Danish and Hebrew

Danish and Hebrew is a combination that crosses language families and cultural worlds in a way that few language programmes do. Danish, a North Germanic language spoken by around six million people, provides access to Denmark's celebrated culture of design, welfare policy and democratic innovation, as well as to the broader Scandinavian linguistic tradition with its connections to Norwegian and Swedish. Hebrew, both the ancient language of a rich scriptural and literary heritage and the modern language revived and now spoken by approximately nine million people in Israel, carries with it a history and culture of extraordinary depth and contemporary significance.

At University College London, which has particular strength in both Scandinavian and Middle Eastern language studies, this four-year full-time programme develops your proficiency in Danish and Hebrew simultaneously. You will engage with the grammar, phonology and written forms of both languages through intensive tuition, while also studying the literatures, histories and cultures of their respective traditions. The opportunity to work across two such different linguistic systems trains a form of intellectual flexibility and cultural sensitivity that is unusual and genuinely valuable.

Graduates with this combination are in an exceptionally distinctive position. Careers in translation and interpreting, diplomatic service, journalism covering Scandinavian or Israeli affairs, international organisations, academic research in Hebrew and Jewish studies or Scandinavian studies, cultural institutions and Jewish community organisations all provide routes for those with proficiency in both languages. UCL's position in London and its connections to both the Scandinavian professional community and Jewish cultural and academic networks add practical value to the linguistic skills developed.

Postgraduate study in Hebrew and Jewish studies, Scandinavian languages, translation or area studies provides a natural progression for those who wish to develop specialist expertise.