Cambridge Ukrainian Studies (CUS)

Cambridge Ukrainian Studies Logo

Cambridge Ukrainian Studies, an academic centre at the University of Cambridge, aims to promote and contribute to the study of Ukraine in the United Kingdom and beyond. It is committed to deepening public understanding of Ukraine and to advancing fresh, innovative approaches to research on the largest country within Europe and its rich historical, linguistic, and cultural inheritance.

While its primary focus is on the history and culture of Ukraine, Cambridge Ukrainian Studies seeks to explore and challenge conventional notions of disciplinary and geographical boundaries and to foster a lively exchange between artists, scholars, politicians, and the wider public, as well as between institutions of higher learning in Ukraine and around the world. 

Founded in 2008 and fully endowed in 2010, Cambridge Ukrainian Studies is a permanent institutional home for the study of Ukraine. Since its inception, it has offered free Ukrainian language instruction at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels to all members of the University of Cambridge. It celebrates the commitments of the 100 Year UK-Ukraine Partnership Agreement as a reflection of the enduring ties between Britain and Ukraine.

Cambridge Ukrainian Studies emphatically condemns Russia's cowardly war of aggression against Ukraine and its people and seeks to inform the world public about the moral and strategic stakes of this war. 

Open Language Courses

Cambridge Ukrainian Studies offers free beginner, intermediate and advanced courses in the Ukrainian language to all members of the University of Cambridge. All courses consist of 20 weekly classes of one hour and start on the first Wednesday of Full Term.

The courses are open to all members of the University, subject to availability of places. Those interested in attending the classes should contact the Department of Slavonic Studies in advance.

Ukrainian Language Cafés (Українські кав'ярні)

Cambridge Ukrainian Studies hosts a regular series of Ukrainian Language Cafés, where refreshments hit the spot and conversations are conducted entirely in Ukrainian. The Cambridge кав'ярня is designed to offer students of every level practice conversing with native speakers; all are welcome.

People

  • Rory Finnin, Professor of Ukrainian Studies ref35@cam.ac.uk
  • Olenka Pevny, Associate Professor of Early Slavonic History and Culture ozp20@cam.ac.uk
  • Andrii Smytsniuk, Language Teaching Officer in Ukrainian as3020@cam.ac.uk
  • Andrii Bovgyria, Affiliated Lecturer ab2959@cam.ac.uk
  • Mariia Lupak, British Academy CARA Fellow 

  • Ihor Teslenko, Teaching Associate in Early Modern Ukrainian Studies it329@cam.ac.uk