Teaching & modules
Modules
Required Modules
You are required to take the following modules:
- Contemporary Russian Politics & Policy (30 credits)
- The Practice of Policymaking in Contemporary Russia (15 credits)
- Dissertation (60 credits)
Optional Modules
In addition, you must choose 45 credits of optional modules, which may typically include:
- Oil, Gas and Modernisation in Russia (15 credits)
- Politics of Energy Security in Eurasia (15 credits)
- Governance and Economic Growth in Transition (15 credits)
- Contemporary Ukrainian Politics & Society (15 credits)
- Russia and the European Union (15 credits)
- New and Emerging Security Threats in Post-Soviet Eurasia (15 credits)
- Clandestine Side Of Globalisation: Organised Crime, Terrorism And Corruption (15 credits)
- Russia's War in Ukraine (15 credits)
In addition, you are required to take two further 15-credit modules, which can be from a range of optional modules from outside of the department, in the School of Politics and Economics or from another School, subject to approval.
A sample list of modules could include the following (please note, these are subject to availability):
- International Political Economy of Energy Markets
- Global Governance and International Organisations
- The Political Economy of Development
- Platform capitalism: platform firms and the state
- Russia and the West
- Sanctions and Economic Statecraft in War and Peace
Part-time students are expected to take at least 45 credits in their first year (taught core modules), and remaining credits and their dissertation in their second year. Part-time students can decide how to distribute their 75 credits of optional modules over the two years of the programme, as long as they ensure that by the end of the programme they have completed the required number of credits.
However, please note that part-time students should feel free to discuss this decision with the Programme Director, should they wish to do so.
Optional modules outside of the programme’s pre-approved list can only be taken with explicit permission of the programme director.
Teaching methods - what to expect
We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver most of the modules on the course. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study.
|
Module |
Lectures, seminars and feedback |
Self-study |
|
Per 15-credit taught module |
The total contact time for each 15-credit taught module is 20 hours. These sessions will include lectures, teacher-led and student-led group discussions based on the main areas of study. |
130 hours (some modules may involve lab work or e-learning which would require less self-guided learning). |
|
Dissertation |
16 contact hours of one-to-one or group consultation with supervisors and workshops. |
584 hours of self-study and project work. |
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Assessment
- Coursework
- Essays
- Presentations
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework essays and other written work. Forms of assessment may typically include essays, other written work (including policy briefs and memoranda, scenario analyses and models), in-class quizzes and presentations. All students undertake a dissertation. Assessment of modules from other departments/institutes may vary.
Application closing date guidance
Key Information
Course type:
Master's
Delivery mode:
In person
Study mode:
Full time
Duration:
One year full-time
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2026