BA Politics and Russian

At Bristol, this degree is designed to get you far beyond textbooks. You’ll sharpen your Russian skills through real conversations, films, podcasts, and interactive workshops, while also diving into the big debates in politics. The course is built to give you practical experience—whether that’s presenting in class, producing media projects, or spending a year fully immersed in a Russian-speaking country. By the time you graduate, you won’t just know the theory—you’ll have lived it.

And here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Multimedia Centre – As a languages student, you’ll have access to a dedicated hub with over 2,000 films, a mini-cinema, and even a recording studio, perfect for practicing Russian through media and creative projects.

• Hands-on Assessments – Forget about endless essays; you’ll also be assessed through debates, group projects, podcasts, video essays, and presentations, helping you build confidence in different formats.

• Year Abroad – Your third year will be spent in a Russian-speaking country, giving you a once-in-a-lifetime chance to immerse yourself in the culture, language, and everyday life.

• Supportive Teaching – Russian is taught in smaller groups, so you’ll get more personal attention, more practice, and a real sense of community with your classmates.

• Practical Skills Training – Politics students benefit from library and research workshops early on, ensuring you know how to find, evaluate, and present information like a professional.

• Continued Support Abroad – Even while you’re away, the University stays in touch and provides tailored guidance—staff have even travelled abroad to check in on students.

This mix of media-based learning, real-world immersion, and close academic support makes Bristol’s Politics and Russian programme a truly hands-on experience. You’ll graduate not only fluent in Russian, but with the skills to think critically, communicate effectively, and adapt confidently to global opportunities.

Studying Politics and Russian at Bristol opens doors to exciting global careers. Graduates often move into roles such as policy advisors, international relations analysts, diplomats and intelligence officers, or work in translation and cultural consultancy. With this rare combination of political expertise and Russian language skills, you’ll stand out to employers in government, media, NGOs, and multinational organizations.

And the University makes sure you’re supported every step of the way:

• Tailored careers support – Bristol’s Careers Service offers one-to-one guidance, employer meetups, careers fairs, and access to alumni networks. You can keep using these services for up to three years after graduation.

• Strong graduate success – Around 90% of Politics graduates are employed or in further study within 15 months. Typical salaries start around £28,000 and can rise to £40,000+ after a few years.

• Top employer links – Bristol is regularly ranked among the UK’s most targeted universities by top employers, and joint 7th nationally for graduate employability.

• Russell Group recognition – Your degree carries long-term value thanks to Bristol’s reputation for high-quality research and respected alumni across politics, diplomacy, and business.

• Career destinations – Over 70% of graduates go straight into highly skilled roles, ranging from policy and administration to media, management, and international development.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’d like to continue your studies, you’ll have plenty of options: a Master’s in International Relations, Public Policy, or Russian and East European Studies; a postgraduate qualification in translation or interpreting; or even research degrees if you want to move into academia. Many graduates also choose to build on their Russian expertise with specialist training for careers in diplomacy, intelligence, or international organizations.