Undergraduate English, Languages and Music courses at Sheffield

Study at the University of the Year (WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2024)

Art and Humanities students taking part in a seminar
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Explore English courses 

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Explore Dual Honours courses

If you are interested in more than one subject you can combine language study, English or Music with another subject.

English, Languages, Music dual honours

Dual honours courses with another subject

Our degrees with a foundation year offer a route into degree level study for mature students without standard entry qualifications.

Course finder

You can search for other undergraduate courses via our course finder or browse the full 2025-26 courses A-Z.

Why study English, Languages or Music with us? 

An excellent student experience

  • East Asian Studies - Top 5 in the Russell Group across all areas of the National Student Survey 2024
  • English Literature  - Top 5 in the Russell Group across all areas of the National Student Survey 2024
  • Top 10 in the UK for Music in the Guardian, Times, and Complete University Guide.
  • 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.

Degree flexibility

  • In Music you’ll study everything from performance, composition and musicology, to ethnomusicology, music psychology, musical industries and technology. We have expertise in a wide range of musical genres allowing you to explore the music you are passionate about.
  • You can focus your English studies on the areas that interest you most - exploring and understanding the cultural significance and meaning behind some of the world’s most influential stories, or learn about language development and linguistics.
  • Our language options include French, German, Spanish, Russian, Dutch, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Czech, Catalan, Italian, Portuguese, Luxembourgish.

Wide ranging expertise at your fingertips

  • Our staff are experts in their fields and their interests are diverse. Their research feeds into our curriculums, allowing you to go beyond language or musical study and explore the history, culture, politics and sociology that underpins our global societies whilst building critical analysis and intercultural skills.

Study abroad or gain work experience

  • Opportunities to study abroad and/or take on a work placement are built into all of our degree programmes. Optional modules and extra-curricular opportunities also allow you to gain hands-on experience in the music industry, education and public outreach.
  • Our wide range of musical societies and ensembles allow you to play the music you love with like minded people whilst building your performance and transferable skills.

Excellent career prospects

  • Our graduates have gone on to a wide variety of international careers across diverse sectors including business and marketing, the arts and creative sectors, education, charity and diplomacy. In the music sector, our graduates work with prestigious orchestras and music institutions within the UK and globally, in roles ranging from performing and conducting to administration and education.

A city alive with music and culture

Enjoy the city’s vibrant music scene that gave birth to the likes of Self Esteem, PULP and Arctic Monkeys. With annual music festivals including Tramlines, legendary venues such as The Leadmill, and a large and  eclectic mix of independent music venues, there’s music for everyone to enjoy in Sheffield. 

Each year Sheffield hosts Off the Shelf, the north’s largest literary festival, as well as Docfest and Celluloid Screams for book and film fans alike.

Sheffield also boasts the largest Theatre complex outside of London and a wealth of museums and galleries for you to explore.

Student profiles 

Photograph of Sarah Sharp smiling

We need Arts and humanities subjects more than ever

Sarah Sharp English Literature BA

Sarah Sharp graduated from the School of English in 2014 and is now Director or Montgomery Theatre and Arts Centre.

A photo of Alexander Keen

Being able to communicate your ideas clearly and persuasively is useful in every career path, especially if you want to work in a creative field

Alexander Keen BA English and Philosophy

Alexander works as a Communications and Marketing Manager for Sent Into Space.

A photo of Matthew McHale

My degree from Sheffield has been integral and the foundation of my career

Matthew McHale BA English Literature

Matthew currently works for the British Heart Foundation as a Media Officer.

A phot of Shivonne Gates

Study what you are interested in, but also engage with the wider university culture and community to gain different transferrable skills

Shivonne Gates BA English Language and Linguistics

Shivonne works for Frontline as an Impact Lead.

Alex Barton

I use the language skills gained from my studies at Sheffield daily

Alexander Barton Chinese Studies BA(Hons) graduate

After graduating, Alexander moved to Asia for his Masters degree; he now lives in Shanghai.

Joel Lee

The teachers at the open day all seemed to be super passionate about teaching the course so I knew that I’d be in good hands

Joel Lee BA Japanese Studies

Joel was drawn to Sheffield because of the School’s reputation for teaching East Asia along with our lecturers clear passion for the subject which was evident at open days

Moli Hitchen

It is the people who make the course enjoyable. They are so helpful and friendly and always encourage student participation

Moli Hitchen BA Korean Studies with Japanese

After learning about her Korean heritage, Moli wanted to learn more about the country and felt Sheffield would be the right fit for her.

James Hughes

After having studied and having enjoyed my time so much at Sheffield, everything has fallen into place in terms of my early career

James Hughes BA Modern Languages & Cultures

James graduated with an undergraduate degree in Languages & Cultures before embarking on a career in marketing.

SLC Alumni Conor Bryan

Without my languages and cultures, I would have struggled to make an initial impression for the roles I have had.

Connor Bryan BA Modern Languages and Cultures

Connor works as a HR Service Desk Advisor for Burberry Ltd, having studied on our BA Modern Languages and Cultures degree.

SLC student Finlay Ward

The general advantage of doing a dual honours degree revolves around the variety of different skills it gives you.

Finlay BA Business Management and Modern Languages and Cultures

Finlay discusses the advantages of studying a dual degree.

Student university alumni playing a cello

Lucy Revis: Session musician, music educator and Sheffield Made Musician

Lucy Revis BMus Music

Lucy shares how she has a portfolio of varied and rewarding roles within the music industry, and how the undergraduate course at the University of Sheffield prepared her for a successful career.

Girl singing on stage while playing piano

Molly Clark - performer, music producer, sound engineer and Sheffield Made Musician

Molly Clark BMus

Molly graduated from the BMus Music programme at the University of Sheffield in 2021. She is currently working as a self-employed music producer and live sound engineer in Sheffield. She shares her journey as a musician in Sheffield.

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