Theology & Religious Studies/Russian

Theology and religious studies with Russian is a rare and intellectually distinctive combination, connecting the study of religion in its philosophical, historical and textual dimensions with one of the world's major languages and the culture of the vast Slavic world it carries. Russian is the native language of over a hundred and fifty million people and a major language of scholarship, literature, politics, and international affairs. The Russian Orthodox tradition is one of the most significant in global Christianity, and the intersection of religion, politics, and national identity in Russia and the wider post-Soviet world is among the most important and underexplored subjects in contemporary religious and political studies.

At the University of Glasgow this five-year programme includes a sandwich year and a work placement, giving you direct professional experience alongside your academic development. Theology and religious studies at Glasgow encompasses the study of religion, religions, the Bible and theology as they relate to politics, history, literature, philosophy, art and culture, as well as to personal belief and practice. Your Russian studies will take you to high-level proficiency in the language alongside serious engagement with Russian literature, history, and cultural thought.

The combination is particularly powerful for students interested in the intersection of faith, politics, and culture in the Orthodox world and the Slavic nations.

Graduates of theology, religious studies and Russian are well placed for careers in education, translation and interpreting, the diplomatic service, journalism and broadcasting covering Russia and Eastern Europe, international organisations, the charitable sector, heritage and archival work, and the wide range of academic and policy roles where knowledge of both Russian culture and religious thought is an asset. Postgraduate study in theology, Slavonic studies, Russian, international relations, or cultural history is a natural extension for those who wish to pursue specialist research or professional expertise in these distinctive areas.