The University of Sheffield
Russian and Slavonic Studies

Undergraduate studies: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Russian difficult?

Studies by the U.S. Department of State show that in some ways Russian is 'more difficult' than French or Spanish, in that it takes somewhat longer to reach the same levels of proficiency in Russian. However, they also indicate that Russian is not noticeably more difficult than German in this respect. The same studies found that students make more rapid progress in Russian than they do in Arabic, Chinese, Japanese or Korean.

Perhaps surprisingly, the Cyrillic alphabet poses little to no problem for students after the first few weeks of the course. It is in many respects similar to our alphabet, and most students master it without significant difficulty.

I think I’d like to study Czech or Polish alongside Russian, with Russian as my main language. Are these languages useful assets to have when looking for an interesting career? I’m doing German, Russian and History at A-Level.

The vast majority of students who take this path find it very rewarding to have added another Slavonic language to their repertoire. With both Poland and the Czech Republic now members of the EU, you will find that you have a sought-after skill. When job opportunities arise for Czech and Polish – as they frequently and increasingly do - you will be part of a very small minority of graduates able to offer this skill. Previous graduates have found work both abroad and at home in private businesses, the major banks, charity organisations, teaching, the Merchant Navy, government intelligence services, etc. (see below).

Are Russian/Czech/Polish courses more difficult than courses in other subjects?

Our courses are no more difficult than courses in other modern languages. A student who works hard at Russian/Czech/Polish will spend approximately the same time on his language studies as his cohorts in other modern languages, and receive, on average, the same range of marks as a student on any other modern language course. He will also enrich his knowledge of the language by taking modules in culture, literature, history, politics and linguistics.

Will I end up with a bigger workload if I decide to study Polish or Czech?

Our Czech and Polish groups are generally much smaller than other language classes; the learning environment is relaxed and informal, you get to know each other very well, and support each other. Yes, you will be given homework every week and you’re expected to do at least some work on your Czech or Polish every day or couple of days. If you’ve studied a language at school over several years up to A-Level, you will find that our approach has to be somewhat different: during the semester you can’t ‘shelve’ your Czech, for example, for a couple of weeks while you concentrate on an essay deadline for another subject. You have to put some thought into managing your time - ‘little and often’ is a good strategy.

I haven't done Russian at school. Could I still do a degree in Russian?

Yes - you would be in good company. About two-thirds of our students do Russian from scratch. The beginners' course is separate from the post-A level course for the first two years. The two groups do not have any language classes in common until the final year, after the Year Abroad.

It is advisable to have some experience of a foreign language, either modern or classical, as preparation for a Russian course. We look for a good grade in a foreign language at A level, an A grade at GCSE level, or equivalent experience, as an indicator that you would succeed.

If I do Russian from scratch, will I be at a disadvantage?

Students with A-Level Russian get, on average, exactly the same spread of marks as students who start Russian from scratch. The fact that the groups are kept separate in the first two years, and that many students make tremendous progress during the Year Abroad, undoubtedly contributes to this parity.

I’d like to study Czech or Polish alongside French in a dual degree programme, but am I at a disadvantage in not having done a Slavonic language at school? And will there be people in the class who already have some knowledge of Slavonic languages?

Our courses are taught on the assumption that you are a complete beginner and have no knowledge of any other Slavonic language (naturally, some students will already have studied some, but this is not in any way a prerequisite). It’s not unusual, for example, for someone who’s previously studied only French and Spanish to come out with the best marks at the end of the year. It’s always interesting to hear why people choose Czech or Polish: sometimes, a student may have visited Poland or the Czech Republic on holiday and picked up some phrases, or already have an interest in the country’s history or culture. More often than not, as language enthusiasts, students will have heard Czech or Polish being spoken at some point and been intrigued, or just found the opportunity to study a completely new language at Sheffield too tempting to miss!

What can I do with a degree in Russian, Polish or Czech?

Our graduates have taken jobs and internships in:

• international sales and marketing (Russian, Polish)
• translation and interpreting (Czech, Russian)
• investment banking (Russian, Czech)
• teaching (Russian, Czech)
• information management and libraries (Russian)
• journalism (Russian)
• firms located abroad (Czech, Russian)
• government work (Russian)
• educational institutions and exchange programmes (Russian)
• the European Union (Russian, Polish)
• international development organizations (Russian)
• non-governmental organisations (Russian, Polish)

Other fields with demand for speakers of Slavonic languages:

• airlines and travel firms
• charities
• internet content providers
• broadcast media

Some students have gone on to postgraduate courses (MA, MPhil or PhD) in Russian or related fields, such as information studies, linguistics, literary and cultural studies, and international politics before beginning a career.

The Russian economy has had its ups and downs. Will this affect my job prospects?

Russia remains an important international power and Russian is the common language of communication across the former Soviet Union. Although the job market for Russian graduates is smaller than for graduates in the major western European languages, there are far fewer Russianists, and consequently graduates with good degrees are in demand.

In any event, many students take a dual degree combining Russian with another language or field. Some single-honours students add Czech or Polish as a named part of their degree; since the accession of Poland and the Czech Republic to the European Union in 2004, there is increasing demand for graduates with these languages.

Why bother acquiring an unusual skill like Russian?

Having an unusual skill gives you a leg up in two ways. First, it qualifies you for positions that most graduates can't consider, and can thus get you a more interesting job early on in your career. Second, even if you don't end up applying for jobs in the field, an unusual skill like Russian can make your c.v. stand out amongst hundreds of other candidates with less unusual degrees. It might just be the hook that gets a firm curious enough to interview you instead of someone else. From there, you're on your own.

What if I don't necessarily want to use my language skills at work?

Russian Studies is a broad-based humanities degree course. You will not only be studying the language, but also acquiring crucial transferable skills. We emphasise analysing written texts and looking critically at language, as well as writing in a clear and cogent fashion, and making good use of available technology. As with other humanities degrees, a Russian degree qualifies you for a variety of careers not connected with language. Recent graduates who have taken this route work in:

• Marketing
• Journalism
• Sales
• Banking
• Accounting

What are modular degrees?

The Sheffield degree consists of a set of core modules focused around language and literature, and a broad range of optional modules, including history, literature, linguistics, and other Slavonic languages. Thus each student's experience is shaped by his or her interests; few programmes are exactly identical.

For the adventurous, the first-year curriculum allows you to experiment with other disciplines; up to half your first-year modules can come from outside the Department. This set-up is common to many arts degree programmes at Sheffield.

For those wishing to concentrate on Slavonic studies, a full range of options is available from your first through your final year, allowing you to focus on the areas that interest you most.

How many different degree combinations are there with Russian, Czech and Polish?

Sheffield has one of the widest ranges of combinations available. Follow these links to find out what combinations you could do with Russian, Czech, or Polish.

Languages in our Department can also be studied as part of Sheffield's B.A. in Modern Languages, in which students study three languages concurrently for all three years of the degree, or concentrate on two languages plus an auxiliary skill, such as linguistics.

Can I spend a semester or year abroad in Russia?

Our degrees last four years, and all students spend the third year abroad. (Exceptions are only granted to Russian native speakers and those with compelling medical excuses.)

Some students spend the whole year in Russia. This applies to single-honours Russian Studies students, and dual-honours students whose second subject is not a language.

Other students spend half their Year Abroad in Russia and half elsewhere. Students of Czech spend one semester in Prague or Brno, and students of Polish students spend one semester in Cracow. Dual-honours students doing French, Spanish or German as their second language spend a semester in a country where the appropriate language is spoken.

Is there any reason to worry about going to Russia?

Most students write back in glowing terms about their Year Abroad in Russia. However, it is natural, given media coverage of the topic, for students and parents to wonder if Russia is a safe place to spend a semester or a year.

While crime in Russia has increased over recent years, most students encounter it only in rumour and the media. Moscow and St. Petersburg are major metropolises, and students who exercise the same care there as they would in London usually do not experience any difficulties. However, students lulled into complacency by two years in Sheffield, Britain's safest large city, should not forget that most large urban centres do have a higher incidence of petty crime, and that you are more vulnerable to crime in an unfamiliar country. In addition, foreigners are known to be considerably more affluent than most Russians, and may attract unwanted attention from criminals.

Along with the RLUS consortium, which organises our Year Abroad programmes, we undertake to provide appropriate orientation for students before they go to Russia. We monitor political events in Russia closely, and will not send students into situations we believe to be unsafe. RLUS have an on-site resident director in Russia to whom students can address their problems and concerns.

Russian living conditions may not match those in the West, and life there can prove at times frustrating and challenging. For most students, though, the Year Abroad in Russia is an unforgettable experience and a very positive one.

What extracurricular activities does the Department offer?

Students rate Sheffield highly as a place to live and study, as our top-rated status in the Virgin Guide attests. Students in our Department also find a range of Russian- and East-European-related activities are available after hours.

Most students join the Departmental student-run society, VodSoc, which organises parties and nights out. It has also in recent years run "Russian tables" at a local pub, put on a Russian play, and fielded a football team. The activities vary from year to year, depending on student interest and motivation. There is an active "Sheffield Czech and Slovak Society" where students and native speakers meet for conversation, Czech films which are regularly screened in the Department, and a host of other cultural events. There has also been a Polish students' society in past years. On the cultural side, the Department brings in prominent speakers in the field of literature, language and culture, and has hosted several visits from the Czech Embassy.

Off campus, Sheffield's independent cinema, the Showroom, gets a regular supply of films from Eastern Europe, and touring orchestras and other musical groups from Russia make frequent appearances at the City Hall. Sheffield is home to a large Polish community, whose social club near campus is open to the public. Students regularly have the opportunity to serve as guides and interpreters for sports teams and other delegations visiting the city.