Master's Degree Programme in Russian and European Studies (RES) offers a unique interdisciplinary learning environment for students interested in Russian politics, society, culture and language as well as in global, international and regional political dynamics in Northern Europe. RES has been designed to respond to demands from the academia, policymakers, businesses and NGOs for graduates with an advanced knowledge in these areas.

The three specialization options that students may choose from when applying to the programme are International Relations, Sociology and Russian Language and Culture. Depending on specialization, the modes of study can include study trips and exchange studies in Russian and various other European universities; practical training; intensive study weeks in Tampere and Russia together with students of partner universities (International Relations students, organized as part of the Finnish-Russian Cross-Border University CBU); in addition to lectures, seminars, symposia and workshops, as well as independent studies. Teaching in the specializations of International Relations and Sociology is given fully in English, whereas in the specialization of Russian Language and Culture many of the advanced compulsory courses are taught in Russian language.

Learning Outcomes

Students having completed the MDP in Russian and European Studies will be able to:

• thoroughly understand political, societal and cultural dynamics in Russian-European interfaces

• examine events in Russian and European affairs in the context of an interplay of global, regional, international and local dynamics

• analyze Russian-European affairs with the help of theoretical approaches available within their area of specialization – international relations, sociology, or Russian language and culture

In addition to the learning outcomes specific to the RES programme, students have acquired advanced research skills and are able to:

• conduct research and report research results following academic conventions both independently and in teams

• search and identify relevant sources of information

• analytically and critically apply this knowledge in working life

• communicate expertise and knowledge in a way relevant to the academic community and the general public

Working Life Connections

Matching education with the requirements of working life and society is one of the core values of the RES master’s programme. As part of their studies, students can conduct real-life projects for our working life partners representing private and public sectors as well as NGOs. This means that a working life partner assigns a practical problem related to its operations to a group of students.

For its working life partners, RES offers an opportunity to participate in the development of the skills of their potential future employers, to establish international networks, to enhance its visibility and to hear fresh ideas.

Collaboration between our master’s students and working life partners can also take the form of internships and foreign exchange studies, and research for master’s thesis.

Examples of possible outcomes of student-employer collaboration:

•     Preparing a report on the image of Finland in St. Petersburg newspapers

•     Writing a briefing paper on the Russian position in Arctic governance
•     Planning and organizing a press tour for Russian business journalists in Finland
•     Doing media follow-up on a specific event in Russia

Students may also include an internship in their degree. Students of the RES Master's programme have previously done their internships in, for example, Tampere Peace Research Institute TAPRI, UN Joint Inspection Unit in Geneva, Finland Future Research Centre (University of Turku), and the Baltic Institute of Finland.

Internationalisation

Tampere University is committed to promoting justice and equality in society, to enhancing the well-being of citizens at home and abroad, and to advancing multiculturalism and sustainable development.

RES programme is organised in cooperation with two Russian partner universities, and is therefore inherently international. In addition to this, we want to encourage students to include a period of exchange in a Russian university in their Master's studies. Exchange students in the University's partner universities do not need to pay tuition fees and they can also apply for a grant from the University of Tampere to cover some of the costs of the exchange.

The International Relations major of the programme is offered as a double degree programme with Petrozavodsk and St. Petersburg State Universities. A considerable part of the studies are offered in cooperation in seasonal schools, which take place once a semester in each partner university in rotation. Attending the seasonal schools is obligatory for the IR students; it may also be possible for students of Sociology and Russian language and culture to participate in them.