UCL SSEES

15/10/2026

Applications are now open for the Viktor and Rita Swoboda Memorial Scholarship at UCL School of Slavonic and East European Studies (SSEES)!

This award supports postgraduate research in Ukrainian Studies.

Value: £40,000 over 3 years (£13,333 per year)

Eligibility: New applicants to full-time MPhil/PhD programmes at UCL SSEES, as well as current first-year doctoral researchers

Closing date: 31 January 2027

Find full details and apply now on the UCL SSEES website: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/arts-humanities/ssees/study-us/graduate-research/ucl-ssees-phd-funding-opportunities

09/10/2026

Yesterday we celebrated the works of Marin Držić, one of the great poets of the Renaissance theatre, with some fabulous performances by players from York International Shakespeare Festival Parrabbola and Honey Tongued Theatre Productions.

Special thanks to the directors Filip Krenus and Philip Parr, Prof. Wendy Bracewell, Marin Držić, the City of Dubrovnik, UCL European Institute, the Croatian Embassy in London and to everyone who joined us! 🎭💜

06/10/2026

What helps us belong in language learning?

Earlier this year, SSEES hosted a workshop titled 'Belonging in Language Learning: Understanding Dyslexia at University', bringing together students, academics and specialists to discuss how dyslexia shapes language-learning experiences and how we can make teaching more inclusive.

As we mark Dyslexia Awareness Week, we're continuing that conversation and sharing insights that can help create learning environments where all students can succeed.

Read the full story: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/arts-humanities/news-ucl-ssees/what-helps-us-belong-language-learning

05/10/2026

🌍 Next stop on SSEES Unlocked: Poland!

For Episode 6, Polish language teacher Maria Smulewska-Dziadosz takes us on a journey from historic Kraków all the way up to the Baltic coast, stopping by Gdańsk, Gdynia and Europe’s longest wooden pier in Sopot! 🌊

Along the way, we discover why there’s so much more to Polish food than just pierogi 🥟 and learn how a simple coffee turns into a cosy kawusia ☕

Stay tuned for the next episode!

16/09/2026

11/09/2026

Unlimited coffee or unlimited printing credit? (We know what we’d pick ☕).

We asked our Class of 2026 to settle some of the biggest debates of university life before they officially waved goodbye to UCL.

From early mornings vs late-night cramming to the eternal question: stairs or the SSEES lift? 👀

Watch to see how they voted and let us know if you agree or disagree! 👇



UCL Arts and Humanities
UCL SSEES Library
UCL Alumni

04/09/2026

📣 Reconnect with your heritage language at UCL SSEES.

📚 We are launching 3 new courses in Bulgarian, Polish, and Romanian (as well as our course in Albanian)! Fully online and designed to help you improve all your language skills, with a focus on formal language use and literacy.

⏳ Enrolment deadline: 20 September

🔗 https://www.ucl.ac.uk/arts-humanities/ssees/study-us/welcome-ssees-online-evening-language-courses

02/09/2026

🌍 Episode 5 of SSEES Unlocked has landed in Hungary!

Dr Thomas Lorman, Associate Professor of Hungarian History, unlocks Hungary's history and fascinating trivia, from the iconic Parliament building and the invention of the Rubik’s cube to the country's rich soup culture. 🧩🏛️🍲

Next episode coming soon!

25/08/2026

We are delighted to welcome Prof. Jasna Dragović-Soso as the incoming Director of SSEES.

She will take up her new role on 1 September 2026, succeeding the current SSEES Director, Prof. Simon Dixon.

In our latest staff spotlight, Prof. Dragović-Soso reflects on her career before joining UCL and shares what she is most looking forward to in her new role.

Read the full spotlight to find out more about our incoming Director, her research, and her plans for the months ahead: bit.ly/4zBBzht

18/08/2026

🌍 Episode 4 of SSEES Unlocked is here, and this time our journey takes us to North Macedonia!

🎤Join Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik, Macedonian and Slovene tutor, as she takes us through Macedonian traditions and hidden gems.

Drop a comment below with which SSEES country you want to see next! ✨