Masters Degrees in Russian History, United Kingdom

The Russian Studies MA draws on the unique area studies expertise at the UCL School of Slavonic & East European Studies (SSEES) to offer a choice of modules unparalleled in depth and breadth, ranging from Russia's medieval history to its contemporary politics, from 19th-century literature to 21st-century film.

Degree information

Russian culture is explored from a variety of perspectives. Students specialise in literature and culture, social sciences or history, or combine modules into an interdisciplinary programme. They are encouraged to develop their research skills, and many choose to learn Russian, or improve their command of Russian, through a language course.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of one of a choice of three core modules (30 credits), a choice of a Russian language module (30 credits) and/or optional modules (to a total of 90 credits), and a research dissertation (60 credits).

Core modules - this is a multi-disciplinary programme. Nevertheless, students are required to gain a thorough methodological and theoretical grounding in disciplinary study and hence must choose between one of the following three modules:
-Literary and Cultural Theory
-Historical Methods and Approaches
-Political Analysis AND Political Sociology

Optional modules - 90 credits from a range of options, which may include:
-Advanced Qualitative Methods
-Contemporary Cultural Studies: Between Post-Communism & Post-Modernism
-The Reflecting Screen: Russian and Soviet Cinema in its Cultural Context, 1896 to the Present
-The Nineteenth-Century Russian Novel
-Beyond Stereotypes: The Jews in Polish Culture
-Causes, Consequences and Control: Corruption and Governance
-Linguistic Methods
-How to Read/Interpret Texts: Introduction to Hermeneutics
-Informal Practices in Post-Communist Societies
-Russian Foreign Policy
-Russian Monarchy: Court Ritual and Political Ideas, 1498-1917
-Russian Language Module
-Introduction to Discourse Analysis

Dissertation/report
All MA students undertake an independent research project, which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000–12,000 words.

Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, film viewings, tutorials and specialist language courses. Assessment is carried out through unseen examinations, long essays, course work and the research dissertation.

Careers

With their specialist knowledge and language skills, SSEES Master's graduates can be found in business, finance, the media, international agencies, charities, diplomacy, international security organisations, the law, and academia.

Some graduates advise the Russian, Polish, American, and other governments, and the European Commission.

Top career destinations for this degree:
-Visa officer, Finnish Consulate General of Petrozavodsk, Russia
-Europe and CIS Armed Forces Analyst, IHS Jane's
-Parliamentary Assistant, The Labour Party
-Foreign Rights Assistant, The Blair Partnership
-Principal Examiner for GCE and GCSE, Pearson-Edexcel

Employability
Russia is one of the most exciting and important countries in the world, and SSEES is the ideal place in which to study it. Students who have successfully completed the programme have progressed to further academic research on the region, or have obtained employment in such organisations as the European Parliament and the Ministry of Defence, as well as roles in business, think-tanks, NGOs, or similar, both in Britain and abroad. Networking is facilitated by two major collaborations led by SSEES: CEELBAS and the International Master's (IMESS). Scholarships, internship opportunities and excellent links with other universities in the region provide further benefits.

Why study this degree at UCL?

SSEES is a world-leading specialist institution, and the largest national centre in the UK, for the study of central, Eastern and south-east Europe and Russia.

Located in Bloomsbury, SSEES offers an ideal location for scholars. The British Library, British Museum, University of London Library and other similar research centres are all close by.

The SSEES Library is unequalled in Britain for the depth and breadth of its collections, the majority of which are on open access in the SSEES building.

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This programme is an advanced study of historical and contemporary developments in the economy, politics, culture and society of Russia and the countries of Eastern Europe and Eurasia.

Why this programme

-This programme is for those planning careers in major public, commercial and voluntary institutional settings who wish to acquire a specialised knowledge of Central and Eastern Europe and proficiency in one of the region's languages.
-Language and other study trips to the region are available. You will be offered the opportunity to spend a month in Russia. Some financial support is available to help you fund these trips.
-Choose between three specialist pathways: Central and East European Studies, Russian Studies, and Eurasian Studies.
-You will examine the history of communism and why it collapsed. You will learn about the impact of international organisations (e.g. the European Union, NATO) and of major world powers on the region as well as retaining an appreciation of the region’s internal diversity in a variety of spheres (cultural, economic, ethnic, political and social).
-You can participate in our extensive range of conferences, workshops, business days, seminars and networking activities involving representatives of the business, policy-making and third sector communities.
-The University Library holds one of the best Russian, Central and East European collections in the world.

Programme structure

You will take four core and one optional course, as well as complete a dissertation as a piece of independent research. You will select a specialist pathway, which includes a specialist core courses and a language. (choices vary depending on pathway).

Core courses
All pathways
-Issues in Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies
-Research methods for studying Russia, Eastern Europe & Eurasia

Central and East European Studies
-Geopolitics of Central and Eastern Europe OR Statehood and nationality in Central and Eastern Europe
-Language options: Czech, Estonian, Hungarian, Latvian OR Polish

Russian Studies
-Gender and identity in Soviet & Post-Soviet Russia OR Russian foreign policy
-Language: Russian

Eurasian Studies
-Contested states: The South Caucasus after 1991 OR Rethinking Central Asian security
-Language options: Russian OR Chinese

Optional courses
-Contested states: The South Caucasus since 1991
-De facto states in the Post-Soviet space
-Developments in Czech society since 1989
-Gender and identity in Soviet and Post-Soviet Russia
-Media and democratisation in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union
-Political modernisation: The Georgian case
-Post-Soviet Russia: Renegotiating global and local identities
-Post-Soviet Ukraine: a case study in socio-economic and political transformation
-Rethinking Central Asian security
-Russian foreign policy
-Statehood and nationality in Russia, Central and Eastern Europe
-The geopolitics of Central Europe

Career prospects

Many of our graduates have gone on to establish careers as lecturers and researchers at universities in the UK, Norway, Greece, Italy, and Poland or have become secondary school teachers. Our graduates have also been very successful in establishing careers with organisations such as BBC World Service, British Army, British Civil Service, British Council, Centre for Defence Information (Moscow), Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, European Policies Research Centre, University of Strathclyde (Glasgow), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (London), Jamestown Foundation (Washington D.C), KPMG, Ministry of Defence, UK, Open Society Foundation (Bratislava), Open Society Institute (Budapest), Operation Mobilisation, Czech Republic and the Trust for Civil Society in Central & Eastern Europe (Warsaw).

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Overview

The MRes in Humanities offers students the opportunity to produce a substantial piece of independent research and writing, and to undertake wide-ranging, systematic training in research skills and project management. Students will write a dissertation in a specific field or prepare a portfolio of compositions, recital or a media project with a named supervisor.

Supervision is available in all disciplines where the School has expertise:
- American Studies
- English
- History
- Media, Communications and Culture
- Music and Music Technology
- Philosophy
- Russian

You will be able to develop your research topic within the context of current debates and methodologies in relevant disciplines and within the humanities generally. The course will develop practical, critical and analytical research skills that can be deployed in a variety of professional and intellectual contexts. The programme is tailored to your research and career plans, and we recommend that you contact us before making a formal application.

The MRes degree is intended for applicants who already have a clear dissertation project (or equivalent, e.g. composition portfolio, performance or software development plan). In liaison with the supervisor and discipline lead, a plan of work in semester 1 and 2 is agreed and serves as preparation for the project as well as assessed work in its own right. When you submit your online application, please use your personal statement to describe the dissertation (or equivalent) project you intend to carry out (500-700 words). Include specific research questions and aims. What does the project intend to elucidate? Is any hypothesis proposed? How will the research be carried out (i.e. methodology)?

See the website https://www.keele.ac.uk/pgtcourses/humanitiesmres/

Russian

The MRes in Russian is a flexible course which allows students to develop a chosen interest in the field of Russian cultural studies via specialist modules and a 20-25,000-word dissertation. The teaching staff have expertise in the areas of nineteenth- and twentieth-century Russian culture, are very prominent in their field: the recent RAE report spoke of 'world-leading and internationally excellent research activity'. A wide range of Masters topics can be undertaken. Recent examples include themes such as 'Women in Russian Literature' and 'Modernity and the City in Russian Literature' as well as author based topics (eg. Dostoevsky and Zamyatin).

Course Aims

To enable students to research and write an extended dissertation, whilst developing practical, critical and analytical research skills that can be deployed in a variety of professional and intellectual contexts. Students will develop an understanding of the place of a specific research topic within current debates and methodologies in relevant disciplines, and within the humanities generally. The course will promote the ‘project management skills’ of defining and planning a project, meeting deadlines, and recording and reflecting on outcomes.

Course Content

Students follow a tailor-made programme, comprising three components totalling at least 180 credits.
- A 20,000 word dissertation (or equivalent composition or artistic production) is at the heart of the programme (90 credits).

- Research Training covering research skills and reflective practice in the humanities (2 x 15 = 30 credits).

- Research methods in the field relevant to the thesis topic (30 credits)

- Individual Research Orientation: a module tailored to the needs of the student (30 credits).

Teaching & Assessment

Assessment is by coursework, culminating in the 20,000 word dissertation (or the equivalent composition or artistic production). Research Training is assessed by a portfolio consisting of an annotated bibliography, a project outline and a reflective diary. Each of the other modules will be examined through a 4,000-5,000 word essay or approved equivalent.

The pass mark is 50%. A merit will be awarded where students obtain 60% or over for the dissertation (or equivalent project or performance) and an average of 60% on their other coursework. A distinction will be awarded where students obtain 70% or over for the dissertation, (or equivalent project or performance) and an average of 70% in their other coursework.

Additional Costs

Apart from additional costs for text books, inter-library loans and potential overdue library fines we do not anticipate any additional costs for this post graduate programme.

Discretionary Award:
A sum of £6,250 has been made available to students enrolling on taught postgraduate course in History by a former member of Keele staff. The money will be distributed at the discretion of the relevant programme director(s) and is available to students entering the programme in 2015 and/or 2016. No application is required.

Find information on Scholarships here - http://www.keele.ac.uk/studentfunding/bursariesscholarships/

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This programme offers you the unique opportunity to combine a year of study in Glasgow with a year studying overseas (in English) at one of our renowned partner institutions and leads to the award of a double degree or a single degree.

Key facts

• International Master (Double degree/single degree): 24 months full-time;
• Contact: [email protected]

Why Glasgow

• If you are interested in the challenges faced by the states and societies of Central and Eastern Europe and their place within the new global security order, this two-year programme is for you.
• The programme has been recognised by the European Commission as an Erasmus Mundus Masters Programme of ‘outstanding academic quality’.
• The Erasmus Mundus label allows the programme to annually grant a substantial number of scholarships (including several full scholarships to non-European students).
• Language and other study trips to the region are available. You will be offered the opportunity to spend a month in Russian. Some financial support is available to help you fund these trips.

Programme Structure

Year 1

You will take two core courses and two optional courses at the University of Glasgow.

Core courses
• Language - Czech, Estonian (tbc), Hungarian, Polish, Russian
• Issues in Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies
• Research methods for studying Russia, Eastern Europe and Eurasia.

Optional courses
• Developments in Czech society since 1989
• Gender and identity in Soviet and Post-Soviet Russia
• Media and democratisation in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union
• Post-Soviet Russia: renegotiating global and local identities
• Rethinking Central Asian security
• Russian foreign policy
• Statehood and nationality in Central and Eastern Europe
• A maximum of one outside option from an approved subject.

Note: Some courses might not be available every year.

Year 2: study abroad & dissertation

In semester 1 you will attend lectures/seminars at an international partner university and may choose your study programme from a wide range of options. Dissertation topic will have a strong influence on the selection of Year 2 double degree partner. Relevant language options to a maximum of 6 ECTS may also be selected. In semester 2 you will complete a 20,000-25,000 word dissertation.

Erasmus Mundus graduates will receive the official degree of International Masters in Russian, Central & East European Studies and an official degree from one of our partner universities.

Background and Aims

This challenging and innovative programme enables you to understand the history of communism and why it collapsed. You gain an informed knowledge of the process of economic and political transformation in the former communist states.

We want to develop world class researchers specialising in one or more of the following critical geopolitical areas: Central Asia; the Caucasus & Caspian Sea Basin; Russia; Central and Eastern Europe, including the Baltic Sea Region. This should support bodies like the European Union to address the myriad of socio-economic, political and security challenges of the 21st century. Flexible and high quality language training is an essential part of the programme.

You will get international experience in at least two countries, develop your skills in area research and acquire a range of key employability skills through our well-developed placements with associate partners from the business, public policy and third sector communities. You will also participate in conferences, workshops and other socio-cultural events, making the experience truly rewarding.

Career Prospects

You will be prepared for careers in policy-making in government, foreign ministries, the EU, Intergovernmental organisations and non-governmental organisations. Other career opportunities include higher education and business.

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This MA provides a unique range of options from the early modern period to the present, covering lands where mighty empires and many nations have interacted and competed over the centuries: the Russian Empire, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Habsburg Monarchy, the Ottoman Empire, the German Empire, and their successor states.

Degree information

Students are encouraged to choose from modules which are as diverse in geography as they are varied in approach. The programme is especially rich in courses exploring the relationship between power and culture. Several methods modules are available, including Methods of Area Studies Research (MASR).

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. The programme consists of one core module (30 credits), a choice from a range of optional modules (90 credits) and a research dissertation (60 credits).

Core module
-Historical Methods and Approaches

Optional modules
-Qualitative Methods
-Contemporary Cultural Studies: Between Post-Communism and Post-Modernism
-Beyond Stereotypes: The Jews in Polish Culture
-Cities in Eastern Europe
-The Crisis Zone: Central Europe 1900-1990
-Empires, Nationalism and Communism: States and Societies of South-East Europe
-Religion in South-Eastern Europe: From the Age of Empires to Post-Communism
-Little Hitlers?: Right Radicalism in Central and Eastern Europe 1900-1945
-The Making of Modern Ukraine
-'Metropolis': History of Berlin, 1871-1990
-The Self and the World: Theoretical Approaches to Travel Writing
-The Soviet Cultural Experiment I, 1917-1945

Dissertation/report
All MA students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of approximately 10,000-12,000 words.

Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, presentations, and self study. Student performance is assessed through examinations, essays, a portfolio of work (which includes annotated bibliography, bullet-point presentation, encyclopaedia-style entry, and book review), oral presentation, document analysis, and the dissertation.

Careers

With their specialist knowledge and language skills, SSEES Masters graduates can be found in business, finance, the media, international agencies, charities, diplomacy, international security organisations, the law, and academe.

Some graduates advise the Russian, Polish, American, and other governments, and the European Commission.

Top career destinations for this degree:
-Intern, Houses of Parliament
-Equity Analyst, Charlemagne Capital
-Press and Public Information Office Intern, OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe)
-PhD Russian History, University College London (UCL)

Employability
Students who have successfully completed this programme have moved into further academic research and doctoral studies, careers in teaching and careers in government, NGOs or the European Parliament. The regional specialism of this MA along with the opportunity to learn a language is attractive to employers. Networking is facilitated by two major collaborations led by SSEES: CEELBAS and the International Master's (IMESS). Scholarships, internship opportunities and excellent links with other universities in the region provide further benefits.

Why study this degree at UCL?

The UCL School of Slavonic & East European Studies (SSEES) is a world-leading specialist institution, and the largest national centre in the UK, for the study of central, Eastern and south-east Europe and Russia.

Located in Bloomsbury, SSEES offers an ideal location for scholars. The British Library, British Museum, University of London Library and other similar research centres are all close by.

The SSEES Library is unequalled in Britain for the depth and breadth of its collections, the majority of which are on open access in the SSEES building.

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We offer promising Russian Studies candidates the opportunity to carry out research in one of the leading centres in the country for language, literature, history and culture.

Researchers working here are part of a stimulating research culture within the Department of Modern Languages and beyond, benefitting from special links to the Centre for Russian, European and Eurasian Studies (CREES) based in the College of Social Sciences. Between us we are able to offer an exceptionally wide range of expertise, and hence supervision opportunities, with a particular focus on contemporary topics in cultural studies and social science.

The MA by Research programme requires you to prepare a dissertation of up to 40,000 words on a topic of your choice, for which an academic staff member will provide expert supervision.

The PhD – the most advanced research degree – leads to a dissertation of up to 80,000 words on a subject of your choice and under the expert supervision of an academic member of staff.

Distance learning

You can study an MA by Research or PhD programme on campus or by distance learning. Please note that if you are studying with us by distance learning, the programme includes a fully-funded annual visit to campus for each full year of your programme (every two years for part-time students).

Funding and Scholarships

There are many ways to finance your postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham. To see what funding and scholarships are available, please visit: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/funding

Open Days

Explore postgraduate study at Birmingham at our on-campus open days.
Register to attend at: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/visit

Virtual Open Days

If you can’t make it to one of our on-campus open days, our virtual open days run regularly throughout the year. For more information, please visit: http://www.pg.bham.ac.uk

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This MA provides students with the opportunity to study key concepts and approaches in political sociology and theoretical debates about the relationship between state and society, and identity and power. Graduates acquire a mix of in-depth area knowledge of Russia and Eastern Europe, research skills and theoretical understanding.

[Degree information]]
The programme centres on sociology but is interdisciplinary in nature, combining topics and methods from political science, anthropology, history, cultural studies and economics to analyse the relationships among individuals, groups, institutions, governments and their environments. Students choose two core modules in political sociology and social science methods and can then select thematic or area-based options as well as the options to study Russian or another East European language.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of one core module (15 credits), one of a choice of four modules in social science methodology (15 credits), optional modules (90 credits) and a research dissertation (60 credits).

Core modules - students take a 15 credits core module in Political Sociology and a 15 credit course from a list of options in social science methodology.
-Political Sociology
-Methodology
-Qualitative Methods
-Understanding and Analysing Data
-Comparative Analysis in Social and Political Research
-Introduction to Discourse Analysis

Optional modules
-Causes, Consequences and Control: Corruption and Governance
-Cities in Eastern Europe
-Ethno-Political Conflict in Central and Eastern Europe
-Gender and Sexuality in Modern Russian Culture
-Informal Practices in Post-Communist Societies
-Migration in the EU
-Nations, Identity and Power
-Politics of Southeast Europe
-Sexuality and Society in Russia and Eastern Europe
-Sociology of Religion

Dissertation/report
All MA students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000-12,000 words.

Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, laboratory sessions, workshops, presentations, self-study and specialist language classes. Students are assessed by a variety of methods, including unseen examinations, long essays, coursework and a dissertation.

Careers

With their specialist knowledge and language skills, SSEES Master's graduates can be found in business, finance, the media, international agencies, charities, diplomacy, international security organisations, the law, and academia.

Some graduates advise the Russian, Polish, American, and other governments, and the European Commission.

Top career destinations for this degree:
-Researcher, Saxton Bampfyble Hever Plc
-Global Education Officer, Childreach International
-Marketing Analyst, Business Services International
-Programme Co-Ordinator, Open Society Foundation
-Television News Reporter, ETV (Eesti Televisioon) (Estonian Television)

Employability
The MA opens up a range of opportunities and previous graduates from this programme have gone on to work in think tanks, political parties; national, European and international private and public sector organisations; and in the media and NGOs as political analysts. Other graduates have progressed to further academic study. Networking is facilitated by two major collaborations led by SSEES: CEELBAS and the International Master's (IMESS). Scholarships, internship opportunities and excellent links with other universities in the region provide further benefits.

Why study this degree at UCL?

The UCL School of Slavonic & East European Studies (SSEES) is a world- leading specialist institution, and the largest national centre in the UK, for the study of central, Eastern and South-east Europe and Russia.

This MA allows you to study the social and cultural issues in the region in unparalleled breadth and depth and to develop analytical and research capacities, language skills and practical insights.

Our nationally unequalled specialist library and central London location provide an ideal environment for research, while our close contacts with employers, policy-makers and alumni afford excellent opportunities for networking and career development.

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The programme offers ESRC accredited training in language-based area studies, as well as advanced training in qualitative and quantitative methods; specialised area studies research training; and language training in one of the region’s languages.

Why this programme

-The programme is intended for those who wish to pursue a research-based career in the region, with or without the completion of a PhD.
-Language and other study trips to the region are available. You will be offered the opportunity to spend a month in Russia. Some financial support is available to help you fund these trips.
-Annual scholarships are available for the language-based area studies pathways on a 2+3 (MRes + intensive language training to advanced level + PhD), 1+3 (MRes or intensive language training to advanced level + PhD) and +3 (PhD only) models, depending on your prior qualifications.
-The University Library holds one of the best Russian, Central and East European collections in the world.
-We have active postgraduate training links with thirteen overseas partner institutions in eleven countries. They visit to provide research master classes and participate in seminars.

Programme structure

You will take five core courses and submit a 12,000-15,000 word dissertation.

Semester 1
-Social science statistics 1
-Qualitative methods
-Language (Czech, Estonian, Hungarian, Polish, Russian)

Semester 2
-Research methods for studying Russia and Central and Eastern Europe
-Advanced qualitative methods or Social science statistics 2
Language (Czech, Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Russian, Slovak or Hungarian)
Dissertation (12,000–15,000 words)

Note: Some languages and courses might not be available every year. You may also be able to choose from courses in the other subjects in the School of Social & Political Sciences. Language training is offered over a range of levels from beginners to advanced. If you are a native speaker or have a degree in one of the region’s languages, you will take an additional course instead.

Career prospects

Many of our graduates have gone on to establish careers as lecturers and researchers at universities in the UK, Norway, Greece, Italy and Poland or have become secondary school teachers. Some have also gone on to pursue research and policy-making careers with government, business and international organisations.

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