BA Finnish and Portuguese
About this course
BA in Finnish and Portuguese, a modern languages degree focusing on the linguistic study and cultural contexts of Finland and the Portuguese-speaking world within Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies and Modern Languages. Core topics include Research Methods. The course spans four academic years, featuring a year abroad and teaching shared across the School of Slavonic and East European Studies and the School of European Languages, Culture and Society. The first year establishes foundational linguistic and cultural knowledge through Introduction to Portuguese Language and Lusophone Culture, Introduction to Portuguese Literature, The Brazilian Novel, and Finnish Language Level 1. The second year progresses with Intermediate Portuguese Language and Lusophone Culture, The Golden Age of Portuguese Travel Literature, Afro-Brazilian Literature in Translation, and Finnish Language Level 2a-Comprehension, alongside optional choices such as Nordic Literature in Context, Nordic Politics and Society, and Nordic Landscapes. The third year consists of a year abroad spent studying or working. The final year involves advanced study 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, and Finnish Language Level 3a - Comprehension, with further options including Crime and Small Communities in Nordic Literature, Nordic Cinema, and a Free-standing Dissertation.
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 39 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 83%
- Assessment and feedback: 79%
- Academic support: 92%
- Organisation and management: 63%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 77%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 60 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 89%
- Left higher education: 11%
What graduates do next
Based on about 10 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 55%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 15%
- 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: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
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 120 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 81%
- Baccalaureate: 8%
- Access course: 2%
- A degree: 2%
- Other HE qualification: 1%
- Other qualifications: 3%
- No formal qualifications: 4%
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
- Introduction to Nordic Studies 1
- Introduction to Nordic Studies 2
- Finnish Language Level 1
- Intermediate Portuguese Language and Lusophone Culture
- The Golden Age of Portuguese Travel Literature
- Afro-Brazilian Literature in Translation
- Finnish Language Level 2a-Comprehension
- Finnish Language Level 2b-Production
- Introduction to Finnish Society and Culture
- Nordic Literature in Context
- Nordic Politics and Society
- Nordic Landscapes
- 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
- 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
- Finnish Language Level 3a - Comprehension
- Finnish Language Level 3b - Production
- Advanced Finnish Society and Culture
- Crime and Small Communities in Nordic Literature
- Nordic Cinema
- Perspectives on Nonbinary, Gender-inclusive and Genderqueer Language
- Free-standing Dissertation
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Finnish 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 Finnish 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 Finnish and Portuguese at University College London?
90% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Finnish and Portuguese at University College London?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 156 UCAS points.
Does BA Finnish 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 Finnish and Portuguese at University College London?
89% of students continued into their second year, and 11% left higher education.