Course starts: September 2027 Location: London, Bloomsbury

Ancient Languages with Study Abroad BA

Study the Ancient Languages BA and benefit from world-leading expertise through this degree that incorporates multidisciplinary learning. You’ll learn Biblical Hebrew and either Greek or Latin, plus up to three additional ancient languages from a wide choice. Taught at UCL with access to incredible library resources at the British Library, the British Museum and SOAS, graduates have gone into a range of careers in a wide range of fields. This course is also available with Study Abroad.

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Key information

Study mode
Full-time
Duration
4 academic years full time
Fees (2026/27)
UK: £9,790 per year
International: £32,000 per year
Application deadlines
13 January 2027. Applications close at 6pm UK time.
Applications may stay open after this UCAS Equal Consideration deadline, please check UCAS for details.
Course starts
September 2027
View 2026 entry
UCAS code
0R8U
Location
London, Bloomsbury
Department
Hebrew and Jewish Studies
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Entry requirements

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 4

Contextual offer

Grades
BCC
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 4

At least two A level subjects should be taken from UCL's list of preferred A level subjects.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

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 and International Education.

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.

The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who do not 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.

About this course

The Ancient Languages with Study Abroad course is flexible and allows you to tailor your studies to your own interests. Throughout your studies, you are taught by leading experts in the field and benefit from small class sizes with numerous opportunities for interaction and discussion with your tutors and fellow students. You also have the support of a personal tutor who will help you choose your modules and is available to give advice on other aspects of your academic experience. The third year of your studies is spent abroad at a university with a strong range of ancient language offerings. You can also choose to complete a dissertation in your final year on a relevant topic of your choosing, guided by a specialist in the area.

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.

Course structure

In Year 1, you will take modules in Biblical Hebrew, either Latin or Greek, and introductory historical linguistics. In addition, you will 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.

Modules

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).

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.

Compulsory modules

Optional modules

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

Most language modules are assessed by examinations including oral examinations and coursework. Non-language modules are assessed by exams and coursework including presentations, quizzes and essays.

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 undertake self-directed study (25–30 hours per week) by engaging with key topics and required readings in preparation for the discussions promoted in the course.

Your year abroad at a partner university in the third year of your studies will follow a different pattern of study.

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you are unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Fees and funding

Study mode UK fee (2026/27) Overseas fee (2026/27)
Full time £9,790 £32,000

UK undergraduate fees for 2026/27 are subject to parliamentary approval 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. Fees for 2027/28 entry will be published in August 2026.

International undergraduate students benefit from a cohort guarantee unless indicated below, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

International fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2026/27 entrants.

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

Although the Department endeavours to make course materials available digitally, an additional cost of approximately £50-100 per year for language textbooks may be incurred. Please note that study abroad during your course 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 £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2026. 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).

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. 

Why study this course at UCL?

At a global top ten university for the arts and humanities (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 by subject), our course 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 and Jewish Studies and UCL Greek and Latin, departments with world-renowned reputations, you will also have access to the teaching facilities and expertise available university-wide, including in archaeology, ancient history and linguistics.

You will enjoy 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.

Discover Uni

To see official information about this course and others visit Discover Uni.

What this course will give you

There are many career opportunities for UCL’s Ancient Languages BA graduates. The acquisition of transferable skills is embedded within our teaching. Our graduates have advanced skills in languages, independent critical thinking and creativity, as well as historical and socio-cultural literacy, all of which help them to find employment in organisations within the UK and abroad. Our graduates can be found in careers that cross international boundaries and require strong communication skills.

Popular career paths for ancient language graduates include teaching and other educational activities and charities, NGOs and international development. Some graduates may also continue to Postgraduate study.*

*Graduate Outcomes survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of UK and EU graduates in the 2017–2023 cohorts.

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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.

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 course, you will be invited to visit the UCL Hebrew and Jewish Studies and UCL Greek and Latin departments, as well as take a tour of the campus.

Selection

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

Apply for this course

You are applying for the Ancient Languages BA course. Please note that the course options presented as post-enrolment specialisms will be available for you to choose once your enrolment is confirmed. For application guidance please visit Application guidelines.

Course starts: September 2027

UCAS applications open for 2027 entry on 12 May 2026.

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Hebrew and Jewish Studies

Hebrew and Jewish Studies

Click to email. jewish.studies@ucl.ac.uk

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