Russian Studies, BA (Hons)

Course summary

As the UK enters into new economic and political negotiations with the world, the demand for speakers of the Russian language is as strong as ever.We have taught Russian at Nottingham for over 100 years, developing well established and trusted connections, as well as a strong academic and alumni community. The breadth of our research expertise means we are able to offer you a broad choice of modules and a course that promotes a deep understanding of what makes Russia the nation it is today. Alongside core language modules, you take optional modules which cover Russian history, society and culture (including literature and film). We also offer opportunities to branch out into the study of South-East European history and culture.You can follow two pathways:

• Beginners’ Russian students (including post-GCSE students). You will follow an intensive language course designed to take you to degree level within four years

• Post-A level students. You will begin at a more advanced level

Whether you start the course as a beginner in Russian or with an A level, all students have the exciting opportunity to study Serbian/Croatian as a second Slavonic language. You may opt to spend part of your year abroad in Serbia or Croatia enabling you to reach degree level in Serbian/Croatian as well as Russian.All our students spend time in Russian-speaking communities to improve their language skills, fluency and confidence. We work with our partner institutions to ensure that students receive excellent tuition and exposure to Russian language and culture.

Subject options

This course offers the following subject options:

• Russian
• Russian with Serbian/Croatian
• Russian with Slovene

Modules

In year one you will develop the four skills of reading, listening, speaking and writing, either via our intensively taught beginners’ course, or via our specially targeted post-A level module. Alongside your study of language, you will choose from introductory level modules on Russian and Soviet history and culture, and on the history and culture of South-East Europe, usually alongside a subsidiary module. If you are studying Russian post-A level you may also begin learning Serbian/Croatian from beginners' level.In year two you will advance your knowledge of Russian in preparation for the year abroad. You will also continue your study of Russian and Eastern European literature, history and culture. You may also begin or continue Serbian/Croatian.Subject to you meeting the relevant requirements you will spend your third academic year studying Russian at one of our partner universities or a language school. If you are taking Serbian/Croatian, you will be able to divide your time to cover the countries of both languages.While students are unable to travel to Russia, we are pursuing other options for language courses in neighbouring countries (for example Estonia and Latvia), and where Russian is used by a native speaking community.In the final year, you will apply your Russian language skills in high-level modules. You will also extend the skills and knowledge acquired earlier in the course in specialised modules on topics in which you have become particularly interested, with the option of writing a dissertation.Our optional modules are taught by experts in areas from the Byzantine period to the present day and range across literature, history, cinema and cultural studies. If you wish to hone your language skills further with the aim of using them professionally you can choose an optional module in Russian interpreting and undertake a language project. If you have studied Serbian/Croatian earlier in the course you can continue it at the appropriate level.

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In year one you will develop the four skills of reading, listening, speaking and writing, either via our intensively taught beginners’ course, or via our specially targeted post-A level module. Alongside your study of language, you will choose from introductory level modules on Russian and Soviet history and culture, and on the history and culture of South-East Europe, usually alongside a subsidiary module. If you are studying Russian post-A level you may also begin learning Serbian/Croatian from beginners' level. In year two you will advance your knowledge of Russian in preparation for the year abroad. You will also continue your study of Russian and Eastern European literature, history and culture. You may also begin or continue Serbian/Croatian. Subject to you meeting the relevant requirements you will spend your third academic year studying Russian at one of our partner universities or a language school. If you are taking Serbian/Croatian, you will be able to divide your time to cover the countries of both languages. While students are unable to travel to Russia, we are pursuing other options for language courses in neighbouring countries (for example Estonia and Latvia), and where Russian is used by a native speaking community. In the final year, you will apply your Russian language skills in high-level modules. You will also extend the skills and knowledge acquired earlier in the course in specialised modules on topics in which you have become particularly interested, with the option of writing a dissertation. Our optional modules are taught by experts in areas from the Byzantine period to the present day and range across literature, history, cinema and cultural studies. If you wish to hone your language skills further with the aim of using them professionally you can choose an optional module in Russian interpreting and undertake a language project. If you have studied Serbian/Croatian earlier in the course you can continue it at the appropriate level.