BA English and Modern Languages (QR30)

2026 entry | view 2025 entry

Course summary

This rewarding degree presents an exciting opportunity for you to explore the past, interpret our present and shape your future through a combination of in-depth study of English Literature, your chosen language (French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish) and its related cultures.

All languages can be studied from beginners' level or post-A level (or the equivalent), apart from Portuguese, which is offered from beginners' level only.

Students on this course will join two departments with top researchers in a great diversity of fields and will be encouraged to develop expertise and research skills relevant to both subjects, while also considering the relationships between them. You will explore a rich variety of texts in their social, political and historical contexts and will develop excellent critical and communication skills, both in English and in your chosen language.

Your third year will be spent abroad, extending your language skills and building 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.

All modern languages students have access to the School of Modern Languages’ Multimedia Centre. You can also access extracurricular activities such as talks by visiting speakers, societies, language cafes and student newspapers.

Course structure

Your degree will be made up of a combination of core and optional units.

On the English side of your degree, you will study a broad range of literature written in English from the medieval period to the present day. This will include the close, analytical study of poetry, fiction, and drama, as well as critical and theoretical approaches to studying literature.

On the Modern Languages side, you will take Language and Culture units each year in your chosen language of study (reading, writing, listening, grammar and speaking). Alongside these, you will take a range of core and optional units relating to the culture/cultures in which your language is spoken. These will focus on topics such as literature, history, film, politics, linguistics or visual art.

You will spend your third year working or studying abroad, extending your language skills and cultural knowledge. To find out more about studying abroad, visit the Centre for Study Abroad.

In your final year, you will complete a dissertation that will ask you to bring together the skills you have developed while studying both disciplines.

Teaching happens 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.

Check back soon to view the programme catalogue containing further details on the course structure and modules.

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.

AAA including English Literature or combined English Literature and Language
ABB including English Literature or combined English Literature and Language

Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer
DDD in any Applied General BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma, plus A in either English Literature or combined English Language and Literature

Find out more about BTEC entry requirements
36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in either English A Literature or combined English A Literature and Language
32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in either English A Literature or combined English A Literature and Language

Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer
85% overall, with 8.5 in English
Advanced Higher: AA including English, and Standard Higher: AAAAB
Access to HE Diploma in Humanities or Social Sciences (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include at least 30 credits at Distinction (including 12 from English Literature units) and 15 at Merit or above

More about Access to HE entry requirements
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.
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.
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

Search international qualifications
More about UK qualifications.