Russian and East European Studies

Overview

Courses are taught through a combination of lectures and classes. You will be required to submit essays and make class presentations. 

In the second year you will be able to specialise your knowledge through the choice of two special subject courses chosen from a list of options available for that academic year.

• Russian language tuition

Russian classes will focus on the development of language and communication skills relevant to research and study in the REES field. You will be required to pass the relevant Russian language qualifying exam as part of the MPhil programme. 

• REES Lectures and Seminar Series

REES students will have a weekly lecture, throughout the first two terms, delivered by a member of the department. Topics will include Twentieth Century Russian History, Central East European Politics, and Economics of the region. Students will also be required to participate in the departmental weekly seminar series, where they will get the opportunity to debate and discuss important topics concerning the region.

• Advanced research seminars

REES and the Russian and Eurasian Studies Centre (RESC) run an Advanced Research Seminar Series each term at St. Antony’s College. This is an essential component of the REES MPhil course and takes place each Monday during term time.

Graduate destinations

The Russian and East European Studies at the University of Oxford may be regarded as a qualification in its own right, or as preparation for a doctoral degree.  A large proportion of REES graduates proceed to further research and to careers in academia. Recent MPhil in REES graduates have gone on to undertake DPhil courses in politics and history, and Area Studies at OSGA.

Graduates have also gone on to successful careers in many different countries in diverse areas of employment such as international organisations, the media, government, business and finance, diplomacy and teaching.