Russian Studies and English Literature - MA (Hons)

The University of Edinburgh

For centuries, alongside English-speaking cultures, Russophone (Russian-speaking) countries have had a profound international influence on literature.This joint honours programme aims to develop your critical, analytic, linguistic and creative skills by engaging with a broad range of texts in both English and Russian, and a variety of approaches to reading.Through intensive language study, you will also have the opportunity to develop advanced speaking, listening and translating skills in Russian.Our Year 1 and Year 2 courses are streamed according to how much Russian you already know, so it does not matter if you are a complete beginner when you join us.**Russian**Around 270 million people in the world speak Russian. 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, Israel and Western Europe.In addition to language learning on this four-year programme, you will explore Russian and Russophone literature and culture in international political and historical contexts. You also have the option to take a course in Ukrainian Language and Cultures in Year 2.You can choose to focus on 19th or 20th-century Russian literature, take a comparative approach, or balance your literary studies with courses on other aspects of culture and language in its social context.**English Literature**Based in the first UNESCO World City of Literature, you will study in the oldest department of English Literature in the UK, one of the longest-established in the world.You will gain the essential skills needed for the critical close reading of poetry, drama and prose and explore the cultural contexts of writing in English from the late Middle Ages to the present.At honours level, you will select courses on the basis of your own interests in specific topics, periods or literary genres.Combining literature with a language shows an openness to ideas and perspectives other than your own, an essential attribute in many careers and a global marketplace.**Programme benefits*** Study over four years, giving you the choice and flexibility to try out different things.* Go abroad for the first of your honours years - Year 3.* Build up to fluency in the Russian language and specialise in different aspects of Russian studies and English literature as you move through your degree* Learn at the heart of a UNESCO World City of Literature.* Explore fantastic libraries, collections and galleries at the University and in the city.* Join societies, attend events, try your hand at creative writing and publishing, and gain the skills and confidence for life after university.

School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures