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UCAS code: RQ73

Duration: 4 years

Delivery: Full-time

School: Literatures, Languages and Cultures

College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Study abroad

Introducing MA Russian Studies and English Literature

Russia is the world’s largest country and has the fifth most used language in the world. After a period of political, social and economic transformation, Russia is playing an increasingly bigger role in international politics.

Russian studies at the University will give you a solid understanding of the Russian language and culture. You will study Russian literature, art, music and film and the country’s political history.

You will also have the opportunity to study in Russia to improve your language skills and experience Russian culture first hand.

English literature is a versatile academic discipline characterised by the rigorous and critical study of the production, reception and interpretation of written texts, both literary and non-literary; and with the nature, history and potential of the English language.

The study of English develops a flexible and responsive openness of mind, conceptual sophistication in argument, and the ability to engage in dialogue with past and present cultures and values.

The University of Edinburgh is proud to house the oldest department of English literature in the world, having offered courses on ‘rhetoric and belles lettres’ for more than 200 years. Located at the heart of the city, itself UNESCO's first World City of Literature, we offer a rich array of unique resources which facilitate scholarship and learning.

Outstanding libraries are among the many factors that make the city an ideal place for the study of literature. As well as the wealth of resources in the main University Library, the National Library of Scotland, one of the finest bibliographical collections in Europe, is only five minute walk from the University’s central campus.

What you will study

Year 1

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 Russian Studies 1B which provides an advanced Russian language component.

Both of these courses include a unit on Russian culture. After completing Year 1 you have the opportunity to take a summer language course in St Petersburg, Moscow or Riga.

Year 2

You will continue to study Russian language, and will also take a course on 19th- and 20th-century Russian literature. You will have the opportunity to take additional courses on European cinema, literature, theatre, languages and medieval culture.

Year 3

You will spend Year 3 in a Russian-speaking country studying at a university or on a work experience placement. Among our current placements are universities in St Petersburg, Moscow, Petrozavodsk, Kazan and Liden, and Denz Russian Language Schools in St Petersburg, Moscow or Riga.

Year 4

In Year 4 you will take Russian language classes - Prose and Writing in Style, developing your active Russian language skills, Translation and Text Analysis developing your reception skills, and Oral.

You will also take one or more option courses, specialising in Russian literature, Russian language and society, Russian politics and Russian architecture.

Depending upon your programme, you may also have the opportunity to write a long essay in Russian or to complete a dissertation in Russian, developing your independent research and Russian writing skills.

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2018/19)

Where you will study

Our facilities

Teaching takes place in the School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures, located within the University's Central Area.

You will have access to the School's state-of-the-art computer facilities, Russian television, Russian film collection, language resources and databases, as well as all of the rich holdings in the Princess Dashkova Russian Centre and the University's libraries and computer labs.

Study abroad

During Year 3, you will spend a minimum of 30 weeks on approved work or study placement in the country/countries relevant to the language/s studied.

Guaranteed study abroad funding for students required to complete a year abroad

Learning and assessment

How will I learn?

Teaching takes place in and around the School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures, located at 50 George Square, within the University's Central Area. Our state-of-the-art building houses computer labs, a language resource centre, and social facilities as well as tutors' offices and lecture theatres.

You will be taught by experienced tutors including world-leading research academics. Russian is taught in small groups and much of our teaching materials are tailor made for student requirements. You will receive timely feedback on your work and will be offered individual as well as group consultations.

From the first week of your University career, you will be allocated a Personal Tutor who will provide pastoral support, in addition to that offered by the Student Support Office.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed by a combination of coursework and exams.

Programme details

Find out more about this programme's aims, what you will learn, how you will be assessed and what skills and knowledge you will develop.

To give you an idea of what to expect from this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme details (2019/20)

Career opportunities

The opportunities for Russian-speaking graduates, in the UK as well as in Russia and beyond, are many, varied and steadily expanding.

A qualification in Russian studies from Edinburgh will give you the intellectual strength and flexibility that so many employers prize in high-level humanities graduates.

Russian is also becoming an increasingly important language for international business, journalism, cultural exchanges, defence, academia, publishing, translation and law.

Entry requirements

Typical offer range

The typical offer is likely to be:

SQA Highers: AAAB - ABBB.
A Levels: ABB.
IB: 38 points (grades 666 at HL) - 34 points (grades 655 at HL).

Access threshold

The access threshold for a contextual offer is:

SQA Highers: ABBB.
A Levels: ABB.
IB: 34 points (grades 655 at HL).

Find out more about access thresholds and contextual offers

Detailed requirements for all applicants

To be considered for an offer of a place all applicants must meet the following requirements:

SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S5 or ABBBB/AABB from S4-S6, with a minimum of BBB achieved in one year of S4-S6, including Higher English. National 5: A language other than English at Grade B and Mathematics or an approved science at Grade C.
A Levels: ABB including English Literature or combined English. GCSEs: A language other than English at Grade B or 6 and Mathematics or an approved science at Grade C or 4.
IB: Award of Diploma with 34 points overall and grades 655 in HL subjects including English. SL: A language other than English at Grade 5 and Mathematics or an approved science at 4.

Additional requirements

Language requirement

Please note that 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.

Entry requirements by country

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.

Mature applicant qualifications

English language requirements

You must provide evidence that your written and spoken English is at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

If English is not your first language, you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your spoken and written English:

IELTS Academic module overall 6.5 with 5.5 in each component
TOEFL-iBT 92 or above with 20 in each section
Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component
Pearson Test of English (Academic): Total 61 with at least 51 in each "Communicative Skills" section
Trinity ISE: ISE II with a distinction in all four components

About English language requirements

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 Grade C
SQA Standard Grade 3
SQA Intermediate 1 Grade A
SQA Intermediate 2 Grade C
GCSE Grade C or 4
Level 2 Certificate Grade C
IB Standard Level Grade 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

Unistats data

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 Unistats data available.

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for MA Russian Studies and English Literature

Additional costs

For your compulsory residence abroad in Year 3, we give you a wide range of options. Your costs will depend on where you decide to go and how you spend your time. A placement with an Erasmus work grant, for example, could make this the cheapest year of your programme.

Universities outside the EU may charge you a fee for courses, but we will reimburse you for this provided the course has been approved. You will be informed about the cost implications as you plan your year abroad, during Year 2.