University College London (UCL)
Russian Studies MA
London, United Kingdom
MA
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 33,000 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* international students: full time £33,000 - part-time £16,500/year | UK students: full time £16,000 - part-time £8,000/year. Additional fees may apply
The Russian Studies MA program offers students a comprehensive look at Russia’s language, culture, history, politics, and society. It is designed to deepen understanding of Russia’s past and present through a mix of language learning and specialized research. Students can choose to focus on cultural or political topics, developing skills that enhance their ability to analyze and interpret complex issues related to Russia. The program provides a mix of lectures, seminars, and independent research, encouraging students to think critically and engage with current debates.
Students will also have opportunities to develop practical skills such as advanced Russian language proficiency, critical reading, and academic writing, preparing them for careers in academia, diplomacy, journalism, or international organizations. The program emphasizes independent research, supported by expert staff, allowing students to explore topics that match their interests. Overall, this master's degree helps students gain a deeper understanding of Russia while building skills that can support a variety of professional paths related to the region.
UCL Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to postgraduate students, including our UCL Masters Bursary for UK students and our UCL Global Masters Scholarship for international students. You can click the link below to search via the scholarships finder for awards that you might be eligible for. Your academic department will also be able to provide you with more information about funding.
External Scholarships
Online aggregators like Postgraduate Studentships, Scholarship Search, Postgraduate Funding and International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search contain information on a variety of external schemes.
If you have specific circumstances or ethnic or religious background it is worth searching for scholarships/bursaries/grants that relate to those things. Some schemes are very specific.
Funding for disabled students
Master's students who have a disability may be able to get extra funding for additional costs they incur to study.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, workshops and seminars as well as individual and collaborative projects.
Outside of directed teaching, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.
Note that an interim qualification (120 credits Postgraduate Diploma, full-time nine months) is offered.
Assessment is through unseen examination, coursework (including a 3000-word essay, learning log, and digitally fabricated piece with written and video documentation), practical exercises, and a 10000-word final dissertation.
In terms 1 and 2 full-time students can typically expect between 10 and 12 contact hours per teaching week through a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops, crits and tutorials. In term 3 and the summer period students will be completing their own dissertation research, keeping regular contact with their dissertation supervisors.
The contact hours might include a one-week field trip organised by AC studios.
Modules
Full-time
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Part-time
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Flexible
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Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Architectural Computation. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Architectural Computation.
SSEES is one the largest national centres in the UK for the study of central, Eastern and south-east Europe and Russia. Because of the breadth of expertise within the school, you will benefit from a wide range of module choices and can tailor the degree to your interests.
Our location on the edge of Bloomsbury offers you access to the British Library, British Museum, University of London Library and other similar research centres, which are all close by.
Our unique specialist library which contains over 400,000 books, volumes and journals with relation to the region, and central London location provide an ideal environment for research, while our close contacts with employers, policymakers, embassies and alumni afford you excellent opportunities for networking and career development.
Students can specialise in a track of their choice; literature; history or politics.
The foundation of your career
As this programme admitted its first cohort of students in September 2024, graduate destination information is not yet available.
Graduates from similar programmes work in sectors like medical device development, industrial processing, data analytics, machine learning, and autonomous navigation. There are ample opportunities to work in research and academia, too.
Employability
This programme prepares you for roles in robotics-related industries and occupations requiring engineering or analytical skills. You will develop the ability to create robotics solutions and tackle automation challenges across various sectors, including manufacturing, security, healthcare, and more.
Networking
You’ll have regular opportunities to connect, collaborate and network with peers and members of academia and industry as part of your Master’s, particularly through collaborative project work and research seminars.
- As a student and later as a graduate, you will have access to a UCL Careers events programme, connecting you with employers and alumni. This programme provides invaluable insight into the reality of different roles, sectors, and current application processes.
- UCL also has a large number of clubs and societies, which can be an effective way to connect with peers who share similar interests and career goals.
- Be part of a university where entrepreneurial minds thrive. Our academic and industrial networks provide a safe and supportive environment if you want to grow your own company.
- London’s Tech scene is vibrant and has regular networking events.