BA History and Russian (VR17)

2024 entry | view 2025 entry

Course summary

This course combines the broad historical knowledge and well-developed research skills gained in a history degree with the in-depth cultural awareness and advanced linguistic skills that come from learning Russian, a language of strategic importance spoken by people across several countries and large diasporic communities, including in the UK.

You will join two departments with researchers working in a variety of fields and will be encouraged to develop expertise and research skills relevant to both disciplines, while also considering the relationships between them. Both departments encourage strong synergy between research and teaching, resulting in a vibrant learning environment as staff incorporate new research into their classes.

You will follow a structured language course in Russian, as well as explore the rich culture and history of Russian-speaking communities, choosing from a range of units in literature, film, history, thought, politics, religion, and visual culture. Your third year will be spent abroad where you will have the opportunity to explore historical issues in the distinct cultural and social context of a country where Russian is widely spoken. To find out more about studying abroad, visit Centre for Study Abroad.

You will have the chance to explore the intersections between history and Russian independently through a historically-minded dissertation in your fourth year, for which you will be required to use some sources written in Russian. The combined knowledge of history, language and culture will mean you are uniquely placed to foster and to lead intercultural communication across national boundaries.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, and one-to-one project supervision. Assessments may include presentations, essays, commentaries, exams, collaborative projects, debates, podcasts, video essays, and dissertations.

Our course will ensure you practise a range of skills, making you attractive to future employers in the globalised workplace and in the sector of your choice.

Russian can be studied from beginners' level and post-A level (or equivalent). All modern languages students have access to our state-of-the-art Multimedia Centre. You can also access extracurricular activities such as talks by visiting speakers, societies, language cafes, student newspapers, and talent shows.

Course structure

Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.

Go to programme catalogue

Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

AAA including History
DDD in any Applied General BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma and A in History

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36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in History
32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in History

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85% overall, with 8.5 in History
Advanced Higher: AA including History and Standard Higher: AAAAB
Access to HE Diploma in Humanities, Social Sciences, Law or History (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include at least 30 credits at Distinction (including 12 in History units) and 15 at Merit or above.

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Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

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