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Modern Languages and History

Course details
  • BA (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time with time abroad
  • 29/09/2025
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

Birmingham’s fusion of language and culture places employability at its heart, preparing you to live and work as an engaged citizen of the world.

The undergraduate study of either French, German or Spanish from beginner or advanced level alongside History is highly complementary and an exciting way to contextualise your knowledge in each discipline. Researching primary sources is a key feature of any undergraduate History degree course, and studying a language dramatically increases the range of primary sources that you will be able to access. At the University of Birmingham, language is taught through the lens of the target culture's literature, history, politics and society, and through total immersion on the Year Abroad.

Why study this course?

Study differently - with our CLIL (Content Language Integrated Learning) teaching method. CLIL is a blended approach to language learning, based on a fusion of language and culture: study language, grammar and vocabulary in direct relation to topics of real cultural significance in your chosen language.

Tailor your own undergraduate degree - pursue your passions throughout your degree with a wide range of specialist optional modules that span a huge chronological range and most of the globe.

Multicultural city – Learn and Live in a vibrant city that is culturally, ethnically and religiously diverse. Join a number of language and culture-based societies at the University of Birmingham to further enhance your skills.

Present day application – our modules explore how the past informs the present and provides a global historical understanding from the Middle Ages to this century, all through a modern lens.

A supportive environment and rewarding student experience - You will receive one-to-one support on coursework and feedback. You will also join two vibrant communities and have access to Modern Languages and History society events, including cultural trips, podcasts, quizzes and celebrations.

35th for Modern Languages in the Guardian University Guide 2024

13th for History in the Complete University Guide 2023

Top 100 for History in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2023

Modules

First-year modules cover a broad base of the subject and are designed to introduce you to ways of studying at university. By the final year the modules you take will become more specialised and reflect the research expertise of the academic staff. More detailed module information can be found on the ‘Course details’ tab on the University of Birmingham’s coursefinder web pages.

How to apply

Apply by
29 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
R9V1
Institution code:
B32
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

A level - AAB

A level humanities subjects. A level grade B is required for the advanced language you wish to study. It is also possible to study two beginner (including post-GCSE) languages without taking an advanced language, as long as one of your beginner languages is French or Spanish. A Level History, Medieval History or Ancient History is preferred but we welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate an interest in and an aptitude for the study of history and politics. Acceptable subjects include: Ancient History, Anthropology, Archaeology, Business Studies, Classical Civilisation, Drama and Theatre Studies, Economics, English Language, English Language and Literature, English Literature, Environmental Studies, Geography, Government and Politics, History, History of Art, Law, Medieval History, Modern or Classical Languages, Music, Philosophy, Psychology, Religious Studies, and Sociology. If you are not studying one or more of the above then please contact us to discuss your application. If you are not taking A level History then we will require GCSE History grade 7 and at least one humanities subject at A level or equivalent.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM

BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM, plus AB at A-level in the required subject/s mentioned above. BTEC Diploma: DD, plus AB at A-level in the required subject/s mentioned above. BTEC Subsidiary Diploma: D, plus AB at A-level in the required A-level subject/s mentioned above.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 32 points

6,6,5 in Higher Level subjects. You also require a Higher Level or equivalent in each modern language that you plan to study at Advanced level. If you do not have the relevant language at Higher Level, please feel free to contact us to discuss your options.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

Accepted in place of a non-required A level with the equivalent grade.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

Accepted in place of A levels with the following grade equivalencies: D2 = A*; D3 = A; M2 = B. Combinations of A levels and Principle subjects are accepted. NB required subjects must be offered (see A level Section)

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE History grade 7 / A if not taking A Level History

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

The most common grades on entry for this course are above our standard offer. This does not mean that you need to achieve higher grades than our offer to be admitted.
We make alternative offers through our contextual admissions schemes which are typically 1 or 2 grades lower. You can find information on these schemes using the link below.
You can check your eligibility to receive an offer for this course using our Offer Calculator using the same link.

Learn more on the University of Birmingham website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
Channel Islands£9535Year 1
Republic of Ireland£9535Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

For details of the annual tuition fee for International Students please see the course web page listed in the 'course details' section above.
If you are made an offer to study by the University, the yearly tuition fee will be stated in your offer letter.

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