Russian MA (Hons) 2019 entry

The MA (Hons) in Russian teaches you to use Russian with sound grammatical accuracy and a high level of oral aptitude. In addition to language teaching, you will also be given a deeper and more diverse understanding and appreciation of different aspects of Russian culture through modules dedicated to literature, history and Russian society.

Russian at St Andrews uses a specially designed language teaching programme that caters both for students who have already studied Russian as a main subject at school and for absolute beginners. Upon completing the degree, you will have an excellent command of the Russian language and have gained an invaluable understanding and appreciation of the Russian-speaking world.

During your degree, you have the opportunity to spend time studying abroad in Russia. Time in Russia is not compulsory, but is strongly recommended as the best way to master the language and to better know the country. On a four-year degree, students can spend one semester in one of a variety of locations in Russia. The MA (Hons) in Russian is also available as a five-year course with an integrated year abroad when students spend time studying in Russian between their second and third years. Find out more about the Russian integrated year abroad.

Applications for 2019 entry for this course have now closed, see which courses are available for the upcoming academic year.

UCAS code

R710

Course type

Master of Arts (single Honours degree)

Course duration

Four years full time

  • Start date: 9 September 2019
  • End date: 30 June 2023

If you started this programme in 2018, you can find information about 2018 entry on the 2018 Russian MA page. Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.

Entry requirements

SQA Highers AAAB
GCE A-Levels AAB
IB points 36

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes, please see our entry requirements for more information.

For degrees combining more than one subject, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. You will also need to meet any further subject specific entrance requirements as outlined on their pages.

International applicants

If English is not your first language you will need an overall IELTS score of 7.0, with a minimum score of 6.5 in each component (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking), or an equivalent English Language qualification.

Do I need to have studied this subject before?

No prior knowledge of Russian is necessary. Modules are not designed for native speakers.

Faculty entry requirements

You must also meet the Faculty of Arts minimum qualifications. These vary depending on which qualifications you hold.

Other qualifications

Passes in other examinations at equivalent levels and subjects may be accepted by the Dean of the Faculty. More information on how to apply via other entry routes or accreditation of prior learning and experience can be found on the University’s entry requirements webpage.

Find out more about Faculty of Arts entry requirements.

Timetables

St Andrews students must meet with their Adviser of Studies at the beginning of Semester 1 in September to complete advising – a compulsory part of the matriculation process. After module choices have been decided, a timetable will be allocated indicating the dates and times of classes.

Reputation

The School of Modern Languages has a long-standing reputation for innovative research in an exceptionally broad variety of interests including world literature, linguistics, cinema, history, gender and identity studies.

The Department of Russian was ranked first in Scotland by The Complete University Guide 2019.

In the 2014 REF, the School of Modern Languages was ranked first in Scotland on the quality of publications, with over 70% of research work rated as world-leading and internationally excellent.

The School of Modern Languages was ranked top in Scotland by the Guardian University Guide 2019.

The University of St Andrews as a whole was voted top in the UK for student academic experience in The National Student Survey 2018 as 94% of St Andrews final year students gave the University top marks for the quality of the learning and teaching experience.

The University has secured a TEF Gold Award for the quality of teaching and the undergraduate experience.

Find out more about studying Russian at St Andrews.

Course information

The MA (Hons) in Russian is a four-year course run by the School of Modern Languages. The course focuses on building a high level of competence in language skills and allows you to delve into particular topics of interest within Russian culture and history.

The course is available to both students who are beginners in Russian and to more advanced students who have an SQA Higher or a GCE A-Level qualification in Russian. Advanced students will follow a separate language course for the first two years.

In the first two years, students of all levels will build on existing skills in Russian and are offered a broad view of Russian literature, civilisation and culture.

Alongside Russian, in the first year of your studies, you will be required to study an additional two subjects. In the second year you will usually carry on at least one of these subjects, sometimes two. Find out more about how academic years are organised.

During your third and fourth year, you will take modules focused on communication skills and can choose to specialise in a number of areas such as Russian literature, film or cultural history.

Graduates in Modern Languages from St Andrews can expect to have not only a high level of competency in language skills, but a highly developed appreciation for other cultures and peoples. Other transferable skills, including analysis, synthesis and communication skills will prepare you for a career in almost any industry.

Students may choose to spend an additional year studying in Russia. Find out more about the integrated year abroad for this course.

The University of St Andrews operates on a flexible modular degree system by which degrees are obtained through the accumulation of credits. More information on the structure of the modules system can be found on the flexible degree structure webpage.

Find out more about studying Russian at St Andrews.

Modules

In the first two years of your degree (known as sub-honours) you will take the required modules in Russian along with modules in at least one additional subject.

Typically, you will take one Russian module per semester during your first two years, and four Russian modules per semester during your third and fourth year (known as Honours). Find out more about the modular Scottish degree system.

Two different types of module are offered in first year: intensive foundation courses for beginners, and advanced language and literature courses for those with higher entrance qualifications. For all modules, speaking in Russian is practised in small groups with a native speaker.

Students who are beginners are required to take the following compulsory modules in their first year:

  • Elementary Russian Language 1: provides the most basic elements of Russian – the alphabet, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. 
  • Elementary Russian Language 2: provides training in Russian grammar sufficient for reading Russian texts (books, newspapers, etc) with the aid of a dictionary.

Students who have an SQA Higher or GCE A-level in Russian will take the following compulsory modules in first year:

  • Advanced Elementary Russian Language and Literature 1: reinforces and builds on the knowledge of grammar and vocabulary acquired at school, and studies texts in Russian.
  • Advanced Elementary Russian Language and Literature 2: covers elements of grammar, translation, text analysis, study of literature, and includes oral tuition classes with a native language instructor.

The distinction between beginners and non-beginners is maintained in year two, with separate sets of modules depending on your previous experience. For all modules, speaking in Russian is practised in small groups with a native speaker.

Students who are ex-beginners are required to take the following compulsory modules in their second year:

  • Intermediate Russian Language 1: reinforces Russian grammar and syntax. Students will translate passages between Russian and English which engage with key historical and cultural events.
  • Intermediate Russian Language 2: continues to build on the grammar and syntax taught in Intermediate Russian 1, and develops comprehension skills in response to contemporary audio-visual and online material.

Students who have an SQA Higher or GCE A-level in Russian will take the following compulsory modules in second year:

  • Advanced Intermediate Russian Language 1: reinforces Russian grammar and syntax at a higher level. Students will translate passages between Russian and English which engage with key historical and cultural events.
  • Advanced Intermediate Russian Language 2: continues to build on the advanced grammar and syntax taught in Advanced Intermediate Russian 1. Spoken Russian is improved through small-group oral tuition classes with a native language instructor.

If you take Russian at St Andrews in your third and fourth years, you will choose from a variety of advanced options which incorporate literary, historical and cultural studies into language learning.

Students of all language levels take the same core modules in Russian language, including advanced oral, writing and communication skills.

Optional specialist modules that have been offered in previous years include (but are not limited to):

  • The 19th-Century Russian Novel
  • The City in Soviet and Russian Cinema
  • Gender in Russian Literature and Culture
  • Issues in Russian Cultural Memory
  • Russia’s Literary Easts
  • Russian Children’s Literature
  • Russian Crime Fiction
  • Russian Modernist Fiction: 1900-1940
  • Soviet Culture Under Stalin
  • Voices of the Russian Enlightenment.

In fourth year, students have the option of undertaking a dissertation of up to 5,000 words in length, written in English, on a topic of their choice. This independent project enables you to develop key research skills which are desired by both prospective employers and by graduate schools offering postgraduate degrees.


The sub-honours modules listed here are the compulsory modules that students must take in order to graduate in this subject. However, most students at St Andrews take additional modules, either in their primary subject or from other subjects they are interested in. For Honours-level, students choose from a range of Honours modules, some of which are listed above. A full list of all modules available for the current academic year can be found in the module catalogue.

Teaching

Teaching format

All Modern Language modules involve a combination of lectures, tutorials and practical languages classes. Lectures provide information, stimulate thought, and suggest directions for further reading and personal study. Small language tutorials allow you to actively work together with your tutors to practice language skills, present papers, and discuss texts and issues relevant to the course.

Sub-honours Russian modules are delivered through small language classes, with 15 to 30 students in each. Oral classes are generally held in smaller groups of no more than 15 students.

At Honours level, you will attend smaller language classes (5 to 15 students) and seminars (5 to 12 students).

When not attending lectures, tutorials and language classes, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve:

  • working on individual and group projects
  • undertaking research in the library
  • preparing coursework assignments and presentations
  • preparing for examinations.

You will be taught by a research-led teaching team with expertise and knowledge of Russian. Postgraduate research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of tutorials under the supervision of the module leader.

You can find contact information for all Russian staff on the School of Modern Languages website.

In addition to your studies in the Department of Russian, optional academic support is available through practical study skills courses and workshops hosted within the University.

The University’s student services team can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long-term medical conditions or learning disabilities. More information can be found on the students with disabilities webpage.

Assessment

All Russian modules are assessed by a combination of coursework (at least 40%) and end-of-semester examinations. Coursework includes advanced language exercises, discursive essays and oral presentations.

Examinations are held at the end of each semester during a dedicated exam diet with revision time provided beforehand. Examinations are either entirely in written format or comprise both written and oral components.

Tutors advise you closely on the preparation of written work and give individual assessments of your performance. The Department aims to provide feedback on assessments and coursework within three weeks.

Undergraduates at the University of St Andrews must achieve at least 7.0 on the St Andrews 20-point grade scale to pass a module. To gain access to Honours-level modules, students must achieve the relevant requisites as specified in the policy on entry to Honours and in the relevant programme requirements. Please note that some Schools offer qualified entry to Honours, and this will be clearly specified in the programme requirements. To find out the classification equivalent of points, please visit the common reporting scale webpage.

Fees

Tuition fees for 2019 entry

Scotland and EU £1,820
Rest of the UK £9,250
Overseas £22,350

For overseas students, tuition fees will be fixed at this level for the duration of your programme.

More information on tuition fees can be found on the undergraduate fees and funding page.

Accommodation fees

Find out about accommodation fees for University accommodation.

Funding and scholarships

The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to undergraduate students each year.

Find out more about undergraduate scholarships.

Joint Honours degrees

You can take Russian as part of a joint Honours degree alongside one of the following subjects.

  • Arabic
  • Art History
  • Comparative Literature
  • Economics
  • English
  • Film Studies
  • French
  • German
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Latin
  • Mathematics
  • Mediaeval History
  • Middle East Studies
  • Modern History
  • Persian
  • Philosophy
  • Scottish History
  • Social Anthropology
  • Spanish
  • Theological Studies

Modern language degrees

It is possible to combine a degree in Russian with two modern languages. Any combination of Arabic, French, German, Italian, Persian, and Spanish is possible.

You can also take Russian as part of a Modern Languages joint Honours degree with two modern languages and one additional subject.

If you are taking:

  • Russian

You can also take one modern language:

  • Arabic
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Spanish

And one other subject:

  • Comparative Literature

If you are taking:

  • Russian

You can also take one modern language:

  • Arabic
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Persian
  • Spanish

And one other subject:

  • English
  • International Relations

If you are taking:

  • Russian

You can also take one modern language:

  • Arabic
  • French
  • Italian
  • Persian
  • Spanish

And one other subject:

  • Latin

If you are taking:

  • Russian

You can also take one modern language:

  • Arabic
  • French
  • Italian
  • Persian

And one other subject:

  • Classical Studies

"With" degrees

You can take Russian as part of a "with" Honours degree in which the majority of the course deals with the first named subject. St Andrews offers the following "with" degrees in Russian:

  • Economics with Russian
  • Mathematics with Russian
  • Russian with Geography

Your future

Careers

Russia’s political and economic significance in the world means ever-multiplying career prospects for those who can communicate in Russian.

Graduates of Russian have gone on to successful careers in:

  • accountancy
  • the armed services
  • the British Foreign Office
  • Civil Service
  • finance
  • journalism
  • law
  • management consultancy
  • translation and interpreting 
  • teaching.

Others work as educators in Russia and Eastern Europe or pursue graduate study. Find out more about career destinations for language graduates.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.

Study abroad

The University is delighted to offer undergraduates a number of exciting opportunities to apply to spend a semester or year abroad as part of a St Andrews degree programme. St Andrews is partnered with large and small institutions, ancient and young, across the globe. What unites all of our programmes is the quality of the academic provision, ensuring that participation in a St Andrews Study abroad programme opens the door to a new and valuable academic experience at another world-class institution. Study Abroad for credit is permitted on existing University-approved programmes only.

Student life

From the outset, the University of St Andrews offers an array of events and opportunities which result in a truly unique student experience. Students participate in a range of traditions, notably, the red academic gown and the academic family, where older students adopt first year students as ‘children’ and help guide them in a system of mentoring. These traditions and the choice of over 150 sports clubs and student societies to choose from ensures a community feel amongst students from first year onwards.

Students of Russian may be interested in joining the following student societies:

  • Russian Society is dedicated to sharing Russian culture and language in Fife. They host events including poetry nights, film screenings, coffee gatherings and international food evenings.
  • Ukrainian Society promotes Ukrainian culture in the University and the town. They host socials, cultural nights, cook-off and movie nights, and many other events.
  • At Home and Abroad Society promotes study and work abroad programmes along with all forms of international cultural exchange.

The School of Modern Languages is situated at the very centre of St Andrews in the Buchanan Building on Union Street. Within the Buchanan Building is the Multimedia Centre, a digital language lab which students will use as both a component of their module classwork and as part of individual study.

The town of St Andrews itself has lots to offer. As the campus is located around town, walking around you encounter ancient and modern buildings and areas of greenery and seaside which provide a rich, beautiful backdrop to learning. If you want a change of scenery, St Andrews' position near surrounding towns and cities such as Anstruther, Dundee and Edinburgh make it ideal for getting to know more about Scotland.

Find out more about student life at the University of St Andrews.

“I chose to study Russian because I have always had a deep interest in Russian history and culture. I applied to St Andrews originally as a Single Honours History student, but picked up Russian along the way and have never looked back! The Russian Department is small, so it has a friendly and relaxed feel. It also means we can speak to tutors about anything and they are always happy to help. Having the opportunity to study in Russia for a year was the best experience of my life.”

Thomas (Aberdeenshire, Scotland)

Contact

Department of Russian
School of Modern Languages
University of St Andrews
Buchanan Building
Union Street
St Andrews
KY16 9PH

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2951 
Email: russianhod@st-andrews.ac.uk    

Department of Russian website

Policies

Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy.

Curriculum development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online. (PDF, 72 KB).

Tuition fees

The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online. (PDF, 84 KB).