European and Russian Affairs

Program Overview

The Master of Arts program in European and Russian Affairs (MA ERA) is designed to provide a well-rounded, multidisciplinary education in European, Russian, and Eurasian affairs for students who wish to pursue professional, non-academic careers in government and diplomacy, journalism, business, research, and teaching. The program also enriches and broadens the base of knowledge for graduate students considering PhD-level study with a specialization in the European, Russian, and Eurasian area. The MA can also be combined with the collaborative specializations in Jewish Studies or Ethnic, Immigration and Pluralism Studies.

The Centre for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies (CERES) is the home for students pursuing an MA in European and Russian Affairs. It provides generous funding to qualified MA students through fellowships or financial support for internships, language training, and study abroad opportunities. The MA has a required field component: in this two-year program, students typically spend a summer or session engaged in research or training internationally, with advisory and logistical support from CERES.

CERES is one of North America’s leading academic institutes for the study of the member states of the European Union, the countries of the former Soviet Union, and Central and Eastern Europe. CERES promotes interdisciplinary scholarship and teaching in the social sciences and humanities and provides a rich academic environment for graduate students. Apart from access to the country’s largest group of faculty experts on the region, students also benefit from the presence of a number of visiting scholars, past and current leaders and policymakers from the region of study, and a full roster of lectures, workshops, and conferences in all the related disciplines throughout the academic year.

CERES is also home to the Petro Jacyk Program for the Study of Ukraine, the Joint Initiative in German and European Studies, and the Centre for the Study of France and the Francophone World/Centre des Études de la France et du Monde Francophone. Through its intensive relations with the European Commission, the German Academic Exchange Service, the wider local community in Toronto, and institutions of higher learning across Europe, Ukraine, and Russia, CERES supports the exchange of ideas and scholars across the Atlantic.

Students may also be interested in the combined degree program in Law, Juris Doctor/European and Russian Affairs, Master of Arts (JD/MA), which provides specialized professional training for those seeking a career in law in the changing environment of the post-communist world. Firms selling or manufacturing in the region need the services of well-informed specialists who can navigate the legal pitfalls of emergent legal systems and deal with lawyers and government officials in the area. Best equipped to meet this demand are people with dual expertise in law and European, Russian, and Eurasian studies.​


Quick Facts

Domestic International
Application deadline MA:

Fall 2024 Entry

01-Feb-2024

MA:

Fall 2024 Entry

01-Feb-2024

Minimum admission average MA:

Mid-B in final year of bachelor’s

MA:

Mid-B in final year of bachelor’s

Direct entry option from bachelor's to PhD? MA:

N/A

MA:

N/A

Is a supervisor identified before or after admission? MA:

After admission

MA:

After admission

If a supervisor is identified after admission (as per question above), is admission conditional upon securing a supervisor? MA:

N/A

MA:

N/A

Is a supervisor assigned by the graduate unit or secured by the applicant? MA:

Secured by the applicant

MA:

Secured by the applicant

Are any standardized tests required/recommended? MA:

NA

MA:

NA


Master of Arts

Program Description

The Master of Arts program in European and Russian Affairs (MA ERA) is designed to provide a well-rounded education in European, Russian, and Eurasian affairs for students who wish to pursue professional, non-academic careers in areas such as government and diplomacy, journalism, business, and teaching. The programs also enrich and broaden the base of knowledge of graduate students considering any PhD-level study with a specialization in the European and Russian areas.

The MA in European and Russian Affairs offers students:

  • the opportunity to study at the leading research university in Canada;

  • the chance to work with outstanding faculty in a wide range of disciplines with a research specialization on Europe, Russia, and Eurasia;

  • internships, exchanges, summer study programs, and research experience in the region;

  • access to one of North America’s largest research libraries;

  • participation in the rich academic programs of the Centre for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies and the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy including specialized graduate workshops and courses offered by visiting professors;

  • a strong and vibrant learning community with individualized academic and financial support;

  • leadership roles in graduate student conferences, blogs, and journals.

The program requires a minimum of two academic years of full-time graduate study. For further information about graduate programs and study grants, please contact the Graduate Coordinator.

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Centre for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies additional admission requirements stated below.

  • At least some of the work in the program is based on the study of original texts and presupposes a reading knowledge of a language relevant to the program. Preferably, applicants should have a minimum of one academic year of study in a relevant language and are urged to undertake additional language training in the summer preceding entry to the program.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must complete 6.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • 2.0 FCEs in the chosen primary discipline; for example, History or Political Science.

    • 2.0 FCEs must be drawn from any discipline(s) relating to the student's course of study other than the chosen primary discipline. Students can take courses in any department, with the approval of the instructor and Graduate Coordinator, provided that the student submits coursework related to the region.

    • ERE2001H (0.5 FCE), taken in Year 1 of the program.

    • ERE2000Y (1.0 FCE), the interdisciplinary core course, beginning in the second session of Year 1 and continuing into Year 2. As part of ERE2000Y, each student must write 10,000 to 12,000 words including references, based on original research.

    • At least 0.5 FCE must be earned either in an approved program-related internship or in an approved academic exchange abroad.

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years full-time

Madiha Sajid

“Originally from Pakistan, my family immigrated to Canada when I was 10 years old and Toronto has been my home ever since.”

Madiha Sajid
Alumna, MA, European, Russian & Eurasian Studies
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