Our unique courses ensure that our students learn to speak fluently with the opportunity to spend time immersed in environments where the languages are widely spoken. For Russianists, this is as part of the third year abroad. Subject to availability, we may be able to offer students of Czech subsidised opportunities to do a summer course in the Czech Republic

A degree in Russian will give you strong proficiency in the language, along with competence in literature, history, cinema, other aspects of culture, and contemporary society. While you develop your knowledge of Russian language and culture, you will also practise a number of transferable skills, which will ensure strong employability after completion of your degree. These include intercultural understanding, analytical skills, presentational skills (orally or in writing), teamwork, adaptability and open-mindedness, and many more. A degree in Russian demonstrates that you are willing to go beyond the beaten path and explore new horizons for yourself and that you are able to meet challenges. These are attributes that are highly valued by employers and that will stand you in good stead in your future career, whatever direction it takes.  

In addition, we are one of the few universities in the UK to offer Czech language and modules that address Czech culture. If you wish, you can complement your study of Russian with Czech, starting the language in the first year for some post-A level students of Russian, or in the second year in other programmes.

Knowledge of either Russian or Czech enables you to acquire other Slavonic languages and/or to become a specialist in Central and East European societies. Students who have studied both are particularly well set up for this.

As much support as you need

We offer a structured, student-centred course for all learners. Beginners in Russian follow a core language course with a team of specialist teachers. Students who have A-level Russian (or equivalent) study advanced language units. 

All Russian and Czech language teaching takes place in small groups in informal tutorial settings.

Studying beyond the textbook

We offer you a range of learning opportunities, both inside and outside the classroom. You will find a range of additional resources available through our virtual learning platform. Students often organise a film club, or convene a choir, which performs Russian folk music. We also regularly organise oral-conversation enrichment hours. A peer-support scheme ensures that upper-level students provide additional grammar and vocabulary support to first-year students. Due to our reputation, we are often asked by our business contacts for help with translation and interpreting tasks, which provides valuable experience. Our students have been very active in helping Russian-speaking refugees from Ukraine on a voluntary basis.  

Outside the classroom students and staff from the Department of Russian and Czech form a supportive community with shared academic and cultural interests. Each year we put on a Departmental Talent Show with an evening of song, dance, theatre and poetry.

For a student perspective on our programme, please read Anna Russell’s feature published in Russian Art & Culture.

Find out more about our units.

Using technology to innovate

We work closely with our students to develop online tools to help them with their learning in a way that works best for them, from weekly online tests to student-produced videos. Some of our innovations are even being picked up by other universities in the UK and abroad.

You will also have access to the superbly equipped School of Modern Languages Multimedia Centre, which provides print and digital media and tools to help with your studies.

Regular contact with native speakers

Research shows that regular contact with native speakers is a key part of language learning. Advanced and beginner groups both benefit from regular contact with experienced tutors who are native speakers.

Find out more about our undergraduate courses