BA Modern Languages

Program Overview

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BA Modern Languages (R900)

2026 entry

Course summary

In an increasingly globalised world, multilingualism and intercultural understanding have never been more important. Our flexible Modern Languages degree - on which you can study one, two or three languages and their related cultures - presents an exciting opportunity for you to explore the past, interpret our present and shape your future. You can choose from French, German, Italian, Portuguese (beginners only), Russian and Spanish.

Through your language, cultural studies and 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.

We are both a large, vibrant School of Modern Languages and a close-knit community. Our dedicated staff are experts in their fields and have very diverse teaching and research interests, which they incorporate into their classes. This means that we can offer a good range of both core and optional units. film or the intricacies of the languages themselves have drawn you to university-level language study, our course will have plenty to inspire you.

Our school hosts a breadth of extracurricular activities such as talks, societies, language cafés, student newspapers and talent shows. With our excellent staff and wonderful Multimedia Centre - complete with a video editing suite, language lab facilities, extensive foreign-language film collection and mini-cinema - we offer an outstanding environment in which to study modern languages and develop a valuable skill set that is ideally tailored to the globalised workplace.

Overview

Typical offer

• A-level standard offer: ABB
• A-level contextual offer: BBC
• Go to entry requirements for the full entry criteria and contextual offer eligibility.

Programme duration

• 4 year(s) full-time.
• Part-time study is not available for this course

Application method

• UCAS (Code: R900)

Location

• Clifton campus, Placements

Fees

• £9,535 per year, home students
• £24800 per year, international students
• More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Fees quoted are for 2025 entry only. Fees for 2026 will be confirmed, subject to government approval, later in 2025.

Course structure

In year one, you take core language unit(s) (grammar, reading, writing, speaking, listening) and gain an introduction to the culture and history of countries where your language(s) are spoken. In years two and four, you take a combination of core and optional language classes and complementary units. The latter may include history, film and visual culture, literature, linguistics, translation and politics.

Year three is spent abroad and is split according to your languages. To find out more, visit the Centre for Study Abroad.

Languages are chosen after you accept an offer.

Available course combinations:

• One language
  • French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish. Beginners' or post-A level (or equivalent) routes are available in all languages.
• Two languages
  • French, German, Italian, Portuguese (for beginners only), Russian and Spanish. At least one of your languages must be post-A level (or equivalent).
• Three languages
  • French, German, Italian, Portuguese (for beginners only), Russian and Spanish. At least two of your languages must be post-A level (or equivalent).

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.

A-level standard offer

• ABB including a modern language. Where a candidate is not taking an A-level in a modern language, we may accept ABB plus a standalone language qualification at CEFR level B1. Further details available on our Modern language requirements page.

A-level contextual offer

• BBC including B in a modern language. Where a candidate is not taking an A-level in a modern language, we may accept BBC plus a standalone language qualification at CEFR level B1. Further details available on our Modern language requirements page.

BTEC

• DDM in any Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma and B in a modern language A-level (or equivalent). We may accept a standalone language qualification at CEFR level B1, in lieu of a modern language. Further details available on our Modern language requirements page.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

• 32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in a modern language. We may accept a standalone language qualification at CEFR level B1, in lieu of a modern language. Further details available on our Modern language requirements page.

International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer

• 29 points overall with 14 at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in a modern language. We may accept a standalone language qualification at CEFR level B1, in lieu of a modern language. Further details available on our Modern language requirements page.

European Baccalaureate

• 77% overall with 8.0 in a modern language. We may accept a standalone language qualification at CEFR level B1, in lieu of a modern language. Further details available on our Modern language requirements page.

Scottish Qualifications Authority

• Advanced Higher: AB including a modern language, and Standard Higher: AABBB. We may accept a standalone language qualification at CEFR level B1, in lieu of a modern language. Further details available on our Modern language requirements page.

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 15 credits at Distinction and 30 at Merit or above and B in a modern language A-level (or equivalent). We may accept a standalone language qualification at CEFR level B1, in lieu of a modern language. Further details available on our Modern language requirements page.

Welsh Baccalaureate

• Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales or 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.

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:
  • IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing and 6.5 in all other skills
  • GCSE English Language grade B or 6
  • an alternative qualification outlined in our Profile level B.
• Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

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 Modern Languages can be found in the Admissions Statement.

Related courses

• BA Comparative Literatures and Cultures and Modern Languages
• BA English and Modern Languages
• BA History and Modern Languages
• BA International Business Management and Modern Languages
• BA Politics and Modern Languages