German & Scandanavian studies, University College London (UCL)

For some reason UCL compels students on the Icelandic BA to take an additional, mainland Scandi language for at least two years. This isn’t forced on anyone else - Italian students aren’t forced to learn Spanish. German students aren’t forced to learn Dutch. This policy is nonsensical and needs to change. Otherwise, good programme.

If you want to do an undergraduate degree in Icelandic and you don’t have the grades to get into Háskóli Íslands, this BA is for you. Teaching is exceptional, facilities and connections are very good and the nature of the department means you’ll always feel supported not matter what issues you may be dealing with. Unfortunately as the programme is very small it is frequently overlooked resource-wise, so you’ll have to get used to pleading for everything from module allocation to timetabling to exam schedule. But if you don’t mind banging your head against a brick wall until it bleeds, then you’ll be grand.