Bulgarian and Portuguese

Bulgarian and Portuguese is an unusual combination that brings together two languages from quite distinct European traditions, each with its own compelling history and cultural depth. Bulgarian is a South Slavic language with a rich literary and intellectual heritage, spoken by around eight million people and closely linked to the history of the Balkans, Eastern Orthodox Christianity, and a rapidly developing contemporary economy. Portuguese, spoken by hundreds of millions across Brazil, Portugal, Mozambique, Angola, and beyond, is a language of global reach with an equally rich literary and musical tradition, from medieval lyric poetry to the canonical epic of Camoes and the extraordinary diversity of contemporary Brazilian and African literature.

At UCL this four-year full-time BA is taught within the School of Slavonic and East European Studies, one of the UK's leading institutions for the study of Central, Eastern, and South-Eastern Europe. You will develop strong spoken and written language skills in both Bulgarian and Portuguese, learning to communicate with accuracy and fluency while also developing your capacity for translation. Cultural study runs throughout the degree, encompassing the literature, history, political traditions, and societies associated with each language.

A year abroad gives you the opportunity for extended immersion in one or both language environments, which is transformative for developing the kind of cultural familiarity that classroom study alone cannot provide.

Graduates move into careers in translation and interpreting, international business, diplomacy, journalism, the civil service, education, and cultural institutions. Bulgarian expertise is particularly valuable for roles connected to Eastern Europe and the Balkans, while Portuguese opens the enormous economic and cultural landscape of Brazil and the Lusophone world. Many graduates also go on to postgraduate study in languages, area studies, or translation.