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While I was looking for the PhD programmes that would suit me most, I wanted to find a faculty that would support my research interests in dance and the theatrical arts in eastern Europe. The MMLL faculty at Cambridge has a track record of producing PhD graduates whose work is at once interdisciplinary while also focused on dance. I loved how the faculty’s focus is interdisciplinary, as each faculty member provides their own perspective and insight to the research that students in the Slavonic section are working on. This is reflected in the varied, and extremely stimulating seminar series hosted by the faculty, as well as the courses offered to MPhil and undergraduate students. The department organizes a number of graduate training sessions, which help to keep us grounded in the realities of the job market. Also, the career centre at offers a range of events focused on Humanities students. The combination of support from the university, and the Slavonic Studies section, has made my experience as PhD student one that is wholly enjoyable.
Jordan, PhD student 2023 (May 2023)
Studying for a PhD in Slavonic Studies at Cambridge has allowed me to develop and expand my research skills in a supportive and intellectually stimulating academic environment. The university has extensive resources in our subject area and offers excellent opportunities to attend special lecture series and additional language courses. Perhaps the greatest strength of the faculty is the breadth of its expertise, ranging from literature and history to film and other visual arts and encompassing Ukrainian and Polish studies as well as Russian and Soviet topics. Cambridge benefits from a tightly knit community of graduate students across Slavonic Studies and the various academic initiatives organised at graduate level have significantly enriched my research experience. I have received academic and pastoral support both from my supervisor and other members of the faculty, and at the same time I have been able to improve my communication and organisation skills that will stand me in good stead for future career opportunities
Stefan, PhD student, 2023 (May 2023)
The people at Cambridge’s Slavonic Studies section encouraged my curiosity, creativity and ambition, supporting me in all ways possible in the pursuit of my PhD. I received excellent guidance from my supervisor. Her thoughtful feedback not only helped me develop my research but also conveyed to me a work ethic grounded in active listening and recognition – an ethic, which is shared among the academic staff at the Slavonic Studies section as a whole. The vibrant intellectual life beyond the supervision rooms and spaces of independent study was equally important for the development of my research. Talks by renowned scholars in the field of Slavonic Studies from the UK and abroad, film screenings, and student-led graduate workshops and symposia were occasions for the exchange of ideas, collaboration and personal development. All the above created an environment of intellectual freedom which, in turn, made the PhD experience one of the most valuable for me.
Katerina, PhD student, 2023 (May 2023)