MA Russian Studies and History
About this course
MA (Hons) in Russian Studies and History, a Russian Studies and History degree exploring modern history, culture, and language. Students undertake a year abroad or a residence period as part of the four-year programme. The first year covers key skills alongside options spanning the medieval period and the early modern period. Year 2 features Russian Language 2A, Russian Language 2B, Transnational Russian Culture, The Golden Age of Russian Literature, and Utopia and Dystopia in 20th-century Russian Literature. Year 3 involves pastoral and support services during residence abroad. The final year includes reading and writing (including translation), speaking and listening, The Russian 19th-century novel, Russian language in its social context, Russian art, Post-Soviet politics, and Culture and Power under Stalin.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: ABB (required: no specific A level subjects required) IB: 34 points with 655 at HL
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 72%: 18 offers from 25 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 144 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 73%
- Assessment and feedback: 69%
- Academic support: 85%
- Organisation and management: 74%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 59%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 265 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 93%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 2%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 305 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 4%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 4%
- London: 36%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 3%
- Scotland: 38%
Who gets in
Based on about 285 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 82%
- Baccalaureate: 7%
- Access course: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 2%
- No formal qualifications: 7%
Modules
- a wide-ranging core course focused on key skills and habits, and showcasing the variety of topics available at Edinburgh, including in modern history
- one of two courses, covering either: the medieval period the early modern period
- the medieval period
- the early modern period
- business, economics and informatics
- politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations
- art and architectural history
- history, classics and archaeology
- Celtic and Scottish ethnology
- linguistics and language sciences
- philosophy, divinity and law
- if you took Russian Studies 1A in Year 1, you will take Russian Language 2A.
- if you took Russian Studies 1B in Year 1, you will take Russian Language 2B.
- Transnational Russian Culture
- The Golden Age of Russian Literature
- Utopia and Dystopia in 20th-century Russian Literature
- Cultural Responses to War
- Migration, Exile, Diaspora
- Crime and Detection in Literature
- Gender and Culture
- The Coming-of-Age Narrative
- Introduction to European Cinema
- Dynamics of Language and Power
- Languages Beyond University
- Student Wellbeing Service
- Student Counselling
- Student Disability and Learning Support
- University emergency helpline (available 24 hours a day)
- reading and writing (including translation)
- speaking and listening
- The Russian 19th-century novel
- Russian language in its social context
- Russian art
- Post-Soviet politics
- Culture and Power under Stalin
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Russian Studies and History at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 3 years, £34,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,500 and £45,000. The £34,500 median after five years is £2,000 less than the UK median for Slavic studies.
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Russian Studies and History at University of Edinburgh?
90% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Russian Studies and History at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 188 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Russian Studies and History at University of Edinburgh?
72% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 18 offers from 25 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Russian Studies and History at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Russian Studies and History at University of Edinburgh?
93% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.