Why study Russia? Because Russia is an important player on the global scene. It is a country that has undergone fascinating and tumultuous changes in the past century. Western businesses are spending billions of pounds investing in Russia and other former Soviet markets and need employees who can both speak the language and understand the history, politics and culture of the country and region.
The Russian Studies programmes are based in the Centre for Russian and East European Studies (CREES) which is recognised as the leading research centre for this subject in the UK.
First year
No prior knowledge of the Russian language is necessary to enter our programmes. In the first and second years, students are divided into groups according to whether they are beginners or have an A level or equivalent in Russian. (Students with AS level Russian are placed in the advanced group and given extra tutorial support to catch up, while students with GCSE Russian will normally be placed in the beginners’ group.)
At the end of the first year, beginners travel to the city of Petrozavodsk in Russia for an intensive four-week language programme, for which many of the costs are covered by the University.
In addition, students choose from a variety of Russian Studies modules including Outlines of Russian History, Nineteenth or Twentieth Century Russian Literature, and Twentieth Century Russian Politics.
Second year
In addition to more advanced language classes you can choose from a variety of Russian Studies modules including Cultural Politics of Russia and Eastern Europe, Contemporary Russian and East European Politics, Russia in Revolution 1900–1936, International Politics and Security in Russia and Eurasia, and Nineteenth or Twentieth Century Russian Literature. You also have the option of studying Beginner’s Polish.
The year abroad
You can choose to spend your year abroad in various locations including Moscow, St Petersburg, Yaroslavl, Petrozavodsk, Tver and Volgograd, spending either two semesters in one place or splitting them between two different places, for instance a semester in Moscow and a semester in Tver. If you are studying Russian with another language, your year abroad can be split between Russia and a country where they speak the other language being studied ). There is also the opportunity to spend a semester in Krakow, Poland under the ERASMUS scheme.
Fourth year
In addition to core modules, you can choose from a variety of modules including Advanced Cultural Politics of Russia and Eastern Europe, Advanced Contemporary Russian and East European Politics, Business Russian, Additional Russian (English-Russian translation and Russian-English aural translation), the Russian Economy: from Plan to Market, Russian Political and Intellectual Thought from 1950 to 1989, Advanced International Politics and Security in Russia and Eurasia, and Russia in the Modern World. You also write an extended essay or dissertation on a Russian Studies topic of your choosing. In addition, modules in Ukrainian and Polish languages are offered.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching is by means of a mixture of small group oral classes, tutorials, seminars, classes and lectures. Assessment methods vary, but usually involve a mixture of assessed written work and examinations.
Career opportunities
Graduates with skills in the Russian language and knowledge of Russia and Eastern Europe are in demand and are sought by Western companies, government agencies, the EU, media and other organisations. In recent years, several CREES graduates every year have found work in Russia having completed their degree. Many graduates apply their language skills in their work for international businesses, government and non-government organisations throughout the world.
Other ways to study Russian
In addition to the Joint Honours programme, Russian Studies is available:
Please see our departmental website for details of other programmes involving Russian.
Please read the entry for the other subject you wish to combine with Russian Studies.