MA Russian
About this course
MA (Honours) in Russian, a language and culture degree focused on Russian grammar, communication skills, and literature. The course offers an optional study abroad period in a Russian-speaking country. The first year provides tailored language instruction at beginner or advanced entry levels through modules such as Elementary Russian Language 1, Elementary Russian Language 2, Advanced Elementary Russian Language and Literature 1, and Advanced Elementary Russian Language and Literature 2. The second year progresses to intermediate and advanced grammar, translation, and audio-visual communication through modules like Intermediate Russian Language 1, Intermediate Russian Language 2, Advanced Intermediate Russian Language 1, and Advanced Intermediate Russian Language 2. Later stages of the degree cover specialist topics including Pre-revolutionary Russophone Women's Writing, Utopia/Dystopia in Russian Literature and Culture, The Russian Play, Issues in Russian Cultural Memory, Russian Children’s Literature (1900 – 2015), Russian Crime Fiction, Worlds of Russophone Literature, Russian Modernist Fiction 1900 - 1940, The City in Soviet and Russian Cinema, The Nineteenth-Century Russian Novel, Theatre and Performance in Russophone Cultures, and The Fantastic in 19th-Century Russian Literature.
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Entry requirements
A level: AAB IB: 36 (HL 6,6,5)
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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: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 91%
- Assessment and feedback: 77%
- Academic support: 93%
- Organisation and management: 84%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 82%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 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: 65%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 20%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 20%
- Media Professionals: 15%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Customer service occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- 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 15 graduates, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 45%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 5%
- Wales: 5%
- Scotland: 25%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
Modules
- Pre-revolutionary Russophone Women's Writing
- Utopia/Dystopia in Russian Literature and Culture
- The Russian Play
- Issues in Russian Cultural Memory
- Russian Children’s Literature (1900 – 2015)
- Russian Crime Fiction
- Worlds of Russophone Literature
- Russian Modernist Fiction 1900 - 1940
- The City in Soviet and Russian Cinema
- The Nineteenth-Century Russian Novel
- Theatre and Performance in Russophone Cultures
- The Fantastic in 19th-Century Russian Literature
- Elementary Russian Language 1 : the module is aimed at students with no prior knowledge of Russian. It teaches the Cyrillic alphabet, essential points of grammar and relevant vocabulary for communication in various Russian-speaking contexts
- Elementary Russian Language 2 : this is the second-semester module for students beginning their study of Russian. We continue to develop the four key language skills - reading, writing, listening and speaking - and work on grammar and vocabulary acquisition
- Advanced Elementary Russian Language and Literature 1 : reinforces and builds on the knowledge of grammar and vocabulary acquired at school. Develops translation and oral skills, and studies literary texts in Russian
- Advanced Elementary Russian Language and Literature 2 : the module is aimed at students who have a prior high-school qualification (or equivalent) in Russian. It covers elements of grammar, translation, text analysis, the study of literature, and oral tuition
- Intermediate Russian Language 1 : this module is for those students who began their study of Russian in first year. It deepens knowledge of Russian grammar and vocabulary, develops communication skills in response to audio-visual material and increases writing proficiency
- Intermediate Russian Language 2 : the module builds on the grammar and vocabulary taught in RU2201. Alongside audio-visual and written communication and writing practice, students will translate texts from Russian into English which develop key vocabulary
- Advanced Intermediate Russian Language 1 : the module reinforces Russian grammar and syntax at a higher level. Students will translate texts into and out of Russian and develop communication skills in response to audio-visual material
- Advanced Intermediate Russian Language 2 : the module continues to build on the advanced grammar and syntax taught in Advanced Intermediate Russian 1. Audio-visual communication, translation and oral skills will continue to be developed
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Russian at University of St Andrews earn?
The median salary is £33,000 after 15 months, £30,000 after 3 years, £42,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £31,500 and £63,000. The £42,500 median after five years is £13,500 more than the UK median for English studies.
What do graduates of MA Russian at University of St Andrews 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 at University of St Andrews?
91% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Russian at University of St Andrews?
The typical offer is AAB at A level. The average entrant had 197 UCAS points.
Does MA Russian at University of St Andrews include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Russian at University of St Andrews?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.