Dutch Studies

Undergraduate Program

Introduction to the Major

The Dutch Studies Program offers a comprehensive education in Dutch language, literature, cultural history, and linguistics. Through a broad curriculum of English-taught courses, students study important cultural developments from the medieval towns in Flanders over the Dutch “Golden Age” and the Netherlands’ colonial expansion up to the contemporary multicultural, liberal, and European identity of the Low Countries.

Dutch Studies is a perfect complement for students pursuing a doctoral degree in fields such as History of Art, Southeast Asian Studies, Comparative Literature, German and/or Scandinavian Studies. A Dutch Studies major also offers other opportunities: both the Netherlands and Belgium are part of the top-10 foreign investors in the United States, and are the seat of many international organizations, such as the EU and NATO.

Additional Options

  • Compose the Dutch Studies major according to your personal interests. There are no required courses for the major besides Dutch language courses, which makes it easier to add Dutch Studies as a double major
  • Students who wish to specialize in Dutch Studies are encouraged to enroll in our introductory language course (DUTCH 1), upon which a specific program is elaborated according to the interests of each student. 
  • Already have an intended major but interested in Dutch Studies? Consider adding a Dutch Studies minor.

Amplify Your Major

I took three Dutch courses with Professor Jeroen Dewulf and Esmée van der Hoeven. Both...are wonderful professors that I felt I could ask for help at any moment, and can confidently say they expanded my knowledge beyond measure.
Sarah Russell-Cheung, Class of 2018

Four-Year Student Timeline

First Year

Explore Your Major

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

Second Year

Explore Your Major

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

Third Year

Explore Your Major

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

Fourth Year

Explore Your Major

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

What Can I Do With My Major?

Jobs and Employers

  • Diplomat
  • International Relations Officer
  • Journalist
  • Museum Curator
  • Translator
  • Tutor

Graduate Programs

  • Business
  • Comparative Literature
  • Elementary Education
  • German
  • History of Art
  • International Relations
  • Law
  • Medicine
  • Public Administration
  • Public Health
  • Scandinavian Studies
  • Secondary Education
  • Social Work
  • Southeast Asian Studies

Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates and department information.

Learn More

Connect With Us

Cal Day

Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.

Golden Bear Orientation

Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.

Events

Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit dutch.berkeley.edu for news and updates.

Advising

Students can reach the Undergraduate Student Advisor in 5311 Dwinelle Hall or at germanic@berkeley.edu

How to Use this Map

Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.