Hungarian and Polish

Hungarian and Polish are two Central European languages that each carry rich literary and cultural traditions and open access to societies with distinctive and historically significant experiences of the twentieth century. Hungarian is one of the most unusual languages in Europe, belonging to the Finno-Ugric family rather than the Indo-European family that includes most European languages. Polish is a Slavic language with a literary tradition encompassing poetry, drama, and fiction of international standing, and a history of political resistance and transformation that has shaped the course of European events.

Studying both together develops exceptional comparative linguistic understanding and deep engagement with two cultures that have much to tell us about identity, memory, and cultural survival.

At University College London you will study this four-year full-time programme with a typical entry tariff of 168 points. UCL's School of Slavonic and East European Studies is one of the leading centres in the world for the study of Central and Eastern European languages and cultures, and the programme benefits from deep expertise across both subject areas. You will develop reading, writing, and spoken proficiency in both Hungarian and Polish, working towards advanced fluency while also engaging with the literatures, histories, and contemporary cultures of Hungary and Poland.

The programme develops comparative linguistic analysis, close textual reading, and the ability to interpret cultural and historical texts in their original languages.

Graduates are well placed for careers in diplomacy, the European Union and other international organisations, business with Central and Eastern European markets, translation and interpreting, journalism, heritage and archival work, and academic research. The combination of two less widely taught European languages is distinctive and genuinely valued by employers in sectors that maintain significant connections with Central Europe. Further study in Slavonic languages, Central European studies, linguistics, or related areas is a natural route for those who wish to pursue research or specialist professional careers.