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Modern Languages and English Literature

  • BA (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time with time abroad
  • 28 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
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Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Experience a unique blend of language, culture and literary study.

Become proficient in your chosen language/s and enhance your understanding of literary genres and devices.

Why study this course?

  • Study a modern language from beginner or advanced level - French, German, Italian, Russian, or Portuguese (beginner only). Combine this with English for a highly complementary and exciting way to contextualise your knowledge in each discipline.

  • At Birmingham you'll learn about your target culture's literature, history, politics and society, and through total immersion on your Year Abroad.

  • Choose from a diverse portfolio of English Literature modules – from fantasy, to gothic literature, to women’s writing to poetry and more.

  • Dive in to the study of Shakespeare and put your learning into context with our residential trip to Stratford-upon-Avon.

Top 100 for Modern Languages QS World Subject Rankings 2025

Top 30 for English in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2025

Top 15 in the UK for English in the Complete University Guide 2025

Modules

First-year modules cover a broad base of the subject and are designed to introduce you to ways of studying at university. By the final year the modules you take will become more specialised and reflect the research expertise of the academic staff. More detailed module information can be found on the course page.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time with time abroad • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 28 September 2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
7Q6Q
Institution code:
B32
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Birmingham has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

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:
7Q6Q
Institution code:
B32
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

A level
AAB

You normally require an A Level grade B or above in the advanced modern language you wish to study. If you do not have the relevant foreign language A Level, please feel free to contact us to discuss your options.

Spanish, German, Italian and Russian can be taken at beginners level. To take a language from beginners level, evidence of language learning ability is required such as a grade A in a Modern Language at GCSE.

A level English Literature or English Language and Literature is required.

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

BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM, plus AB at A-level in the required subject/s mentioned above.
BTEC Diploma: DD, plus AB at A-level in the required subject/s mentioned above.
BTEC Subsidiary Diploma: D, plus AB at A-level in the required A-level subject/s mentioned above.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
32 points

6,6,5 in Higher Level subjects. You normally require a Higher Level language at 5 or above in the advanced modern language you wish to study. You will also require Literature or Language and Literature at Higher Level if taking the Literature pathway.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

Accepted in place of a non-required A level with the equivalent grade.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

Accepted in place of A levels with the following grade equivalencies: D2 = A*; D3 = A; M2 = B. Combinations of A levels and Principle subjects are accepted. NB required subjects must be offered (see A level Section)

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.

The most common grades on entry for this course are above our standard offer. This does not mean that you need to achieve higher grades than our offer to be admitted.
We make alternative offers through our contextual admissions schemes which are typically 1 or 2 grades lower. You can find information on these schemes using the link below.
You can check your eligibility to receive an offer for this course using our Offer Calculator using the same link.

Learn more on the University of Birmingham website

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

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

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

For details of the annual tuition fee for International Students please see the course web page listed in the 'course details' section above.
If you are made an offer to study by the University, the yearly tuition fee will be stated in your offer letter.

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