
- If applying with extenuating circumstances please see our policy.
- Full information about our selection processes for Film and Modern Languages can be found in the Admissions Statement:
Admissions statement - The admissions statement above relates to 2026 entry. The statement for 2027 entry will be available in summer 2026.