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German and Portuguese BA

London, Bloomsbury

Gain excellent linguistic competence in German while deepening your knowledge of Germanic literature, history and film. Develop fluent Portuguese language skills ideal for a future career in a range of countries and global workplaces. A Year Abroad will immerse you in the cultures and societies of both languages. 

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
4 academic years
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£9,535
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£29,800
Programme starts
September 2026
Application deadline
14 Jan 2026
UCAS course code
R2R5
Apply via UCAS

Entry requirements

A levels IB Diploma Other qualifications
Grades
ABB
Subjects
A level or equivalent in a foreign language required (not necessarily one of the named languages). Applicants seeking to study two languages at beginner level should seek advice from the departments concerned.
GCSEs
English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 4.

Contextual offer information

Grades
BBC more about contextual offers
Subjects
A level or equivalent in a foreign language required (not necessarily one of the named languages) at grade B. Applicants seeking to study two languages at beginner level should seek advice from the departments concerned.
GCSEs
English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 4.
Points
34
Subjects
A total of 16 in three higher level subjects to include a foreign language, with no higher level score below 5.

Contextual offer

Points
30 more about contextual offers
Subjects
A total of 15 in three higher level subjects to include a foreign language, with no higher level score below 5.

UK applicants qualifications

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

Equivalent qualification

Pass in Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 30 credits at Distinction, 12 credits at Merit and 3 credits at Pass, all from 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.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

D3,M1,M1 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects, a foreign language is required.

ABB at Advanced Highers (or AB at Advanced Higher and BBB at Higher). A foreign language at Advanced Higher is required.

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

The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.

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: Level 4

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


Over recent decades our world has become more interdependent and, with these deeper connections, comes an enhanced need for enlightened citizenship; our degree in German and Portuguese offers expert teaching and learning in both language acquisition and intercultural contexts that will equip students to thrive in today’s global society. Over the four years, you will deepen your knowledge of the German and Portuguese language while also developing valuable skills in cultural literacy and critical thinking.

In Year 1, 2 and your final year you will take language modules in German and Portuguese, as well as cultural modules covering a range of topics that draw on literature, film, history, and linguistics, from an interdisciplinary perspective.

You will spend your third year abroad, split between countries where German and Portuguese are spoken. You may spend the term studying at a partner university or on an approved work placement. You will achieve the same linguistic competence regardless of whether you start a language from beginner level or have previous knowledge of it.

What this course will give you

As a global top ten university for the arts and humanities (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 by subject), we provide an ideal environment for language study. UCL offers an unparalleled range of languages and facilities, including a well-equipped language learning suite, and many of our academic staff are renowned leaders in their fields.

The Year Abroad give you the chance to attend a university or work overseas. During this time, you will finesse your language skills in your chosen languages and gain valuable experience, enhancing future learning as well as career prospects.

UCL has a very international population meaning you will meet people from all over the world, which provides numerous opportunities to practise and speak German and Portuguese with native speakers and learn about the associated cultures and societies from them. 

Our location in London provides access to frequent and varied cultural events, a huge range of museums, galleries, specialist libraries and bookshops, theatres, cinemas, cuisines and cultural societies.

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 480 credits, you will be awarded a BA (Hons) in German and Portuguese.

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.

You will spend the first two years at UCL gaining expertise in the productive and receptive skills of the German and Portuguese languages, as well as gaining a more developed understanding of the literature, cinema, politics, linguistics, history, culture and society of the countries where German and Portuguese are spoken.

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.

There is a compulsory year abroad in Year 3, during which you will split your time between two countries where German and Portuguese are spoken. You may study at a partner university or undertake an approved work placement.

The final year is based at UCL where you will continue to study a range of advanced level modules on language, applied language (such as translation), literature, history, film and linguistics. A final year dissertation module is available, should you wish to undertake a self-initiated project building on the independent research skills developed over the course of your programme of study.

We are keen to ensure that students feel part of a community at UCL and therefore offer programme-specific core modules in Year 1 that students take together with their respective cohort. These offer a broad sense of their chosen 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. Please visit our Undergraduate Modules page for more details.

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4

Compulsory modules









Optional modules

How to Read Film: Critical Analysis and Key Concepts






Compulsory modules





Optional modules








Post-1945 European Literature



Translation and Intercultural Dialogue



Reading European Poetry

Introduction to German-Language Film

Introduction to German Linguistics




Year abroad

Your third year is spent abroad. This will not only bring the language and culture you are studying to life, but also strengthen your resourcefulness and self-reliance. You will normally spend this year studying at a university in your chosen country (or split between two countries if you are studying two languages), but alternatives, such as work placements, may be possible.

For further details on the SELCS Year Abroad please consult: Year Abroad

Compulsory module(s)

Advanced language and other modules in your chosen fields.

Compulsory modules (full-time)

In each year of study at UCL, you will take compulsory German language modules, normally up to the value of 30 credits.  You will take 30 credits of compulsory Portuguese language modules in each year of study, accompanied by credits in literature/culture. 
 

Optional modules

Optional modules include culture, literature, film, history and linguistics and may be language specific or interdisciplinary in focus.  These are selected across SELCS.

Further details on modules are available at SELCS: Undergraduate Modules 

Your learning

Your language classes focus on developing the active skills of speaking, listening, writing and reading through a variety of methods and media. Teaching consists of a combination of lectures, classes, seminars, and presentations, as well as undertaking web-based study and group work.

Small-group tutorials, group work and student-led activities are an important element of many modules. Ongoing feedback is given to help you improve your written work.

The language elements may vary depending on the degree and your starting proficiency. On average they will comprise of four taught hours a week for basic language in Year 1, four hours a week for intermediate language in Year 2, and two hours a week for advanced language in the final year. A significant portion of your work will take place in guided independent study.

Typical contact hours vary between 8-12 hours per week, depending on the year of study and module choice, and include lectures, seminars, practice-based activities and e-learning activities. Students will also display a level of independent study (25-30 hours per week), for example, by engaging with key topics and required readings in preparation for the discussions promoted in the programme.

There is minimal teaching in term three which focuses on examinations and assessment. Contact hours may vary during the Year Abroad in Year 3 depending on the partner university or work placement.

Assessment

Modules are assessed by a mixture of written examinations, essays and other forms of coursework. Language modules will also include an oral examination. Some group work may be assessed. In your final year you may have the option to undertake a research essay on a topic chosen by you with guidance from your tutor.

Accessibility

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

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Virtual Open Event: Modern Languages and Cultures (AM)

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Join at us at this online event to learn more about the range of Modern Language and Culture undergraduate programmes offered at UCL. Colleagues from the School of European Languages, Culture and Society (SELCS) and the School of Slavonic and East European Studies (SSEES) will outline the programmes offered and the benefits of studying a language or culture. There will be time for questions.

Online - Open day

Virtual Open Event: Modern Languages and Cultures (PM)

—

Join at us at this online event to learn more about the range of Modern Language and Culture undergraduate programmes offered at UCL. Colleagues from the School of European Languages, Culture and Society (SELCS) and the School of Slavonic and East European Studies (SSEES) will outline the programmes offered and the benefits of studying a language or culture. There will be time for questions.

Online - Open day

Comparative Literature information video

Watch this video to find out more about School of European Languages, Culture and Society at UCL, including entry requirements, course structure and other helpful information. Recorded Spring 2024.

Watch on demand event

The foundation of your career

Popular career paths for SELCS graduates include accountancy and financial services (11.5%), teaching and education (10.7%), publishing, journalism or translation (10.7%), hospitality, leisure and tourism (7.9%), PR, advertising, marketing (6.3%), performance and creative arts (4.7%) and media (4%)*. Employers of SELCS graduates include KPMG, PwC, JP Morgan, Bloomberg, Accenture, BBC, The Fairtrade Foundation, Unitary AI, Lonely Planet, L'Oreal, Goldman Sachs, Teach First, and UK Government.*

Some graduates pursue careers that make special use of their language skills, including translating, interpreting and teaching, while others continue with postgraduate or other study (17.1%) or academic research and HE (3.6%).*

*Graduate Outcomes survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of UK and EU graduates in the 2017-2022 cohorts.

Employability

There are many career opportunities for UCL's modern language graduates. We seek to embed within our teaching the acquisition of transferable skills as well as linguistic and cultural knowledge

Our students hone advanced skills in languages, critical reasoning, independent thinking and application of theoretical concepts, all of which put you in good stead to find employment in organisations within the UK or abroad. Our graduates can be found in careers that cross international boundaries and involve strong communication skills in other languages.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £9,535
Tuition fees (2025/26) £29,800

Fees are for Undergraduate 2025/26 entry and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases and are subject to the passing of secondary legislation. Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2025/26 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.

Additional costs

There are no programme-specific costs for this programme apart from those associated with study abroad. Books and journal articles are usually available via the UCL Library, as hard copies or via e-journal subscriptions.

Please note that study abroad during your programme at UCL is likely to incur additional costs. Studying abroad may cost between £200–£1,000 per month depending on where you choose to study. The cost of studying abroad can be difficult to predict as it will depend on your priorities and choices. There is more information available on the UCL Study Abroad website.

For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide. 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

Your application

We seek to select candidates who, in addition to academic achievement, have the motivation and passion for language learning, for inter-cultural inquiry, and who have a deep commitment to developing and finessing their language proficiency to an advanced level.

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.

Our admissions process aims to assess your linguistic abilities and attainments, as well as cultural awareness and intellectual potential. We may interview candidates by telephone in order to establish a level of language ability.

If your application demonstrates that your academic ability and motivation make you well-suited to our degree and you receive an offer, then you will be invited to a Post-Offer Open Day, where you will experience the sort of teaching we offer and life in the School.

Apply via UCAS
Application guidelines
Download prospectus

Got questions? Get in touch

School of European Languages, Culture and Society
School of European Languages, Culture and Society

selcs-cmii.enquiries@ucl.ac.uk

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