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English Literature and Modern Languages

Course details
  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 20 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

English Literature

You can explore more than 1,000 years of literature and culture: from medieval romance to the postcolonial and postmodern, engaging with literary and non-literary genres including film, music, poetry and scripts. Teaching is informed by our research centres in Medieval and Early Modern Studies, Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Studies, Postcolonial and Irish Studies, Modernism, and the Centre for the Study of Sexuality and Culture.

The Centre for New Writing is a dedicated contemporary writing hub at Manchester and enables students to connect with a wide range of authors, writers and spoken word artists through events and workshops. This degree includes optional course units that enable you to integrate creative writing in your degree studies.

Language learning

You will choose one language - French, German or Spanish. The language you choose will be reflected in your degree title. For example BA (Hons) English Literature and Modern Languages (German).

You will join one of the language learning pathways:

The beginner pathway is for students, who do not have any foundation in the language. Some students are complete beginners. Some students may have undertaken some language learning. For example, a UK student who studied a language in Years 7 and 8 at secondary school.

The intermediate pathway is for students, who have a good foundation in the language, and have the equivalent of an A-level in their chosen language.

The language learning course units are designed to develop your skills of reception (reading and listening), production (speaking and writing), and translation. Class sizes are small and led by academics, who are a mix of native speakers, and English speakers who are fluent in the language. Using your language throughout the week really accelerates your learning and we encourage you to use it socially. For example, by joining student societies that enable you to meet students from different countries and following social media influencers and media channels for your chosen language.

World cultures

Alongside your language learning, you’ll also attend lectures and seminars that explore the history, literature, politics, and current affairs of your chosen country. Our students find that this part of their degree really broadens their understanding of where different languages are spoken and their cultural resonance.

Timetable

Each year you take 120 credits of course units. In Year 1, these credits are divided between your chosen language (French, German or Spanish) and English Literature. In Years 2 and 4, you can include 20 credits, per year, as a ‘free choice’. This free choice can be a course unit from another subject area in the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures or the University College of Interdisciplinary Learning.

Year 1: Languages (60 credits); English Literature (60 credits)

Year 2: Languages (40 or 60 credits); English Literature (40 or 60 credits); Free choice unit (0 or 20 credits)

Year 3: Residence Abroad. You will send a year living in a country where your chosen language is spoken.

Year 4: Languages (40 or 60 credits); English Literature (40, 60 or 80 credits); Free choice unit (0 or 20 credits)

Course Units

Please visit the subject guides for more information about the course units for each year of study.

Modules

How to apply

This course has limited vacancies, and is no longer accepting applications from some students. See the list below for where you normally live, to check if you're eligible to apply.
  • United Kingdom does not have vacancies
  • Republic of Ireland does not have vacancies
  • EU does not have vacancies
  • International does not have vacancies

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
RQ50
Institution code:
M20
Campus name:
Main Site

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
AAB-ABB

AAB including A in English Literature for English Literature and French or Spanish.

ABB including A in English Literature for English Literature and German.

All language pathways are available for either Beginner or Intermediate (post A Level) learners. Applicants offering an A Level in the target language will normally be required to achieve grade B or above and will be placed on the Intermediate language pathway. The beginners pathway accommodates learners whose previous language experience ranges from complete beginner through to GCSE level study.

Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, any offer will be based on three A Levels, and any additional A Levels won’t be included in your offer. Any offer will normally be based on three A Levels taken in the same sitting and based on your qualification portfolio. Your offer will stipulate which subjects and the grades required.

Please check for specific GCSE/IGCSE subject entry requirements.

Typical Contextual Offer: ABC including B in English Literature for English Literature and French or Spanish.

BBC including B in English Literature for English Literature and German.

All language pathways are available for either Beginner or Intermediate (post A Level) learners. Applicants offering an A Level in the target language will normally be required to achieve grade B or above and will be placed on the Intermediate language pathway. The beginners pathway accommodates learners whose previous language experience ranges from complete beginner through to GCSE level study.

Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, any offer will be based on three A Levels, and any additional A Levels won’t be included in your offer. Any offer will normally be based on three A Levels taken in the same sitting and based on your qualification portfolio. Your offer will stipulate which subjects and the grades required.

Please check for specific GCSE/IGCSE subject entry requirements.

Scottish Higher

We normally require grades AABBB in Scottish Highers plus grade A in English Advanced Higher.

English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C/ Intermediate 2 grade C/ Standard Grade Credit level grade3).

If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) you plan to apply to.

Scottish Advanced Higher

We normally require grades AABBB in Scottish Highers plus grade A in English Advanced Higher.

English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C/ Intermediate 2 grade C/ Standard Grade Credit level grade3).

If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) you plan to apply to.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
34-35

35 points overall with 6,6,5 in Higher Level subjects including 6 in English Literature for English Literature and French/Spanish.

34 points overall with 6,5,5 in Higher Level subjects including 6 in English Literature for English Literature and German.

Applicants studying the International Baccalaureate Career Related Programme (IBCP) should contact the admissions team prior to applying so that their academic profile can be considered.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade 6 or B in GCSE/IGCSE English Language and 4 or C in Mathematics. GCSE/IGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/IGCSE English Language.

Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of  our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications  or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the admissions team in your academic School/Department for clarification.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We welcome and recognise the value of the Baccalaureate Wales and accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

The minimum grade required will normally be the same as the lowest grade listed in the A Level entry requirements.

For applicants who have studied the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (pre-2023), this qualification will still be accepted in lieu of one A-level (normally the lowest A-level grade listed).

If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification, please contact the admissions team.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDM

We consider the National Extended Diploma for entry provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Diploma with grades   DDM. We also require grade A in English Literature.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DD

We consider the National Diploma for entry provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Diploma with grades DD plus an A Level in English Literature at grade A.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
D

We consider the National Foundation Diploma for entry provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Foundation Diploma with grades   D plus an A Level at grade A in English Literature and EPQ at grade A.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
D

We consider the National Extended Certificate for entry provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Certificate with grade D plus additional Level 3 qualifications such as A Levels at grades  A B (for French and Spanish) or AC (for German) including English Literature at grade A.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
Not accepted

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma
DD

We consider the Technical Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, plus an additional A Level at grade A in English Literature or English Language and Literature.

OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma
DD

We consider the Technical Foundation Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Foundation Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, plus an additional A Level at gradegrade A in English Literature or English Language and Literature.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
D

We consider the Technical Extended Certificate for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Extended Certificate with grade Distinction, plus two additional A Levels at grades AB including grade A in English Literature or English Language and Literature.

Access to HE Diploma
Distinction: 36 Merit: 9

We require a QAA-recognised Access to HE Diploma (a minimum of 60 credits overall with at least 45 at Level 3), with merit or distinction in a subject area relevant to the chosen course.

The specific course requirements are 36 Distinctions and 9 Merits including 12 Distinctions in English Literature.

The University recognises a number of foundation programmes as suitable for entry to this undergraduate programme. Please contact us for further information.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)77.0 overall with 6.5 in each component.

All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either: GCSE/iGCSE English Language grade B/6, or; IELTS Academic or IELTS UKVI 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each component, or; An acceptable equivalent qualification. Please note we accept in-person IELTS tests taken in official IELTS test centres only. You should review our English Language requirements page for a list of acceptable IELTS tests. If you hold English as a second language iGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of  our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications  or achieve a higher grade in your iGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School/Department for clarification. The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student requiring a visa to study in the UK must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language (common European Framework (CEFR B2 level) to be granted a Student Route visa to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. In addition, our academic Schools/Departments may require applicants to demonstrate English proficiency above the B2 level.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We operate contextual admissions meaning many applicants receive an offer and are admitted at least one grade below standard entry requirements. Entry requirements for applicants meeting contextual admissions criteria are listed next to the standard entry requirements on course profiles.

Contextual admissions means we consider your application in context helping us to ensure everyone has a fair chance of getting into Manchester. The data we use is automatically provided on your UCAS form.

Learn more on the University of Manchester website

International entry requirements

The University welcomes applications from appropriately qualified candidates across the world. We value global talent and are proud to receive applications from a wide range of educational systems and national backgrounds.

Because international qualifications vary widely, it is not possible for us to list entry information for every country on this page. If your country is not listed below, please contact us and a member of our team will be happy to assist you: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/contact-international-team/ https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/country-specific-information/

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course 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

No fee information has been provided for this course

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

The tuition fees for 2027 are yet to be confirmed.

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