FAQs

What languages do you offer? What levels do you offer?
We teach British Sign Language, French, German, modern Greek, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin and Spanish. Courses are taught from Level A1 (beginner) to C1 (proficiency). We may not be able to offer all levels of every language every term. For Slavonic and Eastern European languages, please contact our colleagues in SSEES. 

I’m not sure what level I should enrol for. What can I do?
On each language page, we list the syllabi of each level, and where they equate to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This will help you ascertain what material you have covered already. Any recommended pre-requisite qualifications are suggestions only, not mandatory.

I’m still not sure. Do you offer placement assessments?
We do, while the enrolment windows are open (see Term dates). If you wish to request one, please do so using the application form when you enrol. Assessments are free of charge and non-binding.

What if I enrol in the wrong level?
You can normally move levels before the third lesson, if you find the material too straightforward or too challenging (availability permitting - remember we may not be able to offer all levels of every language every term). Please discuss this with your tutor in the first instance. Bear in mind this may involve moving from online to on campus or vice versa, or going to class on a different day or time.

When do your classes run?
Courses run for ten weeks. Classes run Mondays - Thursdays, 5 - 7pm, and 7 - 9pm.
Term 1 (autumn): October-December;
Term 2 (winter): January-March;
Term 3 (summer): April-July.
Check the term dates page for details. Evening courses do not have a reading week or a half-term break, and do not run on bank holidays - classes scheduled on a bank holiday will be rearranged for another day by agreement between the tutor and class.

Where do your classes run?
Some courses are face-to-face at UCL’s Bloomsbury Campus in London, and some are online. When signing up, you will be able to see available classes and whether they are online or face-to-face.

How do I apply?
While enrolment is open, complete an application form on our website. If the enrolment window is open and there is space left in your class of choice, you will be able to pay and enrol there and then using the online store.

When should I apply?
We enrol in three windows - summer, autumn and spring, for courses starting in autumn, spring and summer term respectively. Please sign up as soon after enrolment opens as possible, as we enrol on a first-come, first-served basis.

When does enrolment open, and when does it close?
Check the term dates page. Enrolment closes either when the class is full (see Teaching for class sizes) or at the date on the term dates page, whichever is sooner.

Can my children study with you?
Participants must be 18 years of age or older in order to study with us.

Can I reserve a place?
Places cannot be reserved without payment. Full payment must be received before your place is confirmed.

Can I come to a taster class, drop in for a single class, or have a private lesson with the tutor?
We cannot offer taster classes, single classes, or private lessons.

Can I reserve a place for a future term, or defer my place to next term?
We enrol for one term at a time. If you buy twenty lessons or more, you will be automatically enrolled in the following term(s) as well, once they open, within the same academic year. You cannot defer your place to a future term or year.

What do I get as an Evening Language Course student?
During your course, you will be considered a 'short course student', be issued a UCL email address, have reference access to the UCL Libraries, and many other benefits. Please note that studying with us does not confer 'student status' legally, such as for tax, visa or bank account purposes, and we cannot sponsor you for any kind of student visa or permit.

How much do courses cost?
Check the fees page. We offer discounted rates for UCL, UCLH and UofL students, staff and alumni, and for purchasing blocks of two or more terms of classes at once. Textbooks and other incidental costs are not included in the course fee (not all courses require a textbook).

I have accessibility and/or learning needs and require adjustments to the classes or materials, what should I do?
Before the first class, please contact us. If the course has already begun, please speak to the tutor directly to discuss how best to meet your needs, and they will liaise with us if necessary. There are no exams or formal assessments in our evening courses.

Are your tutors all native speakers?
Yes.

How long are your classes? How frequently do they occur?
Our classes are two hours long and occur once a week. Each course is ten weeks (except BSL, which is a twenty-week course). Please note UCL runs a 'short hour' policy, to allow students and tutors to move between classes.

How big are the classes?
Online classes are normally kept to a maximum of fourteen participants, in order to allow the tutor to attend to each participant. Face-to-face classes may have up to sixteen participants (except BSL, which is limited to twelve).

What should I bring to class?
For the first class, notetaking materials should suffice. The tutor will advise whether you need to purchase any textbooks or to print out any handouts in the future.

What do I need for online classes?
Access to a laptop or PC;
A fast, stable internet connection;
A headset (recommended), or headphones and a microphone;
A modern browser, upgraded to the latest version.
We would also strongly recommend using a webcam. Webcam use is not mandatory but you will get a lot more out of the course if you are able to use your camera as well as audio.
Where possible, please use a laptop or a PC rather than a smartphone or tablet, as it will be easier for you to participate in group activities.

I am having trouble accessing my class, what should I do?
We have a number of common Technical Support queries answered on our Support page. If you still have trouble, contact the Support team at clie-eveningcourses-support@ucl.ac.uk.

What should I do if I miss a class?
Contact us and we can put you in touch with your tutor. This way, you’ll be able to convene and obtain any work you miss.

Can I sit in on another class if I miss one of my classes? 
It is not possible to sit in on other classes or to attend on a drop-in basis.

Is there homework? How much will there be?
Most tutors will set homework to complete between classes. It is recommended that you allow around two hours per week, in addition to your class, to complete any set work and for private study and revision.

Are the classes recorded?
Classes are not normally recorded. Tutors may record small sections of a class for homework or review purposes, and will always ask for permission before doing so. You may not video, record or screen-capture any part of a class yourself.

Will I progress through the levels over the year?
Normally classes progress by term (e.g., Level 1, then Level 1+, then Level 2), but you don’t have to stick to this. You can choose to repeat a level, or to enrol on a different course.

Can I get course credits from your evening language courses?
Our courses are not credit-bearing. The Modules team offers options for studying a language for credit as part of your UCL degree.

Can I get a certificate of attendance?
Yes, if you have attended at least 70% of the classes on your course. If you would like a certificate, email us.

Will this show up on my UCL university transcript?
If you have attended at least 70% of the classes on your course, you can request your attendance be recorded on your HEAR. Please contact us if you wish to discuss this.

Do your courses include an exam or qualification?
Our courses do not have an exam and do not lead to a qualification, although they are accredited as CPD (see below).

What is CPD and are your courses certified for it?
CPD - continuing professional development - means to learn, grow and develop throughout life, even after finishing formal education. Our courses are accredited by CPD UK. Provided you attend at least 70% of classes on your course, we can issue you a certificate of completion at the end of the course. Please contact us if you would like to discuss this.

We cannot take payment by invoice or purchase order. The Online Store takes most major credit and debit cards.

I'm a UCL student or staff member, can my Department pay for me?
UCL staff and students whose Department has agreed to pay for their language course should contact us to discuss paying via internal transfer. 

Can I pay by cash, cheque or in instalments?
We cannot take payment by cash or cheque, and we cannot split payments into instalments. The Online Store takes most major credit and debit cards.

Can I pay in advance for next year?
No, prices are set per academic year.

Are there any grants available for students?
UCL postgraduate researchers who need to learn another language for their research may qualify for the DocSkills Language Support Fund. Check the DocSkills pages for application criteria and terms.

You must be enrolled on a full-time or part-time degree course at UCL for the entire duration of your language course in order to be eligible for the student rate.

What is your refund policy? What if I want to drop out?
We have a strict refund policy which you need to read before enrolling. Please note that the terms and conditions vary depending on the concessionary rate you apply with.