Online Dutch Course - Advanced

Advanced Dutch is a tutor-supported online language course aimed at learners with an intermediate level of Dutch. The course is available worldwide and delivered via online course materials, supported by 12 one-hour one-to-one lessons. The course is developed and taught by highly qualified and experienced UCL Centre for Languages and International Education tutors. Lessons are via Teams/Skype and can be scheduled depending on a learner's individual needs.

For general information about our online Dutch courses, the next starting dates and how to apply, go to the Online Dutch home page.

Course duration

The course runs over a 12-week period from your chosen starting date. 

Prerequisite for entry

The course is for learners who have successfully completed Intermediate 2 or who have reached a minimum linguistic standard of level B2 as defined by the Council of Europe. If you are not sure if you have the correct level, please email the course tutor, Dr An (a.castangia@ucl.ac.uk).

Aims and objectives

At the end of the course, you will have:

• an advanced level of proficiency in Dutch (C1 CEFR). You will be able: to understand the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics; to interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity with native speakers; to produce clear, detailed texts on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue
• good knowledge of the culture, history and society of the Netherlands and Belgium
• insight into language structure and good self-study skills

You will also receive a UCL completion certificate. The Advanced Dutch Study Guide gives further details regarding the course. If you have any questions about the course, please email the course tutor, Dr An (a.castangia@ucl.ac.uk), or Paul, the course administrator (p.warren@ucl.ac.uk). 

Course content

Taught entirely in Dutch, the course is geared at developing your speaking, listening, reading and writing skills at an advanced level. The course consists of 6 thematic chapters, ranging from the Dutch Golden Age to the Dutch and Belgian colonial past and the modern-day multicultural societies of the Low Countries, allowing you to also develop your knowledge of the culture, society and history of the Netherlands and Flanders. Each chapter offers a variety of authentic reading and listening materials. Reading materials range from modern-day columns and newspaper articles to 17th-century poems and pamphlets. The listening materials include fragments from Dutch and Flemish movies, current affairs programs and radio interviews. All writing, listening and speaking activities are tutor-supported and you receive feedback from your tutor on all your submitted work. Another key feature of the course are the weekly teaching sessions between you and your tutor. They allow you to further develop your listening and speaking skills on an advanced level.

Course Delivery

The course is delivered via an online learning environment (Moodle). All course materials can be downloaded for offline use. After you complete the course, you continue to have access to the course materials. The course includes a series of individual lessons via Teams/Skype. Note that these sessions do not take place at a set time. You agree with your tutor for each individual lesson on a day and time that suits you both. You need internet access and a computer (desktop, laptop or tablet) and webcam. In exceptional circumstance, a short extension may be agreed with your tutor. 

Registration and fees

You can register for the course via the UCL online store

• Advanced Dutch (12 study weeks): £885.00.

If you prefer to pay by bank transfer, please contact Ingrida Maziliauskaite (i.maziliauskaite@ucl.ac.uk).

UCL has a no refund policy for course fees. Refunds of course fees minus a £100 administration charge will only be considered in cases of serious illness. Claims must be made in writing and be supported by verifiable documentation.