What Russian level do I need to start the MA Russian Language Studies?

We expect upper-intermediate Russian (CEFR B2 or equivalent) as the working entry point. Applicants confirm their level at interview. The MA Russian Language Studies takes you toward C1-to-C2 working competence over the course of the year.

How current is the Russian-language media analysis on the MA Russian Language Studies?

Up-to-date. The MA Russian Language Studies covers the active Russian-language information environment — state media, the remaining independent outlets, the exile press based across Europe and the post-Soviet space — and treats the discipline of analysing each as part of the module.

Can I take the MA Russian Language Studies part-time?

Yes. The MA can be taken over 24 months part-time. Online and distance routes are available. Most working students complete the MA Russian Language Studies in two years while maintaining a professional Russian-language role.

Does the MA Russian Language Studies cover non-Russian post-Soviet languages?

Russian is the core. Seminars on the post-Soviet space cover the regional context in which Russian operates as a lingua franca, and selected reading touches on Russian-Ukrainian, Russian-Belarusian and Russian-Central Asian linguistic relations.

What sort of dissertation will I write on the MA Russian Language Studies?

A 12,000-to-15,000-word piece that uses Russian-language primary sources. Past examples include comparative studies of Russian state and independent press coverage, translation studies of contemporary Russian literature, and discourse analyses of Russian-language diaspora media.

MA Russian Language Studies in London | LSJHML | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The MA Russian Language Studies at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a one-year UK postgraduate degree for graduates with substantial Russian who want advanced study of the language, its literature and the working application of Russian in research, translation, journalism and diplomatic-service contexts.

The course is aligned with Pushkin State Russian Language Institute and Chartered Institute of Linguists standards. You will produce a 12,000-to-15,000-word dissertation using Russian-language primary sources, and graduate with the language depth and analytical literacy to work seriously in Russian-speaking professional environments.

Key Features

Pushkin-aligned curriculum covering advanced Russian language and Russian-language media analysis.
Translation laboratory covering news, business, policy and short literary texts in both directions.
Russian-language media analysis module — state, independent and exile press.
Russian literature seminars — twentieth-century and contemporary with comparative reading.
Industry-led masterclasses from working translators, Russia-watching analysts and Russian-speaking diaspora journalists.
12,000–15,000 word dissertation using Russian-language primary sources.

What You Will Learn

The MA Russian Language Studies is structured around the working life of an advanced professional user of Russian. You graduate able to translate substantive texts between Russian and English, read across the Russian-language information environment with discipline, and contribute meaningfully to Russia-watching professional, research or translation work.

Advanced Russian language analysis at MA level — complex syntax, formal register.
Reading the Russian-language press across the political spectrum and the exile press.
Translation theory and practice — register, equivalence, the Russian-English asymmetries.
Russian literature — selected canonical and contemporary works with comparative reading.
Business and policy Russian at MA level.
Russian-language media analysis at senior practitioner standard.
Russia-watching frameworks — political economy, regional politics, the post-Soviet space.
Dissertation research methods — qualitative, archival, comparative, discourse-analytic.

Who This MA Is For

BA Russian, Russian Studies or related graduates moving into MA-level study.
Working translators and interpreters formalising their Russian credentials with a UK Master's.
Diplomatic, NGO and business professionals operating in Russian-speaking contexts.
Heritage and bilingual Russian speakers seeking a senior UK academic credential.

Career Pathways

Graduates of the MA Russian Language Studies move into senior translation, Russia-watching analyst and diplomatic-service roles, or progress to doctoral study. Typical post-MA destinations include:

Russian Translator (senior, in-house or agency)
Bilingual Editor (RU/EN — publisher, news agency)
Diplomatic Service Analyst (FCDO desk, embassy, senior)
Russian Media Monitor (broadcaster, news agency, think tank)
Senior Area Analyst (think tank, consultancy)
Russian-speaking Senior Researcher (international NGO)

The MA also serves as a launchpad for doctoral research in Russian studies, translation studies or post-Soviet area studies.

Entry Requirements

A UK 2:2 honours degree (or international equivalent) in a related subject, OR a 2:2 in any subject with two years of relevant professional experience.
Demonstrable upper-intermediate Russian (CEFR B2 equivalent) confirmed at interview.
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
Personal statement (max 1 page) outlining your motivation, relevant experience and intended specialism.
Two academic or professional references.
Applicants without a related undergraduate degree may be considered with significant industry experience and a written sample.

Why Study at LSJHML

The London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages is a specialist higher-education provider based in central London. Our programmes are designed in dialogue with working professionals — journalists, translators, civil servants, academics, broadcasters, editors, publishers and policy researchers — so what you learn in seminar on Monday is what your future employer is using on Tuesday. We deliberately keep cohorts small, give every student named tutor support, and treat employability as a structural part of every programme rather than an optional add-on.

London is the work — politics, courts, capital markets, theatre, broadcasting, publishing, public service, the global press. Your studies are taught in the same square mile where the stories you read about happen. Whether you join us on-campus, online or by distance learning, the city is your classroom and our industry network is your launchpad.