Czech and Portuguese

Czech and Portuguese are languages that carry rich literary traditions and open access to cultures that are often underrepresented in British universities. Czech, the language of Bohemia and a central figure in Central European literary and intellectual life, stands alongside Portuguese, one of the world's most widely spoken languages, with a presence across Europe, Brazil, Mozambique, Angola, and beyond. Studying both is an act of intellectual range, building linguistic precision and cultural depth across two very different corners of the world.

At University College London, this four-year full-time degree is divided equally between Czech and Portuguese, giving you the opportunity to develop both languages to a high level without either being subordinated to the other. You will take modules in language skills covering speaking, listening, reading, writing, and translation, alongside cultural modules that explore literature, history, film, linguistics, politics, and other fields relevant to each language. The curriculum is wide-ranging and allows you to tailor the degree to reflect your own interests, whether those lean towards literary study, contemporary culture, or the historical and political dimensions of each region.

A year abroad in the third year is a central feature of the programme, split between countries where Czech and Portuguese are spoken, giving you genuine immersive experience in both linguistic communities and the kind of cultural understanding that classroom study alone cannot provide.

The analytical, communicative, and intercultural skills you develop through a joint language degree are highly transferable and valued across a wide range of professional environments.

Graduates go on to careers in translation and interpreting, diplomacy, journalism, international business, the cultural sector, education, and the civil service. The combination of Czech and Portuguese is unusual enough to make you distinctive to employers with specific regional or linguistic needs. Many graduates also continue to postgraduate study in linguistics, translation, European studies, or area studies.