Music and Modern Languages BA (Hons)

Bangor University

There are profound connections between language, literature, art and culture, and the combination of Music and Modern Languages allows you to study these in depth. You will use and develop your language and musical skills in an integrated way, using each to inform and enrich the other. Choose from Chinese, French, German, Italian or Spanish at beginners or advanced level. You will develop written (e.g. translation) and oral skills and will learn about cultural aspects related to the chosen language, in which you will be fully immersed during your year abroad.

There are profound connections between language, literature, art and culture. The combination of Music and Modern Languages allows you to study these in depth.

You will use and develop your language and musical skills in an integrated way, using each to inform and enrich the other. You will study Music together with your chosen language, developing advanced language skills and a broad range of insights into the culture, society and history that go with it. Choose from Chinese, French, German, Italian or Spanish at beginners or advanced level. You will develop written (e.g. translation) and oral skills and will learn about cultural aspects related to the chosen language, in which you will be fully immersed during your year abroad. As a musician, you will have the opportunity to grow in knowledge, skills and creativity, guided by world-renowned composers, performers, musicologists and researchers. You will perform in, or attend performances at, public venues like Pontio or the magnificent Prichard Jones Hall. You will also enjoy unrivalled facilities in our arts and innovation centre, Pontio, which regularly attracts world-class theatre productions and musical events. 

The course has music and language at the heart of it, with core language modules developing your key oral, aural and written skills in each year. These modules also foster cultural awareness, which you will need for your year abroad, and later on, for the world of work. Your musical experience will extend beyond the lecture room, with opportunities to join the University Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Choir or one of the many student societies for Music, such as Opera, Concert Band, DJ, Musical Theatre, and String Orchestra. You will also benefit from Bangors excellent links with leading organisations in the UK, including the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, with whom we have an annual composition workshop.

Placement Year and International Experience Year Available

Careers

A degree in Music and Modern Languages offers you excellent employment prospects and the skills developed will allow you to excel in a wide range of music careers. As well as working as composers, performers, editors and conductors, many of our graduates take up posts with music publishers, orchestras, opera houses, or arts centres as music directors, creative coordinators, or administrators, teaching and translating. Equally, many graduates have embarked upon successful careers in the civil service, business and commerce, industry and the media. Others have entered the media as technicians, producers, programme-planners, and writers. Other possible career paths include specialist music journalism, music publishing, music librarianship, and arts marketing. Several of our graduates have gone on to become distinguished academics, composers, and performers, many others are teachers, at all educational levels (up to and including university). The skills you learn whilst studying music and languages – cultural awareness, creativity, communication, accuracy, planning and logical analysis – are valued highly by employers from all sectors of the  economy.