Year 1

Initially you will study the collapse of the Russian and Habsburg Empires and the subsequent emergence and expansion of the Soviet system after 1917. You will examine the origin, nature and consequences of communist and nationalist ideologies in the region, as well as the culture, civil society, and the reasons for the collapse of communism in Central and Eastern Europe during 1989–91.

Year 2

In the following year you will chart developments in the societies of the region from 1989 to the present day, including processes of economic, political and territorial change, aspects of social and cultural diversity, migration and the role of the media. You will examine the impact of the end of the Soviet Union on the development of ‘transition’ ideologies, the emergence of civil society, and the integration of the region into international organisations such as the European Union and NATO.

Years 3 and 4

If you successfully complete the Level-2 Central & East European Studies course, you may move on to study for an Honours degree in your third and fourth years.

You can choose to study Central & East European Studies as either a Single Honours degree or as part of a Joint Honours degree.  If you choose to do Single Honours you will have to complete the class Social Science & Humanities Research Methods in Russian, Central & East European Studies – Theory and Practice in third year, which includes a fieldtrip abroad, and write a dissertation in fourth year. You will also choose eight additional Honours options over the two years.

If you do Joint Honours you will choose up to six Honours options, one of which can be your dissertation, in Central & East European Studies, and up to six additional options in your other subject area.

Each of our courses utilises key historical and contemporary readings and frequently draws on the particular lecturer’s own research expertise and publications. Honours options reflect a wide range of subject areas and topics that relate to Soviet and Post-Soviet Russia as well as the wider Central and East European region. These include:

•  Economic and social history
•  Modern political history
•  Security and international relations
• Civil society and the state
• Cultural politics and social change
• Identities and nationalism
• The environment
• European integration
• Society, culture and languages of the region.

We have an excellent reputation as one of the three main centres of Central & East European Studies in the UK. We produce one of the leading journals focused on the study of this region: Europe-Asia Studies. Our unique Russian and East European Library collection has been designated as a resource of national importance.

The University acts as a hub for a Government-funded Centre of Excellence for Russian, Central & East European Studies which brings together expertise and learning support from eight UK universities and a range of partner institutions in Russia, Central and Eastern Europe. This means that there is a wide variety of cultural, social and academic events taking place all through the year and you will be able to take part in these.

We have a wide range of links with universities around the world, including universities in the Baltic and Central European regions. Courses you take overseas form an integral part of your degree without adding an extra year or semester.

Recent historic eastward enlargements of the EU and NATO and the prospect of further enlargements incorporating even more states from the former Soviet Union have increased the demand for specialists in this field. Graduates have developed careers with a host of UK and international employers including

• the European Commission
• the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
• local government
• non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
• teaching and education services
• journalism
• human resources and administration
• the business community (developing trading links with the Central and Eastern European region).