Study Dutch in London at UCL

UCL houses the largest centre for Dutch Studies in the English-speaking world. The Department of Dutch, was the first of its kind in the United Kingdom. It was here that Dutch first attained the status of a serious academic discipline and a chair in Dutch has been occupied almost continuously since 1919.

Today it offers a full range of undergraduate and graduate degree programmes and provides a uniquely supportive environment for those studying Dutch. In addition to the department's own staff, visiting lecturers and professors from the Netherlands and Flanders together with visiting students from Dutch and Flemish universities ensure regular contact between the department and the Dutch-speaking countries.

The department is a recognised centre of excellence in both teaching and research in the field of Low Countries Studies. It was awarded a toprating of 5 in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise carried out by HEFCE, and in the QAA Subject Review in 1996, assessing teaching quality, the department was awarded a total of 22 points out of a possible maximum of 24. Many aspects of the department's teaching provision were commended, including the design and content of the curriculum, the provision of language teaching for all abilities, and the support and guidance offered to students regarding careers.

Research Interests

the Dutch language; linguistics; the teaching of Dutch as a foreign language; critical language awareness,
Dutch literature, especially the Dutch Golden Age, the twentieth century, women's studies and colonial and post-colonial literature,
Dutch and Belgian political and cultural history, especially the modern and contemporary period,
translation studies and comparative literature.

The range of expertise is reflected in the courses on offer to both undergraduate and graduate students.

Various other UCL departments, including History, History of Art and Geography, have academic staff with highly specialised expertise covering the Low Countries (i.e. both the Netherlands and Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium).

The Dutch Department organises a range of cultural events, often in association with other centres and institutions. It plays a prominent part in various national and international organisations concerned with Dutch Studies and has excellent contacts with Dutch and Flemish universities.

The department is also fortunate – and unique in the Anglophone world – in being able to host an annual Dutch Writer in Residence programme. This involves a Dutch or Flemish writer, whose work has been translated into English, being in residence in the department for part of the year.

The department is also the editorial base for the Low Countries Studies Journal Dutch Crossing.

Student Activities / Summer Courses

Department of Dutch Not all Dutch activities in the department are organised by the staff: the students have their own social network, which organises events and excursions. The Dutch and Belgian governments also sponsor annual summer vacation courses in the Netherlands and Belgium, offering a varied programme of language instruction combined with talks and excursions. First-year students in particular are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity, and a number of scholarships are available through the department.