俄语是世界上一种重要的语言，约有1.5亿人使用，并且是联合国六种官方语言之一。俄罗斯的文化尤其丰富而迷人。随着东欧和前苏联的开放，世界变得越来越小。在工业和战略上，俄罗斯最重要的地区–东西伯利亚和东南部的俄罗斯远东地区，即距新西兰最近的地区–已经开放了与俄罗斯东部和南部邻国的独立贸易，商业和文化联系。新西兰和俄罗斯之间首次实现了直接的业务联系。这种新情况对俄罗斯在新西兰的研究的未来是有利的发展。
The UC Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a research-only degree, carried out under expert supervision and using world-class facilities. At UC you can complete a PhD in over 70 subjects, joining over 1,000 students from more than 60 nations.<br><br>A PhD involves extensive, sustained, and original research in your chosen subject, with the results being presented in a thesis that will contribute to intellectual knowledge of the field. It is a mark of intellectual ability, self-discipline, and commitment. A PhD prepares you for a number of careers, including as an academic.<br><br>Russian is an important world language, spoken by some 150 million people, and is one of the six official languages of the United Nations. Russian culture is especially rich and fascinating. With the opening of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union the world has become smaller. The most important parts of Russia industrially and strategically East Siberia and the south-east Russian Far East, the regions closest to New Zealand have opened up for independent trade, business and cultural contacts with Russia's eastern and southern neighbours. For the first time, direct business contacts have become possible between New Zealand and Russia. This new situation is a favourable development for the future of Russian studies in New Zealand.