Russian Studies and History Master of Arts (with Honours) - MA (Hons)

Studying Russian and History sheds light on the past to help us understand the contemporary world. Today, around 270 million people in the world speak Russian, and it is widely used in cultural and political contexts, both local and global.

Russian is the official language of four countries and is understood throughout Eastern Europe and Central Asia. There are also large communities of Russian-speakers in China, the United States, Israel and Western Europe.

Russian

On this joint honours programme, you have the opportunity to develop advanced speaking, writing, reading, listening and translating skills in Russian.

Our Year 1 and Year 2 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 when you join us. You also have the option to take a course in Ukrainian Language and Cultures in Year 2.

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.

History

In History, you will study the human past more broadly, interacting with evidence in primary form, and through critical reading of a wide body of historical writing.

History at Edinburgh is distinctive for its range of historical themes, chronological periods and geographical areas. You can choose from courses covering:

* the early Middle Ages to the most recent past

* Britain and Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas

Further, our courses offer a rich variety of approaches to the past, including:

* political history

* cultural history

* social history

* economic history

* intellectual history

* gender history

* global and transnational history

Why Edinburgh

As a world-leading festival and capital city, Edinburgh is a fantastic place to study a language in its cultural context.

From the winding streets of the medieval Old Town to the Georgian squares and terraces of the New Town, it is also a history lover's paradise.

History has been taught at the University of Edinburgh since its foundation in 1583. The first lecture in Russian was given 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 and History from Edinburgh gives you the blend of specialist knowledge and and intercultural skills valued in a range of careers around the globe.

Programme benefits

* Study over four years, giving you the choice and flexibility to try out different things.

* Go abroad for the first of your honours years - Year 3.

* Build up to fluency in the Russian language and specialise in different aspects of Russian studies and history as you move through your degree.

* Explore fantastic libraries and collections at the University and in the city.

* Join societies, attend events, and try your hand at creative writing, publishing and more.

* Gain the skills and confidence for life after university.