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Our East European Studies MRes provides area-specific, language-oriented, advanced research training in the methodologies and approaches of economics, politics, sociology, history, culture and literature. Our MRes offers two pathways: social sciences, and arts and humanities, enabling you to tailor the programme to suit your own experience and interests.
Key information
Programme starts
September 2021
Modes and duration
Application dates
Tuition fees (2021/22)
Note on fees:
The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.
Entry requirements
Normally an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.
English language requirements
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
The English language level for this programme is: Good
UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level. International Preparation Courses
Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.
International students
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below.
Select your country:
About this degree
You will develop general research skills, interdisciplinary and discipline-specific research skills, area-specific research skills and language skills oriented towards carrying out research in the region. The programme produces multidisciplinary researchers specialised in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, with language proficiency and cultural, historical and institutional awareness.
You will undertake modules to the value of 330 credits over two years: 150 credits are taken in year one and 180 in year two. Two pathways are available: social sciences, and arts and humanities.
The first year of the programme consists of a core language module (30 credits), optional modules (75 credits) and electives (45 credits). The second year consists of core modules (45 credits) including language (30 credits), electives (30 credits) and dissertation (105 credits).
Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MRes in East European Studies.
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.
Compulsory modules
- Year One:
- Beginner's New Language MA module offered at SSEES
- Year Two:
- Intermediate Language MA module offered at SSEES
- Interdisciplinary Area Studies II
Optional modules
- Social Science Pathway Year One
- A choice of 75 credits from:
- Quantitative Methods (15)
- Advanced Quantitative Methods (15)
- Qualitative Methods (15)
- Political Sociology (15)
- Comparative Analysis in Social and Political Research (15)
- Understanding and Analysing Data (15)
- Arts & Humanities Pathway Year One
- Literary and Cultural Theory (30)
- Political Sociology (15)
- Comparative Analysis in Social and Political Research (15)
- Historical Methods and Approaches (30)
- Qualitative Methods (15)
- Understanding and Analysing Data (15)
- Both pathways take electives in years one and two and 30 credits of compulsory language in each year
- Further information about these modules is available on the department website.
Dissertation/report
You will undertake an independent research project in your second year which culminates in a dissertation of 20,000 words.
Teaching and learning
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, workshops, seminars and language classes. You will be assessed by unseen and written examinations, coursework assignments, essays and the research dissertation.
Each 15-credit module is equivalent to 150 hours of study and a 30 credit module equivalent to 300 hours of study. Contact hours may vary depending on module choices, but full-time students will approximately have 8-10 hours of contact hours each week during term time.
Additional costs
For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.
Detailed module information
Funding
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Careers
With their specialist knowledge and language skills, SSEES Master's graduates can be found in business, finance, the media, international agencies, charities, diplomacy, international security organisations, the law, and academia.
Employability
Graduates of the programme will possess the attributes to complete a PhD within three years or to enter the labour market directly with advanced analytical and research skills, regional expertise and proficiency in a language of the area. The rigorous exams we set for our language courses mean that potential employers or prospective PhD supervisors will know that our graduates can work effectively with the languages they have studied.
Internship opportunities and excellent links with other universities in the region as well as suite of leading events and research seminars complement your studies.
Why study this degree at UCL?
The UCL School of Slavonic & East European Studies (SSEES) is one of the largest national centres in the UK, for the study of central, Eastern and south-eastern Europe and Russia.
You will have access to the SSEES Library which is unequalled in Britain for the depth and breadth of its collections, the majority of which are on open access in the SSEES building.
SSEES' location on the edge of Bloomsbury offers you access to the British Library, British Museum, University of London Library and other similar research centres, which are all close by.
Department: SSEES - School of Slavonic & East European Studies
What our students and staff say
"UCL SSEES has a great team of researchers and lecturers in eastern and central European languages and cultures. It makes UCL a desirable place for investigating the so-called “Other” Europe. SSEES also has one of the best libraries that specialises in Eastern Europe."
Dr Urszula Chowaniec
As a teacher in Polish Language and Culture I have the opportunity to contribute nearly to any graduate programme connected to Polish culture/politics/literature and language. Mainly, Literature and Culture of Eastern Europe, History, Eastern European Politics.
Teaching Fellow, School of Slavonic & East European Studies
"UCL SSEES is a leading centre nationally and internationally for research and teaching in the field of Russian cinema, and the UCL SSEES Library has the largest holdings outside Russia of Russian film material (feature films, documentaries, newsreels, books, journals and databases). My current research focuses on early Russian cinema and in particular on both the representation of gender and the development of a specifically cinematic language in films made during the period 1908 to 1918."
Dr Rachel Morley
Russian Studies MA, East European Studies MRes
UCL School of Slavonic & East European Studies
"UCL is an energetic place that is clearly on an upward trajectory, bustling with original thinkers doing cutting-edge work and incredibly talented students from all over the world. Definitely the place to study and do research at the beginning of the 21st century."
Professor Jan Kubik
UCL School of Slavonic & East European Studies
Application and next steps
Applications
Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.
This programme requires two references. Further information regarding references can be found in our How to apply section.
Who can apply?
The programme is suitable for students who wish to gain advanced research training in the language, culture and institutions of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. It provides an ideal foundation for a PhD degree, and a research career in both public and private sector organisations.
Application deadlines
- All applicants
- 30 July 2021
In addition to the standard UCL application form, you should submit a short research proposal, outlining yout areas of interest. Please download and complete the proposal form on the SSEES webpages. This should then be uploaded with your application.
For more information see our Applications page.
Apply nowWhat are we looking for?
When we assess your application we would like to learn:
- why you want to study East European Studies at graduate level
- why you want to study East European Studies at UCL
- what particularly attracts you to this programme
- how your personal, academic and professional background meets the demands of a challenging and truly international academic environment
- about your research interests and where you would like to go professionally with your degree
Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.
UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.
Page last modified on 28 August 2021
