About us
Russian at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland's oldest Russian section, is pleased to share with St Andrews University the privilege of having Scotland's highest number of undergraduate Russian students: we presently teach approximately 80 students.
We have two full-time staff, various language tutors who are native Russian speakers, and 10 postgraduate students.
Facilities
The University possesses a large library with good stocks in most aspects of Russian studies. The Russian section within the Division's own subject area libraries holds a comprehensive selection of text and reference works.
All students have access to computer terminals which provide word-processing and computer-assisted language-learning facilities with the provision of Cyrillic fonts, as well as networking for electronic mail, bibliographical searches and internet access.
We have a satellite dish which enables us to receive several channels of Russian television, an opportunity which is still unique in the UK.
Location
We are situated in the David Hume Tower, overlooking George Square. We enjoy a view of almost the whole of the City of Edinburgh, a city without equal in its ability to delight students of every background and nationality.
Edinburgh's annual Festival makes it an international mecca of culture every August, and throughout the year this modern-day Athens of the North attracts top bands, clubs, operas, plays, and symphonies from around world.
Beyond the curriculum
Princess Dashkova Russian Centre
The Dashkova Centre, opened on 19 October 2010, is the best-equipped Russian study centre in the UK. Named after a leading figure of the Russian enlightenment, the Centre is equipped with a Russian library, databases, media and other resources.
The Centre's intellectual focus on research and knowledge exchange and academic diplomacy is complemented by cultural events and building cultural links within the University and the wider community.
The Russian Society
The Russian Society (run by students) engages in a wide variety of activities, ranging from informal lunches, evening parties to play readings, Russian films and talks by guest lecturers. In recent years visitors have included a number of writers, scholars and journalists prominent in the recent changes in Russia.
The Scotland-Russia Forum
Edinburgh is also home to the Scotland-Russia Forum, a voluntary organisation dedicated to facilitating a better understanding of Russian culture and history within Scotland. They organise a variety of lectures and exhibitions throughout the year.
This article was published on Jan 30, 2012