Master of Science by Coursework in Russian and East European Studies

Differences from 2018/19 to 2021/22

Candidates will be required to sit written examinations on two compulsory papers, to be taken in eighth week of Trinity Full Term:

  • 1. An examination paper on Contemporary Russian and East European Studies Part 1.

  • 2. An examination paper on Contemporary Russian and East European Studies Part 2.

Candidates will also be required to submit one extended essay on History of Russia, the USSR and Eastern Europe in the Twentieth Century Russian, Soviet and East European History of 45,500000 words, excluding bibliography. Two copies of the extended essay should be submitteduploaded to the ExaminationUniversity Schools,approved Highonline Street,assessment Oxford,platform by 12 Noon Monday in the fifthfirst week of Hilary Term. An electronic copy should also be submitted via WebLearn by the same deadline. The essay must be accompanied by a statement that it is the candidates own work except where otherwise indicated.

Research Methods for Area Studies: Candidates will submit a 2,500 word maximum take-home test in qualitative methods to be set on Monday of Week 8 and submitted by 12 noon on Monday of week 9 of Michaelmas Term; and a take-home test in quantitative analysis to be set on Monday of Week 8 and submitted by 12 noon on Monday of week 9 of Hilary Term. Each of the items of written work described above must be uploaded to the University approved online assessment platform. Each submission must be accompanied by a declaration indicating it is the candidate’s own work.

Candidates will be required to submit a thesis of at least 12,000 words but not more than 15,000 words on a subject approved by the Management Committee for Russian and East European Studies, to be delivereduploaded to the ExaminationUniversity Schools,approved Highonline Street,assessment Oxfordplatform, by 12 Noon on Monday in the sixth week of Trinity Term. The thesis must be accompanied by a statement that it is the candidates own work except where otherwise indicated.

Candidates Anwho electronicfail copythe shouldresearch alsomethods course overall will be submittedpermitted viato WebLearnre-submit a new submission for the failed piece(s) of work within four weeks of publication of the failed mark, on a date specified by the Chair of Examiners.

Candidates who fail the extended essay will be required to re-submit by 12 noon on Monday of week one of Trinity term of the same deadlineyear.

 Candidates who fail one or more of the examination papers or extended essay will be permitted to retake it on one subsequent occasion the following year. Candidates who have initially failed any element of assessment shall not normally be eligible for the award of distinction.



In the case of a failed thesis, a candidate may submit again, on one subsequent occasion, usually in Trinity Term, provided that this is still within the six terms of his or her registration.

Methods Requirement. All candidates will be required to pass the Research Methods requirement related to Russian and East European Studies and to have achieved pass marks for the assessed components, as specified in the Notes of Guidance of the year of Matriculation of the Candidates. Two printed copies of each of the written items required for the methods requirement must be submitted to the Examination Schools, addressed to the Chair of Examiners for the MSc in Russian and East European Studies, c/o the Examination Schools, High Street, Oxford at the times and days specified in the Notes of Guidance. Each submission must be accompanied by a declaration indicating it is the candidate’s own work.

Oxford 1+1 MBA programme 

Candidates registered on the Oxford 1+1 MBA programme will follow an additional two or three-month bridging programme at the end of their third term of the combined programme.

Each candidate will be appointed an academic advisor from the Saïïd Business School to plan an individual course of study which will include as a minimum, the following three compulsory elements:

(i) Normally two meetings during the bridging programme with the senior advisor appointed by the Saïïd Business School at the start of the Oxford 1+1 MBA programme.

(ii) A formatively assessed Integrative Development Plan of up to 3,000 words. Candidates would be required to critically reflect on their learning from the Masters programme and relate this both to their forthcoming MBA programme as well as to their career goals. The meetings with the advisor will frame the design, delivery and discussion of the plan.

(iii) Attendance of the MBA pre-course as described in the joining instructions for the MBA class, unless granted exemption by the MBA Committee on the grounds of prior formal study or work experience.