This four-year programme focuses on language, culture and history of the Netherlands and Flanders, two neighbouring countries that are among the largest trading partners of the UK. Dutch is also an official language in Suriname and to a large extent mutually intelligible with Afrikaans, one of South Africa’s languages. Students graduate as fluent and interculturally competent speakers of this global language.

Degree benefits

• No previous knowledge of Dutch is required, as you will receive intensive language training in the first two years if you start the subject from scratch. You may also start the programme as a more advanced speaker of Dutch.

• The Year Abroad give you the chance to attend a university or work overseas. 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.

• You will study in a small, friendly department. Our high staff to student ratio is unusual in higher education.

Your learning

We teach Dutch using modern communicative methods to develop fluency, accuracy and an understanding of stylistic issues. Literature, history, linguistic and cultural studies are taught through a mixture of seminars, group work, web-based courses and tutorials. You will be able to become involved with Virtual Dutch, a collaborative teaching network of Dutch departments across the country.

Assessment

Modules are assessed by various methods: written and oral/aural examinations, essays, presentations and project work.

Careers

A substantial number of our graduates use their language skills in a variety of contexts, such as public relations (often for multinational companies, many of which have Dutch origins), insurance, banking, political and cultural institutions, or teaching and translating. Some graduates go on to master’s or PhD programmes.

There is significant and growing demand for Dutch-speaking graduates, as evidenced by the regular requests the department receives from employers. In the English-speaking context, a university graduate with a good command of Dutch is rare, giving the graduate a major and distinguishing asset.