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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.

You will also study English Literature 1 which will introduce you to some of the major stylistic aspects of literary writing. You will study modern literary and critical theory, and will investigate the historical development of literature from the medieval period to contemporary writing.

In addition, you will choose from a wide range of option courses outside your primary subjects.

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.

You will also take English Literature 2 which examines the changes in literature between 1750 and 1950 and the cultural and historical contexts in which the literature of this period was produced.

In addition, you will choose from a wide range of option courses outside your primary subjects.

Year 3

You will spend Year 3 studying or working in a Russian-speaking country and will complete prescribed work in both aspects of your programme: English Literature and Russian Studies.

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. You will also complete your dissertation or long essay.

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 (2019/20)

Where you will study

Our facilities

Teaching takes place in and around 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.

What are my options for going 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

After a period of political, social and economic transformation, Russia is playing an increasingly important role in global politics and, as the world’s largest country, has its fifth most widely spoken language.

Opportunities for Russian-speaking graduates, both at home and abroad, are many, varied and steadily expanding. They include business, journalism, culture, defence, publishing, translation and law.

Russian Studies and English Literature graduates will have the intellectual strength and flexibility that so many employers prize in high-level humanities graduates. Your year abroad will be of particular benefit in developing the key skills you’ll need to thrive after graduation.

Having developed enhanced research skills during your time with us, especially in Year 4, you may also choose to continue studying at postgraduate level.

Entry requirements

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

SQA Highers: AAAB - AABB by end of S5. If you haven’t achieved this by the end of S5 we may consider your application based on a strong performance in S6. A minimum of BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
A Levels: ABB.
IB: 38 points (grades 666 at HL) - 34 points (grades 655 at HL).

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6, with a minimum of BBB achieved in one year of S4-S6.
A Levels: ABB.
IB: 34 points (grades 655 at HL).

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

SQA: Higher: English at grade B. National 5: a language other than English at grade B.
A Levels: English Literature or combined English at grade B. GCSEs: a language other than English at grade B or 6.
IB: HL: English at grade 5. SL: a language other than English at grade 5.

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 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 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)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

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
PTE Academic: Total 61 with at least 51 in each "Communicative Skills" section
Trinity ISE: ISE II with a distinction in all four components

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

English language requirements

(Revised 22/03/2019 to provide more accurate/comprehensive information.)

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.