Russian, Central & East European Studies MRes

The MRes in Russian, Central & East European Studies is recognised by the Scottish Doctoral Training Centre which is part of the Scottish Graduate School of Social Sciences. As such, the MRes offers ESRC accredited training in language-based area studies. The MRes offers advanced training in qualitative and quantitative methods; specialised area studies research training; and language training in one of the region’s languages.

  • The programme is intended for those who wish to pursue a research-based career in the region, with or without the completion of a PhD.
  • Annual scholarships are available for the language-based area studies pathways on a 2+3 (MRes + intensive language training to advanced level + PhD), 1+3 (MRes or intensive language training to advanced level + PhD) and +3 (PhD only) models, depending on your prior qualifications.
  • Language and other study trips to the region are available. You will be offered the opportunity to spend a month in Russia. Some financial support is available to help you fund these trips.
  • Central  and  East  European studies at Glasgow is recognised as one  of the world’s leading centres for research and  research training in this field. In the most  recent independent review of research quality (RAE 2008), Central and  East  European studies at Glasgow was rated  first in Scotland and  fifth in the UK, with 85% of our work rated  ‘international’, ‘internationally  excellent’  or ‘world leading’.
  • The University Library holds  one  of the best Russian, Central  and  East  European collections in the world.
  • We also have active postgraduate training links with thirteen overseas partner institutions in eleven countries. They visit to provide research master classes and participate in seminars.

Programme overview

  • MRes: 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time
  • PgDip 9 months part-time

You will take five core courses and submit a 12,000-15,000 word dissertation.

Semester 1

  • Social science statistics 1
  • Qualitative methods 
  • Language (Czech, Estonian, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Russian or Slovak).

Semester 2

  • Research methods for studying Russia and Central and Eastern Europe
  • Advanced qualitative methods or Social science statistics 2
  • Language (Czech, Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Russian, Slovak or Hungarian) 
  • Dissertation (12,000–15,000 words).

Note: Some languages and courses might not be available every year. You may also be able to choose from courses in the other subjects in the School of Social & Political Sciences. Language training is offered over a range of levels from beginners to advanced. If you are a native speaker or have a degree in one of the region’s languages, you will take an additional course instead.

Career prospects

Many of our graduates have gone on to establish careers as lecturers and researchers at universities in the UK, Norway, Greece, Italy and Poland or have become secondary school teachers. Some have also gone on to pursue research and policy-making careers with government, business and international organisations.

Further information: Maggie Baister
email: Maggie.Baister@glasgow.ac.uk
phone: +44 (0) 141 330 5585

Academic entry requirements

Entry requirements for postgraduate taught programmes are a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification (for example, GPA 3.0 or above) in a relevant subject.

Applicants from other subject backgrounds, however, will be considered.

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation courses.

Further information regarding academic entry requirements: student.recruitment@glasgow.ac.uk

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

  • overall score 6.5
  • no sub-test less than 6.0
  • or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
     

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

  • ibTOEFL: 92; no sub-test less than 20
  • CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): B minimum
  • CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): C minimum
  • PTE Academic (Person Test of English, Academic test): 60; no sub-test less than 59

Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

FAQs

What do I do if...

my language qualifications are below the requirements?

The University's Language Centre offers a range of Pre-Sessional Courses to bring you up to entry level. The course is accredited by BALEAP, the UK professional association for academic English teaching; see Links.

my language qualifications are not listed here?

Please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

my academic qualifications are below the requirements?

Glasgow International College offers Foundation courses to upgrade your academic qualifications.

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk

For 2013-14

MRes

Home and EU
Full time fee£5000
Part time 20 credits£550
International
Full time fee£13000

PgDip

Home and EU
Full time fee£3400
International
Full time fee£8700