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Bulgarian and East European Studies BA

London, Bloomsbury

Learn to speak and write in Bulgarian, and open up career opportunities in Bulgaria’s quickly developing economy. The School of Slavonic and East European Studies (SSEES) is one of the largest departments in the UK for the study of Bulgarian. This programme offers the opportunity to gain excellent language skills, experience a year abroad, and acquire profound knowledge of  literature, history and culture that will prepare you for a wide variety of careers.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
4 academic years
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£9,535
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£29,800
Programme starts
September 2026
Application deadline
14 Jan 2026
UCAS course code
R781
Apply via UCAS

Entry requirements

A levels IB Diploma Other qualifications
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 at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 4.

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 at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 4.
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

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.

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF) or BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF - teaching from 2016) with Distinction, Distinction, Distinction.

D3,M1,M1 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects

ABB at Advanced Highers (AB at Advanced Higher and BBB at Higher)

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.
Check your Access UCL Scheme eligibility

Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates

The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.

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

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 Bulgarian, whether you begin with no prior knowledge or already have some 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, as well as explore the historical and political landscape of Bulgaria and its neighbouring countries.

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 partner university in the region.

What this course will give you

We provide an ideal environment for language study. We offer a wide range of languages and state-of-the-art facilities, including a well-equipped language learning suite, and many of our academic staff are world-leaders in their fields.

The Year Abroad gives you the chance to attend a university  overseas. During this time you will finesse your language skills in your target language and gain valuable experience which will enhance future learning as well as career prospects.

UCL has a very international population, meaning you will meet people from all over the world, which provides numerous opportunities to practise and speak your chosen languages with native speakers and learn about the associated cultures and societies from them. 

Our location in London provides access to frequent and varied cultural events, such as The Language Show, a huge range of museums, galleries, specialist libraries and bookshops, theatres, cinemas, cuisines and cultural societies and visits from embassies of the region. 

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 480 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.

You will spend the first two years at UCL gaining expertise in the productive and receptive skills of your selected language as well as gaining a more developed understanding of the literature, cinema, politics, linguistics, history, culture and society of the countries where the target languages are spoken. For all language combinations, there is a compulsory year abroad in year 3 during which you will spend the term studying at a partner university. The final year is based at UCL where you will continue to study a range of advanced-level modules on language, applied language (e.g. translation), literature, history, film and linguistics. A final-year dissertation module is available should you wish to undertake a self-initiated project which builds on the independent research skills developed over the course of your programme of study.

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4

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 is available on our website.

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

Your language classes focus on developing the active skills of speaking, listening, writing and reading through a variety of methods and media. You will be taught through a combination of lectures and seminars, as well as undertaking web-based study and group work.

Typical contact hours vary between 8-12 hours per week, depending on the year of study and module choice, and include lectures, seminars, practice-based activities and e-learning activities. Students will also display a level of independent study (25-30 hours per week), for example, by engaging with key topics and required readings in preparation for the discussions promoted in the programme.

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 and Wellbeing Services team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Economics and Business at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies information video

Watch this video to find out more about School of Slavonic and East European Studies Economics and Business at UCL, including entry requirements, course structure and other helpful information. Recorded Spring 2024.

Watch on demand event

Online - Open day

History, Politics and Economics information video

Watch this video to find out more about History, Politics and Economics at UCL, including entry requirements, course structure and other helpful information. Recorded Spring 2024.

Watch on demand event

Online - Open day

Languages and Culture at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies information video

Watch this video to find out more about School of Slavonic and East European Studies Languages and Culture at UCL, including entry requirements, course structure and other helpful information. Recorded Spring 2024.

Watch on demand event

The foundation of your career

Popular career paths for modern language graduates include teaching and education (13.8%), accountancy and financial services (10.9%), publishing, journalism or translation (10.1%)  hospitality, leisure and tourism (8.1%) retail and wholesale (7.7%) health and social care (6.1%), IT and Technology (5.3%) performance and creative arts (4.5%) PT, advertising and marketing (4.5%), HR (4%) and media (4%). 

Employers of our graduates include KPMG, Barclays Bank, Bloomberg, BBC, British Council, Business Insider, Deutsche Bank, Houses of Parliament, Ipsos MORI, L'Oreal, London Theatre Company, Lonely Planet, Natural History Museum, PwC,Teach First,  and UK Government. Some graduates pursue careers that make special use of their language skills, including translating, interpreting and teaching, while others continue with graduate training, further study or academic research (5%).* 

*Graduate Outcomes survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of UK and EU graduates in the 2017-2022 cohorts.

Employability

There are many career opportunities for UCL's modern language graduates. We seek to embed within our teaching the acquisition of transferable skills as well as linguistic and cultural knowledge. Our students hone skills in critical reasoning, independent thinking and application of theoretical concepts which strongly place you to find employment in international organisations, and particularly careers which cross international boundaries and use languages.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £9,535
Tuition fees (2025/26) £29,800

Fees are for Undergraduate 2025/26 entry and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases and are subject to the passing of secondary legislation. Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2025/26 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.

Additional costs

There are no programme-specific costs for this programme apart from those associated with study abroad.

Please note that study abroad during your programme at UCL 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.

For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide. 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.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

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

Your application

We are looking for applicants who express a genuine interest in studying languages and culture and who can evidence independent engagement with the subject. We are interested in hearing your own views and opinions. For instance, if you have undertaken additional reading, tell us what you thought about the topic discussed. Relevant skills include: communication, critical evaluation, creative thinking.

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.

Apply via UCAS
Application guidelines
Download prospectus

Got questions? Get in touch

SSEES - School of Slavonic and East European Studies
SSEES - School of Slavonic and East European Studies

ugadmissions@ssees.ucl.ac.uk

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