The German and Philosophy BA at University College London (UCL) is a Full Time Bachelor program offered across its London and Bloomsbury campuses in United Kingdom. The program is delivered on campus in English and can be completed in 4 year(s). Students develop academic knowledge and practical skills that prepare them for future careers in this field. Tuition fees are USD 42,250 / year, and the next available intake starts on September 1, 2026.

About German and Philosophy BA

Course overview

Your degree will be studied on a 50/50 ratio between German and Philosophy.

In your first, second and final year you will take language modules in German and the literature, culture, history and linguistics related to it, as well as modules in Philosophy (see the UCL Philosophy webpages for further details about studying Philosophy at UCL).

Your will spend your third year abroad in a country where German is spoken, studying at a university, or doing a work placement. You will achieve the same linguistic competence regardless of whether you start a language from beginner level or have previous knowledge of it.

What this course will give you

We provide an ideal environment for language study. UCL offers an unparalleled range of languages and facilities, including a well-equipped language learning suite, and many of our academic staff are renowned leaders in their fields.

The Year Abroad gives you the chance to attend a university or work overseas. During this time, you will finesse your language skills in German 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 German with native speakers and learn about the associated culture and society from them.

UCL Philosophy is a prestigious department and you will be learning from some of the pre-eminent thinkers in the field. The department has a strong research culture in areas including Ethics, Metaphysics and the Philosophy of Mind.

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. As a UCL philosophy student, you will be able to attend the meetings of the Royal Institute of Philosophy, the Aristotelian Society and the Institute of Philosophy. Undergraduate students also run active departmental societies housed by the Students' Union.

Our German and Philosophy degree offers huge scope for developing in-depth, comparative and intercultural approaches to the humanities with a focus on Philosophy, as well as near-native language skills. 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 German.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

A levels IB Diploma Other qualifications

Grades: AAB
Subjects: Foreign language preferred.
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: Foreign language preferred.
GCSEs: English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 4.

Points: 36
Subjects: A total of 17 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5. Foreign language preferred.

Contextual offer

Points: 32 more about contextual offers
Subjects: A total of 15 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5. Foreign language preferred.

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 and 15 credits at Merit, all from Level 3 units. Modern Foreign Language preferred.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

D3,D3,M1 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects. Foreign Language preferred.

A,A,B at Advanced Highers (or A,A at Advanced Higher and B,B,B at Higher). Foreign language preferred.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades AAB. Foreign language preferred.

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.

English Program 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.

Career

The foundation of your career

Popular career paths for modern language graduates include teaching and education (12.3%), publishing, journalism or translation (11.8%), accountancy and financial services (11.2%), media (4.8%), law (2.7%), PR, advertising, marketing (2.1%) and the civil service (1.6%)*. Employers of our graduates include KPMG, Bloomberg, BBC, Business Insider, Deutsche Bank, Houses of Parliament, Ipsos MORI, L'Oreal, London Theatre Company, Lonely Planet, Teach First, PwC and UK Government.*

Some graduates pursue careers that make special use of their language skills, including translating, interpreting and teaching, while others continue with graduate training, further study or academic research (4.8%).*

The discipline of philosophical training, and in particular its emphasis on rigorous argumentation, logic, and clarity of thought and expression, makes philosophy graduates highly suitable for a wide variety of careers.

Many recent UCL graduates have excelled in the legal profession, training as both solicitors and barristers. Others have entered sectors such as publishing (Oriel Square), journalism (TLDR News), finance (Bank of England, Deloitte, Deutsche Bank), the civil service and UK Government (Cabinet Office, Department for Education). Philosophy graduates are also sought after as programmers and systems analysts (Godija), while a good proportion of students go on to further study in philosophy.*

*Graduate Outcomes survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of UK and EU graduates in the 2017-2021 cohorts.

Employability

There are many career opportunities for UCL's modern language graduates. We seek to embed within our teaching the acquisition of transferable skills such as leadership, team work and communication skills as well as linguistic and cultural knowledge.

78% of graduates from the School of European Languages, Culture and Society (SELCS) and 80% of graduates from UCL Philosophy were in work, further study or due to start work or study, 15 months after graduation.*

*Graduate Outcomes survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of UK and EU graduates in the 2017-2021 cohorts.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

42,250 / year