BA Russian and History
About this course
BA in Russian and History, a Russian Studies and History degree focused on historical analysis and language proficiency. Students spend the third academic year studying abroad. The first year covers introductory foundations through Introduction to Russian Studies I, Introduction to Russian Studies II, Frontiers of History II, and Frontiers of History 1. The second year allows students to select from various cultural and linguistic modules including Old Church Slavonic and Comparative Slavonic Grammar as a Language Learning Strategy, Russian Poetry from Pushkin to Brodsky, and Chekhov: The Quest for Freedom. The third year consists of Year Abroad Term 1 and Year Abroad Term 2. The fourth year focuses on advanced language work through Comprehension of Russian (Year 4) and Use of Russian (Year 4), alongside optional choices such as Society and Politics in Late Imperial Russia, The Balkans from Empires to Nation-States, and Fascism and Authoritarianism in Eastern Europe ,1918-1945.
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 (History required.) IB: 34 points (A total of 16 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5. History required.)
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 81%: 13 offers from 16 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 176 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 83%
- Assessment and feedback: 82%
- Academic support: 92%
- Organisation and management: 75%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 72%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 53 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 66%
- Working and studying: 9%
- Further study: 20%
- Unemployed: 2%
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: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 65%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 235 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 6%
- East of England: 9%
- London: 59%
- South East: 12%
- South West: 5%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 80%
- Baccalaureate: 10%
- Access course: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Introduction to Russian Studies I
- Introduction to Russian Studies II
- Frontiers of History II
- Frontiers of History 1
- History of the Habsburg Monarchy 1700-1918
- History of Russia 1598-1856
- 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
- Minority Languages of Russia: Cultural, Linguistic Diversity and Endangerment
- Old Church Slavonic and Comparative Slavonic Grammar as a Language Learning Strategy
- Comprehension of Russian (Year 2A)
- Use of Russian (Year 2A)
- Comprehension of Russian (Year 2)
- Use of Russian (Year 2)
- Russian Poetry from Pushkin to Brodsky
- Russian and Soviet Cinema: Gender, Sexuality, and Biopolitics
- Chekhov: The Quest for Freedom
- The Person, Love and Utopia in Russian Thought
- Year Abroad Term 1
- Year Abroad Term 2
- Comprehension of Russian (Year 4)
- Use of Russian (Year 4)
- Between Politics and Culture: German Ideas 1890 - 1970
- Broadcasting Modernity: A Global History of Radio and Television in the Twentieth Century
- Crown Church and Estates in Central Europe 1500-1700
- Poland and Lithuania Transformed, 1569-1923
- Monarchs and the Enlightenment in Russia and Central Europe I
- Fascism and Authoritarianism in Eastern Europe ,1918-1945
- The Balkans from Empires to Nation-States
- Society and Politics in Late Imperial Russia
- Life Writing: Memory and Identity in Twentieth Century Europe
- The Contested Country: A History of Hungary, 1790-1990
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Russian and History at University College London earn?
The median salary is £29,000 after 15 months, £29,000 after 3 years, £40,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £31,500 and £53,500. The £40,000 median after five years is £3,500 more than the UK median for Slavic studies.
What do graduates of BA Russian and History at University College London do next?
95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Russian and History at University College London?
91% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA Russian and History at University College London?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 172 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Russian and History at University College London?
81% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 13 offers from 16 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BA Russian and History at University College London include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Russian and History at University College London?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.