MPhil in Russian and East European Studies

University of Oxford

About the course

The MPhil in Russian and East European Studies is a two-year programme for graduates who are interested in gaining a deeper knowledge and understanding of Russia and Eastern Europe through the study of the region across a range of disciplines including history, economics, politics, international relations and sociology.

Assessment

In order to receive the MPhil degree, you must obtain pass marks in four three-hour written examinations and one extended essay (three core courses plus two optional courses) and for the thesis.

In addition you must also pass the Russian language qualifying exam and satisfy on a pass/fail basis each section of the Research Methods requirement (qualitative and quantitative). Whilst you must pass the Russian language and Research Methods components of the degree programme, any marks obtained are not part of the determination of your overall results but are only recorded as pass/fail grades on your transcript. The skills you learn will be used in the development of your thesis work.

Graduate destinations

The MPhil may be regarded as a qualification in its own right, or as preparation for a doctoral degree. A large proportion of REES graduates proceed to further research and to careers in academia. Recent MPhil in REES graduates have gone on to undertake DPhil courses in politics and history, and Area Studies at OSGA.

Graduates have also gone on to successful careers in many different countries in diverse areas of employment such as international organisations, the media, government, business and finance, diplomacy and teaching.