Hebrew and Jewish Studies BA Hebrew and Jewish Studies with Study Abroad BA
Develop an in-depth understanding of Jewish culture, languages, literature and history at the only independent department of its kind in the UK. By embarking on the Hebrew and Jewish Studies BA, you’ll have the opportunity to study ancient and modern languages, and choose from a range of modules covering culture to politics. Acquiring critical thinking and communications skills too, graduates from this department go on to a range of careers in education, the charity sector, and beyond. This course is also available with Study Abroad, with a year spent abroad at a university with a range of Jewish Studies offerings, which may vary each year
Key information
Key information
Entry requirements
- Grades
- ABB
- Subjects
- Foreign language preferred.
- Subjects
- Foreign language preferred.
- GCSEs
- English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4
Contextual offer
- Grades
- BBC
- Subjects
- Foreign language preferred.
- Subjects
- Foreign language preferred.
- 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.
- Points
- 34
- Subjects
- A total of 16 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5. Foreign language preferred.
- Subjects
- A total of 16 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5. Foreign language preferred.
Contextual offer
- Points
- 30
- Subjects
- A total of 15 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5. Foreign language preferred.
- Subjects
- A total of 15 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5. Foreign language preferred.
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.
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
As the only independent university department of Hebrew and Jewish Studies in the UK, we are ideally placed to equip you with a cutting-edge understanding of Jewish history, culture, languages, and literatures. Undertaking a degree with us allows you to explore the rich and varied Jewish experience spanning three millennia and covers everything from Ancient Near Eastern stone inscriptions to breaking news about Israel and Palestine.
The course is designed to give you advanced-level training in Jewish Studies, as well as an excellent grounding in transferable skills such as critical thinking, academic writing, historical, literary, and philological methodologies, and more. You will have the opportunity to learn to read and engage with Jewish texts in their original languages, including Biblical Hebrew, Modern Hebrew, Yiddish, and Aramaic, and gain an understanding of Jewish societies past and present. You will also discover the myriad ways that Jewish Studies intersects with broader overarching concepts and topics such as identity, Diaspora, migration, and more.
The Hebrew and Jewish Studies course is flexible and allows you to tailor your studies to your own interests. In Year 1, you begin your study of two major Jewish languages, choosing between Biblical Hebrew, Modern Hebrew, and Yiddish and take an introductory course in academic Jewish Studies. In addition, you can make your own selection from various courses on ancient, medieval, and modern Jewish history and culture. In Year 2, you continue to study at least one Jewish language and can choose from a wide range of options in Jewish history, culture, literature, and politics. In your final year, you complete a dissertation on a topic of your choosing, guided by a specialist in the area, and select the rest of your courses according to your preferences. Each year, you also have the opportunity to take a course from outside the Department if you would like to pursue an interest in a related area, such as another language, archaeology, art history, European society, and so on.
Throughout the course, 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 courses and is available to give advice on other aspects of your academic experience. You are given the chance to take part in our extracurricular events, which include celebrations of Jewish festivals such as Hanukkah and Purim and departmental conferences and seminars on pioneering areas of Jewish Studies research. We are confident that you will enjoy the friendly and welcoming atmosphere in the Department, and that you will quickly feel at home with us.
This course is also available with Study Abroad, with a year spent abroad at a university with a range of Jewish Studies offerings, which may vary each year.
The Hebrew and Jewish Studies with Study Abroad degree is flexible and allows you to tailor your studies to your own interests. In Year 1, you begin your study of two major Jewish languages (choosing between Biblical Hebrew, Modern Hebrew, and Yiddish) and take an introductory course in academic Jewish Studies. In addition, you can make your own selection from various courses on ancient, medieval, and modern Jewish history and culture. In Year 2, you continue to study at least one Jewish language and can choose from a wide range of options in Jewish history, culture, literature, and politics.
The next year is spent abroad at a university with a range of Jewish Studies offerings. Destinations open to students may vary each year.
Your final year is spent back at UCL, where you complete a dissertation on a topic of your choosing, guided by a specialist in the area, and select the rest of your courses according to your preferences. Each year, you also have the opportunity to take a course from outside the department if you would like to pursue an interest in a related area, such as another language, archaeology, art history, European society, and so on.
Course structure
This course is offered on a part-time basis.
Course structure
In your first year, you will take compulsory modules in two languages from Modern Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew and Yiddish; an introductory module on academic Jewish Studies; and a range of optional history, literature, and culture modules. This provides an overview of the subject which allows you to identify your own areas of specialist interest for later study.
In your second year, you will take compulsory modules in the languages you chose in your first year. You will also choose from a wide range of optional modules encompassing a vast chronological and geographical span and covering an array of disciplinary approaches, such as history, literature, philology, gender studies, and politics.
The third year of your studies is spent abroad at a university with a range of Jewish Studies offerings. Destinations open to students may vary each year.
In your final year, you will take three optional modules and will write a dissertation on a subject of your choice.
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
- Biblical Hebrew Language 1 (HEBR0002)
- Biblical Hebrew Language 1 A (HEBR0003)
- Modern Hebrew Language 1 (HEBR0004)
- Modern Hebrew Language 1A (HEBR0005)
- Religion, State and Society in Modern European History (HEBR0006)
- Survey of Jewish History 1: The Ancient and Medieval Near East (HEBR0011)
- Medieval and Early Modern Jewish History (1000 - 1800 CE) (HEBR0012)
- Modern Jewish History (Antisemitism, Migration, and Identity) (HEBR0013)
- Introduction to Judaism (HEBR0014)
- Introduction to Israeli Culture, Society and Politics (HEBR0015)
Optional modules
- Biblical Hebrew Language 1 (HEBR0002)
- Modern Hebrew Language 1 (HEBR0004)
- Religion, State and Society in Modern European History (HEBR0006)
- Survey of Jewish History 1: The Ancient and Medieval Near East (HEBR0011)
- Medieval and Early Modern Jewish History (1000 - 1800 CE) (HEBR0012)
- Modern Jewish History (Antisemitism, Migration, and Identity) (HEBR0013)
- Introduction to Judaism (HEBR0014)
- Introduction to Israeli Culture, Society and Politics (HEBR0015)
- Introduction to Biblical and Rabbinic Literature (HEBR0016)
- Jewish Philosophy (HEBR0017)
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
- Biblical Hebrew Language 2 (HEBR0018)
- Introduction to Rabbinic Hebrew (HEBR0020)
- Moses Maimonides in Jewish Thought and History (HEBR0021)
- Moses Maimonides in Jewish Thought and History A (HEBR0022)
- Modern Hebrew Language 2 (HEBR0023)
- Modern Hebrew Language 3 A (HEBR0025)
- Modern Hebrew Language 4 (HEBR0027)
- Biblical Aramaic Language A (HEBR0032)
- Biblical Aramaic Language (HEBR0033)
- Ancient Jewish Magic (HEBR0034)
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
- Biblical Hebrew Language 1 (HEBR0002)
- Biblical Hebrew Language 1 A (HEBR0003)
- Modern Hebrew Language 1 (HEBR0004)
- Modern Hebrew Language 1A (HEBR0005)
- Religion, State and Society in Modern European History (HEBR0006)
- Survey of Jewish History 1: The Ancient and Medieval Near East (HEBR0011)
- Medieval and Early Modern Jewish History (1000 - 1800 CE) (HEBR0012)
- Modern Jewish History (Antisemitism, Migration, and Identity) (HEBR0013)
- Introduction to Judaism (HEBR0014)
- Introduction to Israeli Culture, Society and Politics (HEBR0015)
Optional modules
- Biblical Hebrew Language 1 (HEBR0002)
- Modern Hebrew Language 1 (HEBR0004)
- Religion, State and Society in Modern European History (HEBR0006)
- Survey of Jewish History 1: The Ancient and Medieval Near East (HEBR0011)
- Medieval and Early Modern Jewish History (1000 - 1800 CE) (HEBR0012)
- Modern Jewish History (Antisemitism, Migration, and Identity) (HEBR0013)
- Introduction to Judaism (HEBR0014)
- Introduction to Israeli Culture, Society and Politics (HEBR0015)
- Introduction to Biblical and Rabbinic Literature (HEBR0016)
- Jewish Philosophy (HEBR0017)
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
- Biblical Hebrew Language 2 (HEBR0018)
- Introduction to Rabbinic Hebrew (HEBR0020)
- Moses Maimonides in Jewish Thought and History (HEBR0021)
- Moses Maimonides in Jewish Thought and History A (HEBR0022)
- Modern Hebrew Language 2 (HEBR0023)
- Modern Hebrew Language 3 A (HEBR0025)
- Modern Hebrew Language 4 (HEBR0027)
- Biblical Aramaic Language A (HEBR0032)
- Biblical Aramaic Language (HEBR0033)
- Ancient Jewish Magic (HEBR0034)
Our teaching spans a variety of methods; classes are mostly small and intimate, encouraging active student participation. Modern language study includes oral work, reading comprehension, listening comprehension, and translation exercises. All other subjects are taught by lectures and seminars.
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 in class.
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 in class. Your year abroad at a partner university 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
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.
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.
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).
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 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 £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), UCL Hebrew and Jewish Studies is the only department of its kind in the UK, and is highly regarded worldwide. We teach a wide range of modules in Jewish history, politics and culture.
As part of your degree you can study both ancient and modern languages, including Biblical, Rabbinic and Modern Hebrew, Aramaic, Syriac, Ugaritic, and Yiddish.
During your time in the department, you will have access to a remarkable collection of Hebrew, Yiddish and Judaica books in the UCL Library, as well as to the SOAS Library and the special collections held in the British Library, Wiener Library and the National Archives.
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 Hebrew and Jewish Studies 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 graduates from the department include teaching and education (33.3%), charities, NGOs and international development (16.7%), publishing, journalism or translation (16.7%) and construction, built environment and property (16.7%).
Employers of our graduates include the Daily Mail, Kier Group, AMJ International, Mizrachi UK and Toast Ale Ltd. Some graduates may pursue careers that make special use of their language skills such as translation or teaching, while others continue with graduate training, further study or academic research.*
*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.
- Charities, NGOs and international development
- Teaching and other educational activities
- Construction, built environment and property
Open days
Find out more about our in-person Open Days, online events and courses and subjects that interest you.
Register nowRegister your interest
Register your interest in undergraduate study and become part of the UCL community.
Register nowHow 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 department attracts students from a diversity of backgrounds and our degree courses reflect a wide range of cultures, ethnicities, and religions. Consequently, we do not require you to have any prior knowledge of Hebrew, nor are you expected to have a Jewish background.
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 UCL Hebrew and Jewish Studies and to tour 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 Hebrew and Jewish Studies 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.
Got questions? Get in touch
We are here to help. Get in touch with us for more information about our courses.
Hebrew and Jewish Studies
Click to email. jewish.studies@ucl.ac.ukUCL is regulated by the Office for Students.
