Middle East Studies and Russian

Middle East studies and Russian together span two of the most geopolitically significant regions of the modern world, connecting scholarship on the Islamic world and its long history with the study of Russia and the Russian-speaking world. Middle East studies provides training in the history of the Middle East across more than 1,500 years, from the rise of Islam and the medieval Islamic civilisations through the Ottoman empire and into the modern period of colonialism, nationalism, and the contemporary challenges of the region. Russian gives you access to one of the world's great literary and cultural traditions, from Pushkin and Tolstoy to Dostoevsky and Chekhov, alongside the language needed to engage with Russian politics, culture, and society directly.

This four-year full-time degree at the University of St Andrews develops expertise in both areas, drawing on the university's strong research tradition in both Middle Eastern and Russian studies. You will gain historical understanding of two regions that continue to shape global politics and develop the linguistic and cultural tools to engage with their contemporary realities. A year abroad is integrated into the programme, giving you the opportunity to study in a relevant context, extending your linguistic immersion and cultural understanding.

The typical entry tariff is 184 points.

Graduates from Middle East studies and Russian programmes are exceptionally well placed for careers in diplomacy, the foreign office, intelligence services, journalism, international organisations, development agencies, academic research, and the corporate sector in regions where expertise in both areas is in demand. Postgraduate study in Middle Eastern studies, Russian studies, international relations, or area studies is a natural continuation for those wishing to develop specialist expertise.