BA Polish and Serbian/Croatian
About this course
BA in Polish and Serbian/Croatian, a School of Slavonic and East European Studies degree centred on the linguistic traditions, literature, and cultures associated with both languages over four academic years. Core topics include Research Methods. The course includes a compulsory year abroad split across two terms in the third year. The first year covers foundational language acquisition through Polish Language Level 1 and Serbian and Croatian Language Level 1, alongside compulsory studies in War, Trauma and Memory in East European Cinema and Literature and Memory, with optional modules available such as How Words Work: Sounds and Sense. The second year advances proficiency with Polish Language Level 2a-Comprehension, Polish Language Level 2b-Production, Introduction to Polish Literature, Serbian and Croatian Language Level 2a-Comprehension, Serbian and Croatian Language Level 2b-Production, and Introduction to Serbian and Croatian Literature, supplemented by courses like Writing from the Other Europe. The third year consists of Year Abroad Term 1 and Year Abroad Term 2. The fourth year focuses on advanced mastery through Polish Language Level 3a - Comprehension, Polish Language Level 3b - Production, Polish Literature 3, Serbian and Croatian Language Level 3a - Comprehension, Serbian and Croatian Language Level 3b - Production, and Serbian and Croatian Literature 3, with an option to complete 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 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
- War, Trauma and Memory in East European Cinema
- Literature and Memory
- Polish Language Level 1
- Serbian and Croatian Language Level 1
- How Words Work: Sounds and Sense
- Narratives of Exile
- 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
- Writing from the Other Europe
- Polish Language Level 2a-Comprehension
- Polish Language Level 2b-Production
- Introduction to Polish Literature
- Serbian and Croatian Language Level 2a-Comprehension
- Serbian and Croatian Language Level 2b-Production
- Introduction to Serbian and Croatian Literature
- How Words Work: Sounds and Sense
- Narratives of Exile
- 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
- Year Abroad Term 1
- Year Abroad Term 2
- Polish Language Level 3a - Comprehension
- Polish Language Level 3b - Production
- Polish Literature 3
- Serbian and Croatian Language Level 3a - Comprehension
- Serbian and Croatian Language Level 3b - Production
- Serbian and Croatian Literature 3
- Free-standing Dissertation
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Polish and Serbian/Croatian 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 Polish and Serbian/Croatian 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 Polish and Serbian/Croatian 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 Polish and Serbian/Croatian 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 Polish and Serbian/Croatian at University College London include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Polish and Serbian/Croatian at University College London?
91% of students continued into their second year, and 6% left higher education.