Program Overview

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Introduction to the Russian MA Program

The University of Glasgow offers a degree in Russian, allowing students to study a language of strategic international significance and explore the richness of Russian culture. With a long history of teaching Russian and Slavonic languages, the university provides excellent materials in its dedicated library collections.

Program Structure

The Russian MA program is available as a joint honors degree, meaning students study Russian alongside another subject. The program consists of four years of study, with the third year spent abroad, usually enrolled at a university or engaged in immersive language learning.

Year 1

In the first year, students develop their communicative skills in speaking, writing, reading, and understanding the spoken word. They are also introduced to grammar and authentic Russian texts. Previous knowledge of Russian is not required, but students with some prior knowledge may need to take a level test to determine the best course for them.

Year 2

In the second year, students deepen their knowledge of Russian language and continue to focus on communicating confidently in spoken and written Russian. They also learn about Russian culture.

Year 3 (Year Abroad)

If students progress to honors, they spend their third year abroad, usually enrolled at a university or engaged in immersive language learning. The university helps arrange this year abroad, which is an exciting part of every degree in languages and highly valued by employers.

Years 4 and 5

In the final two years, the program places a strong emphasis on achieving a high degree of competence in the language. Students study literature, history, and culture in depth and can choose from a wide range of options to reflect their own interests.

Degree Structure for Non-Beginners Languages

The language courses in years 1 and 2 are designed to allow students to consolidate and advance their knowledge of the language through the study of authentic texts. Students work on enhancing their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills and begin to undertake tasks such as summarizing and translating.

Degree Structure for Beginners Languages

The beginners language courses in year 1 are intensive language courses specially designed to allow students to take an honors degree in the language they are studying. In year 2, students join with the non-beginners students and continue to develop their language skills before going abroad.

Courses

Courses students will take as part of a Russian program may include:

• Russian 1
• Russian Culture 2
• Russian Language 2
• Russian 20th Century Visual Culture
• Russian Honours Spoken Language (Junior)
• Russian Honours Spoken Language (Senior)
• Russian Honours Written Language (Junior)
• Russian Honours Written Language (Senior)
• Russian Literature and State Power
• Russian Dissertation

Entry Requirements

To be considered for the Russian MA program, students should refer to the entry requirements for both subjects and the degree award. The higher entry requirement and additional requirements must be met for both subjects.

SQA Higher Entry Requirements

• BBBB is the minimum requirement from S5 to be reviewed for an S6 offer.
• Offers are not guaranteed to applicants who meet the minimum from S5.
• Typically, offers will be made at AAAAB by the end of S6.
• B at Advanced Higher is equivalent to A at Higher.
• Additional requirements: Higher English and a Higher Humanities subject at AA.

A-Level Standard Entry Requirements

• ABB BBB
• Additional requirements: A-level English or another Humanities subject.

IB Standard Entry Requirements

• 34 (6,5,5)
• Additional requirements: English HL6 or Humanities HL6 with English SL6.

English Language Requirements

For applicants from non-English speaking countries, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. Accepted English language qualifications include:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic
• TOEFL (ibt, mybest, or at home)
• Pearsons PTE Academic
• Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
• Oxford English Test
• LanguageCert Academic SELT
• Password Skills Plus
• Trinity College Tests

Career Prospects

Graduates in modern languages and cultures pursue rewarding careers in the media, teaching, journalism, tourism, translating and interpreting, and the Civil Service. Russian is one of six languages in use by the United Nations.

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees depend on where students are from. The University of Glasgow offers various scholarships, including the World Changers Glasgow Scholarship UG (EU), World Changers Global Excellence Scholarship, and World Changers RUK Excellence Scholarship.

How to Apply

Full-time students must apply through the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). International students can also apply using The Common Application. Application deadlines are:

• 15 October: if including Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, or also applying to Oxford or Cambridge
• 14 January: all other UK applicants
• 30 June: international students

Subject Ranking

The University of Glasgow is ranked in the world top 100 for Modern Languages by QS World University Rankings.