2024 entry
BA Music and Spanish (WR34)
Course overview

Typical offer
A-level standard offer: AAB
A-level contextual offer: BBB
See entry requirements for full details and eligibility.
Course duration
4 year(s) full-time
Part-time study is not available for this course
Application method
Full-time: UCAS
Fees
£9,250 per year, home students
£29,300 per year, international students
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Location
This degree combines Music with the study of Spanish, one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. The course is ideal for those with an inquiring mind and a passion for exploring the cultures of other countries and societies, including Latin America. It offers an enriching experience with exciting intellectual challenges and a wide range of options that allow you to pursue your own interests.
Music offers a broad range of units in musicology, composition and performance across diverse styles and genres. These are complemented by weekly concerts, regular masterclasses and performances in the department, and opportunities to get involved in the city's dynamic music scene. The department has a track record of international academic excellence and is exceptionally friendly and welcoming, with several of the staff running ensembles and performing with students.
You will follow a structured language course in Spanish, as well as explore the rich history and culture of Spanish-speaking countries and communities, choosing from units in literature, film, history, thought, politics, linguistics and visual culture. You will spend your third year in a Spanish-speaking country, extending your language skills and cultural knowledge. To find out more about studying abroad, visit Centre for Study Abroad.
Our courses offer an enriching experience with exciting intellectual challenges. Both departments encourage strong synergy between research and teaching, as well as stimulating performance opportunities in music, resulting in a vibrant learning environment as staff respond to new research in their teaching.
Teaching is through lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, and one-to-one project supervision. Assessments may include presentations, essays, commentaries, exams, collaborative projects, debates, podcasts, video essays, and dissertations.
Our course will ensure you practise a range of skills, which will make you attractive to future employers in the globalised workplace and in your choice of sector.
Spanish can be studied from beginners' level and post-A level (or equivalent). As a modern languages student, you will have access to our state-of-the-art Multimedia Centre. You can also access extracurricular activities such as talks by visiting speakers, societies, language cafes, student newspapers, and talent shows.
Music teaching and music-making take place in the magnificent 19th-century Victoria Rooms, a familiar Bristol landmark with a 530-seat auditorium, recital room, extensive studio facilities and a suite of practice rooms reserved for Music students. Several organ and choral scholarships are available with local churches and Bristol Cathedral.
Course structure
This joint degree provides a wide range of units that allows you to pursue your own interests in both fields. In your first year, you will take 60 credits in each department and in years two and four you can specialise in one subject (by taking 80 credits in one and 40 in the other).
You will have full access to the Department of Music's Victoria Rooms and to the School of Modern Languages' state-of-the-art multimedia centre.
In year one, the music harmony and analysis unit Technical Studies is compulsory, you will also have a choice of composition, orchestration, performance or a history unit. Second and fourth years allow even more choice and your third year is spent abroad. Alongside music, you will study Spanish language, history and culture units, choosing from a wide range of options that allow you to pursue your own interests.
In performance, we offer a wide range of instruments and vocal styles. In the event that tuition on your particular instrument/vocal type is not currently offered in Bristol, you will be able to discuss options with the Department.
Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.
Go to programme catalogueEntry 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
AAB including Music. Where a candidate is not taking A-level Music, we will accept AAB plus Grade 8 Theory or Practical (ABRSM or Trinity) at Pass.
A-level contextual offer
BBB including Music. Where a candidate is not taking A-level Music, we will accept BBB plus Grade 8 Theory or Practical (ABRSM or Trinity) at Pass.
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerBTEC
DDD either in Music Technology BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma or in any Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma. All applicants must also meet our Music requirement (B in Music at A-level (or equivalent) or Grade 8 in a Trinity or ABRSM practical or theory exam).
Find out more about our BTEC entry requirementsInternational Baccalaureate Diploma
34 points overall with 17 at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in Music. Pass in Grade 8 Theory or Practical (ABRSM or Trinity) can be accepted in place of Higher Level Music.
International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer
31 points overall with 15 at Higher Level, including 5, 5 at Higher Level in Music. Pass in Grade 8 Theory or Practical (ABRSM or Trinity) can be accepted in place of Higher Level Music.
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerEuropean Baccalaureate
80% overall, with 8.0 in Music. Where a candidate is not taking EB Music we will accept 80% overall plus a Pass in Grade 8 Theory or Practical (ABRSM or Trinity).
Scottish Qualifications Authority
Advanced Higher: AB including Music, and Standard Higher: AAABB. Pass in Grade 8 Theory or Practical (ABRSM or Trinity) can be accepted in place of Advanced Higher Music.
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 24 credits at Distinction and 21 at Merit or above, plus either B in A-level Music or Pass in Grade 8 Theory or Practical (ABRSM or Trinity).
Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.
Welsh Baccalaureate
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for 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.
Search international qualificationsApplicants must also meet these requirements
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 English Language Profile B qualification
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels
Additional requirements
Where an academic qualification in Music is not available, Pass in ABRSM/Trinity Grade 8 Music Theory can be considered.
More about UK qualifications.
Selection process
- We only use your information in UCAS to assess your application. There are no other selection criteria or processes.
- Full information about our selection processes for this course:
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement: