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Enjoy plenty of opportunities for practical application in both languages and musicology/performance with this course.
Improve your musical craft, study music in its complex relations to culture and society, and take your language learning to the next level with your Year Abroad.
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Globally for Modern Languages
QS World Subject Rankings 2025
in the UK for Music
Times Good University Guide 2025
We’ll help you organise your time away, and you’ll be supported throughout by your Year Abroad Coordinator, as well as our academic and wellbeing teams. This means you can relax and embrace hands-on opportunities working, studying or visiting in your chosen countries!
Hear more about studying at Birmingham. Chat to one of our friendly students to find out more about your favourite course, our beautiful campus and life in our vibrant and cultural city.
Study at the University of Birmingham and learn from world-class experts—authors of key works and leaders with global teaching and research experience.
At Birmingham, you’ll have plenty of support to help you adjust to university life:
Your degree is designed to help you achieve 120 credits per year, which equals about 40 hours of learning each week. This includes lectures, seminars, workshops, independent study, revision, and assessments.
You’ll be assessed in different ways to suit each module. At the start of a module, you’ll be told how and when you’ll be assessed. Methods will vary but may include coursework (e.g., essays), group or individual presentations and projects, exams, reports or computer-based assignments.
Feedback: You will receive timely feedback on each assessment, so you can learn from it and improve your performance in future assessments.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
2025/26 Session
Compulsory Modules:
Students must take a minimum of 60 credits in Music and 60 credits in one modern foreign language.
JH students take all compulsory core language modules in their relevant language as described below, plus further credits appropriate to their level (beginners or advanced).
Language combinations
Languages that can be studied include: Beginners or Advanced French; Beginners or Advanced German; Beginners Portuguese and Beginners or Advanced Spanish.
Module title | Credits |
---|---|
Music and its Cultures I | 20 |
Music and its Cultures II | 20 |
Tonal Harmony and Counterpoint 1 | 10 |
Tonal Harmony and Counterpoint 2 | 10 |
The following core language modules - 40 credits for Advanced and 40 credits for beginners are compulsory at Stage I. 3: 40 MAX Modern Languages (students must choose both Advanced OR both Beginner modules in their chosen language where applicable):
French (choose either Beginners or Advanced modules):
German (choose either Beginners or Advanced modules):
Spanish (choose either Beginners or Advanced Modules):
Portuguese (choose both Beginners modules):
Module title | Credits |
---|---|
Portuguese Core I - Beginners: The expansion of Portuguese as a World-Language | 20 |
Portuguese Core II - Beginners: Modernities in Portuguese | 20 |
In addition to the core modules listed above, students choose 20 credits of additional modules provided annually by the Department of Modern Languages.
To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.
ABB see below for full information.
6,5,5 to include 32 points overall. See below for full information.
BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM, plus B at A level in the required subject/s. See below for full information.
Number of A levels required: 3
ABB with A level Music grade A. Where applicants are not taking Music at A level then ABRSM Grade 6 Theory or Grade 8 Performance is acceptable, in addition to the three A levels at ABB. Applicants with equivalent Trinity or LCM music theory qualifications are still considered. Music Technology A Level or any Music BTEC qualifications will not be accepted as a substitute for Music A level (however, they will be accepted as part of your wider offer providing all other requirements are met).
A level grade B is required for the advanced language you wish to study. It is also possible to study one beginner language, in which case an A level is not required.
We will also 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 interview/audition.
General Studies is accepted.
6,5,5 in Higher level subjects plus 32 points overall. Where applicants are not taking HL Music, similar alternatives as in A level option will be accepted (ABRSM/equivalent grades or an interview). You also require a Higher Level or equivalent in the modern language that you plan to study.
Where applicants are not taking Music A level, similar alternatives as in A level option will be accepted (ABRSM/equivalent grades or an interview).
Independent language diplomas:
If you would like to study advanced French, Spanish, German, Italian or Russian as part of your programme but are not currently studying the required language at A level, we are happy to consider applications from those offering an independent language diploma at B2 level as demonstration of advanced language skills.
The independent language diplomas we would consider are as follows; DELF-B2 (French), DELE-B2 (Spanish), Goethe-Zertifikat-B2 (German), DILI-B2 (Italian) and TRKI 2nd Certificate (Russian). These diplomas are assessed against the criteria set by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, and can be studied for in your own time or through a language centre. These diplomas will be considered when taken in addition to three A levels or equivalent qualifications as outlined above.
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
Students who are eligible and complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive an alternative offer, which is typically two grades below the standard offer. For more information, please contact outreach@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
Our Contextual Offer scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the Contextual Offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer. You don’t need to apply for this – it will be assessed and applied at the point of application if you’re eligible.
BBC - including B in Music
BBB - including Music
The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, examination and graduation, and includes membership of the Guild of Students.
The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If your offer is for 2025 year of entry, we expect that the tuition fee for your first year of study will be £9,535 for UK students. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. If you are applying for 2026 year of entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee closer to the time.
per year for domestic (UK) students for 2025/26
To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.
At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.
Whatever your journey to university looks like, we’re here to support you every step of the way. For all undergraduate courses at Birmingham, you apply online through UCAS. The UCAS website has lots of information and advice around the process.
Application deadline for September 2025 entry. Applications close at 18:00 GMT.
View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.
By studying a degree in Modern Languages and Music at Birmingham, you’ll develop transferable skills suited to a range of career paths. These skills include the ability to work well with others, strong language and communication skills, plus an awareness of different cultures.
Meet Elizabeth from the BBC | Built in Birmingham | University of Birmingham
Our Modern Languages graduates have a wide range of skills that are valued by employers, such as:
Employers our Modern Languages graduates have worked for include:
The University is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits.
The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers report
Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique.
Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.
Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.
Hear from some of our inspiring alumni who have gone on to work for leading employers such as the UK Space Agency and BBC Sport.
Your experience studying at Birmingham will give you the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. In our student accommodation, you can enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Our cosmopolitan city has a unique history and so much to see and do. With an ever-changing food and drink scene, a vibrant nightlife and plenty of culture, our city is more than somewhere to study.
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus.
Our beautiful campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn and socialise. Like a town of its own, it’s just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.