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Ancient Languages BA

London, Bloomsbury
Ancient Languages BA (2022)

This unique degree offers training in an unparalleled range of ancient languages and their associated history, culture and textual traditions. Students study Hebrew and either Greek or Latin throughout the programme, plus up to three additional languages chosen from a wide selection including Akkadian, Aramaic, Egyptian, Sumerian, Syriac and Ugaritic.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
3 academic years
UK tuition fees (2022/23)
£9,250
Overseas tuition fees (2022/23)
£24,000
Programme starts
September 2023
Application deadline
25 Jan 2023
UCAS course code
0R8U
Apply via UCAS

Entry requirements

A levels IB Diploma Other qualifications
Grades
ABB
Subjects
An ancient or modern language at grade A, unless an ancient and a modern language are offered at GCSE at grade C or above.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 5.

Contextual offer information

Grades
BCC more about contextual offers
Subjects
An ancient or modern language at grade B, unless an ancient and a modern language are offered at GCSE at grade C or above.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 5.
Points
34
Subjects
A total of 16 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5, to include an ancient or modern language at grade 6 unless an ancient and a modern language are offered at GCSE at grade C or above.

Contextual offer

Points
30 more about contextual offers
Subjects
A total of 15 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5, to include an ancient or modern language at grade 6 unless an ancient and a modern language are offered at GCSE at grade C or above.

UK applicants qualifications

For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:

Equivalent qualification

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Pass in Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 30 credits at Distinction, 12 credits at Merit and 3 credits at Pass in the Level 3 units. Please note, where subject specific requirements are stipulated at A level we may review your Access to HE syllabus to ensure you meet the subject specific requirements prior to a final decision being communicated.

Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades ABB, including an ancient or modern language at grade A, unless an ancient and a modern language are offered at GCSE with grade C or above.

A,B,B at Advanced Highers (or AB at Advanced Higher and BBB at Higher), including an ancient or modern language at Advanced Higher.

D3,M1,M1 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects, with D3 in an ancient or modern language

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

International applications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

Access and widening participation

UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.
Check your Access UCL Scheme eligibility

Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates

UCL Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPCs) are intensive one-year foundation courses for international students of high academic potential who are aiming to gain access to undergraduate degree programmes at UCL and other top UK universities.

Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.

For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.

English language requirements

The English language level for this programme is: Good

Show details

If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency. Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.

A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.

Course overview

In Year 1, you will take modules in Biblical Hebrew, either Latin or Greek, and an introductory  linguistics module. You will additionally be able to start studying a third and, if desired, fourth ancient language, drawn from an extensive selection (see the list given in the Degree Structure table). Ancient language modules include intensive study of texts spanning diverse literary genres including historical narrative, prose fiction, poetry, mythology, and religion. Alternatively, you can choose up to 45 credits from a wide range of disciplines including archaeology, history and linguistics.

In Year 2, you will continue your study of Biblical Hebrew and Greek or Latin. You will also begin or continue study of a third (and possibly fourth or fifth) ancient language. Again, you have the opportunity to choose a course from another discipline.

In Year 3, you will take advanced courses in Biblical Hebrew and Greek or Latin. You may also continue study of a third (and possibly fourth or fifth) ancient language, an option from another discipline, or a dissertation.

What this course will give you

Our programme is unique in the UK. It combines concentrated study of Greco-Roman and Semitic philology, in addition to other ancient Indo-European and Afroasiatic languages, and provides students with an unparalleled insight into the key linguistic and textual traditions of the ancient world.

Based within UCL Hebrew & Jewish Studies and UCL Greek & Latin, students will also have access to the teaching facilities and expertise available university-wide, including in archaeology, ancient history and linguistics.

Access to a remarkable collection of ancient language resources in the UCL and SOAS Libraries, as well as to the special collections in the British Library and British Museum.

UCL Hebrew & Jewish Studies and UCL Greek & Latin both have excellent global reputations.

Teaching and learning

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded a BA (Hons) in Ancient Languages.

Modules

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Full-time

In Year 1, you will take modules in Biblical Hebrew, either Latin or Greek, and introductory historical linguistics. You will additionally be able to start studying a third and, if desired, fourth ancient language, drawn from an extensive selection. Ancient language modules include intensive study of texts spanning diverse literary genres including historical narrative, prose fiction, poetry, mythology, and religion. Alternatively, you can choose a limited number of modules from a wide range of disciplines including archaeology, history and linguistics.

In Year 2, you will continue your study of Biblical Hebrew and Greek or Latin. You will also begin or continue study of a third (and possibly fourth or fifth) ancient language. Again, you have the opportunity to choose a module from another discipline.

In Year 3, you will take advanced modules in Biblical Hebrew or Ugaritic and Greek or Latin. You may also continue study of a third (and possibly fourth or fifth) ancient language, an option from another discipline, or a dissertation.

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Compulsory modules




Optional modules






Compulsory modules



Optional modules






Compulsory modules


Advanced Biblical Hebrew


Your learning

Teaching will be delivered by a combination of lectures, seminars and small-group tutorials. Students will be expected to undertake independent reading/study, both to consolidate what is being taught and to broaden their individual knowledge and understanding of the subject.

Between 22% and 27% of a student's time is spent in lectures and seminars, the remainder in independent study.

Assessment

Assessment will be by a combination of unseen written examinations and assessed coursework in the form of language assignments, in-class tests and essays.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.

Visit us

All open days and events

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London and across the UK - Open day

UCAS Fairs and Events

UCL will be attending the UCAS fairs and events for 2022 in London and across the UK and we look forward to meeting you at one of these events.

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Online - Open day

Undergraduate Virtual Open Days

Our virtual Open Days are an opportunity for students to learn about all our programmes of study and book onto live interactive sessions. The sessions will give you a unique opportunity to speak with admissions and academic staff and interact with current students. Our virtual site will go live on Monday 16 May where you can book onto sessions.

The foundation of your career

Graduates from this degree programme will be well placed to pursue further study relating to the ancient world or linguistics, or careers in law, community work, the diplomatic service, education, museum and archival work, the media, and executive roles in the private or public sector.

Employability

You will gain skills such as critical thinking, oral and written communication and time-management, as well as the mental agility and versatility that comes with learning languages.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2022/23) £9,250
Tuition fees (2022/23) £24,000

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2022/23 academic year. The UK fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2022/23 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.

Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate/funding-your-studies.

Additional costs

If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc. on this programme, please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).

A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).

Funding your studies

Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Scholarships

The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.

Next steps

How to apply

Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.

Selection

For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.

The selection process is conducted on the basis of your UCAS application and personal statement. If you receive an offer of a place on the programme, you will be invited to visit the UCL Hebrew & Jewish Studies and UCL Greek & Latin departments, as well as take a tour of the campus.

Apply via UCAS
Application guidelines
Request a printed prospectus Download prospectus

Got questions? Get in touch

Hebrew and Jewish Studies Department
Hebrew and Jewish Studies Department

jewish.studies@ucl.ac.uk

This page was last updated 28 Sep 2021