Central & East European Studies/Politics

Central and East European studies with politics is a degree for those who want to understand one of the most politically turbulent and consequential regions in the contemporary world. The countries stretching from the Baltic to the Balkans and from Central Europe to the former Soviet space have experienced war, revolution, the collapse of communism, rapid economic transformation, the rise of populism, the enlargement of the European Union and the return of large-scale conflict in the Russo-Ukrainian war. Making sense of these events requires both the area expertise that comes from deep engagement with the history, culture and political dynamics of the region and the theoretical tools of political science.

At the University of Glasgow you will study across four years of full-time study, including a year abroad that situates you in a Central or East European academic or cultural context. You will develop expertise in the political, economic and social transformations of the region, from the Baltic states and Poland to the Balkans and the post-Soviet space, alongside grounding in comparative politics, political theory, international relations and the study of democracy, populism and authoritarianism as general phenomena. Glasgow is a recognised centre of expertise in this field, and its research culture in Central and East European politics directly informs undergraduate teaching.

Graduates work in government, the foreign office, intelligence and security organisations, policy research, think tanks, international organisations, journalism, NGOs and the private sector roles that require deep knowledge of Central and Eastern Europe. The combination of area expertise and political analysis is particularly valued in organisations dealing with the EU, NATO, European security and the economic opportunities and political risks of the region. Many graduates pursue postgraduate study in Russian and East European studies, European politics, security studies, international law or related fields.