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Russian Studies BA

London, Bloomsbury

Knowledge of Russian gives you direct access to a fascinating cultural and historical tradition and brings you closer to one of the world's most dynamic geopolitical regions. This degree cultivates a high proficiency in Russian language and develops your skills in analysis, presentation, problem-solving and intercultural understanding.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
4 academic years
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£9,250
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£28,100
Programme starts
September 2024
Application deadline
31 Jan 2024
UCAS course code
R700

Entry requirements

A levels IB Diploma Other qualifications
Grades
ABB
Subjects
No specific subjects. At least two A level subjects should be taken from UCL's list of preferred A level subjects.
GCSEs
English Language and a foreign language (other than Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew or Latin) at grade B or 6, plus Mathematics at grade C or 5.

Contextual offer information

Grades
BBB more about contextual offers
Subjects
No specific subjects. At least two A level subjects should be taken from UCL's list of preferred A level subjects.
GCSEs
English Language and a foreign language (other than Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew or Latin) at grade B or 6, plus Mathematics at grade C or 5.
Points
34
Subjects
A total of 16 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5.

Contextual offer

Points
32 more about contextual offers
Subjects
A total of 15 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5.

UK applicants qualifications

For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:

Equivalent qualification

Pass in Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 30 credits at Distinction, 12 credits at Merit and 3 credits at Pass in the Level 3 units.

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF) or BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF - teaching from 2016) with Distinction, Distinction, Distinction.

D3,M1,M1 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects

ABB at Advanced Highers (or AB at Advanced Higher and BBB at Higher)

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades ABB.

International applications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

Access and widening participation

UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.
Check your Access UCL Scheme eligibility

Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates

The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.

Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.

For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.

English language requirements

The English language level for this programme is: Level 3

Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.

A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.

Course overview


The Russian Studies BA offers comprehensive language training alongside literature and culture, politics and history modules focussing on the region. You have the option to specialise depending on your interests.

We teach language from beginners level but also for those who already have knowledge of the language (post A-level) and our small class sizes mean students reach high levels of proficiency at the end of your four years' study.

Your third year is spent abroad. This will not only bring the language and culture you are studying to life, but also strengthen your resourcefulness and self-reliance.

What this course will give you

The programme is highly compatible with students with little or no previous knowledge of Russian (Mode One), and also for students with Russian A level or equivalent (Mode Two).

You will have the opportunity to learn from academics who are experts in language, literature, film, history, economics, and politics. There is a large range of cultural options to choose from. 

You will spend your third year studying abroad.

UCL SSEES is the largest national centre in the UK for the study of Central, Eastern and South-East Europe and Russia. The SSEES Library contains over 400,000 books, journals and film resources.

Teaching and learning

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded a BA (Hons) in Russian Studies.

Modules

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Compulsory Russian language modules form part of years one, two and four for all students. The degree features three tracks which allow for specialisation depending on your own interests:

Literature and Culture
Politics and Culture
History and Culture

You do not have to indicate your choice of track on application to the programme. 

Your third year is spent abroad. This will not only bring the language and culture you are studying to life, but also strengthen your resourcefulness and self-reliance.

You will spend this year studying at a university in the region. Further Information on the SSEES Year Abroad can be found on the SSEES website.

Immersing yourself in the language and culture will significantly improve your language fluency and the depth of your understanding. 

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Optional modules










Optional modules





The Petersburg 'Text' in Russian Literature and Culture: From Romanticism to Modernism


Compulsory modules




Your learning

You will follow an integrated language programme including classes in written and spoken Russian. In both language and content courses, we offer lively and varied teaching methods including lectures, seminars and small classes in which the focus is on active student participation.

Each student will engage in 1200 learning hours every year, made up of teaching time (lectures, seminars and workshops), independent study, assessment and feedback.

Assessment

You will be assessed by written, oral and aural examinations, presentations, coursework essays, and a dissertation. Some elements of assessment throughout the programme count towards your final degree while others are used to monitor your progress and provide you with advice on how to improve.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

History, Politics and Economics Information Session

Watch this video to find out more about UCL's History, Politics and Economics programme, entry requirements, course structure and other helpful information. Recorded Spring 2024.

Watch on demand event

Online - Open day

Politics and Sociology Information Session

Watch this video to find out more about UCL's Politics and Sociology programme, entry requirements, course structure and other helpful information. Recorded Spring 2024.

Watch on demand event

The foundation of your career

Leading figures from government and business regularly stress the need for well-qualified Russianists. Our students are capable of taking on employment in a variety of fields where use of Russian is key. A degree with Russian can lead to a career in journalism, in the civil service, as well as in cross-border businesses and financial organisations. 

Employability

Graduates will be equipped with Russian language skills and an understanding of the political, economic and cultural factors involved in Russian society. These attributes are sought after by governmental and non-governmental organisations, consultancies, as well as commercial, finance and media organisations (particularly those with cross-border practices or activities). 

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £9,250
Tuition fees (2024/25) £28,100

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2024/25 academic year. The UK fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2024/25 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.

Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs.

In addition, please note that if you study abroad during your programme at UCL, this is likely to incur additional costs. Studying abroad may cost between £200–£1,000 per month depending on where you choose to study. The cost of studying abroad can be difficult to predict as it will depend on your priorities and choices. There is more information available on the UCL Study Abroad website.

A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).

Funding your studies

Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Scholarships

The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.

Next steps

How to apply

Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.

Selection

For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.

We will assess your application and then decide whether to make you an offer. If you are offered a place on the programme you will be invited to an offer holder day. This will include talks from staff about the programme, available language options, and student life at SSEES. You will have the opportunity to ask questions, and will take a tour of UCL led by current students.

Download prospectus

Got questions? Get in touch

SSEES - School of Slavonic and East European Studies
SSEES - School of Slavonic and East European Studies

ssees-lc@ucl.ac.uk

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