Undergraduate Modules

Year 1, Year 2 and Final Year module descriptions for all our programmes.

We are keen to ensure students feel part of a community at UCL and therefore offer course-specific core modules in Year 1, that students take together with their respective cohort. These provide a broad sense of the discipline and an opportunity to share learning experiences. They also support students to make informed choices for their future years of study to carve out a degree pathway that suits them.

In your first year, the majority of modules you take are compulsory and help establish a broad foundation, whereas in later years, you have fewer restrictions and are given the flexibility to pursue optional modules of your interest which may be related to the culture, history and literature of your chosen language(s).

All descriptions include information about the content, assessment, reading lists and academic contact details. This information is a guide only and may be subject to change without notice. Elective modules offered as part of the courses may be withdrawn in the event of low uptake.

Timetable - Find out how to check the timetable

About ELCS Modules - ELCS Module Overview

Year 1

Without Year Abroad (3 years)

 

With Year Abroad (4 years)

Languages such as Croatian, Czech, Hungarian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, and Ukrainian are offered by The School of Slavonic and East European Languages (SSEES). 

For languages based in the department of Greek and Latin, please visit their website. 

Some languages such as Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin) and Japanese are taken at CLIE, subject to availability. 

Please note languages such as Mandarin, Arabic, Japanese, Latin or Ancient Greek are not available on 4-year degree with Year Abroad, as we don't offer a Year Abroad for those languages.

 

BA Dutch

  • Compulsory language and content modules (60cr)
  • 60cr in ELCS L4 modules (X4 / 15cr each)

 

BA Dutch and another language

  • Compulsory Dutch language and content modules (60cr)
  • Core language and content modules (60cr) from your second language e.g. FREN, GERM, ITAL, SCAN, SPAN, PORT*.

 

BA Dutch AND another discipline (Joint Honours e.g. English, History of Art, Latin, Philosophy, Film Studies, Management Studies)

 

BA Dutch WITH another discipline (Major/Minor e.g. Film Studies or Management Studies)

  • Compulsory Dutch language and content modules (60cr)
  • ELCS L4 film-related modules (30cr) OR L4 modules (30cr) from the School of Management (refer to department website for details - Management Studies).

 

 

BA French

  • Compulsory language and content modules (60cr)
  • 60cr in ELCS L4 modules (x4 / 15cr each)

 

BA French and another language

  • Compulsory French language and content modules (60cr)
  • Core language and content modules (60cr) from your second language e.g. DUTC, ITAL, GERM, SCAN, SPAN, PORT*.

 

BA French AND another discipline (Joint Honours e.g. English, History of Art, Latin, Philosophy, Film Studies, Management Studies)

 

BA French WITH another discipline (Major/Minor e.g. Film Studies or Management Studies)

  • Compulsory French language and content modules (60cr)
  • ELCS L4 film-related modules (30cr) OR L4 modules (30cr) from the School of Management (refer to department website for details - Management Studies).

 

*FREN0005 and FREN0006 are compulsory core modules for all (post A-level) Joint Honours, Major/ Minor, and Single Honours students taking French.

*A-level French (or equivalent) is a prerequisite for all FREN* modules. Except modules designed for ab initio students e.g.  French for Beginners 1 (FREN0079) for students on BA Language and Culture taking French as a minor language.

 

BA German

  • Compulsory language and content modules (60cr)
  • 60cr in ELCS L4 modules (x4 / 15cr each)

 

BA German and another language

  • Compulsory German language and content modules (60cr)
  • Core language and content modules (60cr) from your second language e.g. DUTC, ITAL, FREN, SCAN, SPAN, PORT*.

 

BA German AND another discipline (Joint Honours e.g. English, History of Art, Latin, Philosophy, Film Studies, Management Studies)

 

BA German WITH another discipline (Major/Minor e.g. Film Studies or Management Studies)

  • Compulsory German language and content modules (60cr)
  • ELCS L4 film-related modules (30cr) OR L4 modules (30cr) from the School of Management (refer to department website for details - Management Studies).

 

BA Italian

  • Compulsory language and content modules (60cr)
  • 60cr in ELCS L4 modules (x4 / 15cr each)

 

BA Italian and another language

  • Compulsory Italian language and content modules (60cr)
  • Core language and content modules (60cr) from your second language e.g. DUTC, FREN, GERM, SCAN, SPAN, PORT*.

 

BA Italian AND another discipline (Joint Honours e.g. History of Art, Latin, Philosophy, Jewish Studies, Film Studies, Management Studies)

 

BA Italian WITH another discipline (Major/Minor e.g. Film Studies or Management Studies)

  • Compulsory Italian language and content modules (60cr)
  • ELCS L4 film-related modules (30cr) OR L4 modules (30cr) from the School of Management (refer to department website for details - Management Studies).

 

BA Italian Studies: UCL-Venice Double Degree

Compulsory Modules

AND

  • 1 ELCS* L4 module (15cr)

Major languages: Croatian; Czech; Danish; Dutch; Finnish; French; German; Hebrew; Hungarian; Icelandic; Italian; Norwegian; Polish; Portuguese; Romanian; Russian; Serbian; Spanish; Slovak; Swedish; Ukrainian.

Minor languages: Ancient Greek; Arabic; Beginners' French; Beginners' Spanish; Bulgarian; Chinese (Mandarin); Croatian; Czech; Danish; Dutch; Finnish; German; Hebrew; Hungarian; Icelandic; Italian; Japanese; Latin; Norwegian; Polish; Portuguese; Romanian; Russian; Serbian; Slovak; Swedish; Ukrainian.

Languages such as Croatian, Czech, Hungarian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, and Ukrainian are offered by The School of Slavonic and East European Studies (SSEES). 

For languages based in the department of Greek and Latin please visit their website. 

Some languages such as Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin) and Japanese are taken at CLIE, subject to availability.

 

 

BA Scandinavian Studies 

  • Compulsory language and content modules (45cr)
  • Select one Scandinavian language (Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Icelandic, 30cr)
  • 45cr in ELCS* L4 modules (x3 / 15cr each)

 

BA Icelandic

  • Compulsory language and content modules (75cr)
  • Select one Scandinavian language - Danish, Swedish, Norwegian (30cr)
  • 1 ELCS* L4 module (15cr)

 

BA Viking and Old Norse Studies

  • Compulsory language and content modules (60cr)
  • Select one Scandinavian language - Danish, Icelandic, Swedish, Norwegian (30cr)
  • 30cr in ELCS* L4 modules (x2 / 15cr each) OR L4 Viking Studies-related modules outside of SELCS (30cr).

 

BA Scandinavian Studies AND another discipline (Joint Honours e.g. English, History of Art, Latin, Philosophy, Film Studies, Management Studies)

  • Compulsory language and content modules (30cr)
  • Select one Scandinavian language - Danish, Icelandic, Swedish, Norwegian (30cr)
  • Modules (60cr) from your chosen subject (e.g. English, History of Art, Latin, Philosophy).

 

BA Scandinavian Studies WITH another discipline (Major/Minor e.g. Film Studies or Management Studies)

  • Compulsory language and content modules (30cr)
  • Select one Scandinavian language - Danish, Icelandic, Swedish, Norwegian (30cr)
  • 30cr in ELCS* L4 modules (x2 / 15cr each)
  • ELCS L4 film-related modules (30cr) OR L4 modules (30cr) from the School of Management (refer to department website for details - Management Studies).

Spanish modules:

Portuguese modules:

 

BA Spanish and Latin American Studies

  • Compulsory language and content modules (60cr)
  • Spanish and Latin American Studies cultural modules (30cr)
  • 30cr in ELCS* L4 modules (X2 / 15cr each) OR 30cr in PORT* L4 Modules

 

BA Spanish/Portuguese and another language

  • Compulsory language and content modules (60cr)
  • Core language and content modules (60cr) from your second language e.g. DUTC, ITAL, GERM, SCAN, FREN, PORT*.

 

BA Spanish/Portuguese AND another discipline (Joint Honours e.g. History of Art, Latin, Philosophy, Film Studies, Management Studies)

 

BA Spanish WITH another discipline (Major/Minor e.g. Film Studies or Management Studies)

  • Compulsory language and content modules (60cr)
  • Spanish and Latin American Studies cultural modules (30cr)
  • ECLS* L4 film-related modules (30cr) OR L4 modules (30cr) from the School of Management (refer to department website for details - Management Studies).

 

*A-level Spanish (or equivalent) is a prerequisite for all SPAN* modules

*Alongside core language and introductory modules, BA Spanish and Latin American Studies and Major/Minor students take two other core modules Power of Words (literature); Power of Images (visual culture).

Year 2

Without Year Abroad (3 years)

Compulsory Modules 

Optional Modules

  • 1 course-related LITC module (15cr)
  • 1 language-related module related to your main language (15cr)
  • 2 elective L5 modules (2 x 15cr) e.g. additional LITC modules, ELCS modules, additional language related modules or a module from another department outside SELCS (subject to availability and approval).

 

With Year Abroad (4 years)

Compulsory Modules 

Optional Modules

  • 1 course-related LITC module (15cr)
  • 2 language-related modules related to your main language (2 x 15cr)
  • 1 additional L5 module (15 cr) e.g. LITC module, ELCS module, language related or a module from another department outside SELCS (subject to availability and approval).


Suggested L5 optional LITC* modules:

 

 

BA Dutch

Compulsory Modules 

  • Core Dutch Language and content modules (75cr)

Optional Modules

  • 45cr in ELCS* L5 modules (x3 / 15cr each)

 

BA Dutch and another language

Compulsory Modules 

  • Core Dutch Language Module (30cr)
  • Core language module (30cr) from your second language e.g. FREN, GERM, ITAL, PORT, SCAN, SPAN*.

Optional Modules

  • 15 - 30 credits in language/subject specific modules e.g. DUTC L5 modules.
  • 15 - 30 credits of modules relating to your second language e.g. FREN, GERM, ITAL, PORT, SCAN, SPAN*.
  • 1 ELCS L5 module (15cr)

 

BA Dutch AND another discipline (English, History of Art, Latin, Philosophy, Film Studies, Management Studies)

Compulsory Modules 

Optional Modules

  • 15 - 30 credits of language/subject specific modules e.g. DUTC L5 modules
  • 1 ELCS* L5 module (15cr)

 

BA Dutch WITH another discipline (Film Studies or Management Studies)

Compulsory Modules 

  • Core Dutch Language Module (30cr)
  • L5 / Year 2 film-related modules (30cr) OR L5 modules (30cr) from the School of Management (refer to department website for details - Management Studies).

Optional Modules

  • 30 - 45 credits of language/subject specific modules e.g. DUTC L5 modules
  • 1 ELCS* L5 module (15cr)

 

Suggested optional L5 French modules

 

BA French

Compulsory Modules 

  • Core French Language modules (30cr)

Optional Modules

  • Language/subject specific modules (60cr) e.g. FREN L5 modules
  • 30cr in ELCS* L5 modules (X2 / 15cr each)

 

BA French and another language

Compulsory Modules 

  • Core French Language Modules  (30cr)
  • Core language module (30cr) from your second language e.g. DUTC, GERM, ITAL, SPAN, SCAN*.

Optional modules

  • 15 – 30 credits in language/subject specific modules e.g. FREN L5 modules
  • 15 - 30 credits in modules relating to your second language e.g. DUTC, GERM ITAL, SPAN, SCAN*.
  • 1 ELCS* L5 module (15cr)

 

BA French AND another discipline (English, History of Art, Latin, Philosophy, Management Studies)

Compulsory Modules 

Optional Modules

  • 15 - 30 credits in modules relating to the French language e.g. FREN Year 2 modules
  • 1 ELCS* L5 module (15cr)

 

BA French WITH another discipline (Film Studies or Management Studies)

Compulsory Modules 

  • Core French Language Modules (30cr)
  • L5 / Year 2 film-related modules (30cr) OR L5 modules (30cr) from the School of Management (refer to department website for details - Management Studies).

Optional modules

  • 45 -60 credits in subject / language specific modules e.g. Year 2 FREN modules
  • 1 ELCS* L5 module (15cr)

 

A-level French (or equivalent) is a prerequisite for all FREN* modules, except modules designed for ab initio students e.g. FREN0071 - French for Beginners 2 for students on courses such as BA Language and Culture taking French as minor language.

 

 

Suggested optional L5 German modules:

 

BA German

Compulsory Modules 

  • Core German Language and content modules (60cr)

Optional Modules

  • Modules (30cr) relating to the German language e.g. GERM L5 modules
  • 30 credits in ELCS* modules (x2 / 15cr each)

 

BA German and another language

Compulsory Modules 

  • Core German language modules (30cr). Post A-level OR Beginner's  
  • Core language modules (30cr) from your second language e.g. DUTC, FREN, ITAL, SPAN, SCAN.
  • Core German content module (15cr)

Optional Modules

  • Modules relating to the German language (0-15cr) e.g. GERM Year 2 modules
  • Subject specific modules from your second language (15-30cr) e.g. ITAL, SPAN, SCAN, or DUTC.
  • 1 ELCS* L5 module (15cr)

 

BA German AND another discipline (English, History of Art, Latin, Philosophy, Management Studies)

Compulsory Modules 

  • Compulsory German language modules (30cr). Post A-level OR Beginner's
  • Modules (60cr) from your chosen subject (e.g. English, History of Art, Latin, Philosophy).
  • Core German content module (15cr)

Optional Modules

  • Modules relating to the German language (0 - 15cr) e.g. GERM L5 module
  • 0 – 15cr ELCS* L5 module (15cr)

 

BA German WITH another discipline (Film Studies or Management Studies)

Compulsory Modules 

  • Compulsory German language and content modules (30cr). Post A-level OR Beginner's
  • L5 / Year 2 film-related modules (30cr) OR L5 modules (30cr) from the School of Management (refer to department website for details - Management Studies).
  • Core German content modules (30cr, 2 x 15cr)

Optional Modules

  • Modules relating to the German language (15 – 30cr) e.g. GERM L5 modules
  • 0 – 15cr ELCS* L5 module (15cr)

 

 

Suggested optional L5 Italian modules:

 

BA Italian

Compulsory Modules

  • Core Italian Language module (30cr)

Optional Modules

  • Subject specific modules (60cr) relating to the Italian language e.g. ITAL L5 modules
  • 30 credits in ELCS* L5 modules (x2 / 15cr each)

 

BA Italian and another language

Compulsory Modules

  • Core Italian language module (30cr)
  • Core language module (30cr) from your second language e.g. GERM, FREN, SPAN, SCAN, DUTC.

Optional Modules

  • Modules relating to the Italian language (15 -30cr) e.g. ITAL Year 2 modules
  • Subject specific modules (15 – 30cr) from your second language e.g., GERM, SPAN, SCAN, FREN, or DUTC.
  • 0 – 15 credits in ELCS* L5 module (15cr)

 

BA Italian AND another discipline (History of Art, Latin, Philosophy, Jewish Studies, Management Studies)

Compulsory Modules

Optional Modules

  • 15 – 30 credits in modules relating to the Italian language e.g. ITAL Year 2 modules
  • 0 – 15 credits in ELCS* L5 module (15cr)

 

BA Italian WITH another discipline (Film Studies or Management Studies)

Compulsory Modules

  • Core Italian language module (30cr)
  • L5 / Year 2 film-related  modules (30cr) OR L5 modules (30cr) from the School of Management (refer to department website for details - Management Studies).

Optional Modules

  • 45 – 60 credits in modules relating to the Italian language e.g. ITAL L5 modules
  • 0 – 15 credits ELCS* L5 modules (15cr)

 

BA Italian Studies: UCL-Venice Double Degree

Compulsory Modules

  • Main language core module (30cr)
  • Second language core module (30cr)
  • Cultural or linguistic module related to main language e.g. SPAN, FREN, GERM, ITAL, SCAN, PORT* (15cr)

Optional Modules

Choose 45 credits from ANY of the following:


Major languages: Bulgarian; Croatian; Czech; Danish; Dutch; Finnish; French; German; Hebrew; Hungarian; Icelandic; Italian; Norwegian; Polish; Portuguese; Romanian; Russian; Serbian; Spanish; Slovak; Swedish; Ukrainian.

Minor languages: Ancient Greek; Arabic; Beginners' French; Beginners' Spanish; Bulgarian; Chinese (Mandarin); Croatian; Czech; Danish; Dutch; Finnish; German; Hebrew; Hungarian; Icelandic; Italian; Japanese; Latin; Norwegian; Polish; Portuguese; Romanian; Russian; Serbian; Slovak; Swedish; Ukrainian.

For details on modules related to languages such as Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Hungarian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, and Ukrainian please visit the SSEES department website. For details on languages based in the department of Greek and Latin please visit their website. Some languages such as Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin) and Japanese are taken at CLIE, subject to availability.

BA Scandinavian Studies 

Compulsory Modules

Select one Scandinavian language:

Optional Modules 

Select 60 -75 credits from the following subject specific options:

  • Modules relating to Scandinavian culture or languages e.g. SCAN* L5 modules.
  • Second year modules in Finnish (SSEES department) indicated by the SEEF prefix (subject to availability).
  • SCAN0007: Basic Modern Icelandic (L4, 30 credits – if not taken in Year 1 students may take this module as an option in Year 2).
  • SEEF0001: Finnish Language Level 1 (L4, 30 credits – if not taken in Year 1 students may take this module as an option in Year 2.)
  • 15 - 30 credits in ELCS* L5 modules (x2 / 15cr each)

 

BA Icelandic

Compulsory Modules

Optional Modules 

Select 30 credits from the following subject specific options:

  • Modules relating to Scandinavian culture or languages e.g. SCAN* L5 modules.
  • Second year modules in Finnish (SSEES department) indicated by the SEEF prefix (subject to availability).
  • SEEF0001: Finnish Language Level 1 (L4, 30 credits – if not taken in Year 1 students may take this module as an option in Year 2.)
  • 15 – 30 credits in ELCS* L5 modules (x2 / 15cr each)

 

BA Viking and Old Norse Studies

Compulsory Modules

Optional Modules 

Select 30cr from the following subject specific options:

  • Modules relating to Scandinavian culture or languages e.g. SCAN* Year 2 modules.
  • Second year modules in Finnish (SSEES department) indicated by the SEEF prefix (subject to availability).
  • 1 ELCS Year 2 module (15cr) OR 1 Viking Studies related module outside of the department (subject to availability and approval) e.g. from the Institute of Archaeology, Department of History or History of Art.

 

BA Scandinavian Studies AND another discipline (English, History of Art, Latin, Philosophy)

Compulsory Modules 

Select one Scandinavian language:

Optional Modules 

  • 15 – 30cr in modules relating to Scandinavian culture or languages e.g. SCAN* Year 2 modules.
  • 0 – 15cr ELCS Year 2 module (15cr)

 

BA Scandinavian Studies WITH another discipline (Film Studies or Management Studies)

Compulsory Modules 

  • Select one Scandinavian language - Danish, Icelandic, Swedish or Norwegian (30cr)
  • L5 / Year 2 film-related modules (30cr) OR 30cr School of Management Year 2 modules.

Optional Modules 

Select 45 - 60cr from the following subject specific options:

  • Modules relating to Scandinavian culture or languages e.g. SCAN* Year 2 modules.
  • Second year modules in Finnish (SSEES department) indicated by the SEEF prefix (subject to availability).
  • 0 – 15cr ELCS Year 2 module (15cr)

 

Suggested optional Scandinavian L5 modules:

 

Suggested optional Spanish L5 modules:

 

Suggested optional Portuguese L5 modules:

 

BA Spanish and Latin American Studies

Compulsory Modules

  • Core Spanish Language module (30cr)

Optional Modules  

  • 60 – 75cr in subject specific modules relating to the Spanish and/or Portuguese languages e.g. SPAN or PORT Year 2 modules
  • 15 - 30cr in ELCS Year 2 modules (x2 / 15cr each)

 

BA Spanish/Portuguese and another language

Compulsory Modules

  • Core Spanish or Portuguese language module (30cr)
  • Compulsory core language modules (30cr) from your second language e.g. GERM, FREN, ITAL, SCAN, DUTC.

Optional Modules

  • 15 -30cr in modules relating to the Spanish or Portuguese language e.g. SPAN Year 2 modules
  • 15 – 30r in subject specific modules from your second language e.g., GERM, SPAN, SCAN, or DUTC.
  • 0 – 15cr ELCS Year 2 module (15cr)

 

BA Spanish/Portuguese  AND another discipline (English, History of Art, Latin, Philosophy)

Compulsory Modules

Optional Modules

  • 15 - 30cr in subject specific modules relating to the Spanish language e.g. SPAN Year 2 modules
  • 0 - 15cr in ELCS Year 2 modules

 

BA Spanish WITH another discipline (Film Studies or Management Studies)

Compulsory Modules

  • Core Spanish language module  (30cr)
  • L5 / Year 2 film-related modules (30cr) OR 30cr School of Management Year 2 modules.

Optional Modules  

  • 45 - 60cr in subject specific modules relating to the Spanish language e.g. SPAN Year 2 modules
  • 0 - 15cr in ELCS Year 2 modules (x2 / 15cr each)

Final Year

Compulsory: 

  • Main language (30 credits)
  • Cultural or linguistic module related to main language (30 credits)

Optional modules (60 credits chosen from): 

  • Minor Language (30 credits)
  • ELCS modules
  • Cultural or linguistic modules related to main or minor language
  • ELCS0099 - Dissertation (30 credits)
  • Independent research project (15 credits)
  • Up to 30 credits of modules from another department at UCL or intercollegiate modules (subject to availability and approval of department) 

Spanish:

Portuguese:

FAQs

You must take a total of 120 credits each year, which includes compulsory and optional modules:

  • Compulsory language acquisition modules: the core language module(s) that you must take as part of your degree.
  • Compulsory content modules: some of our courses require you to take one or more ‘area’ or ‘contextual studies’ modules as a compulsory component of your degree.
  • Subject-specific optional modules: modules that will need to be related to the subject or language of your degree; many courses allow you to choose from a range of options.

  • Optional choices may include departmental ELCS modules (European Languages, Culture and Society), indicated by the ELCS prefix.
  • Subject or language specific content modules will be coded according to the language they relate to e.g. Spanish modules are indicated by the SPAN prefix , ITAL for Italian, GERM for German and so on.
  • Other UCL department will also use codes relevant to the subject or discipline e.g. HART modules belong to the History of Art department, modules from Philosophy department are indicated by the PHIL prefix.
  • Further details regarding all modules can be found in the UCL Module Catalogue.

  • Year-1 undergraduate degree modules are FHEQ Level 4 and are introductory or foundational.
  • Final-year modules are FHEQ Level 6 and have a more specialised focus and/or offer opportunities for students to work independently on a self-initiated project (e.g. a dissertation or project module).
  • A L5 module is a bridge between L4 and L6 offering more focus and a higher level of intellectual complexity than L4. 

Credit level may be referred to in the following way and can be used when searching the UCL Module Catalogue:

  • L4 – First year undergraduate modules (FHEQ level 4)
  • L5 – Second year undergraduate modules (FHEQ level 5)
  • L6 – Final year undergraduate modules (FHEQ level 6)

  • Degrees that are 'and' another discipline are joint honours degrees and are studied equally 50/50 - the expectation is that you take approximately 60 credits per year in both subjects or languages.
  • This may include combined language degrees such as Spanish and French, or joint degrees with other UCL departments such as Italian and History of Art. E.g. if you are enrolled on BA Italian and History of Art, you will take 60 credits of ITAL-coded modules and 60 credits of HART-coded modules per year.
  • Degrees that are 'with' another discipline are major/minor degrees and are studied on a 75/25 ratio - the requirement is that you take 90 credits in your major subject and 30 credits in your minor subject. E.g. for BA French with Management Studies, you would take 90 credits of FREN-coded modules and 30 credits of MSIN- or STAT-coded modules. Students may be permitted to take up to 30 credits of ELCS or LITC modules in second and final year.
  • Our languages (Danish, Dutch, French, German, Icelandic, Italian, Norwegian, Old Norse, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish), can be studied in combination with another language at UCL. Please refer to the UCL Prospectus for details of all available language combinations, and the relevant department pages for details on modules outside of SELCS.
  • Options available outside of our department may include Czech, Finnish, Hebrew, Hungarian, Latin, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Serbian/Croatian, Slovak, Ukrainian or Yiddish.  These languages are offered by the UCL School of Slavonic & East European Studies (SSEES), UCL Greek & Latin or UCL Hebrew and Jewish Studies.