German and Russian Studies MA (Hons)

German and Russian cultures have influenced each other for several centuries through peaceful cultural exchange, migration and mobility, and war and conflict.<br/><br/>Over one-third of Europeans speak German as their first language, while around 150 million people in the world speak Russian. This joint honours programme is your opportunity to study two of Europes most widely spoken languages in their global cultural contexts.<br/><br/>No previous knowledge of either language is needed, as we stream our Year 1 courses depending on prior experience. Through intensive language study, including a year abroad, you will have the opportunity to acquire advanced spoken and written skills in both German and Russian.<br/><br/>As well as your language classes, you will explore aspects of Russian-speaking (Russophone) and German-language culture from the Middle Ages to the 21st century. Courses cover literature, film and theatre from Europe and beyond, studied in historical, political and social context.<br/><br/><strong>Why Edinburgh</strong><br/><br/>As a world-leading festival and capital city, Edinburgh is a fantastic place to study languages in their cultural context.<br/><br/>We are unique in Scotland in offering students a full academic year abroad within the four-year honours programme, regardless of whether you study or build a work placement into your time abroad.<br/><br/>Today, graduating with a degree in German and Russian Studies from Edinburgh gives you the blend of specialist skills and broad cultural education valued in a range of careers around the globe.<br/><br/><strong>How long it takes to complete this degree programme</strong><br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>Your first two years will be your pre-honours years. They will give you a good grounding in the German and Russian languages and in the study of German-language and 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 the focus of your programme.<br/><br/>Your final two years will be your honours years. You will spend Year 3 abroad, gaining lived experience of different cultures. Year 4 will be tailored to your interests in specific topics or approaches to German and Russian Studies. You will also further develop your language and translation skills and write either a long essay or dissertation.<br/><br/><strong>Programme benefits</strong><br/><br/><br/>* Learn in an historic, capital city where both German and Russian have been taught for over a century.<br/><br/><br/>* Study over four years, including one abroad.<br/><br/><br/>* Become fluent in two of the most widely spoken languages in Europe.<br/><br/><br/>* Try out different subjects in your first two years.<br/><br/><br/>* Delve into fantastic libraries and collections.<br/><br/><br/>* Try your hand at creative writing and publishing.<br/>