BA Danish and Russian
About this course
BA in Danish and Russian, a German and Russian studies degree centred on linguistic, literary and cultural traditions across northern and eastern Europe. Core topics include Research Methods. The course spans four academic years, incorporating a compulsory year abroad for language immersion. Teaching is split between the School of Slavonic and East European Studies and the School of European Languages, Culture and Society. The first year covers foundational language and cultural modules through Introduction to Danish Language and Culture and Introduction to Russian Studies I. The second year progresses to intermediate language study alongside options such as Intermediate Danish Language and Culture and Viking-Age Scandinavia A. The third year is spent abroad. The final year focuses on advanced proficiency and specialized study, featuring compulsory modules such as Advanced Danish Language and Culture and Comprehension of Russian (Year 4). Optional modules allow specialization in areas such as Northern Sites and Cities: Perspectives of Urban and Cultural Geographies of the Nordic Region and Contemporary Art and Politics in Eastern Europe and Russia, supported by project work.
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, 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 Danish Language and Culture
- Introduction to Nordic Studies 1
- Introduction to Nordic Studies 2
- Introduction to Russian Studies I
- Introduction to Russian Studies II
- Literature and Memory
- 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
- Representations of Russia
- Russian and Soviet Cinema: History, Ideology, Society
- Intermediate Danish Language and Culture
- Intermediate Danish Language and Culture 2
- Intermediate Swedish Language and Culture
- Intermediate Swedish Language and Culture 1
- Intermediate Norwegian Language and Culture
- Intermediate Norwegian Language and Culture 1
- Intermediate Icelandic Language and Culture
- Intermediate Icelandic Language and Culture 1
- Nordic Literature in Context
- Intermediate Old Norse
- Viking-Age Scandinavia A
- SELCS Year Abroad Term 1
- SELCS Year Abroad Term 2
- Year Abroad Term 1
- Year Abroad Term 2
- Advanced Danish Language and Culture
- Advanced Project Work in Danish, Norwegian or Swedish
- Comprehension of Russian (Year 4)
- Use of Russian (Year 4)
- Northern Sites and Cities: Perspectives of Urban and Cultural Geographies of the Nordic Region
- Translation from the Scandinavian Languages
- Vikings and Valkyries in Contemporary Culture
- Narratives of Exile
- Contemporary Art and Politics in Eastern Europe and Russia
- 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 Danish 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 £10,000 more than the UK median for German and Scandinavian studies.
What do graduates of BA Danish 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 Danish 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 Danish 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 Danish 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 Danish and Russian at University College London?
91% of students continued into their second year, and 6% left higher education.