Language and Culture BA
London, Bloomsbury
Language and Culture BA (2024)
This distinctive and highly flexible programme provides great scope for you to customise your degree according to your interests. With a broad focus on cultural studies and sociolinguistics, the programme allows you to explore topics ranging from film to history, from gender to translation studies. Central to the degree is the study of two languages, with the possibility of changing language after the first year.
Study mode
Duration
UK tuition fees (2023/24)
Overseas tuition fees (2023/24)
Programme starts
September 2023Application deadline
25 Jan 2023UCAS course code
Entry requirements
- 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 5.
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 5.
- 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
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. Foreign language required to include the following if studied as the main language: French or Spanish grade A.
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.
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.
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.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
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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 your first, second and final years you will take modules in your chosen language and the literature, culture, history and linguistics related to it, as well as modules in your other discipline. You may also take modules offered across the School of European Languages, Culture & Society (SELCS), which offer an interdisciplinary perspective, drawing on the full range of specialisms within the School.
You will spend your third year abroad on an academic placement in a country where your main language is spoken.
In your final year at UCL, you will continue with your language studies either in both your languages, or concentrate on your main 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:
Ancient Greek (may only be studied as a minor language); Arabic (may only be studied as a minor language); Bulgarian; Croatian; Czech; Danish; Dutch; Finnish; French (beginner's French may only be studied as a minor language); German; Hebrew; Hungarian; Icelandic; Italian; Japanese (may only be studied as a minor language); Latin (may only be studied as a minor language); Mandarin (may only be studied as a minor language); Norwegian; Polish; Portuguese; Romanian; Russian; Serbian; Spanish (beginner's Spanish may only be studied as a minor language); Slovak; Swedish; Ukrainian.
Some language courses including Arabic, Mandarin, Japanese, beginner's French and beginner's Spanish are taught in the 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.
Please click here for a current list of undergraduate modules in the School.
What this course will give you
We provide an ideal environment for language study. We offer a wider range of languages and state-of-the-art facilities, including a well-equipped language learning suite, and many of our academic staff are world-leaders in their fields.
You will spend a year abroad in a country where your main target language is spoken. During this time you will finesse your language skills in your target language(s) 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 360 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 are 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.
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This degree allows great flexibility, especially in the final year. You can continue studying your languages and follow language-specific content modules; take content modules within one of your departments or across the School; drop your second language in your final year to pursue a greater number of content modules; or apply to outside options.
In the past, students have been allowed to take modules in anthropology, art history and journalism in other departments and London institutions. Approval for outside options is granted on a case-by-case basis and with permission by the relevant provider. Securing a place on an outside course is the responsibility of the student.
Your learning
This programme and the first-year core module are run by the Language and Culture BA Programme Tutor. Languages are taught intensively, and you will be trained in speaking, reading, writing and translating in your target languages. Students on this programme develop their skills in both languages, along with interdisciplinary and cultural studies.
During Terms 1 and 2, approximately 35% of a student's time is spent in lectures, seminars or tutorials and the remainder in independent study. There is minimal teaching during Term 3, which focusses on examinations and assessment
Assessment
Language modules are normally assessed by coursework and written and oral examinations. Other modules are normally assessed through a combination of written coursework and examinations.
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.
The foundation of your career
Popular career paths for our graduates include the financial sector, the civil service, journalism, accountancy, publishing, education, advertising, the media and law. Some graduates pursue careers that make special use of their language skills, including translating, interpreting and teaching, while others continue with graduate training and research.
Employability
We seek to embed within our teaching the acquisition of transferable skills, as well as linguistic and cultural knowledge. Popular career paths for modern language graduates include the financial sector, the civil service, journalism, accountancy, publishing, education, advertising, the media and law. Some graduates pursue careers that make special use of their language skills, including translating, interpreting and teaching, while others continue with graduate training and research.
Fees and funding
Fees for this course
| Fee description | Full-time |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees (2023/24) | £9,250 |
| Tuition fees (2023/24) | £26,200 |
The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2023/24 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 2023/24 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
The Study Abroad year will incur additional travel and living costs which vary depending on destination and what you choose to do during the year.
Additional funding may be available via the Turing Scheme, although please note that this is an external scheme so cannot be guaranteed.
In addition, please note that if you wish to study abroad during your programme at UCL, this 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.
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.
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.
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.
Got questions? Get in touch
UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.