Bulgarian and East European Studies BA
London, Bloomsbury
Bulgaria has a rich cultural heritage and a strongly developing economy where specialists in Bulgarian are needed. This programme provides the opportunity to gain excellent language skills and a profound knowledge of Bulgaria's literature, history and culture - combined with an in-depth understanding of the region of Central and Eastern Europe.
Study mode
Duration
UK tuition fees (2023/24)
Overseas tuition fees (2023/24)
Programme starts
September 2023Application deadline
25 Jan 2023UCAS course code
Entry requirements
- 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
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF) or BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF - teaching from 2016) with Distinction, Distinction, Distinction.
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.
Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades ABB.
ABB at Advanced Highers (AB at Advanced Higher and BBB at Higher)
D3,M1,M1 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
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.Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates
UCL Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPCs) are intensive one-year foundation courses for international students of high academic potential who are aiming to gain access to undergraduate degree programmes at UCL and other top UK universities.
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
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If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency. 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
Your degree will train you to the highest level of proficiency in speaking, writing and understanding in your chosen language(s), whether you begin with no prior knowledge or already have a good command of the language. As you progress through the degree, compulsory language modules are tailored to your existing knowledge. You will also take compulsory modules on literature and culture.
You will be encouraged to develop and pursue your own interests by choosing your optional modules from within three pathways:
Language and Literature
Social Science
History
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 normally spend this year studying at a university in your chosen country, but alternatives, such as work placements, may be possible.
What this course will give you
You will gain a thorough grounding in the Bulgarian language and culture, supplemented by a choice of optional cultural, historical, and social science modules. You will spend your third year abroad.
The UCL School of Slavonic & Eastern European Studies (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.
You will benefit from frequent visits and lectures by prominent political, artistic and academic figures—prime ministers, foreign ministers, professors and writers.
You will be able to make the most of the huge benefits of studying in London, a global city with sizeable east European communities. This city hosts a wide range of cultural events with an east European dimension.
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 Bulgarian and East European 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.
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Your degree will train you to the highest level of proficiency in speaking, writing and understanding in your chosen language(s), whether you begin with no prior knowledge or already have a good command of the language. As you progress through the degree, compulsory language modules are tailored to your existing knowledge. You will also take compulsory modules on literature and culture.
Year 1: Language modules (either Level 1-ab initio or Level 2 with existing knowledge), compulsory cultural modules, optional modules from a wide range of options.
Year 2: Language modules (either Level 2 or Level 3), compulsory cultural modules, optional modules from a wide range of options.
Year 3: 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 normally spend this year studying at a university in your chosen country, but alternatives, such as work placements, may be possible.
Year 4: Language modules at Level 3 or a Freestanding Dissertation, compulsory cultural modules, optional modules from a wide range of options.
You will be encouraged to develop and pursue your own interests by choosing your optional modules from within three pathways, but it is not compulsory to stay on the same pathway throughout all years of the programme:
Language and Literature
Social Science
History
Compulsory module(s)
You will take 30 credits of compulsory Bulgarian language in each year of study, accompanied by credits in literature/culture.
Optional modules
Optional modules include culture, literature and cinema across SSEES and SELCS as well as a choice of interdepartmental modules.
Guidance and resources on SSEES modules and programme structure can be found in the SSEES handbook.
Compulsory module(s)
You will take 30 credits of compulsory Bulgarian language in each year of study, accompanied by credits in literature/culture.
Optional modules
Optional modules include culture, literature and cinema across SSEES and SELCS as well as a choice of interdepartmental modules.
Guidance and resources on SSEES modules and programme structure can be found in the SSEES handbook.
Year abroad
Your third year is spent abroad, split between two countries where your chosen languages are spoken. This will not only bring the language and cultures you are studying to life, but also strengthen your resourcefulness and self-reliance. You will normally spend this year studying at a university in your chosen countries, but alternatives, such as work placements, may be possible. Information on the SSEES Year Abroad can be found at https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ssees/study-us/undergraduate-programmes/ssees-year-abroad
Compulsory module(s)
You will take 30 credits of compulsory Bulgarian language in each year of study, accompanied by credits in literature/culture.
Optional modules
Optional modules include culture, literature and cinema across SSEES and SELCS as well as a choice of interdepartmental modules.
Guidance and resources on SSEES modules and programme structure can be found in the SSEES handbook.
Your learning
We have dedicated resources for language teaching, including technological support through computer-aided language learning facilities, video and DVD materials, and the Internet. The methods we will use to teach and assess you are varied, to ensure that they are best suited to the knowledge and skills being imparted or measured.
Assessment
Assessment will include written, oral and aural examinations, presentations, extended essays and a a dissertation.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.
The foundation of your career
With developed skills in critical reasoning, independent thinking and application of theoretical concepts you will be strongly placed to find employment in international organisations, particularly careers which cross international boundaries and use languages. Career prospects are likely to include finance, media, diplomacy, education, translation, research, and consultancy.
Employability
The programme is designed to equip you with language fluency, cultural competence, historical knowledge and social understanding. Your ability to consider issues from an international perspective will be greatly enhanced and you will learn how to conduct research and to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Fees and funding
Fees for this course
| Fee description | Full-time |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees (2023/24) | £9,250 |
| Tuition fees (2023/24) | £26,200 |
The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2023/24 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 2023/24 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: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate/funding-your-studies.
Additional costs
This programme has no additional costs.
In addition, please note that if you wish to 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.
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.
If you are successful in obtaining an offer, you will normally be invited to an applicant open day, comprising introductory talks about SSEES and your degree, as well as a tour of UCL. You will also meet with a member of the teaching staff for your chosen degree programme.
