Modern Languages and Music
- BA (Hons)
- 4 Years
- Full-time with time abroad
- 29/09/2025
- Undergraduate
- Main Site
Course summary
An undergraduate Modern Languages and Music degree at the University of Birmingham blends language and culture, placing employability at its heart and preparing you to live and work as an engaged citizen of the world.
Studying an undergraduate modern language from beginner or advanced level (French, German, Spanish or beginner Portuguese) alongside Music is highly complementary and an exciting opportunity to contextualise your knowledge in each discipline. At the Univeristy of Birmingham, language is studied through the lens of the target culture's literature, history, politics and society, and through total immersion on the Year Abroad. You can choose from a range of exciting optional modules.
Some combinations we are unable to offer due to timetabling restrictions.
Your Music degree will encompass musicology, performance and composition, with opportunities to specialise in one of these disciplines.
All undergraduate students receive a scholarship for lessons for up to two instruments (including voice) working with tutors at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire or tutors employed directly by the Department of Music, some through the Centre for Early Music Performance and Research.
Why study this course?
You’re seeking a variety of performance opportunities – You will have access to a wide variety of choirs, orchestras, ensembles, music groups and musical theatre organised by the Department of Music, University Music Society and the Guild of Students.
You want world-class teaching facilities – Our newly built, £16 million, Bramall Concert Hall hosts audiences of up to 450 people. Enjoy access to practice rooms and electro-acoustic music studios, as well as a library full of resources from listening booths to manuscript scores and early editions.
You want a degree with real world relevance – Participate in our vocational modules such as Arts Management in Practice, enhancing your professional experience and joining our 100% of undergraduate Music graduates who enter work or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2022).
Join the Modern Languages community – Enhance your skills with a wide range of exciting extracurricular activities, including cultural trips organised by the Modern Languages Society, our multilingual Linguist Magazine, specialist talks, research seminars and additional free languages classes at Languages for All
12th for undergraduate Music in the Complete University Guide 2024
Top 100 for Modern Languages in the QS World Subject Rankings (2024)
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 detail’ tab on the University of Birmingham’s coursefinder web pages.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- BA (Hons) • Full-time with time abroad • 4 Years
Start dates
- 29/09/2025
Apply by
29 January
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Application codes
- Course code:
- R752
- Institution code:
- B32
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
University of Birmingham has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
Apply by
29 January
Application codes
- Course code:
- R752
- 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
UCAS Tariff
Not acceptedA level
ABBPearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDMInternational Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
32 pointsWelsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
BA Modern Languages and Music Students can study up to two foreign languages alongside Music. At least one of these languages needs to be an advanced language (post A-Level).
To take a language from beginners level, evidence of language learning ability is required such as a grade A in a Modern Language at GCSE.
We are able to consider applications from candidates who do not meet the standard requirements for A Level Music, graded theory or performance exams on a case by case basis. Following your application you may be invited to an audition.
Contextual admissions
The historic entry grades range shown below includes students admitted with alternative offers through our contextual admissions schemes. These are typically 1 or 2 grades below the standard offer. 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.
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
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535 | Year 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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