Russian Studies

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 and Central Asia. Today, there are also large communities of Russian-speakers in China, the United States, Israel and Western Europe.

Language learning

Through intensive language study on our flexible four-year programme, you have the opportunity to develop advanced speaking, writing, reading, listening and translating skills in Russian.

Our Year 1 Russian courses are streamed according to how much of the language you already know, so it does not matter if you are a complete beginner.

Cultural studies

You will explore Russian and Russian-speaking (Russophone) literature and culture, past and present. You will also develop an awareness of Russia's international political and historical contexts.

In your honours years, you will choose from specialist options in:

• Russian and comparative literature and culture

• Russian language in its social context

• Soviet and Post-Soviet culture

Why Edinburgh

As a world-leading festival and capital city, Edinburgh is a fantastic place for language learning. The first lecture in Russian was given at the University in 1919, and Russian Studies was introduced as an undergraduate degree programme in 1949, the first of its kind in Scotland. Today, graduating with a degree in Russian Studies from Edinburgh gives you the blend of specialist skills and intercultural knowledge valued in a range of careers around the globe.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years, including a Year Abroad. This enables us to build choice and flexibility into your studies, giving you time to explore options, find what you like and build your skills.

Your first two years will be your pre-honours years. They will give you a good grounding in the Russian language and the study of Russophone history and culture. In addition to your core courses, you will broaden your education and skill set by choosing option courses from a range of disciplines. This may enable you to change or widen your focus by, for example, moving onto a joint honours programme.

Your final two years will be your honours years. You will spend Year 3 studying abroad, gaining lived experience of Russophone culture. Year 4 will be tailored to your interests in specific topics or approaches to Russian studies. You will also further develop your Russian language and translation skills and write a dissertation.

Programme benefits

• Take the oldest programme of its kind in Scotland.

• Study over four years, including one abroad.

• Become fluent in a language.

• Try out different subjects in your first two years.

• Delve into fantastic libraries and collections.

• Try your hand at creative writing and publishing.