Languages and Cultures undergraduate pre-arrival information
Congratulations on securing your place to study Modern Languages and Cultures with us - we can’t wait to meet you! On this page you’ll find useful information and tasks to help make your transition to university as smooth as possible.
Your checklist
Complete your registration
The first thing you need to do is complete your registration.
Understand your course
In order to choose your language(s) and modules, you need to understand how the programme works at level 1.
- BA Modern Languages and Cultures
You may have a clear idea about which language(s) you want to study and how many, or you may still be wondering whether to try your hand at new languages.
As a BA Modern Languages and Cultures student you have a lot of choice: choose to study two or three languages from your first year or will you add a third language later? Take your time to decide. You can study all our languages from beginners' level and French, German, Russian or Spanish as a post A-level language module.
It really is up to you. As long as you tally up 120 credits in total (each module is worth a certain amount) and stick to the degree requirements (those are just the 'rules' of the degree) . The requirements are outlined below.
We understand that you may want to talk to somebody about what would be best for you. It is always a good idea to have a chat with one of our tutors. Let us know if you need assistance.
Okay, we do have some rules:
You can do a maximum of 3 languages throughout your degree. So if you choose to do 3 languages in your first year, you can either:- Stick with your 3 languages throughout your degree.
- Drop 1 or 2 language(s) after your first year.
If you start off with two languages, you're free to pick up a third language (and associated culture) at the start of your second year.
How many languages do you want to study?
Two Languages
- Choose two languages from our First Year offer: French, German, Russian, Spanish, Czech, Dutch, Portuguese, Catalan, Italian.
- You have 80 credits of CORE modules (40 credits of language modules + 40 credits of cultural content).
- You then choose 40 credits of Level 1 modules in the BA Modern Languages and Cultures. 20 credits out of these can be taken in a different department (from a specified list of guided modules you can see on your programme regulation) providing that there is space and that you meet any potential prerequisites.
Three Languages
- Choose three languages from our First Year offer: French, German, Russian, Spanish, Czech, Dutch, Portuguese, Catalan, Italian.
- You have at least 100 credits of CORE modules (at least 40 in your first two languages, and 20 in your third language).
- You therefore may have to choose a further 20 credits in the School or in a different department (from a specified list of guided modules you can see on your programme regulation) providing that there is space and that you meet any potential prerequisites.
- Dual Degrees
Dual degree students are sometimes at home in two different departments and they split their study time between SLAS (Languages, Arts and Societies) modules, and modules in their other department.
But the number of credits you can devote to your language study depends on your type of Dual combination programme.
What Dual Degree are you?
Slightly different rules apply depending on whether you are an Arts and Humanities Dual (History, Music, English, Linguistics) or a Social Sciences Dual (Business Management, Politics) Check the rules that apply to your programme first.
Arts and Humanities Dual: One or two languages?
A Dual within the Arts and Humanities Faculty is flexible. You can decide how many credits you pick up in either subject but the maximum is 80 credits, which is the equivalent of 2/3 of your year's programme.
If you study a Dual Degree with ONE language you will pick:
Your language module.
A maximum of 3 and a minimum of 1 culture module.
At least one culture module must be the one associated with your language, but you can also pick more from our options.
You may want to go for a Dual Degree with TWO languages. Then you can either for a triple format (40-40-40) split, or for a major/minor format.
With a triple format you divide your credits equally over your three subjects in packages of 40 credits. This means:
- One Language module and one culture module for language 1.
- One Language module and one culture module for language 2.
- 40 credits for your other discipline.
Dual Degree with TWO languages can also follow a major/minor format. In that case you take at least 40 credits in your major language (one language module and one or two culture modules) and you take just the language module in your minor language.
Social Science Dual Degrees: One or two languages
A Social Science Dual degree is a dual in the strictest sense: you split your time exactly in half over your two departments. This means that you will pick 60 credits of languages and culture modules. 3 modules of 20 credits.
If you opt for a Social Science Dual Degree with ONE language you will choose:
- Your language module (20 credits).
- Two culture modules, with at least one associated with your language (40 credits).
You can also combine your social science subject with TWO languages. In that case you will have a major and a minor language and you choose:
- One language module + the associated culture module.
- Your second language module.
So as a Dual Degree student you are free to choose one or two languages from our full range. Note that Italian CANNOT be your main language.
Discover Your Modules
You'll have a variety of modules to choose from, some core and some optional.
Click the link below to read more about your modules:
Read the welcome from your Head of School
As the Head of School, I’d like to welcome you to our academic community and wish you many congratulations for the achievements that brought you to us. For some of you, this may be a return to the School of Languages, Arts and Societies, or to Sheffield, and, for others this might be a completely new experience in a new department, in a new university, city and country. In all cases, we are really looking forward to welcoming you. My colleagues and I are here to help, so please do get in touch if you have any queries or questions over the coming weeks. I wish you an excellent time with us, and look forward to seeing you soon.
Prof Thomas Baldwin - Head of School
Welcome Week timetable
Our Welcome Week activities are a great way to meet your fellow students, and we strongly encourage your attendance.
- Monday 22 September 2025
School of Languages, Arts and Societies Welcome Talk and Coffee and Cake Social
Time: 10am - 12pm
Location: Workroom 3 and 4, 38 Mappin Street
Campus mapsIntroduction to French Studies
Time: 1pm to 2pm
Location: 9 Mappin Street, room G14
Campus mapsIntroduction to Dutch Studies
Time: 2pm to 3pm
Location: 9 Mappin Street, room G14
Campus mapsIntroduction to Russian and Czech Studies
Time: 3pm to 4pm
Location: 9 Mappin Street, room G14
Campus maps- Tuesday 23 September 2025
Introduction to Spanish, Portuguese and Catalan Studies
Time: 10am to 11am
Location: Portobello Centre, room C02_A
Campus mapsIntroduction to Germanic Studies
Time: 1pm to 2pm
Location: 9 Mappin Street, room G14
Campus mapsRussian and Czech Taster Session
Time: 2pm to 3pm
Location: 9 Mappin Street, room G14
Campus maps- Wednesday 24 September 2025
There is also a programme of events run via the Students' Union.
Dual Students
Follow the links below to find pre-arrival information for your other subject.
Music and Modern Languages & Cultures
Take a look at your Music Checklist
Politics and Modern Languages & Cultures
Take a look at your Politics Checklist
Business Management and Modern Languages & Cultures
Take a look at your Business Management Checklist
Linguistics and Modern Languages & Cultures
Take a look at your Linguistics Checklist
English and Modern Languages & Cultures
Take a look at your English Checklist
History and Modern Languages & Cultures
Take a look at your History Checklist
Contact us
We realise that starting at university is a big step, so please, if you have any questions or queries that aren't answered here, just contact us:
slas-studentenquiries@sheffield.ac.uk
Our office is in Jessop West, First floor, Red wing.
Follow us on Instagram @Languages_and_cultures_sheff