Venues

Central Campus

Content

As the world's largest country, Russia plays an important role in global cultural and political contexts. This makes Russian Studies and Politics an ideal joint honours combination.

Year 1:
If you have no previous knowledge of Russian you will take Russian Studies 1A, an intensive beginners language course. Through classes in grammar, speaking, listening, writing and reading, you will build the foundations of Russian language skills. If you have studied the language before, you will take Russian Studies 1B.

You will study three compulsory courses in Politics - 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 2:
You will continue to study Russian language, expanding your range of vocabulary and using increasingly complex grammar. You will study Comparative Politics in a Globalised World.

Year 3:
You will spend Year 3 in a country where Russian is spoken, improving your language and independent study skills, and engaging with Russophone, Eastern European or Central Asian cultures. Although students are not currently sent to Russia and Ukraine, the university are still able to fully support them to spend time studying abroad, for example, in Estonia or Armenia.

Year 4:
In your final year you will hone your honours-level language skills in Russian. You will also choose from a range of specialist, honours-level courses in both Russian Studies and Politics.

Building on all the knowledge and skills you have developed over four years, including in independent research, you will complete your dissertation.

Entry Requirements

2026 entry requirements

Standard entry:
4 Highers at ABBB (first sitting) or 4 or 5 Highers at AABB/ABBBB (two sittings) plus a language other than English at B and English at National 5.

Widening access entry:
4 Highers at ABBB (two sittings) plus a language other than English at B and English at National 5. Highers at BBB must be achieved in one sitting.