Study Russian at a UK Top 10 University*
*Complete University Guide 2025
Russian at the University of Exeter is taught in the Department of Languages, Cultures, and Visual Studies, a sector-leading department built around a vibrant and diverse learning community. Our educators are experts in supporting and guiding students through the challenges presented by the language, culture, and history of Russia. Our highly flexible programme which allows you to structure your studies around your interests or follow a specific career-orientated pathway.
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Top 10 for Russian in the UK
8th in the Complete University Guide 2025
Top 150 worldwide for Modern Languages
QS World University Subject Rankings 2024
Spend a year abroad on an International Placement
1st in the UK for research impact
Joint 1st for world-leading or internationally excellent research, REF 2021
Discover world-class Russian degrees at the University of Exeter
Studying Russian at the University of Exeter gives you the opportunity to learn about a centuries-old culture; poised between Eastern and Western traditions, and informed by our internationally recognised research.
You will be able to explore the cultural, intellectual and historical evolution of Russian cultural life, experiencing some of the great works of literature and art along the way. Russian currently ranks fifth in the number of speakers worldwide and is one of the six official languages of the UN, making it a highly-valued language - especially in fields such as politics and international relations, journalism, and science.
Students on one of our undergraduate courses have the option of spending their third year in a Russian-speaking country. You can choose from a range of locations outside Russia including Estonia, Latvia, Kazakhstan, or Georgia. You will be able to develop your language skills, extend your knowledge of Russian culture, and discover the culture of your host country.
At the heart of our Department is our pioneering Language Centre. Staffed by experienced professionals including Russian-speaking educators, the Centre supports community-driven opportunities to further your language development such as the Languages Café, and provides credit-bearing modules for those studying outside of the Department.
Four pathways to study Russian at Exeter
Undergraduate Russian degrees
Through our BA Modern Languages programme, you can choose to focus on Russian and graduate with a BA in Russian, or study Russian alongside one or two other languages (eg, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish).
Alternatively, you may choose to broaden your study with ancient and contemporary study of culture, literature, poetry, and history in Russian, Russian-speaking countries, and beyond through our BA Comparative Literatures and Modern Languages programme, with the opportunity to focus on Russian and graduate with a BA in Comparative Literatures and Russian.
You can begin Russian study from Beginners or Advanced level. You will also be able to study modules from other disciplines outside of Modern Languages such as Politics and History.
Undergraduate combined honours degrees
Study a language alongside Arabic, Art History & Visual Culture, Classical Studies, English, Film Studies, History, International Relations, Latin, Politics, Philosophy or Sociology as part of one of our Combined Honours programmes. You may choose to focus on Russian and graduate with Russian in your degree title in place of Modern Languages.
You can also study Russian with a bespoke and tailored selection of subjects and modules as part of our Flexible Combined Honours programme.
Postgraduate Russian degrees
Postgraduate Russian degrees
You can study Russian through our Language Centre as part of your course on our MA Global Literatures and Cultures programme, while also exploring modules driven by our internationally recognised research such as Women in Translation: Gender and Publishing in the 21st Century.
Students on our MA Translation Studies programme can focus on Russian, taking advantage of our expertise in the language to guide their studies. You can also enjoy and take part in research seminars and events through the University's Centre for Translating Cultures.
Russian PhDs and research degrees
We offer sector-leading research degrees in Russian, including MPhil or PhD Russian Studies and MA by Research Modern Languages.
Researchers in the Department of Languages, Cultures, and Visual Studies are actively engaged in cutting-edge projects across a broad range of research interests, including literature and culture of the 20th century, translation, 19th and 20th century poetry, and comparative literature.
Recent research to attract international attention and funding includes "RusTRANS: The Dark Side of Translation", exploring the dynamics of Russian-English literary translation through a series of historical and/or contemporary case studies.
Why choose the University of Exeter?
We offer world-class education and research with outstanding student satisfaction, committed to working with our students to make the world greener, healthier, and fairer. With beautiful, green campuses in Devon and Cornwall, we offer a unique opportunity to study in one of the most stunning parts of the UK.
As a member of the Russell Group, we are committed to maintaining the very best internationally recognised research, and translating our research into an outstanding teaching and learning experience. Our excellence is recognised by organisations worldwide, with Exeter graduates in the UK's top 10 for most targeted by leading employers*.
* The Graduate Market in 2024 report by High Fliers Research
