MA Russian Studies

One of the most attractive characteristics of this programme is its flexibility. This means that, in the first two (pre-honours) years, you’ll choose options from a broad list of disciplines in addition to your main subject. This may enable you to change the focus of your programme, if you discover that there is another subject that you want to take on into the final two (honours) years.

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.

You’ll also study option courses chosen from a wide range offered by the University.

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.

As in Year 1, you’ll study option courses chosen from a wide range offered by the University.

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’ll also take specialist option courses taught by research-active experts. There’s a wide range to choose from in Russian literature, Russian language and society, Russian politics and Russian architecture.

In addition, you will complete a dissertation in Russian, developing your independent research 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 (2019/20)

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?

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)

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.

Our 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.

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: AAAB - ABBB 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. (Revised 18/10/2019 from 'AAAB - AABB'.)
• A Levels: AAB - ABB. (Revised 21/06/2019 from 'ABB'.)
• IB: 37 points (grades 666 at HL) - 34 points (grades 655 at HL). (Revised 21/06/2019 from '38 (666 at HL) - 34 (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: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5: a language other than English at grade B and English at grade C.
• A Levels: no specific A Level subjects required. GCSEs: a language other than English at grade B or 6 and English at grade C or 4.
• IB: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: a language other than English at grade 5 and 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

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 qualifications must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

English language requirements

(Revised 05/06/2019 to provide more accurate/comprehensive information.)

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

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.

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.

Fees and funding

• College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Undergraduate Admissions Office
• Web: Contact CAHSS Undergraduate Admissions Office
• International enquiries