Program Overview

Central & East European, Russian & Eurasian Studies (International Master)

The International Master in Central & East European, Russian & Eurasian Studies offers a unique opportunity to undertake study and research in at least three different countries at renowned partner institutions, culminating in the award of a multiple degree according to the chosen pathway.

Programme Overview

This two-year programme addresses the challenges faced by the states and societies of Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans and Southeast Europe, Russia and broader Eurasia, and their place within the post-socialist space. Opportunities for placements at external organisations in the countries of this geographical space are included under each mobility study track. The programme is delivered by leading experts in their specialist areas of research, and language tuition is available throughout the programme.

Programme Structure

The programme is structured around three predefined mobility periods at three different universities across Europe, South Caucasus, and Central Asia. The mobility periods are designed to enable students to engage with a variety of perspectives on the programme's core themes and to acquire hands-on experience of studying and living in the region of their professional interests.

Year 1

• Semester 1: University of Tartu, Estonia
  • Students will spend their first semester at the University of Tartu, Estonia, where they will equip themselves with the basic toolbox to study in the CEERES curriculum and prepare for MA thesis writing.
  • Core courses include:
    • Introduction to Central and East European, Russian and Eurasian Studies
    • Research Design and Methods for Area Studies
    • Regional languages: Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian, Estonian, Georgian, Hungarian, Kazakh, Polish, Romanian, or Russian (language class availability varies per academic year)
• Semester 2: University of Glasgow, Scotland
  • Students will spend their second semester at the University of Glasgow, Scotland, where they will immerse themselves in more specialised knowledge that spans both thematic and country/regional foci.
  • Optional courses may include:
    • Crime and Corruption in the Former Soviet Union
    • De Facto States in the Post-Soviet Space
    • Decolonisation Agenda and CEERES
    • Energy, Politics and Society in Eurasia
    • Europe-Russia Relations since the Collapse of the USSR
    • Media and Democratisation in Central and Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union
    • Post-Soviet Russia: Renegotiating Global and Local Identities
    • Rethinking Central Asian Security
    • Russia, China and International Politics of Eurasia
    • Russian Foreign Policy
    • Russian Politics and Society
    • Statehood and Nationality in Russia, Central and Eastern Europe
    • War-making and Peace-making in the Former Soviet Union
    • Yugoslavia and after: Themes and Controversies

Year 2

• Semester 1
  • Depending on professional interests, students will spend their second year at one of the five partner universities listed below.
  • They will continue with one of the two regional languages studied during the first year and undertake a credit-bearing placement to develop hands-on practical experience.
  • Partner universities and their specialisms include:
    • Babe-Bolyai University, Romania: International Development with a particular focus on Central and Eastern Europe
    • Jagiellonian University, Poland: EU studies with a particular focus on Central and Eastern Europe and regional integration processes
    • Ilia State University, Georgia: Politics, societal developments, and international relations with a South Caucasus specialism
    • KIMEP University, Kazakhstan: Politics, societal developments, and international relations with a Central Asia, Russia, and China specialism
    • University of Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina: Politics, societal developments, and international relations with a Balkans and Southeast Europe specialism
• Semester 2
  • Students will continue on the mobility study track started in Semester 1.
  • They will complete their dissertation under the principal supervision of the mobility partner institution, with Glasgow and Tartu as co-supervisors.
  • Students will also have the opportunity to present their preliminary results at the annual CEERES student conference.

Career Prospects

Graduates will be prepared for careers in policy-making in government, foreign ministries, the EU, intergovernmental organisations, and non-governmental organisations. Other career opportunities include higher education, journalism, and business.

Fees & Funding

• Tuition Fees:
  • International: Ł17,640 per annum
  • Home: Ł7,962 per annum
  • EU/EEA: Ł10,355 per annum
• Deposit: All applicants are required to pay a deposit of Ł2,000 when an offer is made.
• Additional Fees:
  • Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): Ł370
  • Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: Ł350
  • Registration/exam only fee: Ł170
• Funding Opportunities:
  • Banco de Mexico: Special loans for students who wish to undertake a programme of postgraduate study.
  • CONACyT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia) / FUNED Agreement: A non-refundable scholarship, a monthly stipend, and medical insurance.
  • ANID (la Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo): A 25% discount to all successful ANID scholars.

Entry Requirements

• Academic Requirements: 2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in International Relations, Political Science, History, Archaeology, Philosophy, War Studies, Museum Studies, Law, Journalism, Economics, Linguistics, Cultural and Literary studies with a relevant regional focus.
• English Language Requirements:
  • IELTS: 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
  • TOEFL: 90 overall with no subtest less than Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
  • Pearsons PTE Academic: 65 overall with no subtest less than Reading 60; Listening 60; Speaking 65; Writing 60
  • Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE): 176 overall with no subtest less than 169
  • Oxford English Test: 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
  • LanguageCert Academic/Academic Online: 70 overall with no subtest less than 65
  • Password Skills Plus: 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
  • Trinity College Integrated Skills in English II: Two subtests at 96 or higher, and two subtests at 80 or higher
  • Kaplan Test of English: Any two subtests at 480 or higher, and any two subtests at 450 or higher
  • University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses: Tests are accepted for 2 years following the date of successful completion.
• Alternatives to English Language Qualification:
  • Degree from a majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI, including Canada if taught in English)
  • Undergraduate 2+2 and 3+1 degrees from a majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI, including Canada if taught in English)