This course was first established at Cambridge University more than thirty years ago,before being transferred to the University of East Anglia, where it remained until 1990, when it went to the University of Essex. There it grew into an important academic andcultural event for those interested in Russia and its language. Some students have been attending the course ever since it started. The DIrector of the course, Larissa Wymer, who is a native Russian, worked on it at Essex University from 1991 until 2007. She was then instrumental in re-establishing the course at the UEA in 2008.

Since its inception hundreds of people have enjoyed the Residential Russian experience, and many well known speakers have contributed to the cultural events which have grown into an integral part of the course.