Russian Studies BA

A Levels

UK applicants qualifications

For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:

International applications

In addition to A level and International Baccalaureate, UCL considers a wide range of international qualifications for entry to its undergraduate degree programmes.

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: www.ucl.ac.uk/upc.

English language requirements

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.

The English language level for this programme is: Good

A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.

• The programme is highly compatible with students with little or no previous knowledge of Russian (Mode One), and also for students with Russian A level or equivalent (Mode Two).

• You will have the opportunity to learn from academics who are experts in language, literature, film, history, economics, and politics. There is a large range of cultural options to choose from. 

• You will spend your third year studying in Russia. If you are starting this degree programme with no prior knowledge of Russian, your first year will also involve a month in Russia. 

• UCL 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.

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).

Compulsory Russian language modules form part of years one, two and four for all students. The degree features three tracks which allow for specialisation depending on your own interests:

Literature and Culture
Politics and Culture
History and Culture

You do not have to indicate your choice of track on application to the programme. 

Your third year is spent in Russia. The department can offer a choice of options not only in Moscow and St Petersburg but also in other cities. Immersing yourself in the language and culture of Russia will significantly improve your language fluency and the depth of your understanding. 

Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded a BA (Hons) in Russian 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.

Your learning

You will follow an integrated language programme including classes in written and spoken Russian. In both language and content courses, we offer lively and varied teaching methods including lectures, seminars and small classes in which the focus is on active student participation.

Assessment

You will be assessed by written, oral and aural examinations, presentations, coursework essays, and a dissertation. Some elements of assessment throughout the programme count towards your final degree while others are used to monitor your progress and provide you with advice on how to improve.

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.

Graduates will be equipped with Russian language skills and an understanding of the political, economic and cultural factors involved in Russian society. These attributes are sought after by governmental and non-governmental organisations, consultancies, as well as commercial, finance and media organisations (particularly those with cross-border practices or activities). 

Leading figures from government and business regularly stress the need for well-qualified Russianists. Our students are capable of taking on employment in a variety of fields where use of Russian is key. A degree with Russian can lead to a career in journalism, in the civil service, as well as in cross-border businesses and financial organisations. 

UCL is commited to helping you get the best start after graduation. Read more about how UCL Careers and UCL Innovation and Enterprise can help you find employment or learn about entrepreneurship.

Tuition fees

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2020/21 academic year. The UK/EU 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 2020/21 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.

UK/EU students

£9,250 (2020/21)

Overseas students

£21,260 (2020/21)

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

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 –£1000 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

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.

Departmental scholarships

Funding opportunities relevant to the department may appear in this section when they are available. Please check carefully or confirm with the programme contact to ensure they apply to this degree programme.

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.