MA Russian Studies and English Literature
UCAS code: RQ73
Duration: 4 years
Delivery: Full-time
School: Literatures, Languages and Cultures
College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Introducing MA Russian Studies and English Literature
Around 150 million people in the world speak Russian, which plays an important role in global cultural and political contexts. For centuries, alongside English-speaking cultures, the Russophone world has had a profound international influence on literature.
This joint honours programme aims to develop your critical, analytic, linguistic and creative skills by engaging with a broad range of texts in both English and Russian, and a variety of approaches to reading.
Russian
Intensive language training, including a year abroad, gives you the opportunity to develop advanced speaking, writing, reading and translating skills in Russian.
Over the course of your four years, you will explore Russian literature and culture, past and present. In your honours years, you will choose from specialist options in:
Russian literature, language and society
politics
post-Soviet culture
English Literature
Based in the first UNESCO World City of Literature, you will study in the oldest department of English Literature in the UK, one of the longest established in the world.
You will gain the essential skills needed for the critical close reading of poetry, drama and prose and explore the cultural contexts of writing in English from the late Middle Ages to the present.
At honours level, you will select courses on the basis of your own interests in specific topics, periods or literary genres.
Combining literature with a language shows an openness to ideas and perspectives other than your own, an essential attribute in many careers and a global marketplace.
Year 1
Russian
If you have no previous knowledge of Russian you will take Russian Studies 1A, an intensive beginners Russian course.
If you have studied the language before, you will take the Russian Studies 1B course which provides advanced Russian language study.
Both of these courses include a unit on Russian culture.
English Literature
You will take two Literary Studies courses which will introduce you to the essential skills needed for the critical close reading of the core literary genres of:
poetry
drama
prose
You will read works of literature written in English from around the world, and encounter a range of ideas about the nature and purpose of literary study.
Option courses
You will complete your Year 1 studies with option courses chosen from a wide range offered by the University of Edinburgh.
You can, for example, opt to study another language. We offer one of the widest ranges of languages of any UK university. The majority are suitable for complete beginners and include cultural study.
Other options include, but are not limited to, courses in:
linguistics and language sciences
business, economics and informatics
politics, social policy and social anthropology
art and architectural history
history, classics and archaeology
Celtic and Scottish ethnology
philosophy, divinity and law
Summer language course
After completing Year 1 you have the opportunity to take a summer language course in St Petersburg, Moscow or Riga.
Year 2
Russian
You will continue to study Russian language, and will choose one of the following three courses:
Transnational Russian Culture
19th century Russian literature
20th century Russian literature
English Literature
You will be introduced to the study of English literature in its cultural and historical contexts, focusing on a selection of major periods.
These courses will explore the relationship between literary texts and the construction of national, international and imperial cultures.
Option courses
As in Year 1, you will also choose option courses from a wide range offered by the University of Edinburgh.
These include a great selection in European languages and cultures, allowing you to study literature, film and theatre in themed and comparative contexts.
Year 3
If international travel restrictions allow, you will spend Year 3 in a Russian-speaking country studying at a university or language centre.
Our current placement destinations include:
St Petersburg University
Herzen State University in St Petersburg
Higher School of Economics in Moscow
Liden and Denz Language Schools in Moscow, St Petersburg, and Riga
Derzhavin Institute in St Petersburg
Nova Mova Language School in Kiev
During your year abroad, we will aim to ensure your experience is as beneficial as possible to your final year, as well as to your wider language learning, cultural awareness and skills development.
You will complete prescribed work in both English Literature and Russian, for example taking an e-learning language course which will count as part of your Year 3 mark and prepare you for your final year Russian courses.
If international travel is not possible, you will be offered an alternative means of engaging with your subjects, enabling you to meet your learning outcomes and preparing you for your final year.
Year 4
You will develop advanced language skills in spoken and written Russian and choose from a range of specialist courses in both Russian Studies and English Literature.
These will enable you to explore different periods, topics and approaches according to your area of interest.
You will also complete your dissertation.
Our facilities
On campus
When you are on campus, you can expect to spend most of your time in the University of Edinburgh's Central Area - in class, in the library, or in one of the University’s many social spaces.
The Central Area is located on the edge of Edinburgh's historic Old Town, surrounded by lots of green space.
Take a virtual tour of the Central Area
Libraries, collections and centres
Based in the Main University Library, the Centre for Research Collections is unique in the UK. The centre brings together a collection of more than 400,000 rare books and six kilometres of archives and manuscripts. It also houses the University’s collections of art, historical musical instruments and other objects.
The University's literary treasures include a truly exceptional collection of early Shakespeare quartos and other early modern printed plays, and the Corson Collection of works by and about Sir Walter Scott.
Modern literature and poetry are particularly well represented, with the W.H. Auden collection and the libraries of Lewis Grassic Gibbon, Hugh MacDiarmid and Norman MacCaig.
The Library also holds academic books, journals and databases, including around 14,400 titles in the Russian language. E-resources include Russian newspapers, TV and radio channels.
Events and activities
The Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) supports more than 300 student-led societies and clubs, including the Russian Society. It also promotes opportunities with local charities through its volunteering centre.
From making friends in language cafes to campaigning on global issues, these student-led groups offer lots of ways to engage.
EUSA also supports LitPALS - the Peer-Assisted Learning Scheme for English Literature where students across year groups help each other with specific study skills, topics or themes.
Across the University, there are a lot of opportunities to get involved in:
- reading and writers' groups
- poetry slams
- creative writing and publishing
- student theatre
Staff and student editors publish creative writing in nine European languages – including Russian – in the online magazine, Babble. Launch nights typically include readings and performances.
We also have a fantastic Writer-in-Residence who organises talks and workshops by visiting writers and runs our annual writing prizes. Their drop-in sessions give you the chance to:
share your work
get feedback
meet other student writers
get inspiration and prompts for new work
Our Princess Dashkova Russian Centre runs many academic and public events, including the Honorary Dashkova and Honorary John Erickson lectures.
In the city
A UNESCO World City of Literature, Edinburgh is a remarkable place to study, write, publish, discuss and perform prose, poetry and drama.
In addition to a fantastic range of publishing houses, bookshops, theatres, and cinemas, you will study near the:
National Library of Scotland - which has significant Russian holdings
National Museum of Scotland
Edinburgh Central Library
Scottish Poetry Library
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Writers’ Museum
We have great links with the Edinburgh International Book Festival, which annually welcomes around 1,000 authors to our literary city.
The city's world cinema scene is also particularly strong. Its venues often screen films and hold events as part of the annual UK-wide Russian Film Week.
Study abroad
If international travel restrictions allow, you will spend Year 3 abroad (a minimum of 30 weeks), in a Russian-speaking country.
This is your chance to immerse yourself in Russian-language culture, and to develop your broader life experience and skills towards life after university.
How will I learn?
You will be taught by experienced tutors including world-leading research academics.
Russian is taught in small groups and much of our teaching material is tailor-made for student requirements.
You will receive timely feedback on your work and will be offered individual as well as group consultations.
You will be expected to undertake substantial reading each week in preparation for classes in English literature.
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed through a combination of coursework - including close reading exercises, essays and assignments - and exams.
Skills and experience
Combining a language with literature to degree level demonstrates that you are a good communicator, a resilient problem solver, and someone open to other cultures and new ideas – what employers value as Intercultural Competence.
Beyond the linguistic, literary and critical skills you will develop on this joint honours programme, and the nuanced understanding you will gain of other cultures and societies, graduating with a four-year Master of Arts degree from the University of Edinburgh shows high-level intellectual strength and flexibility.
The skills you will be able to demonstrate to employers when you graduate include the ability to understand, analyse and articulate key concepts, and to work to varied briefs to deadline, both independently and in groups.
Opportunities at home and away
Around 150 million people in the world speak Russian, which plays an important role in global cultural and political contexts. It is the official language of four countries, is widely understood throughout Eastern Europe, and in the last thirty years has seen transnational mobility on an unprecedented scale. There are, for example, large communities of Russian-speakers in China, the United States, France, Germany, Spain, Norway and the UK.
Graduates who have studied a combination of language and literature can be found in every kind of career, especially those that place a premium on thinking that is both disciplined and imaginative. Wherever you are based in the world, your skills will make you stand out.
Within the private, public, not-for-profit, and for-benefit sectors, previous graduates have gone on to career pathways in:
business, finance and commerce
communications, marketing, advertising and public relations
education, outreach, advocacy and training
journalism, broadcasting and media
leisure, tourism and travel
politics, policy work, diplomacy, civil service and law
publishing, culture, heritage and the arts
research, development and venture acceleration
translating and interpreting
Further study
The enhanced research skills you will develop on a four-year programme, particularly in your honours years, are a valuable asset if you wish to continue studying at postgraduate level. At the University of Edinburgh, for example, we typically offer:
MSc by Research degrees in Russian and in English Literature
Taught MScs in Playwriting, Creative Writing and different periods of English Literature
Interdisciplinary MSc programmes in Comparative Literature and Intermediality
Beyond literature, cultural study and associated fields, your degree will prepare you for further study in almost any humanities and social science discipline.
Careers advice
We have an excellent Careers Service. Throughout your time with us, we will encourage you to identify and hone your employability skills, including through peer initiatives such as Life After LLC (Literatures, Languages and Cultures) where you can draw inspiration from our graduates.
Standard entry requirement
The standard entry requirement is:
- SQA Highers: AABB-ABBB by end of S5 or AAAB-AABB/ABBBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
- A Levels: AAB - ABB.
- IB: 36 points with 665 at HL - 34 points with 655 at HL.
Minimum entry requirement
The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:
- SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
- A Levels: ABB.
- IB: 34 points with 655 at HL.
More information for widening access applicants
Required subjects
The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:
- SQA: Highers: English at B. National 5s: a language other than English at B.
- A Levels: English Literature or combined English at B. GCSEs: a language other than English at B or 6.
- IB: HL: English at 5. SL: a language other than English at 5.
Additional requirements
Language requirement
For degrees that have a subject requirement of a language other than English, students may not use their own native language to meet this requirement. In these instances, English or an alternative language other than native will be acceptable.
Find out more about entry requirements
International applicants
We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
International Foundation Programme
If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme.
International Foundation Programme
Mature applicants
We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.
You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.
SQA, GCSE and IB
For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:
- SQA National 5 at C
- SQA Standard Grade at 3
- GCSE at C or 4
- Level 2 Certificate at C
- IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)
English language tests
We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
- IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.
- TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
- C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 162 in each component.
- Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
- PTE Academic: total 62 with at least 54 in each component.
We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.
English language qualifications must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the degree you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.
It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.
Please note that some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees for MA Russian Studies and English Literature
Additional costs
As long as international restrictions allow, you will spend Year 3 abroad. The costs incurred will depend on where you decide to go, and how you spend your time.
Some study placements at language schools may charge a fee, but we will normally reimburse you for tuition costs as long as your activity has been approved. You will be responsible for associated travel costs such as flights and visas.
Funding
For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.
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12 degrees in Russian Studies
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- Russian Studies and Classics (MA) RQ78
- Russian Studies and English Language (MA) QR37
- Russian Studies and English Literature (MA) RQ73
- Russian Studies and History (MA) RV71
- Russian Studies and History of Art (MA) RV73
- Russian Studies and Linguistics (MA) RQ71
- Russian Studies and Philosophy (MA) RV75
- Russian Studies and Politics (MA) LR27
- Russian Studies and Scandinavian Studies (MA) RR76
- Russian Studies and Social Policy (MA) RL74
- Russian Studies and Spanish (MA) RR74