The Department of Russian and Slavonic Studies has a long and distinguished history, starting in 1916 when Nottingham became one of the first universities in the UK to teach Russian. Now three areas of Slavonic culture are taught here: Russian, Serbian and Slovene. Over many years the Department has built up a reputation as a major centre for Russian studies in the UK, and in Serbia and Slovenia it is viewed as the principal British centre for the study of these subjects. With around 140 students studying for degrees on the Single and Joint Honours courses offered by the Department, it is one of the largest and most popular in the UK, yet it is still small enough for students and teachers to know each other well. There are six members of full-time teaching staff, and six members of part-time teaching staff.

The teaching year is divided into two semesters: September-January and February-June. The teaching units are known as modules, which are typically 10 or 20 credits. Students take 60 credits per semester.

Every student has a Departmental tutor who can offer help with personal and academic issues and students meet with their tutors every semester to look at progress on the course so far and to plan which modules to choose next.

The aim of the Department's courses is to help students to develop linguistic competence in Russian and/or Serbian/Croatian or Slovene, specialist knowledge of the cultures of these countries, sound academic methodology, and skills that can be applied to future employment.

The Department's teaching portfolio contains 40 modules. Modules are offered in language, literature, film, drama and cultural history. The Department has over the past 17 years achieved a consistently high rating in research assessment exercises conducted throughout the UK higher education sector. This means that modules are taught by staff who are internationally recognised leaders in the field of scholarship pertaining to their particular area, and their aim is communicate their intellectual enthusiasm to their students, encouraging analytic and communicative skills and independent, creative thinking.

The city of Nottingham is famous the world over because of its associations with the legend of Robin Hood. It is a lively, friendly, cosmopolitan city with a thriving cultural life. Located at the heart of England, it has excellent transport links to London, which is less than two hours away by train, and to the rest of the UK.

The main campus of the University is the University Park, an extensive area of woods and grassland a short bus or bike ride from the city centre. As one of the largest and most attractive campuses in the UK, University Park features teaching facilities, 12 halls of residence, a swimming pool and leisure centre, an arts centre and a concert hall. Close by is the new Jubilee Campus, which has won architectural awards for its stylish and innovative design.

The University is an international community with students and staff from over 125 countries. There is a comprehensive range of services to support students, whatever their background and specific needs. At the hub of the campus, the Students' Union offers further student-run services and societies, and the International Office provides additional support services specifically for overseas students on issues such as immigration and work permits.

The University guarantees to international students that if you accept a place you will pay the same fee for each year of your course. The university offers some scholarships for international undergraduate students.

On certain days before the start of the autumn term the University runs a free coach service from London Heathrow and Manchester airports to the campus for new international students. All new international students are invited to take part in a Welcome programme, which is organised annually just before the academic year begins and includes free accommodation and a programme of activities culminating with a formal dinner.