Russian and East European Studies

The MSc in Russian and East European Studies is a nine-month programme for graduates who are interested in gaining a deeper knowledge and understanding of Russia and Eastern Europe through the study of the region across a range of disciplines including history, economics, politics, international relations, society and culture.

During the nine-month MSc programme you will study three core courses:

• History of Russia, the USSR and Eastern Europe in the Twentieth Century
• Contemporary Russian and East European Studies Part 1: Politics and international relations
• Contemporary Russian and East European Studies Part 2: Social anthropology/culture

The specific provision of subject teaching in Contemporary Russian and East European Studies Parts 1 and 2 is dependent on teaching availability.

You will receive training in relevant qualitative and quantitative methodologies to enable you to carry out research and writing for your 15,000-word thesis. The course also provides the opportunity for you to participate in Russian language classes.

Courses are taught through a combination of lectures and classes. You will be required to submit essays and make class presentations.

Russian language tuition

You will have the option to attend Russian language classes and sit a Russian language exam. Russian classes will focus on the development of language skills relevant to research and study in the REES field.

Advanced research seminars

REES and the Russian and Eurasian Studies Centre run an Advanced Research Seminar Series each term at St. Antony’s College with eight weekly sessions. This is an essential component of the REES MSc course.

Presentations are made by leading REES researchers at Oxford and other universities. Students are expected to attend and participate in discussions with these experts during the seminar and afterwards in more informal settings.

Assessment

In order to receive the MSc degree, you must obtain pass marks in three 3-hour written examinations (for the three core courses) and for the thesis.

In addition you must also pass on a pass/fail basis the methodology requirement (qualitative and quantitative). Whilst you must pass the methods component of the degree programme, any marks obtained are not part of the determination of your overall results but only recorded as pass/fail grade on your transcript. 

1. Academic ability

Proven and potential academic excellence

Applicants are normally expected to be predicted or have achieved a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications), as a minimum, in history, politics, economics, international relations or Slavic languages. Students with degrees in other subjects are eligible to apply.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.6 out of 4.0. 

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

2. English language requirement

3. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

• Three references (letters of recommendation)
• Official transcript(s) of previous university-level degrees
• CV/résumé
• Statement of purpose/personal statement: Around two pages
• Written work: One essay of 2,000 words

• Clarendon Scholarships. This unique scheme offers around 140 new, fully-funded scholarships each year to academically outstanding graduate students, as well as providing a lively and stimulating community of scholars.
• Hill Foundation Scholarships. The Hill Foundation Scholarships fund Russian students to study for full-time graduate courses in any subject at Oxford. The Hill Foundation is a charity which aims to create a community of Oxford scholars and alumni who will work to improve Russian life and culture.The scholarship will cover 100% of University and college fees and a grant for living costs (of at least £14,296). Awards are made for the full duration of your fee liability for the agreed course.