Birkbeck, University of London has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
On our BA History and Language you can combine the study of history with a modern language (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean or Spanish) and its associated culture. You will be taught by internationally renowned researchers, reflecting the latest trends in history and cultural studies in modern languages. You will also have the opportunity to study a number of cross-cultural modules which will allow you to explore specific themes across a variety of language-speaking areas. This history and language degree will equip you to reach near-native standard in French, German, Italian or Spanish, and upper-intermediate or advanced level in Japanese, depending on your starting level. If you opt to study Korean, your final degree award will be a ‘with’ degree, so for example BA History with Korean, because we currently offer this language up to intermediate level only. You will practise allied skills such as translating, summary-writing, and delivering written and oral presentations. Alongside this, you will be able to study a range of periods, places and themes, from human prehistory and classical civilisation, through to the medieval and early modern periods, and on to twenty-first-century history, politics and culture. This BA History and Language is carefully structured to give you the opportunity to:
- develop the linguistic and research skills, analytical tools and critical approaches to assess contemporary culture and historical evidence
- question accepted wisdoms about both past and present.
- Birkbeck was ranked in the top eight universities in the UK for its History research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
- Situated in historic Bloomsbury, we are at the heart of academic London with access to unparalleled research resources. Situated very close by are: the Institute of Historical Research and the Institute of Classical Studies, with their specialist libraries, training facilities and seminars; the British Museum and other world-class galleries and museums; and the British Library, the largest national library in the world.
- The School of Historical Studies at Birkbeck is home to thriving student societies and a number of affiliated research centres that actively run seminars, conferences and other events where some of the world's best scholars present their latest research.
- Get a flavour of our teaching and research in this area through the wide range of free online and in-person seminars, workshops and tasters; check out our Discover the Past and taster courses as well as events at the Raphael Samuel History Centre, a leading centre for public history which the department co-directs.
- Ours is a community of scholars with shared interests in interdisciplinary topics and cross-cultural research. Our affiliated research centres, the Centre for French, Francophone and Comparative Studies (CFFCS) and the Centre for Iberian and Latin American Visual Studies (CILAVS), provide an important platform for this exchange. We also convene the Eighteenth-Century Research Group.
- heritage manager
- museum/gallery curator
- archivist
- translator
- higher education lecturer
- primary/secondary school teacher.
Modules
For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.
Assessment method
This history and language degree is formed of diverse forms of assessment, including source analyses, quizzes, presentations, in-class written tests, oral and listening comprehension and research essays, all designed to build your skills cumulatively across the course. Every module you take includes some form of assessment and, in addition, an attendance requirement, so you will need to attend at least 60% of classes in order to pass.
How to apply
29Jan
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.
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Foundation
International applicants
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
There are no qualification requirements for this course.
We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £4765 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £4765 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £4765 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £4765 | Year 1 |
| International | £9030 | Year 1 |
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
Home students:
Year 1&2: £4,765 per year
Year 3+: £7,145 per year
International students:
Year 1&2: £9,030 per year
Year 3+: £13,545 per year
Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Provider information
Birkbeck, University of London
Malet Street
Bloomsbury
London
WC1E 7HX
Course contact details
Visit our course pageBirkbeck Student Advice Service
0203 907 0700