English Language/Russian

English language and linguistics is the scientific study of English itself, examining its structure and meaning past and present and what this reveals about culture, society, and human minds. It combines historical linguistics, sociolinguistics, grammatical analysis, and the study of language in use to build a rigorous understanding of how English works and how it has evolved. Russian is one of the world's great literary languages, with a tradition that produced Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Chekhov, and Bulgakov, and reading it in the original changes the experience entirely.

At the University of Glasgow, you will study English language and linguistics, exploring the structure and meaning of English across time, and combining this with the study of Russian language and literature. You will develop Russian language proficiency alongside your linguistic and literary analysis skills, engaging with the Russian literary tradition and with contemporary Russian-language culture. The programme includes a sandwich placement year and a work placement, and runs over five years full-time.

Graduates of English language and Russian programmes pursue careers in translation and interpreting, linguistics research, language teaching, the civil service, diplomacy, publishing, and journalism. Russian language skills are rare among UK graduates, and the combination of linguistic analytical training and Russian proficiency is particularly valued in contexts involving engagement with Russian-speaking countries, communities, or organisations. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in linguistics, Russian studies, translation, or Slavonic languages.