Overview

Learning Goals

The Russian major at Amherst College has a two-fold mission: to provide instruction in a foreign language at all levels, preparing students for informed study of the culture, and to offer literature and culture courses in translation as part of the broader liberal-arts tradition. The study of Russian gives our students a comprehensive knowledge of the language which will allow them to develop competence in speaking, understanding, reading, writing, and cultural literacy, while illustrating how language, society, and culture are inextricably linked. Through the study of at least three years of the Russian language, including a highly recommended (though not required) semester or summer-long stay in the country, as well as an opportunity to choose from among a wide variety of courses (some conducted in Russian) in literature, film, theater, cultural studies, and history, majors have the opportunity to explore multiple facets of the "Russian experience" under the guidance of scholars and teachers who are actively engaged in the profession. The reliable presence of a historian increases the appeal and depth of the Russian major, adding a more global and historic aspect to the curriculum.

Acknowledging the diverse nature of, and various approaches to, the subject matter, faculty assist concentrators in putting together a series of courses which cohere to a well-defined whole, often interdisciplinary in nature. A senior honors essay is optional, but each student, in a required comprehensive essay composed over the course of two semesters that is followed by an oral defense during the second semester of senior year, explains and defends the primary focus of his/her studies as a Russian major. Earlier that year the major is also asked to demonstrate Russian language proficiency in a 90-minute translation exam which reflects the ability to comprehend the written language at a sophisticated level. Our students are readily accepted into all semester programs in Russia, and when they return, they claim that they were as well — or better — prepared than most of their counterparts from comparable institutions. An unsually high number of our majors have gone on to graduate study in the field of Russian and Slavic cultures, and to academic and other employment using their knowledge of Russian.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Nabokov's Art and Terrors

Third-Year Russian: Studies in Russian Language and Culture

Strange Russian Writers: Gogol, Dostoevsky, Bulgakov, Nabokov, et al

Advanced Studies in Russian Literature and Culture

What Is Language?

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-02 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-05 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

130

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

7.5

Prepare for Your English Test

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4.9/5 student rating

Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Amherst Center, United States

Disciplines

Language Studies Slavic studies View 129 other Bachelors in Slavic studies in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

130

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

7.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Common Application, Coalition Application OR QuestBridge Application
Amherst College Writing Supplement
$65 Application Fee (non-refundable) or Fee Waiver (requested through Common Application, Coalition Application or Amherst's Quick Pass).
School Report
Secondary School Transcript
Counselor Recommendation (College Counselor / Guidance Counselor)
Two Teacher Recommendations (English, Math, Science, Social Studies or Foreign Language)
Optional Standardized Test Results for the SAT or ACT (either self-reported or official scores).
Early Decision Agreement (for ED applicants)
First marking period grades from senior year (for ED applicants)
Mid-Year School Report Form (as soon as first trimester/first semester grades are available)
Mid-Year Transcript (as soon as first trimester/first semester grades are available)

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

73140 USD / year

≈ 73140 USD / year
Out-of-State

73140 USD / year

≈ 73140 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

73140 USD / year

≈ 73140 USD / year

Living costs

Amherst Center

United States

1228 - 2543 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Russian.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Learning Goals

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Amherst Center

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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