Contemporary Russian and East European Studies MSc

Summary

This programme is intended for those who are looking for an intensive and flexible Masters degree in Russian and East European Studies, which will prepare them for a wide range of career opportunities, for example in business, public service, consultancy, journalism as well as academia.

Key facts

Type of Course: Taught

Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

Start date: September 2012

Entry requirements

A good Honours degree in a relevant discipline

Learn more about entry requirements

International students
 We accept a range of qualifications from different countries – learn more about international entry requirements 

Standard English language requirements apply

Contact details

Mrs Marea Arries
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 6347
Email: m.b.arries@bham.ac.uk

The Student Representative for the Masters' Programmes in CREES, Alain Perusset, is available to answer an informal queries about the programmes and studying at CREES. He can be contacted at AXP127@bham.ac.uk.

How to apply

When clicking on the Apply Now button you will be directed to an application specifically designed for the programme you wish to apply for where you will create an account with the University application system and submit your application and supporting documents online. Further information regarding how to apply online can be found on the How to apply pages

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Fees and funding

Standard fees apply
Learn more about fees and funding

Scholarships and studentships
 Scholarships may be available. International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government.

For further information contact the School directly or email sfo@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Programme overview

You will have a chance to learn about politics, society, culture, history, international relations, economics and security issues in the region. The MSc will enable you to develop in-depth and wide ranging expertise on East - Central Europe and European intergration, the Balkans, Russia ad other post Soviet states in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia.

The main aim of the degree is to train specialists in Russian and East European Studies, who will take up employment in the business sector, government agencies, media or non-governmental organisations. The programme is also suitable for those who wish to continue onto our Doctoral Research programme (PhD).

There is no compulsory language course for this degree, but you may choose to study an East European language as one of your options if you wish.

Who is the programme for?

This programme is intended for those who are looking for an intensive and flexible Masters degree in Russian and East European Studies, which will prepare them for a wide range of career opportunities, for example in business, public service, consultancy, journalism as well as academia.

Read some of our student testimonials.

Programme content

The MSc is made up of three components to a total value of 180 credits: course structure

Specialist pathway

Skills gained

By the end of the programme, you will:

  • Develop a thorough understanding of contemporary and historical developments in Russia and Eastern Europe
  • Acquire a solid overview of the developments and debates in the field of Russian and East European Studies
  • Develop generic skills of direct relevance to employment (for example, make presentations, write policy-oriented briefing and reports, prepare case studies)
  • Carry out an independent research project (dissertation) under specialist supervision

Careers

The programme trains experts on Russia and East Europe, who will take up employment in the business sector, government agencies, media or non-governmental organisations. The programme is also designed for international students who wish to continue on to a PhD, and who can take research training modules as part of the programme. 

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This main pathway is designed for flexibility, allowing you to choose over half of the MSc content from a wide range of optional modules.

Compulsory core module:

Compulsory:

  • 60 credits - Dissertation – you focus in depth on a topic of particular interest, with support from a dissertation supervisor (MSc only)

100 credits from the following:

Modules in social science and history

Russian, East European and other languages

Training in social and/or historical research

Our postgraduate students within the Centre for Russian and East European Studies come from a range of backgrounds:

Rafael Gomez Sanchez
Degree: Contemporary Russian and East European Studies (The Caucasus and Central Asia) MSc.
"I chose to study with CREES as I was looking for somewhere in which I could study Central Asian countries with a broad, comprehensive perspective. After browsing the Internet I concluded that Birmingham offered the best overall course for my particular interests."

Alain Perusset
Degree: Contemporary Russian and East European Studies MSc
"What attracted me to CREES in particular were the thrilling modules it offers, its excellent reputation and its relative small size which promised (and delivers) closer, uncomplicated student-staff relations."

Michael Kellett 
Degree: Contemporary Russian and East European Studies (The Caucasus and Central Asia) MSc.
"I like the fact that the department is not too big, so you're not anonymous and the both the staff and the other students are very friendly and approachable. It's also a very international department, with students from many parts of the world. Some of the staff are from Russia and eastern Europe, which is of course a big plus."

Yeani Shin
Degree: Contemporary Russian and East European Studies MSc.
"CREES's programme contains a good balance, so it encourages students to build a foundation and broaden evenly understanding of Russian and Eastern European, CIS region studies."