The MPhil and PhD both involve the writing of a thesis under the supervision of a member or members of the academic staff. The PhD is expected to constitute an original contribution to knowledge. If it is not immediately clear to you whether your proposed research topic could be supervised in the Department, please contact the Graduate Selector, who will be happy to offer guidance. Subject to approval, up to 30 credits may be taken outside the Department. The languages offered by the Department are Bulgarian, Czech, and Polish.
Tuition is available at beginners or advanced level, as appropriate.
Approved modules may include modules taught outside the Department, or directed reading on a topic of particular interest to an individual student. This element is not taken if the student opts to write a dissertation rated at 90 credits. The main University Library carries generous stocks of books and periodicals relating to Russian studies, and these are constantly being augmented with particular reference to the research interests of staff and graduate students. In addition the Departmental Library carries copies of frequently used texts, as well as dictionaries and Russian and Slavonic periodicals. The University has recently signed a Concordat with the British Library under which graduate students who need to make unusually extensive use of the British Library s holdings may be considered for privileged access.