BA Finnish and Swedish
About this course
BA in Finnish and Swedish, a modern languages degree centred on the study of language, culture, and literature within German and Modern Languages. Core topics include Research Methods. This four-year degree includes a year abroad. The first year covers the foundations through Introduction to Swedish Language and Culture, Introduction to Nordic Studies 1, Introduction to Nordic Studies 2, and Finnish Language Level 1, with options such as How Words Work: Sounds and Sense. The second year progresses through Intermediate Swedish Language and Culture, Finnish Language Level 2a-Comprehension, Finnish Language Level 2b-Production, and Introduction to Finnish Society and Culture, alongside optional choices like Intermediate Icelandic Language and Culture. The third year involves spending time abroad. The fourth year concludes the programme with Advanced Swedish Language and Culture, Advanced Project Work in Danish, Norwegian or Swedish, Finnish Language Level 3a - Comprehension, Finnish Language Level 3b - Production, and Advanced Finnish Society and Culture, supported by options such as Translation from the Scandinavian Languages 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: 50%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 5%
- 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 Swedish Language and Culture
- Introduction to Nordic Studies 1
- Introduction to Nordic Studies 2
- Finnish Language Level 1
- 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
- War, Trauma and Memory in East European Cinema
- Minority Languages of Russia: Cultural, Linguistic Diversity and Endangerment
- Staging Europe: Modern European Drama and Theatre
- Literature and Memory
- 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
- Intermediate Swedish Language and Culture
- Finnish Language Level 2a-Comprehension
- Finnish Language Level 2b-Production
- Introduction to Finnish Society and Culture
- Intermediate Danish Language and Culture 2
- 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
- Intermediate Icelandic Language and Culture 2
- SELCS Year Abroad Term 1
- SELCS Year Abroad Term 2
- Year Abroad Term 1
- Year Abroad Term 2
- Advanced Swedish Language and Culture
- Advanced Project Work in Danish, Norwegian or Swedish
- Finnish Language Level 3a - Comprehension
- Finnish Language Level 3b - Production
- Advanced Finnish Society and Culture
- 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
- Viking-Age Scandinavia A
- Narratives of Exile
- Crossroads of Culture: Language and Identity in the Literatures of Ukraine from Crimea to the Shtetl
- Perspectives on Nonbinary, Gender-inclusive and Genderqueer Language
- Free-standing Dissertation
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Finnish and Swedish 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 Finnish and Swedish at University College London do next?
70% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Finnish and Swedish 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 Swedish 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 Swedish 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 Swedish at University College London?
89% of students continued into their second year, and 11% left higher education.