Dutch Studies

Spoken across the Netherlands, Flanders, Suriname and parts of the Caribbean, Dutch is a popular language with students and UK employers.

boats in canal in Amsterdam with a rainbow flag

With around eighty students on our programmes, we are the largest Dutch section in the UK in terms of student numbers. This popularity is a testament to the lively, ambitious atmosphere; there is always something going on and you’ll quickly feel included and at home with us.

 Dutch at Sheffield Home


Undergraduate degree combinations

We try to be as flexible as possible, so you can study Dutch over a period of one, two, three or four years and you can start at either Beginner or Intermediate level. In addition to language, we offer a modules on the history, culture and society of the Low Countries. We offer a specialist Translation Project in collaboration with our Writer in Residence and a professional translator.

You can study Dutch language and culture as part of:

BA Modern Languages and Cultures

Within this degree you have two options:

  • Study Dutch combined with ONE other language and culture
  • Study Dutch combined with TWO other languages and cultures

Choose from these languages:

  • French
  • German
  • Russian
  • Spanish
  • Portuguese
  • Catalan
  • Luxembourgish
  • Czech
  • Italian 
Dual Honours Degree

You can combine Dutch with the following non-language subjects:

  • Business Management
  • Economics
  • English
  • History
  • Linguistics
  • Music
  • Philosophy
  • Politics

You can even combine Dutch with a non-language subject plus another language.

Dual honours degrees


Course structure

Language Modules

At Sheffield you can start studying Dutch from scratch, meaning you need no previous knowledge of Dutch. If you already speak some Dutch you can skip the beginners programme and enter at an appropriate level.

All our language classes are informal and taught in small groups. The emphasis is always on real language in real situations. Right from the start of the course you will be encouraged to speak as much as possible; after all, the best way to learn is by doing. Also, check out our language videos on YouTube

Dutch Cultural Contexts

You can also opt for Dutch Studies modules. This is the opportunity to put your language skills in the cultural context.

We offer specialist courses on contemporary society, culture and literature of the Netherlands and Flanders as well as course within the context of Germanic Studies. Our small groups teaching means that you have real influence on your course. Many of our courses are aimed at making the most of your position: as a (native) speaker of English you will be in a prime position to negotiate Dutch issues for a global audience.

Dutch as a guided module

You may also be able to study Dutch as part of guided module choice as long as you have some experience with modern language learning. You would be taking the language classes only and you are taught together with the other undergraduate students.


Module information

Dutch For Beginners 4 hours per week
2 semesters
20 credits

For this intensive beginners language course you will work for 4 hours a week in small groups. Dutch is an accessible Germanic language spoken by 24 million people. We will work on all aspects of language learning and and you will read your first short book in Dutch before Christmas. With a bit of effort and dedication you will reach a generous CEF level A2. Our students tend to really enjoy this course.

Episode In de kledingzaak from the Nu jij series
Dutch Intermediate Language 3 hours per week
2 semesters
20 credits
This Dutch Intermediate module builds on the language skills you have already acquired before coming to university. At the end of this course you can understand and speak Dutch in common social circumstances, read all but the most complicated Dutch text without difficulty (perhaps with the occasional help of your dictionary) and write Dutch texts in both formal and informal styles. We work around a number of cultural and everyday topics and our lively conversation classes are an integral part of the course. In terms of CEFR you will have attained at least level B1.
Resist! The Art of Protest in Berlin & Amsterdam 1 hour per week 
2 semesters
20 credits
Amsterdam and Berlin are two capitals at the forefront of protest and alternative lifestyles from the early 20th century right up to the present. Where did their radical traditions spring from? What do these protests say about how the cities and nations see themselves? How does creative resistance fuel gentrification and urban tourism? This module explores the culture of resistance and protest from the first women’s march for the vote and posters and activism against war and fascism, to the creative resistance of the Amsterdam provo movement and more recently Pride Canal Parade and Black Lives Matter/Kick out Zwarte Piet.
burial from the 1980s to protest against the lack of affordable houses in the Netherlands. Various images including of princess Beatrix

The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it is up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research, funding changes, professional accreditation requirements, student or employer feedback, outcomes of reviews, and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.

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