MA Russian Studies and English Language
UCAS code: QR37
Duration: 4 years
Delivery: Full-time
School: Literatures, Languages and Cultures
College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Introducing MA Russian Studies and English Language
Around 150 million people in the world speak Russian, which is widely used in global cultural and political contexts. It is the official language of four countries, is commonly understood throughout Eastern Europe, and in the last thirty years has seen transnational mobility on an unprecedented scale. For example, there are large communities of Russian-speakers in China, Central Asia, the United States, and Western Europe.
This flexible joint honours programme gives you the opportunity to study Russian in its cultural context while exploring how the English language has changed over time. These changes can be traced through written materials ranging from medieval manuscripts to text messages, and more recently, through recordings of spoken English.
Combining the linguistic and cultural study of languages demonstrates that you are a good communicator, a resilient problem solver, and someone open to other cultures and new ideas.
When you graduate, you will have the combination of broad cultural education and specialist knowledge valued by employers worldwide.
Russian Studies
Study Russian with us, and you will learn the language alongside Russian literature and culture, as well as developing an awareness of Russia's political and historical contexts.
Through intensive language study, you will have the opportunity to develop advanced speaking, writing, reading, listening and translating skills in Russian.
Our Year 1 courses are streamed according to how much Russian you already know, so it does not matter if you are a complete beginner.
English Language
Your studies will develop your knowledge and understanding of:
- the principles of theoretical linguistics
- the way we learn language
- the regional and social variations of language, particularly the English language
- methods of communication
As part of the programme, you can opt to study the Scots language, which has its own rich linguistic and literary tradition.
English Language courses of particular interest to students of Russian cover:
- the speech sounds of the world's languages
- variation in the languages of the world
One of the most attractive characteristics of this four-year programme is its flexibility.
In Years 1 and 2, your pre-honours years, you will choose option courses from a wide range of disciplines in addition to your core subjects of Russian Studies and English Language.
As well as broadening your education and skill set, this may enable you to change the focus of your programme in Years 3 and 4, your honours years.
Year 1
Russian
If you have no previous knowledge of Russian you will take Russian Studies 1A, an intensive beginners Russian course. Through classes in grammar, speaking, listening, writing and reading, you will build the foundations of Russian language skills.
If you have studied the language before, you will take Russian Studies 1B which provides advanced Russian language study. The course will consolidate and build on your existing knowledge, with the focus on generating Russian through writing and speaking.
Both our language courses include a unit on Russian culture, with materials studied in translation. You will be introduced to the main historical events that have shaped Russia, and to the cultural and literary works of Russian speakers.
English Language
You will take two semester-long introductory courses in English language:
Linguistics and English Language 1A - this offers a brief introduction to the study of language in general and of English in particular
Linguistics and English Language 1B - this will help you develop the tools and knowledge needed to investigate the different subsystems of language in a systematic way
Option courses
You will complete your Year 1 studies with option courses chosen from a wide range offered by the University.
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:
- business, economics and informatics
- politics, social policy and social anthropology
- art and architectural history
- history, classics and archaeology
- Celtic and Scottish ethnology
- linguistics and language sciences
- philosophy, divinity and law
Year 2
Russian
You will continue to study Russian language, expanding your range of vocabulary and using increasingly complex grammar.
You will practice translation and writing in Russian using extracts from literary texts and other media.
You will also choose one of the following three courses:
- Transnational Russian Culture
- The Golden Age of Russian Literature
- Utopia and Dystopia in 20th-century Russian Literature
English Language
You will take a course looking at linguistic theory and choose between a course on:
- the variation in English over time and across geographical space or
- the structure and history of world languages
Option courses
As in Year 1, you will also choose option courses from a wide range offered by the University.
These option courses include a great selection in European languages and cultures that explore literature, film and theatre in themed and comparative contexts.
Typical option courses include:
- Cultural Responses to War
- Migration, Exile, Diaspora
- Crime and Detection in Literature
- Gender and Culture
- The Coming-of-Age Narrative
- Introduction to European Cinema
- Dynamics of Language and Power
- Languages Beyond University
Year 3
You will spend Year 3 in a country where Russian is spoken, improving your language and independent study skills, and engaging with Russophone, Eastern European and other cultures.
Living abroad will also give you the wider perspective, experience and skills to embrace the opportunities and challenges of life after university.
Although we are not currently sending our Year 3 students to Russia and Ukraine, we are still able to fully support them to spend the year studying abroad. This year, for example, we have students at Tallinn University in Estonia, and at universities in Kazakhstan and Armenia.
Coursework while abroad
We will aim to ensure your experience abroad is as beneficial as possible to your final year, as well as to your wider language learning and cultural awareness.
In addition to the work you do for your host institution, you will also complete work for both English Language and Russian Studies and start to prepare for your dissertation.
English Language
Depending on availability, you will take courses in English Language at your host institution. If this is not possible, you will undertake an independent research project and write a long essay. This will be supervised by a member of staff in English Language at Edinburgh, drawing on the resources available both at home and away.
Russian
You will take an e-learning language course which will count as part of your Year 3 mark and prepare you for your final year Russian courses.
Keeping in touch
While you are studying abroad for credit, you are still a student at the University of Edinburgh.
The Year Abroad Office and your Student Adviser, both based in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC), will check in with you at key points during your Year Abroad. Additionally, each language has a dedicated Year Abroad Coordinator for any academic queries, ensuring you are all set and ready for your final year in Edinburgh.
Just like any other time during your studies, you have access to all University services while you are abroad. These include our:
- Student Wellbeing Service
- Student Counselling
- Student Disability and Learning Support
- University emergency helpline (available 24 hours a day)
Wellbeing and safety
Your wellbeing and safety abroad is our first priority. If international travel is not possible or placements are disrupted, for example following travel advice from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), we will offer you alternative ways to engage with your subjects. We will support you to meet your learning outcomes for Russian and English Language, and prepare you for your final year.
Year 4
You will hone your honours-level language skills in Russian focusing on the core competencies of:
- reading and writing (including translation)
- speaking and listening
You will also choose from a wide range of specialist, honours-level courses in both Russian Studies and English Language. For Russian, these courses cover topics such as:
- The Russian 19th-century novel
- Russian language in its social context
- Russian art
- Post-Soviet politics
- Culture and Power under Stalin
- The Post-Soviet Word, Image and Memory
Building on all the knowledge and skills you have developed over four years, including in independent research, you will complete a dissertation.
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.
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, in the lab, or in one of the University’s many social and support 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 specialist equipment
The Main University Library holds academic books, journals and databases, films, newspapers and other media. Its holdings include around 14,400 titles in the Russian language.
The Library is also the home of the University's Centre for Research Collections which brings together:
- more than 400,000 rare books
- six kilometres of archives and manuscripts
- thousands of works of art, historical musical instruments and other objects
Many of the University's Special Collections are digitised and available online from our excellent Resource Centre, computing labs and dedicated study spaces in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC).
The University's specialist linguistics and phonetics equipment ranks among the best in the world. It includes:
- recording studios
- a perception experiment laboratory
- an eye tracking laboratory
Events and activities
The Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) supports more than 300 student-led societies and clubs. These include the Russian Speaking Society and LingSoc - the Linguistics and English Language Society.
From making friends in language cafes to campaigning on global issues, these student-led groups offer lots of ways to explore your subjects, interests and talents socially. EUSA also promotes opportunities with local charities through its volunteering centre.
If you love to write, our online creative writing magazine Babble is the place to publish your:
- prose
- poetry
- drama
- non-fiction
Babble goes out twice a year and includes work written in Russian and eight other European languages. You can get involved in the editorial committee, and launch nights typically include readings and performances.
With the support of our students, one of our Teaching Fellows in Russian has been leading activities to help displaced children from Ukraine with education and music tuition, and adults with language skills.
Read our interview with Ekaterina Popova about welcoming Ukrainian families to Edinburgh
In the city
Edinburgh is a world-leading festival city filled with cinemas, theatres, galleries, libraries and collections.
The city's resources for studying literatures, languages and cultures are exceptional, and its world cinema scene is particularly strong.
Many national collections are located close to the University's Central Area, making them easy to access between classes. Highlights include the National Library of Scotland, which has significant Russian holdings.
Study abroad
You will spend Year 3 (a minimum of 30 weeks) in a country where Russian is spoken. This is your chance to immerse yourself in Russophone, Eastern European and other cultures, and to develop your broader life experience and skills towards life after university.
Although we are not currently sending our Year 3 students to Russia and Ukraine, we are still able to fully support them to spend the year studying abroad. This year, for example, we have students abroad in Estonia, Kazakhstan and Armenia.
We know that you are likely to have lots of questions about your Year Abroad. We’ve gone into lots of detail about where you can go and what you can do under ‘What you will study / Year 3’ above. You can also find out more through the University's Study and Work Away Service.
How will I learn?
University is a place to plan your own goals under expert guidance, study independently and in groups, and reflect upon your learning throughout your degree.
Our approach to learning and teaching is active, inclusive and question driven, so it may be different to your experiences at school. It will help you gain the skills for life after university, and we will guide you through the steps from one phase to the next.
Depending on the size of your year group, and which option courses you take, your classes will typically fall into three categories:
- lectures
- tutorials
- seminars
From Year 2 onwards, you will do some independent practical work for English Language.
As well as classes, to get the most out of your courses, you will need to read widely.
We make extensive use of our audio and visual resources, and you will also be encouraged to use online materials.
Lectures
Lectures are taken by all students on a course, typically at the same time. They are delivered as interactive presentations which may involve audio-visual material.
Lectures are given by an experienced academic. They are designed to guide you through the background, questions and debates related to the topic you are studying.
Tutorials
Tutorial groups are smaller. They are also led by an academic, but here the emphasis is more on what you think about the topic yourself. So, tutorials are your chance to discuss and expand upon what you have learned in a lecture.
Language tutorials give you the opportunity to develop your linguistic skills in a range of real-world tasks under the supervision of an experienced language teacher.
These classes typically cover skills such as reading, writing, listening and speaking – all of which involve learning and applying grammar.
Seminars
Seminars blend features of lectures and tutorials. Again, they are designed to encourage and enable your active participation in learning.
On some courses, you will have seminars instead of lectures, especially in Year 4.
Support
As well as the teaching staff and other staff members you will meet day-to-day, there are lots of ways to get help with your learning, including through the University’s Institute for Academic Development (IAD).
The PPLS Skills Centre primarily provides support with writing essays and dissertations, but also offers appointments on programming, data collection, and statistical analysis.
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed through a combination of coursework and exams. Coursework is generally completed throughout the year, while exams take place at the end of a teaching block.
Coursework may take a range of forms to give you the opportunity to practice different skills. For example, you may be asked to:
- write an essay, review, blog post, opinion piece or learning journal
- respond to a piece of writing, film, or other media, including through close reading
- give a short talk or presentation
- record a podcast or video
- design a poster or presentation
Exams will include oral exams to test your spoken language skills.
Depending on where you go and what you do in Year 3, the year may include being assessed, in part, by a host institution.
In your final year, you will also complete a dissertation.
Skills and experience
Combining the linguistic and cultural study of languages demonstrates that you are a good communicator, and someone open to other cultures and new ideas – what employers value as Intercultural Competence.
On this joint honours programme, you will develop language and linguistic skills. You will also gain a nuanced understanding of other cultures and societies.
Graduating with a four-year Master of Arts degree from the University of Edinburgh shows intellectual maturity, resilience, and flexibility.
The skills you will be able to demonstrate to employers when you graduate include the ability to:
- understand, analyse and articulate complex issues and concepts
- manage your time to meet deadlines on different types of projects
- work independently and as part of a group
Opportunities across sectors
Our programmes are an excellent primer for a range of careers, especially those that place a premium on thinking that is both disciplined and imaginative.
Within the private, public, not-for-profit, and for-benefit sectors, previous graduates have gone on to work 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
- speech and language therapy (with additional training)
Local and global opportunities
With increasing migration in response to changing global dynamics, there is demand for our graduates in Scotland, the UK and abroad.
Wherever you are based in the world, the ability to communicate in another language, and to understand the cultures to which it opens doors, will make you stand out.
If you are keen to work abroad, it’s good to know that around 150 million people in the world speak Russian, which is widely used in global cultural and political contexts. It is the official language of four countries and is commonly understood throughout Eastern Europe. There are also large communities of Russian-speakers in China, Central Asia, the United States, France, Germany, Spain, Norway and the UK.
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, we typically offer Masters by Research degrees in both Russian and English Language. Our portfolio of taught MSc programmes typically includes:
- Comparative Literature
- Intermediality
- English Language
- Applied Linguistics
Each of these programmes is a good foundation for a PhD, but is equally of value as a stand-alone qualification.
Careers advice
Throughout your time with us, we will encourage you to identify and hone your employability skills.
LLC has a dedicated Careers Consultant within the University's excellent Careers Service.
Through our careers service, you can:
- book one-to-one appointments and practice interviews
- access a range of online resources
- attend themed fairs such as the Creative and Cultural Careers Festival
Popular peer support includes Life After LLC, a panel event where you can draw inspiration from our recent graduates.
Standard entry requirement
The standard entry requirement is:
- SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S5 or AABB/ABBBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
- A Levels: AAB.
- 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: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5s: a language other than English at B and English at C.
- A Levels: no specific A Level subjects required. GCSEs: a language other than English at B or 6 and English at C or 4.
- IB: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: a language other than English at 5 and 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.
Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.
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
- 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.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
- 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 65 with at least 54 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
- Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 5 in each component.*
We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.
Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT, or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.
(*Revised 24 May 2024 to change PTE Academic requirement from total 62 with at least 54 in each component, and to clarify that we do not accept PTE Academic online. Revised 29 August 2024 to add Oxford ELLT requirements.)
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 Language
Additional costs
As long as international travel is possible, you will spend Year 3 abroad. The costs you have to pay 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 refund 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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- Russian Studies and English Language (MA) QR37
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- 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
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12 degrees in Russian Studies
- Russian Studies (MA) R700
- 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