History and Beginners' Russian BA

Course overview

This course combines studies in history and Russian language and culture. You will acquire the skills for writing and debating history, and an in-depth analysis of an area of historiography of your choice will help you to develop critical abilities. In Russian, as well as taking core language modules, you will study the culture, history and literature of Russia. You have the option to study a second Slavonic language.All students have the opportunity to take part in a language course in Russia during the first summer vacation.

Year one 

In history, you will take the core module Learning History which introduces you to the skills and methodologies of historical research. In Russian, you will take special introductory language modules which take you to approximately A level standard.

Year two

The history core module Exploring Historiography is intended to develop independence of mind and critical abilities, which involves planning, researching and writing a 5,000-word analysis of the historiography of a topic of your choice. In Russian, you will consolidate your language skills and take options from a wide range of modules in Russian literature, culture and history.

Year three

The year abroad is spent in Russia where you study at a university or language school and may gain some work experience in the private or voluntary sector.

Year four

In history, you will select a Special Subject plus an optional module. In Russian, you will select high-level language modules, including employment-related and specialised modules. There is a range of options, taught by experts in the field and optional fast-track modules for learning Serbian/Croatian and Slovene.

More information

See also the Department of History.

Entry requirements

A levels: ABB, including B in History and A in a language at GCSE

English language requirements 

IELTS 7.0 (no less than 6.0 in any element)

TOEFL iBT 100 (minimum 19 with 20 in speaking) 

Alternative qualifications

For details please see the alternative qualifications page

Flexible admissions policy 

We may make some applicants an offer lower than advertised, depending on their personal and educational circumstances.

Modules

The modules we offer are inspired by the research interests of our staff and as a result, may change from year to year. The following list is therefore subject to change but should give you a flavour of the modules we offer.

Typical year-one modules

• Beginners Russian A
• Learning History
• Beginners Russian B

Typical year-two modules

• Intermediate Russian
• Exploring Historiography 

Typical year-three modules

Year spent abroad. Please see the Department of Russian and Slavonic Studies Year Abroad page.

Typical year-four modules

•  Advanced Russian
• Interpreting
• Russian for Business Situations 

Typical optional modules

• Introduction to the Medieval World 500-1500  
• The History and Culture of Early Rus, c 900 - 1300
• The Contemporary World since 1945
• Imagining Crime: Russian Detective Fiction
• Suez and the End of Empire
• Peasants, Slaves and Serfs in the Middle Ages
• The History of a Relation: Jews in Modern Europe
• Myths and Memories: Histories of Russia's Second World War
• Building Sovietness: Culture under Lenin and Stalin
• Serbian and Croatian History 1804-1941 

Careers

By the end of this course you will have developed strong linguistic, analytical and presentation skills that will prepare you for a wide range of careers. You will have attained a high level of proficiency in Russian (comparable to that of fellow students who took Russian at A level) and will be able to use your language skills in increasingly complex situations. You will have a sound knowledge of the theories and techniques used by historians.

Average starting salary

The average starting salary for 2010/11 full-time graduates of the Department of Russian and Slavonic Studies was £16,928 and for graduates of the Department of History it was £18,915.*

*Average starting salary from known destinations of first-degree leavers who studied full-time, 2010/11.

Careers Support and Advice

Studying for a degree at The University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take. Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.

Have a look at our Careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students.  

KIS