10-17 years Online Russian language

A Level Russian (9RU0)

A Level Russian course | Online lessons schedule | Prices | Register for A Level exam | Book an examiner | Term dates | A Level Exam dates | Support resources | Take A Level Exam at school | Q&A | Mock exams | Free test | Enrol

A Level Russian course

LinguaPlay offers engaging and comprehensive A Level Russian (9RU0) courses designed to build students’ confidence, accelerate their language acquisition, and develop fluency and accuracy in spoken and written Russian. Our proven approach, combined with expert instruction and dedicated support, ensures our students are fully prepared to succeed.
A Level Russian is a valuable qualification that can significantly strengthen a university application, particularly for courses in Russian language, literature, history, politics, or related fields. It demonstrates a strong commitment to language learning and provides concrete evidence of advanced language proficiency.

WHAT WE OFFER

  • Our teachers are qualified, experienced, and Pearson Edexcel trained
  • Our proven program covers all aspects of the exam, including listening, speaking, reading, writing, translation, and literature analysis
  • Utilise our unique and proven study materials, designed to address the specific challenges and strengths of bilingual learners
  • We focus on developing the specific skills and knowledge needed for success in the exam
  • We provide individual guidance and support for the independent research project
  • Gain valuable experience and assess progress through optional mock exams
  • We can provide guidance and support in organising your child’s A Level Russian exam as a private candidate at your school, if needed
  • We’ll keep you informed of important exam dates and deadlines to ensure you don’t miss any critical steps in the process

OBJECTIVES

To equip students with the language skills and exam strategies needed to excel in A Level Russian, fostering not only linguistic competence but also critical thinking and analytical skills essential for success in the exam

REQUIREMENTS

From 15 years old. Minimum GCSE Russian Grade 8 or equivalent language proficiency

Duration

2 hours per week

Where

Beckenham, Eltham, Sutton, Online

Take the exam at our centre

We always recommend taking the GCSE or A Level Russian exam at your child’s regular school. It provides the most comfortable and familiar environment, avoiding extra travel stress and preventing scheduling clashes with their other subjects. You can follow our step-by-step guide to arranging the exam at school and download a template letter for your school’s exam officer.

If your child’s school refuses to accept private candidates, you can take the exam with us at our Camden Town centre in London.

Exam fees (standard fee, entry before the deadline):

  • GCSE Russian: £390.00
  • A Level Russian: £480.00
Register for exams

Online lessons schedule

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Prices

ONLINE AND OFFLINE CLASSES
GCSE Russian
Group sessions
£18.00/hour
  • Course focus: preparation for exams in 2025 and 2026
  • Pearson-trained teachers
  • Small groups
  • LinguaPlay developed training materials
  • From 2 hours/week
REQUEST TRIAL
A Level Russian
Group sessions
£18.00/hour
  • Course focus: preparation for exams in 2025 and 2026
  • Pearson-trained teachers
  • Small groups
  • LinguaPlay developed training materials
  • From 2 hours/week
REQUEST TRIAL
Private tuition
–
from £60/hour
  • Tailored lessons to address your objectives
  • Pearson-trained teachers
  • Flexible schedule and customised approach
  • LinguaPlay developed training materials
  • For any age and level
REQUEST TRIAL

Online school term dates

LinguaPlay Online Autumn term

Exam dates

A Level Russian exam dates Summer 2027

Assess your child’s Russian level

If you’re considering GCSE or A Level Russian preparation at LinguaPlay, we recommend that your child takes our free online test to assess their current abilities. This helps us place them in a class that effectively addresses their individual needs and fosters their growth.

Before you start:

  • Please fill in your contact details, not your child’s.
  • We recommend taking the test in a calm environment.
  • The test typically takes about an hour to complete. Dictionaries are not allowed.
  • You will receive the test results via email within a week. Please check your spam folder, as well as your inbox, for upcoming emails. Tests are checked by one of our teachers.
Free Test

A Level Russian exam support

Even if your child is a high-level native Russian speaker or has attended a Russian-language school, the A Level Russian exam presents unique challenges. Targeted preparation is crucial for success, as the exam assesses not just fluency, but also analytical skills, academic writing, and literary interpretation. We offer a range of resources to support self-study:

A Level Russian study guide

This comprehensive course book prepares students for the Pearson Edexcel A Level Russian examination. Designed for proficient Russian speakers studying in English-speaking schools, it provides in-depth coverage of all four exam specification topics, including social development, cultural heritage, regional change, and key historical landmarks.

Get Your Copy Today
A Level Russian workbook

Mock exams

Give your child the opportunity to experience exam conditions and identify areas for improvement with our realistic mock exams. hese exams simulate the actual testing environment, allowing your child to practice time management, refine exam strategies, and build confidence.
We hold mock exams twice a year, both in person at various locations and online.

Find & Book Mock Exams
A Level Russian

A Level overview video

Gain valuable insights into the A Level Russian exam format, structure, and key topics with our helpful video guide. In this video, Vika Tyazhelnikova, author of Russian language teaching curricula and methodological guides, explains the specific challenges of the A Level exam for native speakers, breaks down the specification requirements, and offers expert advice on effective preparation strategies, including literary analysis, academic writing, and cultural context.

Watch Video

A Level mentoring sessions

Get expert guidance for A Level Russian Paper 2 (oral exam/literary discussion). These one-on-one three online mentoring sessions provide personalised support, literary selection advice, and targeted exam strategy tips.

Book mentoring sessions

Talk to an expert

We offer consultations for parents who are supporting their child’s self-study. We can explain key areas to focus on and how to navigate the process of taking the exam as a private candidate.
You’ll need to ensure the exam officer at your child’s school is willing to register your child for the A Level Russian exam.

Book Consultation

Taking the A Level Russian exam at your child’s school (private candidate)

Even if your child’s school doesn’t offer Russian, they can still take the exam there as a private candidate. In fact, taking the exam at your child’s school is often the most convenient option, as it avoids travel and potential scheduling conflicts with other exams.

Here’s what you need to know to arrange this:

Year group

We recommend taking the exam at Year 12, though Year 13 is also possible.

Registration

  • Contact your child’s school to request that they register your child as a private candidate for A Level Russian. You can use our template letter to help with this process.
  • In your request, specify the Pearson Edexcel exam board.

Potential challenges

  • The school might not have a Russian-speaking teacher to conduct the speaking exam.
  • Some schools may have limited capacity to handle the administrative requirements of private candidates.
  • Schools might want to ensure the student is adequately prepared for the exam.

LinguaPlay can help

  • If needed, we can provide a qualified teacher-examiner to conduct the speaking exam at your child’s school.
  • We can provide evidence of your child’s preparation and progress to reassure the school.
  • Your child can take our mock exam and receive predicted grades, which will help demonstrate their readiness for the actual exam to their school.
  • Many schools are familiar with LinguaPlay and trust us as a reliable provider of Russian language education and exam support.

Need a Russian-speaking examiner for A Level/GCSE Exams?

Does your school require a qualified Russian-speaking teacher-examiner for students taking GCSE or A Level Russian oral exams as private candidates? LinguaPlay can help.

Our experienced, DBS-checked teacher-examiners are Pearson Edexcel trained and have been conducting GCSE and A Level Russian speaking exams for many years at schools in and around Greater London. We are also happy to discuss conducting exams in other locations upon request.

School staff can contact us directly at exams@linguaplay.co.uk or fill out our form, which includes carefully prepared questions to streamline the process and minimise back-and-forth emails.

Request Examiner – For Schools

If you are a parent requesting a Russian-speaking examiner for your child’s GCSE or A Level Russian oral examination, and you have already arranged for your child to take the exam as a private candidate, please complete the form below to have us contact the school and schedule the oral module date.

Request Examiner – FOR PARENTS

A Level Russian Q&A

Have questions about the A Level Russian exam? We’ve compiled answers to some of the most common queries we receive. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

A Levels (Advanced Levels) are demanding qualifications typically taken by students in the final two years of secondary school (Years 12 and 13) in the UK, usually around the age of 16-18. The official name for this qualification is the GCE (General Certificate of Education) Advanced Level. They represent a significant step up from GCSEs and are often a key requirement for university entrance. A Levels focus on in-depth study of specific subjects, allowing students to develop advanced knowledge and critical thinking skills. They are highly regarded by universities and employers, both in the UK and internationally.

  • In a competitive university admissions landscape, A Level Russian demonstrates your commitment to academic excellence and your willingness to take on a challenging and rewarding subject.
  • Formal certification of your Russian language proficiency opens doors to a wide range of exciting career opportunities in fields like international relations, business, translation, and more.
  • A Level Russian will significantly improve your language skills, enabling you to communicate fluently and confidently in Russian.
  • Studying Russian at A Level will give you a deeper understanding of Russian-speaking countries, their history, and their societies, fostering global intercultural awareness.

We recommend students take the A Level Russian exam in Year 12, a year before their other A Levels, for several key reasons:

  • By Year 12, students typically possess the maturity and broader knowledge base to fully appreciate the sociocultural, political, and historical contexts relevant to A Level Russian. They also have well-developed general language skills and sufficient academic preparation.
  • Concentrating on Russian in Year 12 allows for dedicated study and better performance.
  • Completing A Level Russian early showcases a strong commitment to language learning and provides a valuable qualification for university applications.
  • At the time of university applications, students will have a confirmed A Level Russian grade and certificate, in addition to predicted grades for their other subjects. This strengthens their application and provides concrete evidence of their language proficiency.

You can take the exam at your child’s school or at an independent Pearson Edexcel examination centre. If you’re outside the UK, check with your local British Council office or international schools that follow the British curriculum, as they often serve as exam centres.

A private candidate is someone who takes an exam at a school or exam centre without being enrolled in the corresponding course at that institution. They may be homeschooled, attend a different school, or be studying independently with a tutor or through a supplementary education provider. Private candidates are responsible for arranging and paying for their own exams. See our instructions on how to register for the A Level Russian exam as a private candidate.

The entry deadlines for summer exams at UK schools and centres are as follows:

QualificationEntry deadlineLate fees
charged from		Amendment fees
charged from		High late fees
charged from
GCSE & A Level21 February 202622 February 202622 April 202622 April 2026

Exam board: Pearson Edexcel
Specification code: 9RU0

Paper 1: 9RU0/01 – Listening, reading, and translation
Paper 2: 9RU0/02 – Written response to works and translation
Paper 3: 9RU0/03 – Speaking

LinguaPlay can provide a formal letter stating a predicted grade for students who have been enrolled in our A Level exam preparation courses for a significant period.
To get a predicted grade, students may also take one of our mock exams (you don’t need to be necessarily enrolled in one of our A Level courses).

To succeed in the A Level Russian exam, the candidate needs:

  • Strong communication skills (oral and written) in Russian.
  • A good understanding of the culture and society of Russian-speaking countries.
  • The ability to analyse Russian literature and films.
  • Effective research and information analysis skills.
  • Competent translation skills.

The A Level Russian exam has three components as outlined in the Pearson Edexcel specification:

Paper 1: Listening, reading, and translation:

  • Written examination: 2 hours
  • Maximum marks: 80
  • Percentage of qualification: 40%

Paper 2: Written response to works and translation:

  • Written examination: 2 hours and 40 minutes
  • Maximum marks: 120
  • Percentage of qualification: 30%
  • Description: This paper involves the study of two discrete Russian works, which can be either two literary texts or one literary text and one film

Paper 3: Speaking:

  • Percentage of qualification: 30%
  • Total assessment time: between 21 and 23 minutes
  • Maximum marks: 72

Pearson Edexcel has selected the following contemporary issues and cultural topics within the Russian-speaking world as the focus of the A Level Russian exam. The four themes are:

  1. Развитие российского общества (в контексте только России):
    1. Жизнь российской молодежи (здоровье, отдых, новые технологии);
    2. Образование (система образования, жизнь российских школьников);
    3. Мир труда (отношение к труду, возможности для молодых россиян, равноправие);
  2. Политическая и художественная культура в русскоязычном мире (в контексте всего русскоязычного мира):
    1. Средства массовой информации (свобода выражения, печатная и онлайн пресса, влияние на общество и политику);
    2. Массовая культура (музыка, цирк, танец);
    3. Праздники, фестивали и традиции (фестивали, праздники, обычаи и традиции);
  3. Изменения в жизни большого российского города – Москва или Санкт-Петербург (в контексте только России):
    1. Изменение населения (жизнь в городе, жизнь в пригородах);
    2. Общественные проблемы (бездомность, преступность);
    3. Окружающая среда (реконструкция и благоустройство города, загрязнение);
  4. Последние годы СССР  –  М.С. Горбачев (1985 – 1991) (в контексте только России):
    1. Перестройка (что вызвало перестройку, экономические изменения, исходы);
    2. Гласность (что вызвало гласность, общественные изменения, исходы);
    3. 1991 год (проблемы для СССР к началу 1991 года, путч в августе, распад СССР).

In Paper 2, students are required to study two works chosen from a prescribed list. This selection can include either two literary texts or one literary text and one film.

Literary texts:

  • “Пиковая дама”, А. Пушкин;
  • “Ревизор”, Н.Гоголь;
  • “Вишневый сад”, А. Чехов;
  • “Один день Ивана Денисовича”, А. Солженицын;
  • “Неделя как неделя”, Н. Баранская;
  • “Сонечка”, Л. Улицкая.

Films:

  • “Левиафан”, реж. А. Звягинцев.
  • “Крылья”, реж. Л. Шепитько;
  • “Утомленные солнцем”, реж. Н. Михалков;
  • “Кавказский пленник”, реж. С. Бодров.

The oral part consists of two tasks:

  • Task 1: Discussion on a theme.
    • Content for this task will be based on any one of the twelve sub-themes derived from the four overall themes.
  • Task 2: Presentation and discussion on the student’s independent research project.
    • This task is divided into two parts.
    • Content for this task will be based on the subject of interest that students have chosen for their independent research project.
    • This topic may relate to any of the four themes of the A Level Russian exam or to a subject of the student’s choosing, as long as it pertains to the Russian-speaking cultural and social context.
  1. Choose a theme for the independent research project.
    • It must relate to the Russian-speaking cultural and/or social context.
    • The theme should be based on a subject of interest chosen by the student, but may be based on any of the four themes of study from the specification.
    • The theme must not be based on one of the literary works or films studied for Paper 2.
  2. Summarise the main points/ideas from at least two written sources used in the research.
  3. Compile and record the 7–10 key findings of the research.
    • Complete and sign the independent research project form (RP3 Form) and submit it no later than three weeks before the assessment date.
  4. Prepare for the two-minute presentation:
    • Summarise the main points/ideas.

LinguaPlay provides consultations for candidates on preparing independent research.

Candidates are not permitted to bring any personal notes, annotated articles, or full research papers into the examination room.

However, they are required to have a copy of the RP3 Form during the session. This form contains the research question and the 6–10 key points prepared in advance, which serve as the only permitted prompts during the presentation and the subsequent discussion with the examiner.

RP3 form is available here, please see the Candidate record sheet.

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