Modern Languages and History of Art

Birmingham’s fusion of language and culture places employability at its heart, preparing you to live and work as an engaged citizen of the world.

The study of one or two Modern Languages (French, Italian, Russian and/or Spanish) alongside History of Art is highly complementary and an exciting opportunity to contextualise your knowledge in each discipline. Your linguistic fluency is strengthened with a simultaneous understanding and appreciation of your target culture's literature, history, politics and society. You can even start two languages from scratch without taking an advanced language, as long as one of these is French or Spanish. Travel opportunities in your degree course such as the Year Abroad and the History of Art European study trip will enrich your skillset as both a linguist and art historian.

You will have access to original works, a dedicated fine art library and collection of resources in the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, our acclaimed public gallery at the Univeristy. Here you will find a great collection of European art and works by famous artists such as Botticelli, Van Gogh, Monet, Magritte, Degas, Gwen John, Vigée LeBrun and Rodin.

Why study this course?

Study differently - with our CLIL (Content Language Integrated Learning) teaching method. CLIL is a blended approach to language learning, based on a fusion of language and culture: study language, grammar and vocabulary in direct relation to topics of real cultural significance in your chosen language.

Multicultural city – Learn and Live in a vibrant city that is culturally, ethnically and religiously diverse. Join a number of language and culture-based societies at the University of Birmingham to further enhance your skills.

On-campus gallery – Teaching regularly takes place in our working gallery on campus, The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, which is home to a dedicated fine art library and world-class collection. Seminars and events are held here, which really help to deepen your understanding and expand your knowledge of the museum and heritage sector following our hands-on approach.

Experience the real world - visit galleries and museums in the UK and abroad as part of your degree. The department organises regularly gallery study trips in the West Midlands and London. The weeklong University funded trip to a major European city is another highlight of the programme.

Utilise the power of your voice - contribute to the official blog for the Department of Art History, Curating and Visual Studies, the Golovine. Check it out to gain insight into what it’s like studying at Birmingham, former student successes, research conducted and commentaries on art news.

Boost your employability - develop transferable skills and gain valuable real world experience with access to funded arts internships, exclusively for University of Birmingham students.

13th for undergraduate History of Art in the Complete University Guide 2025

35th for Modern Languages and Linguistics in the Guardian University Guide 2024

64th for Arts and Humanities in the QS World Subject Rankings 2024