MA Russian Studies and Linguistics
About this course
MA (Hons) in Russian Studies and Linguistics, a joint honours degree centred on English Language and Linguistics and Russian Studies. Students spend the third year abroad in a country where Russian is spoken, and introductory language courses are streamed based on prior language knowledge. The first year introduces the foundations through Linguistics and English Language 1A and Linguistics and English Language 1B, alongside a range of external subjects such as business, economics and informatics and philosophy, divinity and law. Year 2 offers modules including Transnational Russian Culture, The Golden Age of Russian Literature, Utopia and Dystopia in 20th-century Russian Literature and Dynamics of Language and Power, depending on previous language pathways. Year 3 consists of a period abroad. The final year involves advanced study through 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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What students say
Based on about 10 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 69%
- Learning opportunities: 54%
- Assessment and feedback: 64%
- Academic support: 75%
- Organisation and management: 41%
- Learning resources: 73%
- Student voice: 58%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 50%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 25%
- Unemployed: 5%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 225 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 6%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 2%
- London: 38%
- South East: 9%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 28%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 85%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 5%
Modules
- Linguistics and English Language 1A - this offers a brief introduction to the study of language in general and of English in particular
- Linguistics and English Language 1B - this will help you develop the tools and knowledge needed to investigate the different subsystems of language in a systematic way
- 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
- variation observed in the languages of the world
- the structure and history of world languages
- 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 Linguistics at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 3 years, £36,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £28,000 and £48,500. The £36,500 median after five years is £6,500 more than the UK median for Linguistics.
What do graduates of MA Russian Studies and Linguistics at University of Edinburgh do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Russian Studies and Linguistics at University of Edinburgh?
69% 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 Linguistics at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 175 UCAS points.
Does MA Russian Studies and Linguistics 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 Linguistics at University of Edinburgh?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.