BA Polish and Russian
About this course
BA in Polish and Russian, a Russian Studies degree centred on the language, history, literature and culture of Eastern Europe. Core topics include Research Methods. This four-year course includes a compulsory year abroad split across two terms for immersion. The first year establishes language and cultural foundations through modules such as War, Trauma and Memory in East European Cinema, Literature and Memory, Polish Language Level 1, Introduction to Russian Studies I, and Introduction to Russian Studies II. The second year advances linguistic proficiency and area studies via Polish Language Level 2a-Comprehension, Polish Language Level 2b-Production, Introduction to Polish Literature, and Writing from the Other Europe. The third year consists of Year Abroad Term 1 and Year Abroad Term 2. The final year consolidates advanced proficiency through Polish Language Level 3a - Comprehension, Polish Language Level 3b - Production, Polish Literature 3, Comprehension of Russian (Year 4), and Use of Russian (Year 4). Optional modules across the course span subjects like cinema, theatre, linguistics, and specific literary movements, with options including 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.)
See the highest paying Languages & English degrees in the UK →
What students say
Based on about 70 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 85%
- Learning opportunities: 83%
- Assessment and feedback: 80%
- Academic support: 91%
- Organisation and management: 80%
- Learning resources: 91%
- Student voice: 75%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 60 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 93%
- Left higher education: 6%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 1%
What graduates do next
Based on about 6 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 50%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 20%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 15%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 15%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Natural and social science professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
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: 84%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Access course: 1%
- A degree: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 3%
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
- 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
- Polish Language Level 2a-Comprehension
- Polish Language Level 2b-Production
- Introduction to Polish Literature
- Writing from the Other Europe
- 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
- Language and social justice: ideologies, politics, and participation
- Comprehension of Russian (Year 2A)
- Year Abroad Term 1
- Year Abroad Term 2
- Polish Language Level 3a - Comprehension
- Polish Language Level 3b - Production
- Polish Literature 3
- Comprehension of Russian (Year 4)
- Use of Russian (Year 4)
- Narratives of Exile
- Contemporary Art and Politics in Eastern Europe and Russia
- SSEES Research Project (Half)
- Chekhov: The Quest for Freedom
- The Person, Love and Utopia in Russian Thought
- Soviet Literature in Revolution: Experiments with Fictional Forms, 1917-1953
- Russian and Soviet Cinema: Innovation and Experiment
- Contemporary Russian Cinema
- Russian Poetry in the Silver Age
- Late-Soviet and Post-Soviet Literature and Culture
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Polish and Russian at University College London earn?
The median salary is £31,000 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 Russian at University College London do next?
75% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Polish and Russian at University College London?
85% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA Polish and Russian at University College London?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 150 UCAS points.
Does BA Polish 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 Polish and Russian at University College London?
93% of students continued into their second year, and 6% left higher education.