Italian B and Russian A BA
Year of entry 2023
2024 course information- UCAS code
- RR3T
- Start date
- September 2023
- Delivery type
- On campus
- Duration
- 5 years full time
- Work placement
- Optional
- Study abroad
- Mandatory
- Typical A-level offer
- ABB (specific subject requirements)
- Typical Access to Leeds offer
- BBC at A Level including B in Russian and pass Access to Leeds
Full entry requirements - Contact
- artsadmissions@leeds.ac.uk
Course overview
In this varied and challenging five-year degree, you’ll learn two languages and develop your knowledge of the modern world. If you have A-level Russian or equivalent, this degree will give you the opportunity to build on your skills, and you’ll learn Italian from beginner level.
Italy is a leading world economy rich in cultural heritage. Russia boasts a fascinating history, and Russian is an important language for science and technology. Your fluency in both languages and international experience will give you excellent opportunities for a global career.
You'll spend one year studying in a Russian-speaking country and a further year in Italy, allowing you to put your language skills into practice and gain first-hand experience of the local culture. A combination of core and optional modules will give you a firm grounding in the languages while you study the topics that suit your interests.
Specialist facilities
The world class Brotherton Library holds a wide variety of manuscript, archive and early printed material in its Special Collections – valuable assets for your independent research. Our additional library resources are also excellent, and the University Library offers a comprehensive training programme to help you make the most of them.
You’ll also have access to the Language Zone – the University language resource centre – with books, DVDs, magazines, audio/ video resources and language learning software. To practise your speaking skills, you can participate in language groups with other students or a language exchange with a native speaker.
If you think you might consider a career in interpreting, there’s also our Electronic Resource Information Centre, which offers specialised computing facilities for translation studies and Interpreter Training Suites.
Take a look around our libraries:
Course details
In your first year, you’ll study core modules that develop your language skills in both Russian and Italian. You'll also be able to choose from optional modules focusing on aspects of Italian and Russian politics, religion and history.
In your third year you'll develop your core skills in both languages with opportunities to specialise further in through optional modules on topics such as Italian cinema, Russian society or linguistics.
You'll then spend the fourth year in Italy where you can choose to undertake a study placement at a partner university or a work placement with a local employer.
In your final year you’ll apply your knowledge and skills to a final year research project which could be a dissertation, translation or digital documentary. You'll refine your language skills and have the flexibility to choose from a range of optional modules which will ensure you graduate with advanced language skills as well as contextual knowledge of Italian and Russian cultures.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Year 1 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Exploring Italy: Introduction to Italian Culture and Society (Beginners) | 20 |
| Beginners Italian (A1 of the CEFR) | 20 |
| Lower Intermediate Italian (A2+ of the CEFR) | 20 |
| Core Russian Language 1 | 20 |
| What is Russia? An Introduction to Russian Studies | 20 |
Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Audio-Visual Culture | 20 |
| Language: Structure and Sound | 20 |
| World Histories | 20 |
Year 2 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Russian Year Abroad | 120 |
Year 3 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Italian Language B | 20 |
| Core Russian Language 2 | 20 |
Year 3 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Towards the Future: Skills in Context | 20 |
| Introduction to Dante's Comedy | 20 |
| Linguistic Variety in Modern Italy | 20 |
Year 4 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Year Abroad in Italy | 120 |
Year 5 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Italian Language 3 | 20 |
| Core Russian Language 3 | 20 |
Year 5 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| 'Giocare al Romanzo': Italo Calvino and the Novel, from Neorealism to Postmodern | 20 |
| Made in Italy: Italian for Business | 20 |
Discovery modules
Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.
This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.
Learning and teaching
Our tutors are experts in their fields, and their teaching is informed by their own research.
We use a range of teaching methods to help you benefit from their expertise, including lectures, seminars, tutorials or occasionally workshops. However, independent study is also central to this degree, since it allows you to develop your skills in research and analysis. You will be able to apply your skills and knowledge in a Final Year Research Project on a topic of your own choice.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
We also use different types of assessment. Usually we use a mixture of exams and essays, but you may also be assessed on oral presentations or group work in some modules. Support will be on hand throughout your time at Leeds – for example, you’ll be able to attend extra classes on exam technique, structuring an essay and public speaking if you need them.
Entry requirements
A-level: ABB including B in Russian.
Other course specific tests:
Alternative qualification
Access to HE Diploma
BTEC
Cambridge Pre-U
M1, M1, M2 including Russian
International Baccalaureate
34 points overall including 16 at Higher Level including 5 in Russian at Higher Level
Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)
H2, H2, H2, H3, H3, H3 including H3 in Russian
Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
BB in Advanced Highers including Russian and AABBB in Highers, or B in Russian in Advanced Highers and AAABB in Highers
Welsh Baccalaureate
Other Qualifications
European Baccalaureate: 75% including 8.0 in Russian.
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.
Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.
Typical Access to Leeds offer: BBC at A Level including B in Russian and pass Access to Leeds.
International
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.
International Foundation Year
International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.
English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
Fees
UK: £9,250 (per year)
International: £22,250 (per year)
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will remain capped at £9,250 for 2023/24 and 2024/25. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.
Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for international students for 2023/24 and 2024/25 are available on individual course pages.
Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Applying
Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
Read our guidance about applying.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2024
This course is taught by
School of Languages, Cultures and Societies
Contact us
School of Languages, Cultures and Societies Undergraduate Admissions
Email: artsadmissions@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:
Career opportunities
In this degree, you’ll become proficient in two major world languages, and experience studying and living abroad. You’ll develop a range of skills across disciplines that employers are actively looking for.
You’ll have strong research skills, and you’ll be able to analyse complex information from multiple sources before drawing your own conclusions. You’ll be able to communicate your views clearly, and have an understanding of cultural diversity, allowing you to work effectively with people whose backgrounds differ from yours.
Your knowledge and experience will open up career choices and opportunities to connect with people across major world regions. Our graduates have pursued careers in diverse fields such as translation and interpreting, journalism, education, business and finance, law and the civil service.
Postgraduate study in languages at Leeds or elsewhere provides an opportunity to continue to learn and prepare for a PhD and a career in academia.
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.
Study abroad and work placements
Residence abroad
This five-year course involves two periods of study abroad.
You’ll spend your second year studying in a Russian-speaking country. For your year abroad in Italy, we have partnerships with a number of Italian universities where you could study, or you could choose to apply for a work placement.
Read more about the Italian residence abroad
Read more about the Russian residence abroad
Work placements
Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.
Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.