Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies MSc/PgDip
The Masters in Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies offers you a unique opportunity to understand historical and contemporary developments in the economy, politics, culture, and society of Russia and the countries of Eastern Europe and Eurasia.
- Academic contact:
- Teaching start: September
- Glasgow: Gilmorehill campus
- MSc: 12 months full-time; 24 months part‑time
Why this programme
Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies programme overview- This programme is for those planning careers in government, global and local media, and international organisations, who wish to acquire a specialised knowledge of Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia and proficiency in one of the region’s languages.
- Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia are some of the world’s most intriguing regions right now: think of politics, migration, and energy. You can learn about this region, its history, and its languages.
- You will have the unique opportunity to study in one of the world’s leading centres in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies, with teaching staff who have first-hand knowledge of the region and deliver cutting edge courses on politics and society in the region.
- The University Library holds one of the best Russian, Central and East European collections in the world.
Programme structure
You will take two core courses, one language course, two optional courses, and submit a dissertation. You are able to choose from courses in the other subjects in the School of Social & Political Sciences.
Core courses
- Issues in Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies
- Designing your Security & Area Studies Research Proposal
Language courses
- Russian For Social Scientists (Beginners)
- Russian For Social Scientists (Intermediate)
- Russian For Social Scientists (Advanced)
- Hungarian For Social Scientists
- PG BEGINNER POLISH
- PG Intermediate Polish
- PG BEGINNER CZECH
Optional courses may include
- Energy, politics and society in Eurasia
- Europe-Russia Relations since the Collapse of the USSR
- Media and Democratisation in Central and Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union
- Rethinking Central Asian Security
- Russia, China, and international politics of Eurasia
- Russian Foreign Policy
- Russian Politics and Society
- Statehood and Nationality in Russia, Central and Eastern Europe
- War-making and Peace-making in the former Soviet Union
- Yugoslavia and After: Themes and Controversies
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours
to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw
or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.
Career prospects
This programme provides graduates with specialist regional knowledge and learned skills that transfer into many career paths.
Career opportunities and pathways
You are equipped to find employment across a wide range of sectors on an international scale. Alongside solid regional knowledge of Russia, East Europe and Eurasia, you will develop transferrable workplace skills that are crucial to many roles such as analytical and communication skills. Career pathways include working for:
- international agencies such as the United Nations or the European Union
- international development
- print and broadcast media
- local and national government
- non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
- international trade
- business and risk analysis on the region and beyond.
Some students choose to remain within academia and go on to pursue PhD study and teaching opportunities.
You are also at an advantage due to the language learning that forms a part of our programme. You have the opportunity to study Russian, Polish, Hungarian or Czech. This allows you to leverage your specialist language knowledge alongside your knowledge of global issues in the sector that demand this expertise.
Professional development
Hear from our alumni
Career support from the University of Glasgow
Fees & funding
Tuition fees for 2025-26
MSc
UK
- Full-time fee: £11250
- Part-time fee: £1250 per 20 credits
International & EU
- Full-time fee: £25320
Deposits
International and EU applicants are required to pay a deposit of £2000 when an offer is made.
Deposits: terms & conditions
Additional fees
- Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
- Registration/exam only fee: £170
Funding opportunities
GREAT Scholarships 2025
The Snowdon Trust Master’s Scholarship
Banco de Mexico
Erasmus+ Master Degree Loans
DAAD-University of Glasgow 1-year Master’s grant
Colfuturo Fundacion para el Futuro de Colombia
Chevening Scholarship
Commonwealth Scholarship Schemes
EU Welcome Award - January 2025 Intake Only
India Merit Award
University of Glasgow African Excellence Award
CONICyT (La Comsion Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica de Chile)
University of Glasgow Caribbean Excellence Award
CONACyT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia) / FUNED Agreement
World Changers Glasgow Scholarship
Postgraduate Student Loan (Scotland and EU)
Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loans England only (PTFL)
Postgraduate Loans for Welsh Students
Alumni Discount
Postgraduate Access Scholarship
Global Leadership Scholarship
HESPAL Scholarship
Postgraduate Student Loan (NI)
World Changers Glasgow Scholarship PGT (EU)
Glasgow Excellence Award (UK)
Sanctuary Scholarships
The Dima Alhaj Scholarship
The Clan Gregor Society Prize
The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database
Entry requirements
2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in a relevant social science or humanities subject.
We may also accept degrees in non-relevant backgrounds.
We may sometimes accept degrees at 2.2 Hons or non-UK equivalent.
International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of pre-Masters courses.
English language requirements
International students
We are proud of our diverse University community which attracts students and staff from over 140 different countries.
How to apply
To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.
Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.
Documents
As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:
- A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
- A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
- Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
- One reference letter on headed paper
- Evidence of your English language ability (if your first language is not English)
- Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
- A copy of the photo page of your passport (Non-EU students only)
You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.
You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.
For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, see how to apply for a postgraduate taught degree
Guidance notes for using the online application
These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form.
If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application, see Application System Help.
- Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
- Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
- Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
- Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
- Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
- English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
- Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.
Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.
Application deadlines
September 2025
International & EU applicants
Due to demand for degree places on this programme, the University has an application process with application rounds which recognises that different geographical areas complete and submit their applications at different times of the year. This process aims to ensure fairness and equity to applicants from all geographic regions.
Round 1 application dates: 1 October 2024 to 4 November 2024
All international applications submitted within these dates will be reviewed with no priority given to any geographic region. You will receive our decision on your application by 22 January 2025.
Round 2 application dates: 5 November 2024 to 16 December 2024
All international applications submitted within these dates will be reviewed with no priority given to any geographic region. You will receive our decision on your application by 10 March 2025.
Round 3 application dates: 17 December 2024 to 3 February 2025
Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 21 April 2025.
Round 4 application dates: 4 February 2025 to 24 March 2025
Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 19 May 2025.
Round 5 application dates: 25 March 2025 to 12 May 2025
Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 7 July 2025.
Round 6 application dates: 13 May 2025 to 7 July 2025
Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 18 August 2025.
All international applications submitted by 16 December 2024 will be reviewed and processed normally with no priority given to any geographic region. From 17 December 2024, priority will be given to applications from geographic areas which have been unable to submit applications before that point.
As we receive a great number of applications, prospective students are only allowed to apply once per year.
UK applicants
- 22 August 2025