From digital economics to theology: New educational programmes at SPbU

The link with the past

Archeology (A bachelor’s degree in 4 years)

 If you are eager to launch an expedition and discover archeological findings, chances are the educational programme in Archeology is a unique opportunity for you to become part of human history. By choosing to study here you will be able to explore archeological cultures, history of agricultural and nomadic civilizations of Eurasia from the Stone Age to Bronze Age, Iron Age, Ancient Greece and Rome, Migration Period, Middle Ages, and Modern Time.

Archeology is a historic discipline that focuses on how humans evolved by exploring the artifacts found underground. What makes a good archeologist is not only knowing the theory of archeology, but using the state-of-the-art practical methods of searching, exploring, dating and presenting the material culture.  Students therefore will be able to study how to use equipment and software for 3-D modelling in archeology.  

Learn more about surprising findings made by the SPbU’s archeologists.

Archeology is a so-called “science of the shovel”. Today it has made a great leap forward, and the scientists have opened up new horizons in research by using unique equipment and a radiocarbon dating method.

Graduates of this programme can find opportunities in restoration and preservation of the cultural and archeological heritage, in the sphere of popularization of archeology, organizing exhibitions, implementing infrastructure projects, construction and building, restoration projects, and in historical and cultural expert evaluation of the lands for agricultural usage.  

Dreams about distant shores

Languages and Culture of Africa (A master’s degree in 2 years, in English)

 Nothing is as exciting as an audacious attempt to study Africa. This most mysterious continent is the home to over 55 countries with over 2,000 languages. SPbU has long and distinguished traditions of teaching African studies and languages for more than 80 years. In 2018, the University is to open a master programme in Languages and Cultures of Africa. The programme is designed in such a way as to accommodate the needs of both who has already delved into the African studies and who is planning to become an expert in a particular region.

SPbU Professor Aleksandr Zheltov who is the head of the Department of African Studies told us through whether there are Russian-speaking man-eaters in Africa.

The programme allows students to study in depth two African languages (you can choose between Swahili, Amharic, Bamana, or Hausa), and Russian or French as an additional course. In your study of African languages and cultures, you will be introduced to the languages, literature, history, folklore, religion, geography, and political life in Africa.

The training in African languages and cultures provided by the programme gives graduates excellent bases for working with the UN, International Committee of the Red Cross, consulates, embassies, and companies that develop partner relationships with Africa. Among the careers that can be successfully followed by graduates are Russian and international research centres as well.

Feel the pulse of the city

Real Estate and Urban Development (A master’s degree in 2 years)

 Some ten years ago, Russia knew nothing about development. Development is the process concerned with planning and use of land for building and construction, property management, resource management, and investment to name but a few.

As it is a completely new sector in our economy, no institution educates or prepares specialists in the field. SPbU was prompt in responding to the market demand by opening a master’s programme in Real Estate and Urban Development in 2018.

Join SPbU’s students who already save our cities.

The programme is distinguished in a way that it offers a mutually reinforcing package: on the one hand the study of what economics is and how to manage real estate; on the other, the detailed study of social, economic, and urban development by extensively using information technologies.

Graduates can secure wide-ranging positions in public administration in real estate and business in urban development. The training in economics and management provided by Real Estate and Urban Development, coupled with highly developed practical competence in modern digital technologies, gives graduates an excellent basis to make informed decisions to create comfort in urban environment.

How to start a trend

Digital Economics (A master’s degree in 2 years)

Feel like getting an insight into what the blockchain is, whether you need a bitcoin, or how to make a “crypto mining farm” more effectively? You can make your dreams come true by making an audacious attempt to be enrolled on a new educational programme in Digital Economics at SPbU.

The programme is specially designed to prepare and educate specialists who will introduce the state-of-the-art information technologies into business and life: digital sensors, artificial intelligence, modelling, information protection technologies, voting systems.  

The curriculum is centered around three modules: data management, artificial intelligence algorithms (how to develop systems and mathematical models for algorithms to make right decisions), and marketing digital products. An in-depth study of at least one module makes you an expert in digital economics.

If you are afraid of digitization of life, you are not alone. SPbU Professor Tatiana Chernigovskaia told us through what she thinks about the age of digits.

The programme offers a special module that introduces economics, management, marketing, and consumer behaviour in the digital economy for the IT specialists and mathematicians who can easily work with the big databases. For those who have basic knowledge in engineering, chemistry, and economics and are able to formulate creative tasks in their fields the programme offers the first two modules.

Graduates are well equipped with the skills to work in information technologies, mathematical methods on optimization and management in developing and marketing software.

To delve into the origin of the world

Bible Studies (Aspiratura in 3 years)

A truly unique opportunity for those who are dreaming about how to read the sacred texts in original and professionally interpret them. St Petersburg University opens an educational programme in Bible Studies.

You can study how to read the Biblical texts in the ancient languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, Syrian, Greek, Latin, and Old Slavonic, and how to work with the research publications in English and German. The programme focuses on how the Holy Bible and the Apocrypha evolved, how to interpret the biblical canon and what role the Bible conceptions played in the religions that underpins the Biblical Studies. Successful graduates will be awarded a degree of Candidate of Philology in Theology.

The head of the programme is Professor Anatolii Alekseev who is the founder of the Department of Biblical Studies at SPbU, winner of the Shakhmatov and Likhachev Prizes of the RAS, author of more than 200 publications. He has been creating the University’s Bible Library, a collection of books that has no rivals worldwide and comprises more than 20,000 volumes. Founded in 1997, it is the first library in East Europe that focuses on Bible philology and theology.

Professor Alekseev’s academic approach implies the study of the sacred texts should be within a broad historic and cultural context. “By studying the biblical texts, we can restore how the civilizations evolved with an emphasis on the history of mankind and empires, culture and arts, and the history of printing, — said Anatolii Alekseev. — The Gutenberg Bible was the sometimes breakthrough in the written tradition as is the Internet today. Each shift (from scrolls to manuscripts, from manuscripts to printed volumes) dramatically changed the way how the books were disseminated and, more importantly, how they were structured. All these are reflected in the history of the theology”.