Portuguese and Russian A BA

In this fascinating and varied degree, you’ll learn two languages and develop your knowledge of the modern world.

Russia boasts a fascinating cultural and political history, and Russian is an important language for science and technology. You’ll study Portuguese while exploring the vibrant and dynamic Portuguese-speaking world. Your fluency in both languages and international experience will give you excellent opportunities for a global career.

If you have A-level Russian or equivalent, this degree will give you the opportunity to build on your knowledge, and learn Portuguese from beginner level. You'll develop advanced language skills and an insight into the history, politics and cultures of Russia and Portuguese-speaking countries.

You'll spend a year studying abroad in Russia, and spend time abroad in a Portuguese-speaking country. This will give you an invaluable opportunity to practise your language skills and gain a first-hand experience of the cultures of the regions.

Specialist facilities

As well as our great library resources, you’ll 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.

You’ll also benefit from access to facilities at the Camões Institute, which is the cultural institute of the Portuguese government and is located on our campus.

In your first year, you’ll study core modules that develop your language skills in both Russian and Portuguese, and you’ll be introduced to the culture, politics and history of Russia, Brazil, Portugal and Portuguese-speaking Africa. You'll also select an optional module to build on your knowledge.

You'll spend your second year studying abroad at a partner university in Russia which will include tuition in Russian language and culture.

In your third year, you'll return to Leeds and further enhance your core skills in both languages with opportunities to specialise in topics of interest to you through optional modules. You'll then spend a semester in a Portuguese-speaking country where you can choose to undertake a study or work placement.

You’ll return to Leeds for your final year when you’ll be able to deepen your knowledge by working on a final year research project which could take the form of a dissertation, translation or digital documentary.

You'll also have the flexibility to choose from a range of language and cultural modules in areas such as Latin American media, advanced Russian translation, or social movements across cultures, ensuring that you’ll graduate with advanced language skills as well as contextual knowledge of the regions where these languages are spoken.

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.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Portuguese and Russian A BA in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

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:

Where an applicant is taking the EPQ in a relevant subject this might be considered alongside other Level 3 qualifications and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A Levels, this would be BBB at A Level including Russian and grade A in the EPQ.

• Access to HE Diploma

  Pass diploma with 60 credits overall, including at least 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. An interview and a piece of written work may also be required. This course has additional subject specific requirements. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.

• BTEC

  We will consider the level 3 QCF BTEC at Subsidiary Diploma level and above in combination with other qualifications. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.

• Cambridge Pre-U

  M1, M1, M2 including Russian

• International Baccalaureate

  34 points overall with 16 at Higher Level including 5 in Russian at Higher Level

• Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)

  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

  The Welsh Baccalaureate is not typically included in the academic conditions of an offer made to you for this course. If you choose to undertake the Welsh Baccalaureate we would strongly encourage you to draw upon these experiences within your personal statement, as your qualification will then be taken into account both when your application is initially considered by the selection panel and again when reviewed by the admissions tutor at the time your A-level results are passed to us.

• 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.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. 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/EU 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 2022

Fees

UK: See fees section below

International: £20,750 (per year)

UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2021 entry 
For UK full-time students starting in 2021, the fee for 2021/22 will be £9,250.

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the UK government and may vary if policy changes.

EU students starting in 2021/22 
EU students starting their course in the 2021/22 academic year or later will now be classed as international students and so will need to pay the international student tuition fee.

UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2022 entry
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2022/23 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. In other years, the government has confirmed fee levels in the summer. When the fee is confirmed we will publish an update on all course pages.

Tuition fees for new international students for 2022 entry
Tuition fees for international students are published on each individual course page. These are usually published a year in advance, so 2022 course fees should be available from September 2021.

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.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

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

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.

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 a broad range of 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, education, journalism, business, law and civil and diplomatic services.

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 at the Careers website.

Residence abroad

You’ll spend a year studying Russian language and culture in an institute such as the Centre for International Education at Moscow State University. You’ll also spend a term studying or working abroad in a Portuguese-speaking country.

You’ll have the chance to practise and develop your language skills while immersing yourself in different cultures.

Read more about the Russian residence abroad

Read more about the Portuguese 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.