Music and Modern Languages

This degree combines music with the study of your chosen language: French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish. The course offers an enriching experience with exciting intellectual challenges and a wide range of options that will allow you to pursue your own interests.

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. You choose your language after accepting an offer.

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, workshops and performances in the department, and opportunities to get involved in the dynamic music scene in the city of Bristol. The department has a track record of international academic excellence and is exceptionally friendly and welcoming, with several of our staff running ensembles and performing with students.

On the language side of your degree, you will follow a structured language course in your chosen language, as well as explore the richness of the culture(s) in which it is spoken, taking a range of core and optional units in areas such as literature, film, history, thought, politics, linguistics and visual culture. You will spend your third year studying or working abroad in a country in which your language is spoken, extending your language skills and cultural knowledge. To find out more about studying abroad, visit the Centre for Study Abroad.

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 delivered 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 the sector of your choice.

All modern languages students have access to our Multimedia Centre. You can also access extracurricular activities such as talks by visiting speakers, societies, language cafés and 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, a recital room, extensive studio facilities and a suite of practice rooms. Several organ and choral scholarships are available with our local churches and with Bristol Cathedral. Visit the Department of Music for further information on scholarships, events, and research specialisms.