BA Bulgarian and Portuguese
About this course
BA in Bulgarian and Portuguese, a degree within Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies and Russian Studies and related fields. Core topics include Research Methods. This four-year undergraduate course incorporates a compulsory year abroad spent studying or working in relevant linguistic regions. Taught jointly across two academic departments, the curriculum integrates language acquisition with cultural, historical and literary studies. The first year covers foundational language proficiency alongside modules such as Introduction to Portuguese Language and Lusophone Culture, Introduction to Portuguese Literature, The Brazilian Novel, Bulgarian Language Level 1, War, Trauma and Memory in East European Cinema, and Literature and Memory, with further options available in linguistics and Russian studies. The second year continues linguistic development through Intermediate Portuguese Language and Lusophone Culture, The Golden Age of Portuguese Travel Literature, Bulgarian Language Level 2a-Comprehension, Bulgarian Language Level 2b-Production, Afro-Brazilian Literature in Translation, Introduction to Bulgarian Culture and Literature, and Writing from the Other Europe, accompanied by optional studies spanning European drama, minority languages, and cinema. Following the year abroad, the final year advances mastery with Advanced Portuguese Language and Lusophone Culture, Portugal and Its Empire in the 20th Century: Trajectories and Memories, Short Fiction and the Making of Modern Brazil, Bulgarian Language Level 3a - Comprehension, and Bulgarian Language Level 3b - Production, alongside a Free-standing Dissertation. Optional modules in the final year allow specialisation in areas such as translation theory, gender-inclusive language, exile narratives, and contemporary visual arts.
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Entry requirements
A level: ABB (Previous study of a foreign language is preferred (not necessarily one of the named languages) but not required. Applicants may study two languages at beginner level and may seek advice from the departments concerned if needed) IB: 34 points (A total of 16 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5. Foreign language preferred.)
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What students say
Based on about 72 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 85%
- Learning opportunities: 79%
- Assessment and feedback: 78%
- Academic support: 89%
- Organisation and management: 82%
- Learning resources: 91%
- Student voice: 71%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 55 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 91%
- Left higher education: 6%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 3%
What graduates do next
Based on about 9 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 50%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 30%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 215 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 4%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 67%
- South East: 8%
- South West: 4%
- Wales: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 55 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 86%
- Baccalaureate: 7%
- A degree: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 2%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Introduction to Portuguese Language and Lusophone Culture
- Introduction to Portuguese Literature
- The Brazilian Novel
- Bulgarian Language Level 1
- War, Trauma and Memory in East European Cinema
- Literature and Memory
- How Words Work: Sounds and Sense
- Representations of Russia
- Russian and Soviet Cinema: History, Ideology, Society
- Introduction to Russian Studies I
- Introduction to Russian Studies II
- Intermediate Portuguese Language and Lusophone Culture
- The Golden Age of Portuguese Travel Literature
- Bulgarian Language Level 2a-Comprehension
- Bulgarian Language Level 2b-Production
- Afro-Brazilian Literature in Translation
- Introduction to Bulgarian Culture and Literature
- Writing from the Other Europe
- How Words Work: Sounds and Sense
- Tales of the Unexpected: the Supernatural and Fantastic in Literature, 1800 - 1930
- Languages in Contact along the Danube: Intercultural Frictions and Flows
- Minority Languages of Russia: Cultural, Linguistic Diversity and Endangerment
- Staging Europe: Modern European Drama and Theatre
- Between the Alps and the Adriatic: Modern Slovene Culture and Literature
- Old Church Slavonic and Comparative Slavonic Grammar as a Language Learning Strategy
- Contemporary Performance and Activism in Europe
- Contemporary Polish Cinema
- Language and social justice: ideologies, politics, and participation
- SELCS Year Abroad Term 1
- SELCS Year Abroad Term 2
- Year Abroad Term 1
- Year Abroad Term 2
- Advanced Portuguese Language and Lusophone Culture
- Portugal and Its Empire in the 20th Century: Trajectories and Memories
- Short Fiction and the Making of Modern Brazil
- Bulgarian Language Level 3a - Comprehension
- Bulgarian Language Level 3b - Production
- Free-standing Dissertation
- Narratives of Exile
- Crossroads of Culture: Language and Identity in the Literatures of Ukraine from Crimea to the Shtetl
- Contemporary Art and Politics in Eastern Europe and Russia
- Translation: Theory and Practice
- Perspectives on Nonbinary, Gender-inclusive and Genderqueer Language
- The Person, Love and Utopia in Russian Thought
- Russian and Soviet Cinema: Innovation and Experiment
- Contemporary Russian Cinema
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Bulgarian and Portuguese at University College London earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £31,000 after 3 years, £42,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £32,500 and £57,000. The £42,500 median after five years is £9,500 more than the UK median for Iberian studies.
What do graduates of BA Bulgarian and Portuguese at University College London do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Bulgarian and Portuguese at University College London?
85% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Bulgarian and Portuguese at University College London?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 154 UCAS points.
Does BA Bulgarian and Portuguese at University College London include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Bulgarian and Portuguese at University College London?
91% of students continued into their second year, and 6% left higher education.