UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

Central and East European Studies

About CEES

About us

CEES History

The study of Central and Eastern Europe has a long tradition at Glasgow University.

For over 50 years the Institute of Soviet and East European Studies, known more recently as the Institute of Russian and East European Studies, covered developments in communist and post communist societies. For many years the Institute offered only postgraduate courses. Building on this rich tradition, the Institute was renamed The Department of Central and East European Studies (CEES) in 1999.

Central and East European Studies is a department in the Faculty of Law, Business & Social Sciences.


CEES - leading UK research and teaching centre

The Department is recognised as one of the world’s leading centres for research and teaching in this field. In the most recent UK Research Assessment Exercise the Department was awarded the highest possible (5*) rating.

The Department of Central and East European Studies, in conjunction with the Slavonic Studies Section of the School of Modern Languages and Cultures and scholars in Arts and Social Sciences departments, founded the School of Slavonic and East European Studies which also includes academics in Strathclyde, Paisley and Glasgow Caledonian Universities.


CEES credentials and accreditation

In addition to its UK Research Assessment Exercise 5* rating, CEES is also acknowledged by the Economic & Social Research Council and the Arts & Humanities Research Council as a centre of excellence.

  • The programmes of postgraduate research training (MRes) and PhD supervision offered by CEES have recognition from the ESRC under its 2+3, 1+3 and +3 modes of postgraduate funding.
  • CEES has also been awarded ESRC Collaborative (CASE) Study recognition, allowing prospective research students to apply for ESRC awards to carry out projects in the social sciences in collaboration with companies/ business/non-governmental organisations.
  • The AHRC has also recognised our programme of postgraduate training, which means that our students can apply to the AHRC for scholarships for research and research training.
  • A recent (Glasgow) University Teaching and Learning Assessment found the Department to be dynamic, innovative and student-centred.

CEES organised events

In recent years we have promoted a number of conferences on the Baltic States, EU, Hungary and Russia and run film series on Russian and East European cinema.

CEES frequently hosts distinguished speakers from the region. In the past few years alone we have hosted the Ambassadors of Hungary, Poland, Lithuania and Estonia, the Estonian and Latvian Ministers of Nationality and Ethnic Affairs, the Prime Minister of Estonia, the former Prime Minister of Poland and various members of the Scottish, UK and European parliaments.

Our students are invited to all of these events.


Staff expertise

Our staff have language skills in particular areas and have lived and researched in the countries of the region. Students will benefit from our team teaching approach i.e. staff teach on their own individual areas and countries of expertise. Our recent Teaching and Learning Assessment found the department to be dynamic, innovative and student-centred.


CEES degree programmes

Our flexible degree programmes permit students to choose from a wide range of subjects analysing various aspects of Central and Eastern Europe. Many combinations of subjects are possible economics, politics, sociology, history, Slavonic studies, languages (Czech, Polish, Russian).

For more details, including how to get a full programme specification for the MA (Joint Honours) in Central and East European Studies, visit our undergraduate studies pages.

If you would like to find out more about the CEES, please contact us (general enquiries).

The Department currently offers the following courses:

See also: