BA Russian and Portuguese
About this course
BA in Russian and Portuguese, a Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies and Russian Studies degree spanning linguistic and cultural traditions across two departments. Core topics include Research Methods. Students spend the third year on a year abroad. The first year covers initial foundations through Introduction to Portuguese Language and Lusophone Culture, The Brazilian Novel, and Introduction to Russian Studies I. The second year progresses with Intermediate Portuguese Language and Lusophone Culture, The Golden Age of Portuguese Travel Literature, and Afro-Brazilian Literature in Translation. The third year consists of terms abroad. The fourth year concludes studies with Advanced Portuguese Language and Lusophone Culture, Portugal and Its Empire in the 20th Century: Trajectories and Memories, and Comprehension of Russian (Year 4). Optional modules throughout the course allow students to explore subjects such as Russian Short Fiction from Romanticism to Postmodernism, Chekhov: The Quest for Freedom, and Contemporary Art and Politics in Eastern Europe and Russia.
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 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%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 15%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Sales occupations: 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
- Introduction to Portuguese Language and Lusophone Culture
- Introduction to Portuguese Literature
- The Brazilian Novel
- 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
- Intermediate Portuguese Language and Lusophone Culture
- The Golden Age of Portuguese Travel Literature
- Afro-Brazilian Literature in Translation
- 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
- SELCS Year Abroad Term 1
- SELCS Year Abroad Term 2
- Year Abroad Term 1
- Year Abroad Term 2
- Advanced Portuguese Language and Lusophone Culture
- Portugal and Its Empire in the 20th Century: Trajectories and Memories
- Short Fiction and the Making of Modern Brazil
- 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 Russian and Portuguese 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 £9,500 more than the UK median for Iberian studies.
What do graduates of BA Russian and Portuguese 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 Russian and Portuguese 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 Russian and Portuguese 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 Russian and Portuguese 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 Portuguese at University College London?
93% of students continued into their second year, and 6% left higher education.