BA Finnish and Russian
About this course
BA in Finnish and Russian, a Russian Studies and Modern Languages degree focused on language acquisition and regional cultures. Core topics include Research Methods. The course includes a compulsory academic year abroad split across two terms in the third year. The first year covers foundational linguistic and cultural studies through Introduction to Nordic Studies 1, Finnish Language Level 1 and Introduction to Russian Studies I. The second year progresses with Finnish Language Level 2a-Comprehension, Finnish Language Level 2b-Production and Introduction to Finnish Society and Culture alongside options such as Nordic Politics and Society. The fourth year advances proficiency through Finnish Language Level 3a - Comprehension, Finnish Language Level 3b - Production, Advanced Finnish Society and Culture, Comprehension of Russian (Year 4) and Use of Russian (Year 4). Optional modules in later stages allow specialisation in areas such as Nordic Cinema, Translation: Theory and Practice, and Contemporary Art and Politics in Eastern Europe and Russia, with an option to complete an SSEES Research Project (Half).
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 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 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 Nordic Studies 1
- Introduction to Nordic Studies 2
- Finnish Language Level 1
- Introduction to Russian Studies I
- Introduction to Russian Studies II
- 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
- Finnish Language Level 2a-Comprehension
- Finnish Language Level 2b-Production
- Introduction to Finnish Society and Culture
- Nordic Literature in Context
- Nordic Politics and Society
- 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
- Year Abroad Term 1
- Year Abroad Term 2
- Finnish Language Level 3a - Comprehension
- Finnish Language Level 3b - Production
- Advanced Finnish Society and Culture
- Comprehension of Russian (Year 4)
- Use of Russian (Year 4)
- Crime and Small Communities in Nordic Literature
- Nordic Cinema
- Nordic Landscapes
- 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
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Finnish 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 Finnish 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 Finnish and Russian 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 Russian 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 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 Finnish and Russian at University College London?
89% of students continued into their second year, and 11% left higher education.