Russian at St Andrews - language, literature, and culture
Study Russian at Scotland's oldest university. Develop high-level Russian language and communications skills and explore Russian-language literature and culture.
Top in Scotland for Russian and East European languages 2026
St Andrews is 1st in Scotland for Russian and East European languages in the Complete University Guide 2026
Why study Russian at St Andrews?
Reputation and student satisfaction
The School of Modern Languages at St Andrews is consistently rated among the best in the UK by major national rankings.
- 1st in Scotland and 2nd in the UK for languages and linguistics - Guardian University Guide 2026.
- 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for Russian and East European languages - Complete University Guide 2026.
- 92% of students satisfied overall with their course (final year students, MA Honours Russian) - National Student Survey 2025.
Welcoming community
The School of Modern Languages prides itself on being a vibrant and engaging academic community. The School is committed to creating an environment that supports equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- The Department of Russian each year welcomes students from around the world.
- Undergraduate study in Russian is open to beginners as well as those who have studied Russian as a main subject at school - with language streams in years one and two tailored for beginners and non-beginners.
- Optional cultural studies modules reflect the Department's research-based and innovative approach to Russian studies.
- The Department of Russian is committed to correcting the subject's imbalances in the representation of race, sexuality, and gender.
Modern, research-based approach
St Andrews offers an imaginative, challenging, modern, and diverse approach to Russian studies giving you a research-based knowledge of Russian-language literature and culture.
- Acquisition of high-level language skills goes hand in hand with studying culture.
- Work across a variety of media and disciplines, including literature and culture, history and politics, and film and visual culture - recent optional modules include:
- Utopia/Dystopia in Russian Literature and Culture
- Eastern European Modernisms
- Soviet Culture Under Stalin
- Russian Children's Literature, 1900-2015
- Issues in Russian Cultural Memory
- The City in Soviet and Russian Cinema
- Theatre and Performance in Russophone Cultures
- Russian Crime Fiction
Study Russian with other languages or subjects
Study Russian as a single-subject degree or combine Russian with another subject that best reflects your academic interests and professional goals.
- Study Russian with one or two other languages or Comparative Literature as part of a double- or triple-languages honours degree.
- Alternatively, combine Russian with another subject such as Economics, History, International Relations, or Management as part of a joint honours degree.
Integrated year abroad degree and study abroad placements
Combine your Russian studies with time abroad to develop your linguistic skills, intercultural competence, and self-confidence.
- Study Russian with an integrated year abroad - Russian language students can complete study placements in Estonia or Kazakhstan making your degree a five-year programme.
- Alternatively, the study abroad and St Andrews abroad schemes provide study abroad placements in Estonia, Canada, and the USA.
Linguistic, transferable, and social skills for careers
Languages can be used in almost any career and so are a uniquely valuable subject whatever your professional goals. Languages are particularly sought after in sectors where communication, intercultural competence, and self-confidence are essential attributes.
Russian studies graduates leave St Andrews with an impressive mix of linguistic, transferable, and social skills equipping them for careers in:
- journalism and communications
- government and civil service
- non-governmental organisations
- intelligence and security services
- marketing and business development
- international aid and development
- teaching and education
Postgraduate study in languages, literatures, and cultures
Take your Russian studies further with a postgraduate degree.
Masters degrees
Masters degrees with the School of Modern Languages provide advanced study in global cultures - giving you the intercultural and professional competencies needed to understand, and thrive in, a globalised world.
- Masters in Global Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
- Masters in Comparative Literature
- Masters in Digital Humanities
Research degrees
As a PhD, MPhil, or MSt (Res) student in the School of Modern Languages you will be part of a vibrant interdisciplinary research community.
You will work with academic supervisors who will provide you with subject expertise and guidance to help you plan and manage your research while the University's researcher development programmes give you the skills you need as an independent researcher.
Research degrees in languages and comparative literature
Start your journey
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