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Language and Culture BA

London, Bloomsbury

Develop key language skills, gain specialist knowledge about cultural topics, and spend an inspiring year abroad through this degree. The Language and Culture BA is a flexible programme enabling you to customise your degree based on your interests. You’ll also gain near-native skills in a major and minor language. Graduates go into a broad range of sectors, including healthcare, education, academic research and technology.

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
R991
Apply via UCAS

Entry requirements

A levels IB Diploma Other qualifications
Grades
ABB
Subjects
Foreign language required, to include the following if studied as the main language: French or Spanish grade A.
GCSEs
English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 4.

Contextual offer information

Grades
BBB more about contextual offers
Subjects
Foreign language required, to include the following if studied as the main language: French or Spanish grade B.
GCSEs
English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 4.
Points
34
Subjects
A total of 16 points in three higher level subjects, to include a foreign language, with no higher level score below 5. Higher level subjects to include the following if studied as main languages: French or Spanish at grade 6.

Contextual offer

Points
32 more about contextual offers
Subjects
A total of 15 points in three higher level subjects, to include a foreign language, with no higher level score below 5. Higher level subjects to include the following if studied as main languages: French or Spanish at grade 6.

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 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.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

D3,M1,M1 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects. Foreign Language required, to include the following if studied as the main language: French or Spanish grade D3.

ABB at Advanced Highers (or AB at Advanced Higher and BBB at Higher). Foreign language required to include the following if studied as the main language: French or Spanish grade A at Advanced Higher.

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 Language and Culture 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 your two chosen languages while also developing valuable skills in cultural literacy and critical thinking.

In Years 1, 2 and your final year, you will take language modules in your chosen major and minor languages, 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 in a country where your main language is 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 your main language from beginner level or have previous knowledge of it.

In your final year at UCL, you will continue with your language studies either in both your major and minor languages or concentrate on your major language only. You will select cultural modules in fields of your choice.

You will initially choose two languages (one as a 'major' language, the other as a 'minor' language) from the following wide range of languages taught at UCL:

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; Chinese (Mandarin); Japanese; Latin.

Some language courses including Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Japanese, Beginners' French and Beginners' Spanish are taught in the UCL Centre for Languages and International Education (CLIE) and may be subject to availability.

Areas of cultural study offered include: history; film studies; linguistics; literary studies; translation.

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 experts in their fields.

The Year Abroad gives you the chance to attend a university or work overseas. During this time, you will finesse your language skills and gain valuable experience, which will enhance 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 your chosen languages 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 Language and Culture.

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 your major and minor languages, as well as gaining a more developed understanding of the literature, cinema, politics, linguistics, history, culture and society of the countries where your chosen languages 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 more flexibility to pursue optional modules of your interest.

You will spend your third year in a country where your main language is spoken, either studying at a partner university or working on an approved placement. The final year is based at UCL where you will continue to study a range of advanced level modules. 

We are keen to ensure that students feel part of our community at UCL and therefore offer programme-specific core modules in Year 1 that students take together with their respective cohort. These offer a broader 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



Compulsory module(s)

In Year 1, you will take three compulsory modules, normally up to the value of 90 credits.

You will take a compulsory language module in your major language and a compulsory language module in your minor language, normally up to the value of 30 credits each. This will be accompanied by a compulsory Language, Culture and Representation module (30 credits), which introduces students to interdisciplinary theory and methods that will be useful across languages and disciplines.

Optional modules

In Year 1, you will choose a contextual module related to your major language as well as an optional ELCS module*. Optional modules include topics such as culture, literature, film, history and linguistics, which may be related to your chosen languages or are interdisciplinary in focus.

*Our ELCS modules introduce students to broad comparative, interdisciplinary and intercultural approaches to the humanities, which complement language-specific modules. Further details are available on the SELCS Undergraduate Modules web page.

Compulsory module(s)

In Year 2, you will take three compulsory modules, normally up to the value of 75 credits.

You will take a compulsory language module in your major language and a compulsory language module in your minor language, normally up to the value of 30 credits each. You will also take a cultural or linguistic module (15 credits) related to your chosen major language.

Optional modules

In Year 2, you will take approximately three optional modules (45 credits) chosen from topics such as culture, literature, film, history and linguistics, which may be related to your chosen language or interdisciplinary in focus.

Optional module choices include applied cultural theory, linguistic and cultural modules which are language specific or ELCS optional modules.

Our ELCS modules introduce students to broad comparative, interdisciplinary and intercultural approaches to the humanities which complement language-specific modules. Further details are available on the SELCS Undergraduate Modules web page.

Compulsory modules




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 a country where your major language is spoken. Alternatives, such as work placements, may be possible. Further details on the SELCS Year Abroad are available on our website.

Compulsory module(s)

In your final year, you will take approximately two / three compulsory modules, normally up to the value of 60 credits.

You will take an advanced compulsory language module in your chosen major language, normally up to the value of 30 credits. You will also take a compulsory content module(s) related to your major language and the culture of the countries where this language is spoken, normally up to the value of 30 credits.

Optional modules

In Year 4, you will take approximately 60 credits in advanced optional modules covering a range of topics that draw on literature, film, history and linguistics.

Optional module choices include additional language modules such as translation, cultural modules which are language specific, or interdisciplinary ELCS modules.

You also have the option of a dissertation module to undertake a research essay on a topic chosen by you with guidance from your tutor. Further details are available on the SELCS Undergraduate Modules web page.

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) by engaging with key topics and required readings in preparation for the discussions in class.

There is minimal teaching in Term 3 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 of our graduates have pursued careers that make special use of their language skills, including translating, interpreting and teaching, while others have continued 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.

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 inter-cultural inquiry, and who have a deep commitment to developing their cultural understanding 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, you will be invited to a Post-Offer Open Day where you will be able to meet academics, current students and gain insight into what student life is like 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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