Graduate Admissions
How to Apply
Requirements for admission to the graduate program in Slavic Languages and Literatures:
- B.A. in Russian or a related field
- Completion of a Russian placement exam
Applications are made through the Admissions Office of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Materials to be submitted include everything required by the Graduate School (follow the link below) plus a writing sample. Specific instructions:
1) Graduate School application
Directions for the online application are available from the Arts & Sciences Graduate School. Indicate which track is being applied to: Slavic Languages and Literatures, or Contemporary Russian Studies. Please give serious thought to whether you would like to commit to pursuing both an M.A. and a Ph.D. or would prefer to start simply with the M.A. The decision has no direct effect on admission, funding, or permission to proceed to the Ph.D., but is important to the department for planning purposes.
2) Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
The Graduate School requires that candidates take the Graduate Record Examination. Superior scores are required for admission; on the other hand, there are no fixed minimum scores. Applicants with 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. Applicants are therefore 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 another Slavic) language and literature. Letters from teachers in other academic fields are also acceptable. Letters from non-academic sources are unlikely to be useful. To receive full consideration, all letters of recommendation must be received by the application deadline.
4) Writing sample
Applicants should submit a recent sample of academic writing in English of 5 pages or more. A topic related to Russian literature, language, or culture is preferable, but the primary consideration should be the quality of the writing.
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
Financial aid packages are offered either for 5 years (for both M.A. and Ph.D.) or for 2 years (for the M.A.). In the latter case, students can become eligible for a further 3 years of support as long as they are admitted to the Ph.D. Aid typically takes the form of Fellowships and/or Teaching Assistantships. We are currently able to offer substantially more generous support to students in the Slavic Languages and Literatures track than those in the Contemporary Russian Studies track.
For general financial information about graduate study at the University of Virginia, 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 at the M.A. level and three years at the Ph.D. level). To retain their financial aid, students must meet minimal annual benchmarks for academic performance and progress toward the degree. The following factors are considered:
- Performance in courses
- Performance on comprehensive exams
- Course loads
- Adherence to sequence guidelines
- Teaching effectiveness (if applicable)
- Progress on the dissertation
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 may be 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.
