MA Russian Studies and Scandinavian Studies
About this course
MA (Hons) in Russian Studies and Scandinavian Studies, a German and Russian Studies degree focused on the languages, literature and cultures of Russia and the Nordic region. The programme incorporates a full academic year abroad taken during the four-year undergraduate course structure. The first year covers introductory options including study Modern Icelandic, Scandinavian Civilisation, linguistics and language sciences, and philosophy, divinity and law. Year 2 introduces Russian Language 2A, Russian Language 2B, Transnational Russian Culture, The Golden Age of Russian Literature, and Introduction to European Cinema. Year 3 involves support services such as Student Wellbeing Service, Student Counselling, and Student Disability and Learning Support. Year 4 focuses on advanced topics including literature and culture, history and politics, and language in socio-political context.
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: from AAA to ABB (required: a language other than English at B) 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 6 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 20%
- Unemployed: 10%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 20 graduates, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 30%
- South East: 5%
- Scotland: 45%
- Northern Ireland: 5%
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
- study Modern Icelandic
- take one, or both, of two courses in Scandinavian Civilisation. These provide an overview of important trends in the history, society, culture and politics of the Scandinavian and wider Nordic world, from the earliest times to the present.
- linguistics and language sciences
- Celtic and Scottish ethnology
- business, economics and informatics
- politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations
- art and architectural history
- history, classics and archaeology
- 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
- learn or continue with Modern Icelandic
- take a course in Ukrainian Language and Cultures
- Student Wellbeing Service
- Student Counselling
- Student Disability and Learning Support
- University emergency helpline (available 24 hours a day)
- literature and culture
- history and politics
- language in socio-political context
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Russian Studies and Scandinavian Studies at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 3 years, £31,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,500 and £41,000. The £31,000 median after five years is £1,500 less than the UK median for German and Scandinavian studies.
What do graduates of MA Russian Studies and Scandinavian Studies at University of Edinburgh do next?
80% 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 Scandinavian Studies 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 Scandinavian Studies 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 Scandinavian Studies 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 Scandinavian Studies at University of Edinburgh?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.