BA Bulgarian and Russian
About this course
BA in Bulgarian and Russian, a Russian Studies degree centred on acquiring language proficiency and cultural understanding. Core topics include Research Methods. Students spend a mandatory year abroad during the third academic year to gain firsthand regional experience. The first year introduces foundational linguistic skills and cultural topics through compulsory modules such as Bulgarian Language Level 1, Literature and Memory, and Introduction to Russian Studies I. During the second year, students build further competence through Bulgarian Language Level 2a-Comprehension, Bulgarian Language Level 2b-Production, and Writing from the Other Europe. The third academic year consists of a structured year abroad split across two terms. The final year involves advanced language acquisition and independent research, featuring compulsory modules like Bulgarian Language Level 3a - Comprehension, Comprehension of Russian (Year 4), and a Free-standing Dissertation. Optional modules throughout the degree allow students to study subjects such as Russian and Soviet Cinema: Innovation and Experiment, Translation: Theory and Practice, and Minority Languages of Russia: Cultural, Linguistic Diversity and Endangerment.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
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 and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Sales occupations: 5%
- 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
- Bulgarian Language Level 1
- Literature and Memory
- Introduction to Russian Studies I
- Introduction to Russian Studies II
- War, Trauma and Memory in East European Cinema
- 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
- Old Church Slavonic and Comparative Slavonic Grammar as a Language Learning Strategy
- Comprehension of Russian (Year 1A)
- Use of Russian (Year 1A)
- Comprehension of Russian (Year 1)
- Use of Russian (Year 1)
- Russian Short Fiction from Romanticism to Postmodernism
- Bulgarian Language Level 2a-Comprehension
- Bulgarian Language Level 2b-Production
- Writing from the Other Europe
- Introduction to Bulgarian Culture and Literature
- 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
- Language and social justice: ideologies, politics, and participation
- Comprehension of Russian (Year 2A)
- Year Abroad Term 1
- Year Abroad Term 2
- Bulgarian Language Level 3a - Comprehension
- Bulgarian Language Level 3b - Production
- Comprehension of Russian (Year 4)
- Use of Russian (Year 4)
- 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
- SSEES Research Project (Half)
- Chekhov: The Quest for Freedom
- The Person, Love and Utopia in Russian Thought
- Soviet Literature in Revolution: Experiments with Fictional Forms, 1917-1953
- Russian and Soviet Cinema: Innovation and Experiment
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Bulgarian and Russian 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 £6,000 more than the UK median for Slavic studies.
What do graduates of BA Bulgarian and Russian 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 Russian 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 Russian 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 Russian 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 Russian at University College London?
91% of students continued into their second year, and 6% left higher education.