BA Russian and Swedish
About this course
BA in Russian and Swedish, a degree in German and Russian Studies spanning Slavic and Nordic cultures, linguistics, and literature. Core topics include Research Methods. This four-year undergraduate programme incorporates a year abroad and is taught across two distinct departments. The first year covers foundational language and cultural studies through modules such as Introduction to Swedish Language and Culture, Introduction to Nordic Studies 1, Introduction to Russian Studies I, and Russian Short Fiction from Romanticism to Postmodernism. The second year progresses with intermediate study, including Intermediate Swedish Language and Culture and Nordic Literature in Context. The third year consists of an integrated year abroad spent studying or working in the relevant regions. The final year involves advanced language mastery and specialized topics through compulsory modules like Advanced Swedish Language and Culture, Advanced Project Work in Danish, Norwegian or Swedish, Comprehension of Russian (Year 4), and Use of Russian (Year 4). Optional modules in the final year allow further exploration into areas such as Northern Sites and Cities: Perspectives of Urban and Cultural Geographies of the Nordic Region, Translation from the Scandinavian Languages, and Soviet Literature in Revolution: Experiments with Fictional Forms, 1917-1953.
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 Swedish Language and Culture
- Introduction to Nordic Studies 1
- Introduction to Nordic Studies 2
- 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 Swedish Language and Culture
- Intermediate Danish Language and Culture 2
- Intermediate Swedish Language and Culture 1
- Intermediate Norwegian Language and Culture
- Intermediate Norwegian Language and Culture 1
- Intermediate Icelandic Language and Culture
- Intermediate Icelandic Language and Culture 1
- Nordic Literature in Context
- Intermediate Old Norse
- Intermediate Icelandic Language and Culture 2
- SELCS Year Abroad Term 1
- SELCS Year Abroad Term 2
- Year Abroad Term 1
- Year Abroad Term 2
- Advanced Swedish Language and Culture
- Advanced Project Work in Danish, Norwegian or Swedish
- Comprehension of Russian (Year 4)
- Use of Russian (Year 4)
- Northern Sites and Cities: Perspectives of Urban and Cultural Geographies of the Nordic Region
- Translation from the Scandinavian Languages
- Vikings and Valkyries in Contemporary Culture
- Viking-Age Scandinavia A
- 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
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Russian and Swedish 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 £10,000 more than the UK median for German and Scandinavian studies.
What do graduates of BA Russian and Swedish 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 Swedish 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 Swedish 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 Swedish 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 Swedish at University College London?
93% of students continued into their second year, and 6% left higher education.