Undergraduate study | Russian

Learn the Russian language while exploring Russia's history, politics and international relations, and the literature and culture of Russian speakers around the world.

Why study Russian in Edinburgh?

  • Study over four years, giving you the choice and flexibility to try out different things.
  • Build up to fluency in the language and study abroad as part of your programme - no additional time required.
  • Specialise in different aspects of Russian Studies as you move through your degree.
  • Delve into fantastic libraries and collections at the University and in the city.
  • Join societies and try your hand at creative writing, publishing and more.
  • Gain the skills and confidence for life after university.

Studying Russian at Edinburgh has been wonderful. The environment in the department is really friendly and welcoming, and teachers are very supportive and helpful in working with you to explore the parts of the subject that you find interesting.

Matt Russian Studies MA (Hons) graduate, 2024

What you can study in 2026

Applications are now open for 2026 entry. You can apply to:

  • take a single honours degree in Russian Studies
  • take any of the following joint honours degree programmes...
French and Russian StudiesGerman and Russian StudiesRussian Studies and Spanish
Russian Studies and Scandinavian StudiesChinese and Russian Studies Russian Studies and English Literature 
Russian Studies and English LanguageRussian Studies and LinguisticsRussian Studies and Philosophy
Russian Studies and HistoryRussian Studies and History of ArtRussian Studies and Classics
Russian Studies and PoliticsRussian Studies and Social Policy 

There’s lots of information about our undergraduate Russian Studies programmes on the University of Edinburgh Degree Finder. 

For example, for each programme combination, you can find out about:

  • the courses you will take each year
  • how you will be taught and assessed
  • the support we offer
  • studying abroad in Year 3
  • entrance requirements
  • English language requirements
  • fees and funding opportunities
  • student societies and living in Edinburgh
  • career destinations 

If you’d like to study on any of our undergraduate programmes, you must apply through UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. 

Skills and experience

Studying one or more languages to degree level demonstrates that you are a good communicator, and someone open to other cultures and new ideas - what employers value as intercultural competence.

Beyond the language skills you'll develop on our programmes, you will gain a nuanced understanding of diverse cultures and societies.

Graduating with a four-year Master of Arts degree from the University of Edinburgh also shows intellectual maturity, resilience, and flexibility.

The skills you will be able to demonstrate to employers include the ability to:

  • understand, analyse and articulate complex issues and concepts
  • manage your time to meet deadlines on different types of projects
  • work independently and as part of a group

Opportunities across sectors

Our programmes are an excellent primer for a range of careers, especially those that place a premium on thinking that is both disciplined and imaginative.

Within the private, public, not-for-profit, and for-benefit sectors, previous graduates have gone on to work in:

  • business, finance, commerce and tech
  • communications, marketing, advertising and public relations
  • education, outreach, advocacy and training
  • journalism, broadcasting and media
  • leisure, tourism and travel
  • politics, policy work, diplomacy, civil service and law
  • publishing, culture, heritage and the arts
  • research, development, consultancy and venture acceleration
  • translating and interpreting

Local and global opportunities

With increasing migration in response to changing global dynamics, there is demand for our graduates in Scotland, the UK and abroad.

Wherever you are based in the world, the ability to communicate in another major language, and to understand the cultures to which it opens doors, will make you stand out.

If you are keen to work abroad, it’s good to know that around 150 million people in the world speak Russian, which is widely used in global cultural and political contexts. It is the official language of four countries and is commonly understood throughout Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

There are also large communities of Russian speakers in China, the United States, France, Germany, Spain, Norway, Israel and the UK.

Further study

The enhanced research skills you will develop on a four-year programme, particularly in your honours years, are a valuable asset if you wish to continue studying at postgraduate level. 

At the University of Edinburgh, we typically offer a Masters by Research degree in Russian Studies and interdisciplinary taught masters programmes in:

  • Comparative Literature
  • Intermediality

Any of our masters degrees, whether research-based or taught, is a good foundation for a PhD, but is equally of value as a stand-alone qualification.


My office works closely with Russia to reduce the amount of highly enriched uranium and separated plutonium in civilian use worldwide. Despite other difficulties in the U.S.-Russian relationship, our cooperation remains strong in this area. My studies in LLC, including my year in Russia, have allowed me to support work, negotiations, and other engagement with our Russian-speaking partners around the world.

Ian Kapuza, Foreign Affairs Specialist at the United States’ National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Ian graduated with an MA (Hons) degree in Russian Studies and Politics in 2011

QS World Rankings by Subject 2025

The University of Edinburgh is ranked 3rd in the UK for: 

  • Modern Languages
  • Arts & Humanities

Globally, we’re in the World Top 15: Arts & Humanities (10) and Modern Languages (13).

The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings are based on research citations and the results of major global surveys of employers and academics.

They are International Ranking Expert Group (IREG) approved.

Graphic of a person with a phone and the words #3 in the UK World Top 15

Get to know us better

Statement on Ukraine

We join our colleagues in the sector in condemning the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Government. Our thoughts are with Ukrainian people and their family members in Edinburgh and beyond. 

As global dynamics shift, an appreciation of other languages and cultures becomes ever more relevant, critical and sought after. In times of great turmoil and suffering in particular, many works of literature and culture have called for justice, humanity and compassion and these will continue to be our sources and inspiration in our teaching and research.

Read more about how the University of Edinburgh is responding to the crisis

Other ways to learn Russian or Ukrainian at Edinburgh

If you take a different degree at the University of Edinburgh, you can still learn Russian with us!

Many undergraduate degrees at Edinburgh enable you to try different subjects in your first two years. If you are studying on one of these degrees, you can take Russian as an option course - sometimes known as an 'elective course' or 'outside subject'. There are Year 1 courses for complete beginners and students with prior experience. Both feed into Year 2 courses if you like Russian and want to progress further.

Discover a world of languages graphic

If you would like to study Ukrainian, you can choose to take an introduction to Ukrainian language and cultures. This is part of the University's free Open Languages offer of 20 credit courses taken over one semester.

Through the Centre for Open Learning, you can also opt to pay to take Russian or Ukrainian as a short Lifelong Learning course. These courses typically run three times a year for 10 weeks in the evening. 

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