
Modern Languages and Cultures BA
School of Languages and Cultures
You are viewing this course for 2021-22 entry.
Key details
- A Levels ABB
Other entry requirements - UCAS code T900
- 4 years / Full-time
- Find out the course fee
- Foreign language study
- Study abroad
Course description

You can choose to study one, two or three languages from the following: Catalan, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Luxembourgish, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. If you study just one language, it will be one of French, German, Russian or Spanish. You can take any language from beginner's level, and you can take French, German, Russian or Spanish post-A Level.
We offer language and culture modules that enable you to create combinations of subject areas that work well together and that can build upon your own intellectual interests (for example, visual cultures, literary studies, post-colonialism, language, families) if you want to structure your studies in this way.
You'll spend the third year of your course abroad, speaking the language and living the culture of either one or two of your chosen languages. We have a wide range of destinations on offer, both within Europe and beyond. You can choose to study at a leading university, carry out an approved work placement, or in some cases take part in exciting volunteering opportunities. You can also teach in schools via the British Council's assistantship scheme. Studying in another country will greatly enhance your transferable as well as language skills, making you even more attractive to employers.
When you return to Sheffield for your fourth year, you'll be ready to build on your experience with more advanced language classes and academic modules.
A modern languages and cultures degree at Sheffield is a confident step into the wider world and you'll be graduating with skills that are highly valued by employers. You'll learn to communicate fluently and effectively in one, two or three modern languages. You'll also develop a sophisticated understanding of the countries where those languages are spoken.
Modules
You can find a comprehensive list of all of our languages and cultures modules broken down by language on the School of Languages and Cultures website.
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption. We are no longer offering unrestricted module choice. If your course included unrestricted modules, your department will provide a list of modules from their own and other subject areas that you can choose from.
Learning and assessment
Learning
You'll learn through a mix of lectures, seminars and language classes. Language teaching is in small groups, so you'll get plenty of tailored support and will get to know your tutors well.
Assessment
We use a range of assessment methods during your course. In the language programme you will be given regular homework assignments and take a mix of coursework and exam assessments at appropriate points over the academic year. You will be assessed on the core skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. Our assessment methods vary across our courses and include taking sit-down exams, developing a portfolio, writing essays, taking part in group projects or giving individual presentations.
Programme specification
This tells you the aims and learning outcomes of this course and how these will be achieved and assessed.
Entry requirements
With Access Sheffield, you could qualify for additional consideration or an alternative offer - find out if you're eligible
The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
ABB
typically including a modern foreign language
The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
BBB
typically including a modern foreign language
A Levels + additional qualifications | BBB, typically including a modern foreign language + B in a relevant EPQ BBB, typically including a modern foreign language + B in a relevant EPQ
International Baccalaureate | 33, typically with 5 in Higher Level in a modern foreign language 32, typically including 5 in a Higher Level modern foreign language
BTEC | DDD in a relevant subject DDM in a relevant subject
Scottish Highers + 1 Advanced Higher | AABBB + B, typically including a modern foreign language ABBBB + B, typically including a modern foreign language
Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels | B + AB, typically including a modern foreign language B + BB, typically including a modern foreign language
Access to HE Diploma | 60 credits overall in a relevant subject with Distinctions in 30 Level 3 credits, and Merits in 15 Level 3 credits 60 credits overall in a relevant subject with Distinctions in 24 Level 3 credits, and Merits in 21 Level 3 credits
Mature students - explore other routes for mature students
You must demonstrate that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course. For this course we require: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C; IELTS grade of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification
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If you are not studying a modern foreign language, the department will consider other evidence of aptitude for language learning, such as a languages GCSE or, for non-native speakers of English, an English language qualification
We also accept a range of other UK qualifications and other EU/international qualifications.
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the department.
School of Languages and Cultures
At the School of Languages and Cultures you'll develop your linguistic skills to a very high level and deepen your understanding of the cultural context of the countries where your languages are spoken.
We offer a particularly wide range of languages - Catalan, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Luxembourgish, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
Right from the start, you'll work with the school's top specialists and native speakers who will help you realise your linguistic potential. Language teaching is in small groups, so you'll get plenty of support tailored to your needs and get to know your tutors well.
We're a leading centre for modern languages and cultures research. Our work spans identity, gender, linguistics, politics, migration and literary studies. This research informs our teaching, helping you to develop a global understanding of language and languages across cultures and countries.
You'll be able to study optional modules either in your individual languages, or across the school so you'll acquire an in-depth understanding of your chosen languages and their cultures, and how they relate to other languages and cultures across modern languages disciplines.
Our student-run language societies organise multilingual events, trips and creative projects. There are opportunities to volunteer in the community and in schools, inspiring others to try new languages.
School of Languages and Cultures students are based in the Jessop West building at the heart of the University campus, close to the Diamond and the Information Commons. We share the Jessop West Building with the Department of History and the School of English.
School of Languages and CulturesWhy choose Sheffield?
The University of Sheffield
A Top 100 university 2021
QS World University Rankings
Top 10% of all UK universities
Research Excellence Framework 2014
No 1 Students' Union in the UK
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2019, 2018, 2017
School of Languages and Cultures
Research Excellence Framework 2014
National Student Survey 2019
Graduate careers
School of Languages and Cultures
Our graduates are excellent communicators, adaptable and culturally aware. They work in international development organisations, business and banking, translating and interpreting, intelligence services, journalism, teaching, publishing, and international sales and marketing. Many go on to further study.
Fees and funding
Fees
Additional costs
The annual fee for your course includes a number of items in addition to your tuition. If an item or activity is classed as a compulsory element for your course, it will normally be included in your tuition fee. There are also other costs which you may need to consider.
Funding your study
Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a bursary, scholarship or loan to help fund your study and enhance your learning experience.
Use our Student Funding Calculator to work out what you’re eligible for.
Visit us
University open days
There are four open days every year, usually in June, July, September and October. You can talk to staff and students, tour the campus and see inside the accommodation.
Taster days
At various times in the year we run online taster sessions to help Year 12 students experience what it is like to study at the University of Sheffield.
Applicant days
If you've received an offer to study with us, we'll invite you to one of our applicant days, which take place between November and April. These applicant days have a strong department focus and give you the chance to really explore student life here, even if you've visited us before.
Campus tours
Campus tours run regularly throughout the year, at 1pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Apply for this course
Make sure you've done everything you need to do before you apply.
How to apply When you're ready to apply, see the UCAS website:
www.ucas.com
Contact us
Telephone: +44 114 222 2864
Email: slc-admissions@sheffield.ac.uk
The awarding body for this course is the University of Sheffield.