MRes in East European Studies

The Master of Research (MRes) in East European Studies is an innovative 2-year programme combining training in discipline specific (economics, politics, history, culture or literature) research methods, the learning of an East European language, specialist electives related to your emerging research interests and a 20,000 word dissertation. The programme also contains a core training in interdisciplinary area studies that runs through the two years of the programme.

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.

Funding opportunities

There are a number of funding streams available specifically for this programme:

SSEES MRes Studentships: several two-year studentships equivalent to the value of the Home/EU fee are available for students without full funding from elsewhere. These can be used to top up partial funding or to cover home/EU fees for those with no other funding. These studentships are only awarded for students choosing to learn a language other than Russian. Deadline for submission of the UCL admissions application and statement of intent to apply for the SSEES MRes Studentship: 1 March.
ESRC Doctoral Training Awards: SSEES will support strong candidates who wish to apply for the MRes plus PhD programme, which consists of 2 years for the MRes, plus 3 years for the PhD (the so-called 2+3 scheme). Interested applicants should contact us early to discuss their application. Deadline for submission of the UCL admissions application and statement of intent to apply for the specific ESRC award at SSEES: 25 January 2013.
MRes Overseas Fieldwork Grants: For students on the two-year MRes there are a number of overseas fieldwork grants to support research trips to the East European country of interest during the summer in-between year one and year two.

Curriculum

There are two pathways through the programme: 'Arts and Humanities' and 'Social Sciences'. On each pathway, students must take 330 credits over the two years, comprising of 60 language credits, 30 credits in Interdisciplinary Area Studies Research (IAS), 75 specialist research methods training, 60 subject electives and a free-standing dissertation worth 105 credits. In addition, all MRes students are expected to attend regular external and internal Research Seminars and workshops.

	Social Sciences: year one (150)	Arts and Humanities: year one (150)
30 credits Language (compulsory)	Beginners - various (full-year)	Beginners - various (full-year)
15 credits IAS 1 (compulsory)	IAS 1: Interdisciplinary Area Studies (term 1 and 2)	IAS 1: Interdisciplinary Area Studies (term 1 and 2)
75 Methods(compulsory)	Quantitative Methods (15, term 1) Advanced Quantitative Methods (15, term 2) Advanced Qualitative Methods (15, term 2) Theories of Social & Political Research (30, term 1) Comparative Methods in Social Science Research (15, term 2)	Literary and Cultural Theory (30, term 1) Historical Methods and Approaches (30, term 1) Theories of Social & Political Research (30, term 1) Understanding Data Analysis (15, term 2) Advanced Qualitative Methods (15, term 2) Comparative Methods in Social Science Research (15, term 2) Contemporary Cultural Studies (15, term 2)
45 Electives	Various from social science programmes	Various from arts and humanities programmes
*Summary*	*30 Language + 15 IAS 1 + 75 Methods + 30 Electives*	*30 Language + 15 IAS 1 + 75 Methods + 30 Electives*

	Social Sciences: year two (180)	Arts and Humanities: year two (180)
30 credits Language (compulsory)	Intermediate - various (full-year)	Intermediate - various (full-year)
15 credits IAS 2 (compulsory)	IAS 2: Interdisciplinary Area Studies (term 1 and 2)	IAS 2: Interdisciplinary Area Studies (term 1 and 2)
105 Dissertation	20,000 words	20,000 words
30 Electives	Various from social science programmes	Various from arts and humanities programmes
*Summary*	*30 Language + 15 IAS 2 + 105 Dissertation + 30 Electives*	*30 Language + 15 IAS 2 + 105 Dissertation + 30 Electives*

MRes Student Handbook

Scheme of Award and Methods of Assessment

Entry Requirements

At least an Upper Second Honours degree or equivalent. For papers in certain course options, appropriate background knowledge in the relevant subject is expected and there are special language requirements for certain papers.

Non-native English speakers must provide evidence of English proficiency - 'good' level in accordance with UCL English language requirements.

Download application form

This page last modified Tuesday 18 December 2012.