BeNeLux Studies Paderborn University

As a cooperative space, the Benelux countries constitute themselves as an innovative political, economic and cultural union at the centre of Europe. They negotiate issues concerning multilingualism, security, energy, sustainability, migration and youth using visionary approaches. The “BeNeLux Studies” MA programme aims at teaching students to understand the individual and common historical prerequisites, structures and integration of the Benelux countries within a European and global context. On this basis, the innovative study programme wants to enable all students to act with intercultural competence and expertise so they are properly equipped to actively shape their international future. The students are encouraged and supported to explore and transfer their international, interdisciplinary and practice-based findings into larger contexts and their future profession within “Lab Europe”. Specialised knowledge, digital techniques, professional language skills and competencies as well as exclusive internships abroad are the focus of this unique study programme.

The programme is composed of nine modules:

• Culture and history of the Benelux region
• Language practice module: multilingual oral and written competences 1 (French and Dutch)
• The Benelux countries within the Benelux union and EU-institutions
• Elective business and economics courses
• Language and cultural mediation (Germany, France)
• Language practice module: multilingual oral and written competences 2 (French and Dutch)
• Internship abroad (one semester duration)
• Digital media and intercultural competence in practice
• Master’s thesis (final semester)

BeNeLux-Union, Brussels

One of the key components of the programme is the mandatory internship abroad. These internships are (sometimes exclusively) offered to students of the MA programme and are hosted by top-level institutions within the Benelux region.

Application deadlines for all applicants:

• via uni-assist: 15 January for the summer semester, 31 May for the winter semester or
• via the University of Paderborn's PAUL enrolment system: 21 March for the summer semester, 21 September for the winter semester

Main requirement: a BA in at least one of the following subjects: history, German studies, Roman studies, media studies, Dutch studies, political studies or economic studies

Courses are held in French, German and Dutch. A language proficiency of B2 is required in at least two of these languages to enrol. The third language must be spoken at a level of at least A2. 

The following certificates are accepted for Dutch and French:

• School leaving certificates
• DELF A2 or B2
• CNaVT certificate A2 (Maatschappelijk Informeel) or B2 (Zakelijk Professioneel)
• UNIcert Basis (A2) or UNIcert II (B2)

Approx. 330 EUR per semester
The fee includes the Deutschlandticket, covering all regional public transport in Germany.

Rent: 400 EUR
Health insurance: approx. 160 EUR
Food: 350 EUR
Free time: min. 150 EUR
Semester fee: approx. 330 EUR per semester (55 EUR/month)
Miscellaneous: approx. 120 EUR

Total approx. 1,235 EUR

Students are eligible to apply for a room at the dormitories of the "Studierendenwerk Paderborn" (affiliated with Paderborn University). As an alternative, students can look for a room or an apartment on the private market. The typical rent is between 350 EUR and 450 EUR per month.