MA Russian Studies and Politics
About this course
MA (Hons) in Russian Studies and Politics, a joint honours degree centred on politics and international relations and Russian studies. Students spend year three studying or working abroad in a country where Russian is spoken, and language courses in the first two years are streamed based on prior proficiency. The first year introduces foundational subjects through Politics and International Relations 1A - Concepts and Debates, Politics and International Relations 1B - The Global Dimension, and Political Thinkers (an introduction to political theory). Year two features study in areas such as Transnational Russian Culture, The Golden Age of Russian Literature, and Utopia and Dystopia in 20th-century Russian Literature. Year four involves advanced modules including reading and writing (including translation), speaking and listening, The Russian 19th-century novel, and Post-Soviet politics.
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 39%: 7 offers from 18 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
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 (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 58 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 62%
- Working and studying: 13%
- Further study: 8%
- Unemployed: 8%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 16%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 14%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 11%
- Sales occupations: 8%
- Elementary occupations: 7%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
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 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- No formal qualifications: 10%
Modules
- Politics and International Relations 1A - Concepts and Debates
- Politics and International Relations 1B - The Global Dimension
- Political Thinkers (an introduction to political theory)
- 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 Politics at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £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 £2,500 more than the UK median for Politics.
What do graduates of MA Russian Studies and Politics at University of Edinburgh do next?
83% 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 Politics 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 Politics at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 198 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Russian Studies and Politics at University of Edinburgh?
39% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 7 offers from 18 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Russian Studies and Politics 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 Politics at University of Edinburgh?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.