Music and Modern Languages & Cultures BA
Study one or two languages, combining the practicalities of learning them with modules that explore their politics, history, literature and culture. In music, you'll cover modules across performance, composition, musicology, ethnomusicology, music psychology, musical industries and music technology.
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A Levels
ABB -
UCAS code
RW50 -
Duration
4 years -
Start date
September
- Accredited
- Course fee
- Funding available
- Foreign language study
- Study abroad
- Dual honours
Explore this course:
Course description
Why study this course?
Choose from 10 languages (German, French, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Czech, Catalan, Italian, and Luxembourgish) to take your music degree global.
The year abroad in third year enables you to immerse yourself in the language, culture and society of the language or languages you study.
Gain practical industry experience while you learn with our 'Work in Music' module, and build a network of professionals who can advise you on your career.
Opportunities include student-led reading groups, multiple ensembles, active student societies, masterclasses and our dynamic musical event series.
Become a musician and a linguist - exploring societies across the globe through music, politics and culture.
Find your creative voice by developing your skills as an independent musician and researcher, complementing this with the study of one or two foreign languages and an exploration of global cultures.
Learn to listen, perform and think critically about music of multiple genres and receive compositional training in both instrumental and music technology software. As well as embracing music genres and perspectives from across the globe, you’ll delve into the history, politics and culture of the countries your chosen languages are spoken.
Study in cutting edge facilities, including purpose-built music practice rooms, recording studios and music psychology labs, and spend a year abroad gaining lived experience of the culture of your chosen language.
Dual and combined honours degrees
The University of Sheffield is an All-Steinway School. This accreditation enables students to access pianos of the highest quality and places the University among a select group of international education institutions.
Modules
UCAS code: RW50
Years: 2026
You’ll have the opportunity to learn digital skills and music history and tailor your degree to your interests by selecting language module of your preference.
Core modules:
- Digital Skills for Music
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The module aims to develop your confidence and technical expertise with a range of technologies of value to academic and professional practice. Lectures will introduce fundamental principles and specific technologies for use in researching, creating and producing music. These technologies will then be applied in the production of a collaborative project, helping students to develop team work and interpersonal skills that will serve them in subsequent levels of study and professional practice.
20 credits
Indicative areas of study include audio recording and production, sound design, computational literacy, data analysis, the ethics of artificial intelligence, effective group work, research management and productivity. - History of Western Music
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This module considers key moments in the history of Western music from the 1500s to the present day. Taking individual composers and works, it aims to introduce students to different approaches to the study of music history, the development of particular musical genres, and the impact of cultural, historical and geographical context on composers. In addition, the module will consider ways of writing about music, and the use of primary and secondary sources for informing critical discussions of the subject.
20 credits
Core Language Modules (select one):
- Exploring East Asia
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This module introduces students to the study of modern East Asia. Beginning by encouraging consideration of what the subject of East Asian Studies is, it then introduces the following key topics: East Asian Geography and Environment, History, Culture and Media, Economics and Business, and Political Relations. In parallel with this content, the module also introduces core academic skills as follows: independent, lecture and seminar study; reflective practice; critical information, digital and visual literacy; evidence and argument in academic writing, and appropriate examination techniques. These two elements provide a firm foundation of knowledge and abilities for higher level study.
20 credits - Understanding Modern France
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This core content module will introduce students to key aspects of France's history, society, politics and culture through the study of a range of important texts and media. It will focus on key historical events, the values and ideas that inform French and francophone society today, giving an historical overview of their development from Louise XIV to Emmanuel Macron. It will thus enable students to learn the interpretative methodologies specific to a range of cultural forms. It will provide them with a sound understanding of disciplinary studies, both within the language(s)/culture(s) they have chosen to study and, more broadly, within the discipline of Languages and Cultures today. It aims to facilitate the students' transition to University study, to complement the core language modules (which also cover some aspects of culture) studied at Level 1, in addition to serving as the solid foundation for more advanced study and specialisation at Level 2 and onwards. There will be opportunities for synoptic assessment in connection with the relevant language module.
20 credits - German Advanced
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Assuming a good A level in the language or equivalent, this unit aims to provide an initial preparation for a prolonged professional, academic or recreational stay in a country where the language is spoken and introduces the full range of linguistic and cultural skills required to engage in authentic and spontaneous interaction with native speakers (CEF level B2-).
20 credits - Dutch Beginner
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This unit aims to consolidate a general foundation in the language and culture in order to cope with a range of predictable, everyday communicative situations encountered when interacting at a basic level, orally and in writing, with sympathetic native speakers during, for instance, a brief visit abroad (CEF level A2).
20 credits - Understanding German History and Culture
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This core German content module will introduce students to the history, society, politics, and culture of the German-speaking world. You will focus on the major historical events (such as the building of the Berlin Wall, and the importance of the Greens to contemporary Germany) and key texts and visual material. You will also acquire a theoretical toolkit that will enable you to analyse these major events and cultural forms. The module complements the core German language modules (which also cover some aspects of culture) studied at Level 1, in addition to serving as the solid foundation for more advanced study and specialisation at Level 2 and onwards.
20 credits - Russian Advanced
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This unit aims to consolidate an initial preparation for a prolonged professional, academic or recreational stay in a country where the language is spoken and introduces the full range of linguistic and cultural skills required to engage in authentic and spontaneous interaction with native speakers (CEF level B2).
20 credits - Russian and Czech Cultures in the Age of Empire and beyond
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This module gives an overview of Russian and Czech cultures with a focus on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It will critically examine the concepts of statehood, empire, nationalism, totalitarianism and democracy by studying the two nations' different experiences through visual sources, literature and language usage. It thus introduces students to topics dealt with in greater depth in optional modules at Levels 2 and 3, and helps them to learn how to analyse cultural artefacts and sources of different kinds.
20 credits - Spanish Advanced
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This unit aims to consolidate an initial preparation for a prolonged professional, academic or recreational stay in a country where the language is spoken and introduces the full range of linguistic and cultural skills required to engage in authentic and spontaneous interaction with native speakers (CEF level B2).
20 credits - An Introduction to the Social and Political History of Iberia and Latin America
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This module examines the historical trajectory of Spain, its emergence as a state in the Iberian Peninsula, its imperial expansion overseas into Latin America, the eventual independence of the colonies and their development and consolidation into the various modern-day states we know today. The module will explore the social, political and cultural characteristics of these states and its peoples and highlight the importance of understanding their complex history in the formation of their identities and their cultural and political values.
20 credits - Chinese Language 2A
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This module is focusing on receptive activities and written productive activities in Chinese language. It aims to enable students to acquire basic competence in grammar, reading, writing and translation both from and into Chinese skills. Every week carefully designed grammar structures and vocabulary will be introduced so that students will be able to do something practical in writing Chinese characters and sentences are introduced from the earliest stages.
20 credits - Portuguese Beginner
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This unit aims to consolidate and expand the general foundation in the language and culture acquired at Beginner's level, providing a solid basis for the next level and enabling learners to cope with a range of predictable, everyday communicative situations encountered when interacting at an elementary level with native speakers during, for instance, a brief visit abroad (CEF level A2).
20 credits - Catalan Beginner
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This unit aims to consolidate a general foundation in the language and culture in order to cope with a range of predictable, everyday communicative situations encountered when interacting at a basic level, orally and in writing, with sympathetic native speakers during, for instance, a brief visit abroad (CEF level A2).
20 credits
Optional modules for all students
- Music in a Global Context
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Whatever kind of music study you decide to specialise in, you'll do it better if you see it in the context of music as a phenomenon common to all humanity. You'll understand what's different about your own chosen field but also how the music you love derives from diverse cultural sources.In this module we examine how any music uses specific ways of organising sound to serve particular cultural purposes. You'll learn to recognise and describe diverse musical styles, research them through scholarly sources, present an analysis using appropriate audio-visual technology, and take control of the transferable skills you're developing.
20 credits - Composition
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In this module you will develop your composition skills, practice writing music in staff notation, and learn to write effectively for different instrumental and vocal forces. Drawing on the models of a diverse range of classical composers of the 20th and 21st centuries, we will focus on techniques for writing inventive melodies and rhythms, and employing wide-ranging approaches to harmony. The module aims to give you a foundation in composition and increase your confidence in preparation for further study.
20 credits - Popular Music Studies
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This module provides an introduction to the academic study of popular music. You will explore key approaches to studying popular music in its socio-cultural contexts, investigating major issues and debates. Lecture materials and in-class tasks will engage with approaches to the analysis of popular music and media, issues of representation, authenticity, identity, technology and industry. The module is delivered via lectures and group tasks to encourage interaction and collaboration between students. Assessments are designed to allow you to apply key analytical and theoretical frameworks to music of your own choosing, testing both your individual skills and knowledge alongside group work and collaboration.
20 credits - Psychological Foundations of Music
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Music Psychology offers insights, ways of thinking, reflective tools and methods to understand the foundations of musical behaviour, learning and thought. This module offers the foundation to students to be able to engage with the literature, knowledge and underpinning techniques in this area. Learning about psychology of music will help you engage with some of the most provocative questions about musicality, such as what enables our capacity for music, why we respond emotionally to music, whether music makes us smarter, and what underlies therapeutic applications of music for health and wellbeing?
20 credits - Performance
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In this module you will develop the musical and intellectual abilities appropriate to solo performance. The theoretical background is considered, focusing on the aural and analytical skills essential to performance at an advanced level. An awareness of style and interpretation, as well as effective preparation and communication are built into teaching. You will receive one to one tuition in addition to attending whole class performance lectures.
20 credits - Music Analysis
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This module aims to introduce, develop and refine ways of thinking, listening and writing about western music. You will learn to listen to and analyze harmonic, tonal, motivic, thematic, melodic, rhythmic, textural and formal features of a range of western music genres, such as Common Practice harmonic principles, Medieval counterpoint, jazz standards and rock'n'roll. By using analytical techniques to reveal distinctive structural characteristics across multiple styles of music, this module not only prepares you for western-music-based modules at FHEQ levels 5 and 6 but also provides new models of approaching music that can be applied in wider creative and empirical contexts.
20 credits - Euro-Visions: Imagining and Questioning Europe
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What is 'Europe'? What does it mean to be European? The module interrogates the idea of Europe for those who live within and outside its borders. It examines different ways in which Europe has been imagined and critiqued, through case studies that focus on, for example, language, culture, politics, or art. It considers different aspects of the emergence of a distinct pan-European identity and specific peoples within that general identity. Europe, along with its component empires and nations, has always been defined against 'others' a) beyond its borders and b) those who reside within but are held not truly to belong (eg. Jews, Roma, Muslims). The module considers the history of such 'othering' and how it persists.
20 credits
This module will explore how the idea of Europe has been formulated and discussed in literary texts, language policies, and other socio-cultural practices. It examines social, political and cultural dynamics to explore how the idea of Europe is inextricably tied up with historical factors such as geopolitical conflicts, colonialism and unfree labour. Students will critically evaluate existing discourses, including former or official policies, and communicate their findings to academic and non-academic audiences through discussions and written evaluations. - Language at Work
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This module provides the basis for understanding the often-underestimated role of language in our everyday lives, with a specific focus on multilingual and intercultural settings in the broader context of global relationships between countries, cultures and individuals.
20 credits
Through lectures, seminars and small practical projects, students will examine their own language skills and enhance their knowledge of their chosen languages(s) through experimenting with different linguistic research methods.
Students will gain critical understanding of their individual language repertoires and communication practices, learn different methods of scientific enquiry, and develop expertise in the exploration of language, communication and real-life interaction as a means of enhancing their foreign language learning, deepening their cultural understanding, and acquiring cultural agility. Finally, students will develop the ability to effectively communicate their academic insights to non-specialist audiences through innovative digital media.
After completing this module, students will
- know the basic properties of language and communication and their relation to culture;
- be able to characterise the global and local relationships between English and their other languages;
- be able to describe the differences between communication in monolingual and linguistically/culturally diverse contexts;
- be able to differentiate between communication involving native speakers of a language and communication involving foreign language speakers of a language and derive implications for intercultural communication and foreign language learning;
- use systematic methods to carry out investigations of language, communication and culture;
- use digital technology to communicate their academic work to non-specialist audiences. - The Soviet Union 1917-1991
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Overview of the formation, development and collapse of the USSR, beginning from c.1900. Covers historiographic problems in analysing primary materials, ideological problems in dealing with the revolutionary movement and subsequent developments, debates over the nature and trajectory of the USSR and its place in the wider world.
20 credits
You will also have the option to select 20 credits of Languages for All modules in your chosen language.
In your second year, you’ll continue to build your fundamental knowledge of Music and Modern Language and Cultures, developing your music and language skills.
Example core modules:
- Continued study of your chosen languages
- Arts of Persuasion
- Musicology
- Work in Music
You’ll also have the opportunity to enhance your knowledge through a range of optional modules, which may include: Performance and Improvisation, Topics in Jazz and Contemporary Music, Languages of Gender and Sexuality and Translation.
You’ll have the opportunity to go on a year aboard and immerse yourself in your chose language and culture.
In your final year, you’ll hone your skills and work towards becoming an expert in Music and Modern Languages and Cultures, putting what you’ve learnt into practice with your final project.
Example core modules:
- Minor Project - Composition/Performance
- Advanced study of your chosen languages
You’ll also have the opportunity to enhance your knowledge through a range of optional modules, which may include: Sound and Moving Image, Traditional Music in the Modern World, Migration and its Representations and Global Careers in Languages.
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 will inform students and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
Learning and assessment
Learning
You'll learn through a mix of lectures, seminars and language and culture classes. Language teaching is in small groups, so you'll get plenty of tailored support and will get to know your tutors well.
On the music side of your degree, our teaching ranges from academic to hands-on. You'll learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, interactive classes and tutorials, and you'll be expected to carry out independent study, assignments and instrument practice. Instrumental lessons are available in your first year and throughout the rest of your degree if you choose to take assessed performance modules.
You'll be taught by world-leading experts in both departments.
In the Department of Music, our staff research directly informs the content of our degrees and we bring our expertise and ideas into all our teaching, so you’ll benefit from being introduced to the latest discoveries at the forefront of musical research.
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.
On the music side of the degree, a few of our modules include formal exams but the majority of your assessment is through coursework (for example essays, journals, compositions, recordings, group projects) and assessed performances.
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 Music and a modern foreign language
- A Levels + a fourth Level 3 qualification
- BBB, typically including Music and a modern foreign language + B in the EPQ
- International Baccalaureate
- 33, typically with 5 in Higher Level Music and a modern foreign language; 32, typically with 5 in Higher Level Music and a modern foreign language, and B in the extended essay
- BTEC Extended Diploma
- DDD in Music + an appropriate modern foreign language qualification
- BTEC Diploma
- DD in Music + B at A Level typically in a modern foreign language
- Scottish Highers + Advanced Higher/s
- ABBBB + AB typically in Music and a modern foreign language
- Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels
- B + AB typically in Music and a modern foreign language
- Access to HE Diploma
- Award of the Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit
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Music Technology is acceptable in lieu of Music
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Grade 8 Practical (ABRSM/Trinity/Rockschool or equivalent) or Performance (ABRSM/ARSM/Rockschool/Trinity) + Grade 5 Theory (ABRSM/Trinity) is acceptable in lieu of Music
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If you are not studying a modern foreign language, we will consider other evidence of aptitude for language learning (such as a languages GCSE at grade 6/B, or an English language qualification for non-native speakers of English)
The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
BBB
typically including Music and a modern foreign language
- A Levels + a fourth Level 3 qualification
- BBB, typically including Music and a modern foreign language + B in the EPQ
- International Baccalaureate
- 32, typically with 5 in Higher Level Music and a modern foreign language
- BTEC Extended Diploma
- DDM in Music + an appropriate modern foreign language qualification
- BTEC Diploma
- DD in Music + B at A Level typically in a modern foreign language
- Scottish Highers + Advanced Higher/s
- BBBBB + BB typically in Music and a modern foreign language
- Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels
- B + BB typically in Music and a modern foreign language
- Access to HE Diploma
- Award of the Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 24 at Distinction and 21 at Merit
-
Music Technology is acceptable in lieu of Music
-
Grade 8 Practical (ABRSM/Trinity/Rockschool or equivalent) or Performance (ABRSM/ARSM/Rockschool/Trinity) + Grade 5 Theory (ABRSM/Trinity) is acceptable in lieu of Music
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If you are not studying a modern foreign language, we will consider other evidence of aptitude for language learning (such as a languages GCSE at grade 6/B, or an English language qualification for non-native speakers of English)
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
Equivalent English language qualifications
Visa and immigration requirements
Other qualifications | UK and EU/international
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school/department.
Graduate careers
Our graduates are excellent communicators, adaptable and culturally aware. The musical excellence and academic aptitude you develop on your course will make you highly valued by employers, whatever your chosen career path after university. You'll also develop valuable transferable skills such as time management, critical thinking and interpersonal communication.
Our students go on to work in international development organisations, business and banking, translating and interpreting, intelligence services, journalism, teaching, publishing, and international sales and marketing, artist management, audio programming, composition, concerts coordination, instrument repair, marketing and communications, music research, music promotion, music therapy, orchestral management, professional performance, publishing, sound engineering, teaching. Many go on to further study.
On this dual degree, there are lots of opportunities to get work experience. Hands-on projects are integrated into several academic modules and every year our Concerts team provides internships while the Careers Service can help you find placements. You can lead a music project or workshop in a local school through our student-led volunteering organisation Music in the City. All of these experiences will help you build a compelling CV.
School of Languages, Arts and Societies
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 wide range of languages - Catalan, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Luxembourgish, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
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. 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.
Facilities
University rankings
( A world top-100 university
QS World University Rankings 2026 (92nd) and Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 (98th)
Number one in the Russell Group (based on aggregate responses)
National Student Survey 2025
92 per cent of our research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent
Research Excellence Framework 2021
University of the Year and best for Student Life
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024
Number one Students' Union in the UK
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017
Number one for Students' Union
StudentCrowd 2024 University Awards
A top 20 university targeted by employers
The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers report
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.
Additional funding
The Department of Music offers a number of scholarships. These can include scholarships in partnership with local music organisations, giving you a chance to gain advanced work experience within the music sector while studying.
Alternatively, we can offer bursaries donated by alumni to help support you with your studies. Both single honours BMus students and dual honours students with music are eligible to apply. For a full list of scholarships and prizes available, please visit our fees and funding page.
Placement/study abroad
Year abroad
You'll spend the third year of your degree studying or working overseas in one or two countries. This is your chance to immerse yourself in the culture of your chosen language(s), honing your language skills by living alongside native speakers.
Work experience
There are lots of opportunities to get work experience. Hands-on projects are integrated into several academic modules and every year our University Concerts team provides internships. Alternatively, you can work in schools to encourage language learning, or lead a music project or workshop through our student-led volunteering organisation Music in the City. All of these experiences will help you build a compelling CV.
Visit
University open days
We host five open days each year, usually in June, July, September, October and November. You can talk to staff and students, tour the campus and see inside the accommodation.
Subject tasters
If you’re considering your post-16 options, our interactive subject tasters are for you. There are a wide range of subjects to choose from and you can attend sessions online or on campus.
Offer holder days
If you've received an offer to study with us, we'll invite you to one of our offer holder days, which take place between February and April. These open 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
Our weekly guided tours show you what Sheffield has to offer - both on campus and beyond. You can extend your visit with tours of our city, accommodation or sport facilities.
Apply
The awarding body for this course is the University of Sheffield.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.