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Swedish and Yiddish BA

London, Bloomsbury

Our Swedish and Yiddish degree programme offers huge scope for developing in-depth, comparative and intercultural approaches to the humanities. You will be able to choose from a wide range of modules including literature, linguistic traditions, history, sociology, philosophy, art, film or other aspects of the cultures associated with the languages you'll be learning.

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 2025
Application deadline
29 Jan 2025
UCAS course code
R6SY

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
BBB more about contextual offers
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.
Points
34
Subjects
A total of 16 in three higher level subjects to include Swedish or Yiddish with no higher level score below 5

Contextual offer

Points
32 more about contextual offers
Subjects
A total of 15 in three higher level subjects to include Swedish or Yiddish 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, Swedish or Yiddish required.

ABB at Advanced Highers (or AB at Advanced Higher and BBB at Higher). Swedish or Yiddish at Advanced Higher required.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades ABB, Swedish or Yiddish required.

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. Access UCL is our contextual offer scheme for applicants from groups that are underrepresented at UCL. We assess your eligibility for Access UCL based on the information contained within your UCAS application. We review and update our Access UCL eligibility criteria and datasets every year, so please check the requirements for the year you plan to apply.
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

Swedish language modules are taken at the UCL School of European Languages, Culture & Society (SELCS), while Yiddish language modules are delivered by UCL Hebrew & Jewish Studies.

In your first, second and final years you will take modules in your chosen languages and the literature, culture, history and linguistics related to them.

What this course will give you

We provide an ideal environment for language study. We offer a wide range of languages and state-of-the-art facilities, including a well-equipped language learning suite, and many of our academic staff are world-renowned in their fields.

UCL has a very international population, meaning you will meet people from all over the world providing 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

Your degree will be studied on a 50/50 ratio between Swedish and Yiddish.

Upon successful completion of 480 credits, you will be awarded a BA (Hons) in Swedish and Yiddish.

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 selected 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.

For all language combinations, there is a compulsory year abroad in year three during which you will spend Term 1 in the country where one of your languages is spoken and Term 2 in the country where the other language is spoken. You may spend the term studying at a partner university or on 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 which builds on the independent research skills developed over the course of your programme of study.

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4

Compulsory module(s)

You will take 30 credits of compulsory Swedish language in each year of study, accompanied by credits in literature/culture.  

You will take 30 credits of compulsory Yiddish language in each year of study.  In addition, in Year 1 you will take an introductory course in Hebrew and Jewish Studies called Kita Alef: Introduction to Jewish Studies.

Optional modules

Optional modules include culture, literature and cinema across SSEES and SELCS as well as a choice of interdepartmental modules.  

Guidance and resources on SSEES modules and programme structure can be found in the SSEES handbook.  

Optional modules include courses in aspects of Jewish history, culture, and literature, as well as Jewish languages such as Biblical Hebrew, Yiddish, and Aramaic.

Compulsory module(s)

In each year of study at UCL, you will take compulsory Swedish language modules, normally up to the value of 30 credits.

You will take 30 credits of compulsory Yiddish language in each year of study. 

Optional modules

Optional modules include culture, literature, film, history and linguistics and may be language specific or interdisciplinary in focus.   

Further details on modules is available at:  
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/european-languages-culture/programmes-courses/modules-and-timetable/undergraduate-modules 

Optional modules include courses in aspects of Jewish history, culture, and literature, as well as Jewish languages such as Modern Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew, and Aramaic. 

Year abroad

Your third year is spent abroad, either split between two countries where your chosen languages are spoken or in one of the countries for the whole year. This will not only bring the language and cultures 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 countries, but alternatives, such as work placements, may be possible depending on the country chosen. 

Compulsory module(s)

In each year of study at UCL, you will take compulsory Swedish language modules, normally up to the value of 30 credits.

You will take 30 credits of compulsory Yiddish language in each year of study. 

Optional modules

Optional modules include culture, literature, film, history and linguistics and may be language specific or interdisciplinary in focus.   

Further details on modules is available at:  
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/european-languages-culture/programmes-courses/modules-and-timetable/undergraduate-modules 

Optional modules include courses in aspects of Jewish history, culture, and literature, as well as Jewish languages such as Modern Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew, and Aramaic. 

Your learning

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

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

Assessment

Modules are assessed by a mixture of written and oral examinations, essays and other forms of coursework.

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

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Online - Open day

Book a 1-2-1 with the UCL Hebrew and Jewish Studies Admissions Tutor

Book a 1:1 call with the UCL Hebrew and Jewish Studies Undergraduate Admissions Tutor. You will be able to ask any questions you may have about the courses offered by the department, how these programmes are taught, where the degrees could take you or about studying at UCL.

Online - Open day

Hebrew and Jewish Studies information video

Watch this video to find out more about Hebrew and Jewish Studies at UCL, including entry requirements, course structure and other helpful information. Recorded Spring 2024.

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The foundation of your career

Popular career paths for 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.

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

The department strives to keep additional costs low. Books and journal articles are usually available via the UCL library (hard copies or via e-journal subscriptions).

In addition, please note that if you 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

UCL Hebrew and Jewish Studies awards a range of annual prizes and scholarships of varying amounts to current students for academic excellence and/or financial need. Please view the study page of our website for more information.

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 we shall invite you to a Post Offer Open Day, where you will experience the sort of teaching we offer and life in both departments.

Download prospectus

Got questions? Get in touch

Hebrew and Jewish Studies
Hebrew and Jewish Studies

jewish.studies@ucl.ac.uk

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