UCAS 0R8U, three years
UCL describes a three-academic-year BA built on Biblical Hebrew and either Greek or Latin, with further ancient languages added from a wide choice.
Undergraduate · UCL Ancient Languages
UCL Ancient Languages: Hebrew, Greek or Latin and further ancient languages
UCL's Ancient Languages BA is a three-academic-year degree built on Biblical Hebrew and either Greek or Latin, with up to three further ancient languages from a wide choice. It asks for ABB at A level or 34 IB points, with a language condition, and offers a separate Study Abroad route. The decision for a family is less about the grade than about whether reading ancient texts in the original languages is the goal, and how this differs from Classics or Ancient History.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What UCL asks for in Ancient Languages
Taken from UCL's Ancient Languages BA course page and read on 1 November 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every requirement below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; UCL's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
ABB with the stated subject conditions
The A-level requirement is ABB; an ancient or modern language at grade A is required unless an ancient and a modern language are offered at GCSE at grade C or above.
IB 34
16 points in three higher level subjects with no higher level score below 5, including an ancient or modern language at grade 6 unless an ancient and a modern language are offered at GCSE at grade C or above.
Biblical Hebrew plus Greek or Latin
UCL says Year 1 modules are in Biblical Hebrew, either Latin or Greek, and introductory historical linguistics.
A Study Abroad option
UCL says the course is also available with Study Abroad, with a year spent abroad; this guide describes the main three-academic-year course.
Official sources
Read on 1 November 2026 on UCL's Ancient Languages BA course page, which describes 2027 entry. UCL's department pages, the fees pages, the contextual-offer details and the 2028-entry values were not read, and the page lists no admissions test or interview so none is stated and are not stated.
The course
Ancient languages read in the original
UCL says the degree provides advanced knowledge of the ancient languages and cultures of the Near East and Europe, with original languages that include Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Akkadian, Sumerian, Ugaritic, Aramaic, Syriac and Egyptian. In Year 1 students take Biblical Hebrew, either Latin or Greek, and introductory historical linguistics; in Year 3 they take advanced modules in Biblical Hebrew or Ugaritic and Greek or Latin, with the option of a dissertation. The course is also available with Study Abroad, which adds a year spent abroad; this guide did not read that option's own page, duration or requirements, and does not mix it with the main course.
Is it the right degree?
Ancient Languages beside Classics and Ancient History
Neighbouring degrees differ in how much they centre language learning against history and culture.
Choose Ancient Languages if
you want to read texts in the original languages, Near Eastern as well as classical.
Look at UCL Classics and the Ancient World if
you want classical literature and culture with less emphasis on Near Eastern languages. Avandy's UCL Classics guide covers it.
Look at UCL Ancient History if
your interest is the history of the ancient world. Avandy's UCL Ancient History guide covers it.
Entry rules
ABB, or 34 IB points, with a language condition
A-level applicants need ABB; an ancient or modern language at grade A is required unless an ancient and a modern language are offered at GCSE at grade C or above, and at least two A-levels from UCL's list of preferred subjects. IB applicants need 34 points: 16 points in three higher level subjects with no higher level score below 5, including an ancient or modern language at grade 6 unless an ancient and a modern language are offered at GCSE at grade C or above. UCL's page lists no admissions test or interview. This page states no scores.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not UCL's.
Do you enjoy learning languages systematically?
Year 1 starts Biblical Hebrew and Greek or Latin together.
Is a Study Abroad year something you want?
It is a separate option on UCL's page, with its own requirements.
Are your grades near ABB or 34 points?
Those are UCL's stated standards for 2027 entry.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Applying for 2028 entry means applying in 2027, under rules UCL has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means UCL published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means UCL has not yet published it.
Grades, the subject requirements and the preferred-subject guidance: last verified for 2027 entry
These are the best guide to what to prepare. UCL has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
The UCAS deadline and the 2028-entry requirements: awaiting publication for 2028 entry
Check UCL's course page for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Confirm the required subjects, read the course structure and plan your preparation around it.
Support
Independent support with course choice and preparation
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with University College London or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here means course-fit advice, subject mentoring and ethical preparation; Avandy gives no scores or probabilities and does not write applications. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
What does UCL Ancient Languages BA require?
ABB at A level, with an ancient or modern language at grade A is required unless an ancient and a modern language are offered at GCSE at grade C or above, in UCL's wording for 2027 entry.
What is the IB requirement?
34 IB points: 16 points in three higher level subjects with no higher level score below 5, including an ancient or modern language at grade 6 unless an ancient and a modern language are offered at GCSE at grade C or above.
Which languages does the degree teach?
UCL lists Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Akkadian, Sumerian, Ugaritic, Aramaic, Syriac and Egyptian among the original languages.
How long is the course?
UCL gives the main course as three academic years. It also offers the course with Study Abroad, which this guide did not read.
Do I need a language qualification?
UCL asks for an ancient or modern language at grade A at A level, unless an ancient and a modern language are offered at GCSE at grade C or above.
Does Avandy state offer scores?
No. This page records UCL's wording for 2027 entry and states no scores or probabilities.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are UCL's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the course page again when UCL publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about UCL Ancient Languages
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their language aptitude, whether Latin or Greek suits them and whether a Study Abroad year appeals, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.