Peter Paine

The REES programme is surprisingly wide-ranging. One day you are studying the Russian revolution and the next you are focussing upon the commodity exports of Azerbaijan. The course is akin to an educational ‘shock therapy’. During my time on the 9-month MSc programme, I learned far more than I believed possible. 

The course is taught by world-leading experts in the field. These experts provide students with the conceptual and methodological toolkits necessary for building a nuanced understanding of the region. Weekly public lectures by visiting academics and policy makers allow students candid insight into the conversations ongoing in the region's corridors of power. 

The Press Group, which runs alongside the programme, provides students an opportunity to keep up to date with regional news and current affairs. Further though, the group provides a forum for students to hone their debating skills in a relaxed but stimulating environment. 

Oxford is an incredible city in which to study. With two universities, a matrix of libraries, and a plethora of laptop-ready cafes, the city draws students from across the world. 

Studying at REES was a formational time for me. After the course, I spent some time in Russia and Ukraine before starting my PhD at King’s College London.