Central & East European Studies/Business Economics

Few regions of the world have undergone more dramatic transformation in the past century than Central and Eastern Europe. From the upheavals of two world wars and the long reach of communist rule to the revolutions of 1989 and the ongoing tensions of the present day, the countries stretching from the Baltic to the Balkans have been at the centre of some of the defining political, economic, and cultural struggles of modern history. Studying this region alongside business economics gives you both a deep understanding of a crucial part of the world and a rigorous grounding in the economic forces that have shaped, and continue to shape, it.

At Glasgow you will explore the key issues in Central and Eastern European history, politics, and culture, charting the collapse of communism, the rise of populism, the Russo-Ukrainian war, and instability across the Caucasus and Central Asia. Alongside this, you will study business economics, developing your understanding of markets, firms, and macroeconomic policy. The four-year full-time programme includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to deepen your language skills and experience the region directly.

You will graduate with expertise that is rare and genuinely valuable: the combination of area specialism and economic analysis is increasingly sought after by organisations working in or on this part of the world.

Graduates go on to careers in diplomacy, international business, journalism, the civil service, policy analysis, and a wide range of roles in organisations with interests in Central and Eastern Europe. The languages, cultural understanding, and analytical skills you develop are assets in international law, development finance, think tanks, and non-governmental organisations. Postgraduate study in international relations, European studies, economics, or area studies is another well-trodden path for Glasgow graduates from this programme.