Slavonic Studies MPhil

The MPhil in Slavonic Studies is designed to help those who already possess a good knowledge of Russian or another Slavonic language to acquire grounding in areas of Slavonic studies which were not part of their first degree course. Students are able to select from a wide range of philological, literary and historical subjects as a preparation for advanced research in this field.

This two-year course is normally restricted to candidates who have taken a first degree in a Slavonic language and you are also expected to read secondary literature in at least one European language other than English and the Slavonic languages. If available, you will also be expected to attend lectures on bibliographical, library, and archival resources in the field of Slavonic studies.

In the first year, you will undertake:

• one paper on a Slavonic language (not previously studied)
• either (i) three option papers, or (ii) two option papers and an essay of 5,000 to 7,000 words on a subject of your choice

In the second year, you will undertake:

• two further option papers
• a dissertation of 20,000-25,000 words on a subject of their own choice
• a viva voce examination

Generally student numbers in the MPhil are small and this allows the teaching to be tailored to the particular choices students make. Teaching is provided through a mixture of classes and tutorials. The course offers you, in addition to the second language, training in various philological, literary and historical fields and in associated methodologies (comparative philological method, palaeography, textology, literary theory).

The MPhil in Slavonic Studies thus provides an appropriate introduction for you if you are contemplating higher research in a DPhil or PhD programme in this area.