Economics with Russian

Combining economics with Russian brings together two disciplines that illuminate each other in particularly interesting ways. Economics gives you the analytical tools to understand how markets, institutions, and policy choices shape societies. Russian opens access to the culture, literature, and history of one of the world's largest countries, a major energy producer and geopolitical actor whose economic development over recent decades has been closely watched and often debated.

The pairing gives you both the quantitative rigour of economic analysis and the cultural and linguistic depth to engage seriously with a major world region.

At St Andrews you will follow a structured, cumulative approach to economics, building from foundational principles in micro and macroeconomics through to advanced analytical methods, quantitative techniques, and model-based reasoning. You will develop strong skills in economic analysis and decision-making, applied to real-world problems including trade, monetary policy, labour markets, and development. Alongside this you will study Russian at an appropriate level, developing language proficiency and engaging with Russian literature, culture, and society.

The four-year MA (Hons) programme includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to spend time in a Russian-speaking country or at a university where your language skills can deepen and your economic studies can continue in an international setting.

Graduates with this combination are well placed for roles in international finance, trade, diplomacy, government, consulting, and organisations with an interest in Russia and the post-Soviet world. Economic skills are in demand across banking, the civil service, research institutes, and international agencies, and language proficiency adds a further dimension that relatively few economics graduates bring. Postgraduate study in economics, international relations, or Russian and Eurasian studies is also a natural progression.