Language and Culture
Learning an additional language at University College Utrecht expands your linguistic repertoire and your skills in intercultural communication. It develops “transferable skills” sought after by employers in today's global job market, such as cultural awareness and appreciation, open-mindedness, and effective oral and written communication in additional languages. Language learning also serves as a cross-training learning activity for the brain, helping you develop skills in prioritisation and planning, analysis, abstract thinking and problem solving that serve you well in your education otherwise. The inclusion of language in your degree sets you apart from other students, and the farther you can take your study of language, the greater the benefits.
For information about the Language Level Assessment please follow the link below.
Language level assessmentChanges to the Language and Culture Courses as of Fall 2025
As a consequence of pending budget cuts at University College Utrecht, there will be some changes to UCU Language and Culture course offerings and requirements. To preserve the offering of some language courses, others have been removed from the curriculum. As a result:
- UCU will continue to offer courses in Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, Italian, and Spanish.
- UCU will no longer be able to offer courses in French, German and Latin.
- All current ‘Beginner’ courses (UCHUMDUT10, -ITA10, -SPA10) will be remodeled into a level 1 Introduction Language & Culture courses (similar to CHI and ARA). These courses will fulfill the L&C requirement as referred to in Article 3.6.2f and 3.6.3f of the ARR. All introduction level courses now have consistent codes and titles indicating that level. Please see the course list below for more information.
- For each of the remaining languages you will still have the option of attaining an intermediate level (level 2). All intermediate level courses now have consistent codes and titles indicating that level. Dutch and Spanish also still offer an advanced level (level 3).
- Monolingual students will no longer be required to fulfill the second language requirement.
FAQ
Q: How will this show on my transcript?
A: Codes and titles are used from the year in which you completed the course.
Q: I already took Beginner Italian/Dutch/Spanish last year. Does that count?
A: For students who already completed the beginner courses DUT10, ITA10 or SPA10 in the past year(s): these will count towards you L&C requirement retroactively. This means you don’t need a higher level in that language anymore unless you want to.
Q: Does an advanced L&C course (DUT31, SPA31) count towards my required level 3 courses?
A: These can only count towards your 45 credit level 3 degree requirement when you have already completed another course to fulfill your L&C requirement. This will be specified in next year’s ARR.
Q: I only speak English. Do I still need an advanced level?
A: Next year’s ARR will remove the second language requirement for mono-lingual students. Attaining a level 2 is not required anymore.
Q: I already completed a language course last year, and want to continue to a higher level. Which new code connects to which old code?
A: For Chinese and Arabic the codes and levels don’t change, just the name.
For Dutch, Spanish and Italian, see the overview below. Example: the old DUT10 (beginner) now leads to new DUT21 (intermediate); the old DUT11 (L&C I) now leads to DUT31 (advanced).
Q: Does the content of the various levels still connect?
A: Yes, the new codes and titles still connect to each other as they did before. You seemingly skip a level number in the course code, but the actual level that is taught remains the same.
| Level | Course code and title starting Fall 2025 | old code | Semester |
| 1 | UCHUMARA11: Introduction to Arabic Language and Culture | n/a | SEM1, SEM2 |
| 2 | UCHUMARA21: Intermediate Arabic Language and Culture | n/a | SEM2 |
| 1 | UCHUMCHI11: Introduction to Chinese Language and Culture | n/a | SEM1, SEM2 |
| 2 | UCHUMCHI22: Intermediate Chinese Language and Culture | n/a | SEM2 |
| 1 | UCHUMDUT11: Introduction to Dutch Language and Culture | UCHUMDUT10 | SEM1,SEM2 |
| 2 | UCHUMDUT21: Intermediate Dutch Language and Culture | UCHUMDUT11 | SEM1, SEM2 |
| 3 | UCHUMDUT31: Advanced Dutch Language and Culture | UCHUMDUT21 | SEM2 |
| 1 | UCHUMITA11: Introduction to Italian Language and Culture | UCHUMITA10 | SEM2 |
| 2 | UCHUMITA21: Intermediate Italian Language and Culture | UCHUMITA11 | Summer |
| 1 | UCHUMSPA11: Introduction to Spanish Language and Culture | UCHUMSPA10 | SEM1, SEM2 |
| 2 | UCHUMSPA21: Intermediate Spanish Language and Culture | UCHUMSPA11 | SEM1, SEM2 |
| 3 | UCHUMSPA31: Advanced Spanish Language and Culture | UCHUMSPA21 | SEM2 |
Level 1 courses aim to introduce students to the basic vocabulary and grammar of the target language. They are intended for students with little or no background in the language. The level 1 courses include essential cultural content intended to develop students’ intercultural skills, and therefore these courses can be used meet the University College Utrecht language and culture requirement (this is reflected in the title of the courses).
The exit level goal of level 1 courses, in Common European Framework terms, is A1+
Level 2 courses, in general, aim to develop students’ skills in a language at an intermediate level. Level 2 courses require a background in the language to at least the A1 exit level of the level 1 courses offered at University College Utrecht.
The exit level goal of level 2 courses, in CEF terms, is A2/B1 (except for Arabic and Chinese). See also the China Studies page for more information on Chinese language courses.
Level 3 courses, in general, aim to develop students’ skills in a language at an advanced level. They require a background in the language to at least the A2/B1 exit level of the level 2 courses. The level 3 courses include essential cultural content intended to develop students’ intercultural skills, and therefore these courses can be used meet the University College Utrecht language and culture requirement.
The exit level goal of level 3 courses, in CEF terms, is B1/B2.
Minor programme: Completing a language and culture course at UCU is one of the graduation requirements. Language courses can however not be counted as a track within the major, with the exception of China studies; a minor in China studies can be completed by taking all courses at UCU.
For other languages students can complete a minor when they complete 4 courses in the target language by combining UCU language and culture courses with additional courses at the Utrecht University Faculty of the Humanities or at another university.
Minors are officially noted on a students’ degree transcript only if they receive the approval of the University College Utrecht exam board.
The University College Utrecht language courses are primarily skills courses, and on their own, they do not prepare students for Master's programmes in the study of a specific target language. University College Utrecht students who aim for language-related master programmes can supplement their courses with courses at the Utrecht University Faculty of the Humanities in the linguistic structure and the literature of the target language. Most Master's programmes in language demand at least minimal knowledge of general linguistics (UCHUMLIN11: Introduction to Linguistics) and the study of literature (UCHUMLIT11: Introduction to the Study of Literature).
Master's programmes typically demand an advanced level of competence in the language, as well as knowledge of the literature, history and linguistic structure of the target language. This level of achievement typically requires a transformative “immersion” experience in the target language. Students committed to preparing themselves for Master's programmes in a modern language should make every effort to spend a semester abroad in a country where the target language is spoken; while on exchange, they can take courses that will develop not only their language competencies, but also the cultural knowledge of literature and history that will be expected in further study.
Master's programmes look for capable students who have clearly demonstrated their intellectual abilities in the previous stage of their education. Master's programmes in languages often have specific requirements above and beyond a high level of competence in the language (see above). Most programmes publish their admission requirements, or are happy to provide information about these.
Most universities require students to have mastery of the language of education at a proficiency level of at least B2 in CEF terms. For destinations where there are limited opportunities to use English in daily and academic communication, however, students may need a level of C1 succeed. Students should take this into account when selecting exchange destinations, and need to be aware that they may need to take additional language courses beyond those offered at University College Utrecht in order to prepare properly, either at the Utrecht University Faculty of the Humanities, through programmes offered by the exchange programme host institution, or by external language learning institutes.
As of Fall 2025 French, German and Latin are no longer offered at UCU as Language and Culture Courses. There are some alternatives on offer at the UU that UCU students may be able to benefit from.
Latin
An introductory course in Latin is available at the UU: Latin I in Block I. Please click here to view the Latin I course description. Please note that this course is offered in Dutch and therefore is only accessible to Dutch speaking students.
Students who want to study Latin language and culture at a higher level can enroll in one or more course(s) in the UU ‘Minor’ Latin language and culture in the European tradition (Latijnse taal & cultuur in de Europese traditie). In this Minor, you can study the Latin language and culture from the classical period to the early modern period.
The Minor consists of four courses, all open to UCU students:
- Latin Medieval Universal Language (level 200, English-spoken, block 3 Febr-Apr)
- Latin in Late Antiquity (level 300, English-spoken, block 2 Nov-Jan)
Dutch-speaking students can also take two other courses at level 300:
- Klassiek Latijn (level 300, Dutch-spoken, block 1 Sept-Nov)
- Latijn in de vroegmoderne wereld (level 300, Dutch-spoken, block 4 Apr-Jun)
For more information, including entry requirements, see the course descriptions.
German
- Available at UU in block 1: Sprache & Kultur 1: Demokratie und Gesellschaft (entry level B1)
- Available at UU in block 2: Sprache & Kultur 2: Kultur im Wandel (entry level B2)
French
- Available at UU in block 1: Français 1 (entry level B1)
- Available at UU in block 2: Français 2 (entry level B1+/B2)
For a complete overview of advanced course in Latin, German and French and other languages that are on offer at the UU please visit the course planner and select the exam programme 'Faculty of Humanities'
Every semester, we organize Language Cafés on our UCU campus. Do (or did) you study a language at UCU and want to improve your conversation skills in this language, in a relaxed and fun atmosphere? Or do you speak a language well and want to help others improve their skills? Then please join us in the UCU Language Café! Everyone is welcome, students and staff. Please find the dates for the Language Café activities for this semester:
| Date | Time | Course/event | Location | Comments |
| March 4 2025 | 15:00-16:30 | Language Café 1 | Voltaire A and B | Open to students and staff |
| April 15 2025 | 15:00-16:30 | Language Café 2 | Voltaire A and B | Open to students and staff |