BA Slavonic Studies (2-subject) at Ruhr University Bochum

Slavonic Studies at Ruhr University Bochum is a two-subject Bachelor (combined with a second subject) programme of 6 semesters (3 years), taught in German. What sets it apart: it focuses on Slavic languages and cultures. Their history and present-day reality are closely intertwined with Western European and global processes. Since Russia’s attack on Ukraine in 2022, knowledge of the Slavic world and of Eastern Europe in general has become more important and in greater demand than before. This requires specialised knowledge, grounded in history, of language, literature and culture. Focusing primarily on the Polish and Russian languages and cultures, whilst also taking other Slavic regions into account, the programme explores the linguistic and cultural diversity of this region, its eventful history and its literary and artistic developments. Students acquire methodological and expert knowledge for analysing both historical and contemporary processes.

Duration: 6 semesters (3 years)  |  Study mode: full-time; German-taught  |  Intake: Winter and summer semester  |  Location: Bochum, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

What you will study

Specialisation areas: Vocabulary and grammar of Slavic languages (particularly Russian and Polish); Reading comprehension in an additional Slavic language; Multilingualism and language acquisition; data-based linguistic research (e.g. corpus linguistics); polish and russian literature and culture; Diversity and specific characteristics of cultural forms of expression (language, text, images, film/video, social media, games); Analysis and classification of the poetological, aesthetic and material-medial characteristics of cultural artefacts; Raising awareness of the political dimensions of literature, art and culture — such as dissidence, imperialism, migration, post-colonialism and colonialism, as well as Russophony beyond Russia; The Bachelor’s programme provides a foundational introduction to these areas; the Master’s programme explores them in greater depth through independent research projects, advanced theoretical study and a personalised focus.

Career pathways

Graduates frequently work as a Russian teacher in schools (after completing an M.Ed.) and in other educational institutions; in cultural institutions and foundations with a focus on Eastern Europe; in the media and publishing sectors, e.g. as a journalist, editor or translator; in academia and research; in international organisations, political consultancy and the diplomatic service; in companies and management consultancies with a focus on Eastern Europe.

Official programme page