Graduate Admissions

How to Apply

Requirements for Admission to the Graduate Program of Slavic Languages and Literatures:

• B.A. in Russian or a related field
• Completion of a Russian placement exam

Applications to the University of Virginia Graduate School of Arts and Sciences are made through the Admissions Office of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Materials to be submitted to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences include:

1) Graduate School application

Application forms may be obtained from the Arts & Sciences Graduate School

2) Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores

The Graduate School requires that candidates take the verbal and quantitative aptitude tests of the Graduate Record Examination. Superior scores are required for admission to the Graduate School. Applicants with GRE scores more than five years old may be required to take the test again. Receipt of recent GRE scores is necessary before applications can be reviewed and fellowships awarded. Consequently applicants are urged to take the tests as early as possible in the fall.

3) Letters of recommendation

Ideally, applicants should request letters of recommendation from at least two teachers in Russian (or other Slavic) language and literature. Letters from teachers in other academic fields are also suitable. Letters from non-academic sources are unlikely to be useful. All letters of recommendation must be received by January 15.

4) Writing sample

Applicants should submit a recent sample of academic writing in English.

5) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores if applicable

Notification of Decision

Admission to the program cannot be considered until all application materials are received. Applicants are urged to complete their files as soon as possible. Applications completed in the fall semester may be processed early. However, most decisions on admission and financial aid will be made after March 15. Notification of decisions follows shortly after March 15.

Visit the University

All applicants are encouraged to learn as much as possible about the University of Virginia and the graduate programs in Slavic Languages and Literatures. A visit to the University is the best way to evaluate our programs. Applicants may be invited to meet with the Director of Graduate Studies and faculty in appropriate fields during a visit to Grounds.

Financial Information

For financial information about the graduate programs in Slavic Languages and Literatures, see the following:

• Tuition, Fees and Expenses
• Fellowships and Scholarships
• Loans and Workstudy
• Assistantships
• Research Grants
• Health Insurance

Financial support for graduate students is usually limited to five years (two years of support at the M.A. level and three years of support at the Ph.D. level). The Department faculty convenes to make recommendations concerning financial support at the end of each academic year. In the renewal of financial support, the faculty considers academic performance and progress toward the degree. The following factors are considered:

• Grades in completed courses
• Performance in current courses
• Course loads
• Adherence to sequence guidelines
• Record of incompletes (if applicable)
• Teaching effectiveness (if applicable)

Teaching Assistantships are awarded by the Department based on staffing needs and the qualifications of graduate students considered for TA positions. The Department tries to ensure that capable students have the opportunity to teach at some point in their graduate career. Teaching Assistantships are awarded in Russian language; Russian literature; linguistics; and folklore and culture. TAs may run discussion sections, conduct drills, develop exercises and examinations and assist with grading.

Grader positions are awarded by the Department based on the needs of faculty and available funding. Graders evaluate written work such as examinations, papers and problem sets.