The need to understand developments in Eastern Europe in areas such as migration, cultural identity and recent history, health, energy politics, economic integration and democratisation remains imperative, even fifteen years after the collapse of communism. There is a global shortage of people with expertise on Eastern Europe. Owing to the shortage of people with the necessary knowledge and skills, people who study a graduate course in East European Studies enjoy a wide range of exiting careers and excellent prospects. The high demand for East European expert’s means that graduates in particular are sought after by employers such as the government, the media, business, non-governmental organisations and international organisations.

 

What career?

Graduates who study an East European studies course tend to go into the following careers:

• Commerce and industry
• Mass media
• Government agencies
• Academic research and lecturing
• Teaching
• European and international agencies
• The armed forces
• Non-governmental organisations

 

How will I learn?

The approach to understanding Eastern Europe is multi-disciplined and you will find that all good graduate courses will teach East European Studies in this way. The study East Europe is enriched through different disciplines, such as history, language, politics, culture, economics etc. Drawing on a number of disciplines means that by studying a graduate course in East European Studies, you develop a range of different skills and achieve a deeper level of understanding. Indeed, the key attraction of East European Studies is the opportunity to unpack the complexities of otherwise puzzling phenomena by combining perspectives of different disciplines. For example, understanding the region’s history is invaluable for understanding contemporary East European politics where political parties defy their official labels – right wing parties, for example, propagating left-wing economic policies. The alarming decline in population of Russia can only be fully accounted for by combining perspectives on welfare, gender relations and sexuality. In EES one is not committed to, or restricted by, just one discipline.

What will I learn?

Graduate programs in East European Studies tend to provide advanced training through a combination of one multi-disciplinary core course and a wide range of specialised options. The core graduate course offers an area-study background for all students, while optional courses provide specialist disciplinary areas of expertise. Some graduate East European courses make the language training optional so students can tailor their study program to their needs, abilities and interests. However, learning or improving a language of one of the countries of Eastern Europe is an important dimension of this discipline. You may find that most graduate East European courses will strongly urge you to study an Eastern European language alongside your specialised options. If you think you will continue your studies to PhD level then language training is likely to be compulsory so it might be prudent to take up the language learning option. In addition to the expertise you will have from studying a graduate East European course, you will also develop sought-after transferable skills such as report-writing, presentation skills, group work etc. These skills enable you to apply your knowledge in a way relevant to prospective employment opportunities.

How will my course be offered?

Graduate programs in East European Studies may be offered under a variety of names such as 'Russian and East European Studies' or 'East-Central European Studies'. In some universities, there may not be a specialised or dedicated school to Eastern Europe, the course you want to study may be offered under another discipline. If you do decide to apply to a graduate Eastern Europe school or faculty then one of the many advantages is that you will be offered a highly concentrated body of excellence in expertise which provides for a rich and immersing environment for graduate studies where you can maintain or develop a strong disciplinary profile but also enrich your understanding by exploring other disciplines. Graduate programs in East European Studies offer the opportunity to diversify and consolidate your expertise.

Graduate courses in East European Studies tend to attract students from the social sciences, humanities and history who wish to acquire an East European dimension. Students in Russian or other East European Languages and Literature who wish to develop a social science or history specialisation at graduate level are also good candidates. However, other disciplinary backgrounds are welcome but a demonstrable interest in the subject is a must. Students with a first degree in business might benefit from developing an Eastern European language and regional expertise that would give them a competitive edge when applying for jobs with international companies with investments in Eastern Europe. Whatever your motivation, studying a graduate course in East European Studies is beneficial both in terms of employment opportunities and in enriching your knowledge and interests in this fascinating discipline.