Postgraduate study

Choose from a range of programmes, from one-year masters degrees to our PhD in Russian Studies.

What's it like to study here?

The first lecture in Russian was given at the University in 1919, and Russian Studies was introduced as a degree programme in 1949, the first of its kind in Scotland.

Today, we have an established community of staff, research students, and undergraduates in Russian Studies, and masters students in film, comparative literature, and intermediality - the relationship between different art forms.

Our expertise covers a wide range of areas, including:

  • social, political and cultural perspectives on Russian language
  • transnational Russian culture
  • Russian literature
  • media
  • film studies
  • theatre studies
  • comparative literature

Working with colleagues elsewhere in LLC, and across the wider University, we are able to support research which crosses boundaries between languages and/or disciplines, including:

  • linguistics
  • politics

Our graduates tell us that they value LLC’s friendliness, the connections they make here and the in-depth guidance they receive from our staff, who are published experts in their field. 

We have received many prestigious research awards, including the AHRC-awarded projects:

  • ‘Global Russians: Transnational Russophone Networks in the UK’ (2016-2021)
  • 'Reconfiguring the Canon of Twentieth-Century Russian Poetry, 1991-2008’ (2010-2013)

On campus and in the city

We are based in the historic heart of a world-leading festival city, close to the National Library of Scotland and National Museum of Scotland. 

The Main University Library is just across the square from us. It holds academic books, journals and databases, including around 14,400 titles in the Russian language. E-resources include Russian newspapers, TV and radio channels.

As part of our postgraduate community, you will be immersed in a world of knowledge exchange, with lots of opportunities to share ideas, learning and creative work.

Activities range from a regular seminar series in European Languages and Cultures (with talks by staff, research students and visiting speakers), to film screenings, workshops, and national and international conferences.

What can I study?

MSc by Research in Russian

This programme includes 40 credits of training on research skills, methods and problems, the completion of two research assignments, and the submission of a 15,000 word dissertation under the guidance of an experienced and well-published supervisor. You'll find a full list of our areas of expertise on the University's Degree Finder.

Full-time, one year (all students) ꟾ part-time, two years (eligibility criteria apply)

Find out more on the University of Edinburgh Degree Finder

PhD in Russian

Join our community and undertake a specialised research project under the guidance of experienced and well-published supervisors. Working with colleagues elsewhere in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures, and across the wider University, we are able to support PhD theses crossing boundaries between disciplines and/or languages. Over the course of your PhD, you’ll be expected to complete an original body of work under the expert guidance of at least two supervisors, leading to a dissertation of between 80,000 and 100,000 words. The programme also involves training in research skills, methods and problems.

You'll find a full list of our areas of expertise on the University's Degree Finder.

Full-time, three years (all students) ꟾ part-time, six years (eligibility criteria apply)

Read our pre-application guidance for all PhDs in European languages and cultures

Find out more on the University of Edinburgh Degree Finder

Taught masters (MSc programmes)

A number of our School's interdisciplinary taught masters programmes include the option to focus on Russian literature and culture, including in comparison.

Full-time, one year (all students) ꟾ part-time, two years (selected programmes only - eligibility criteria apply)

Browse a range of taught masters (MSc) programmes

Entrance requirements, fees, funding and more...

You can find out about entrance requirements, start dates, fees and scholarship opportunities for all these postgraduate programmes on the University of Edinburgh’s Degree Finder. Degree Finder links straight through to EUCLID, the online system for applying to postgraduate programmes at the University. 

Applications to start a programme in September 2025 will open in October 2024.

Not sure which programme is right for you?

We're happy to help you decide.

Research Excellence Framework

In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), our research was submitted in Modern Languages and Linguistics.

The results reaffirm Edinburgh’s position as one of the UK’s leading research universities - third in the UK based on the quality and breadth of its research in Modern Languages and Linguistics, according to Times Higher Education's REF power ratings.

The Research Excellence Framework is the UK’s system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

Are you currently studying with us?

There’s lots more information for taught and postgraduate research students on our LLC Student Information Hub. You will need your student log in to access the site.

This article was published on