The MSt is designed to introduce students who already possess a good knowledge of Russian or another Slavonic language to areas of Slavonic Studies which were not part of their first degree course. The examination consists of four papers: a paper in translation from unseen texts in a Slavonic language which the candidate has not already studied to degree standard, a methodological paper, and two other papers selected from a wide range of philological, literary and historical subjects, including the option of an MSt thesis.

The MPhil is designed to help those who already possess a good knowledge of Russian or another Slavonic language to acquire grounding in areas of Slavonic Studies which were not part of their first degree course, as a preparation for advanced research in this field. All candidates study at least one Slavonic language which they have not previously studied to degree standard. They take four other subjects chosen from a wide range of philological, literary and historical options, and at least one paper in research methods such as palaeography, textual criticism and methods of literary criticism. Candidates also write an MPhil thesis.