Master of Arts in European Studies University of Passau

This cross-disciplinary Master's programme, which combines elements of the humanities and social science, offers you the chance to consolidate and expand the knowledge and competencies gained in your undergraduate studies in a social or cultural discipline, deepening or extending it within a European dimension. You will deal with European culture and history as well as intercultural communication. In this programme, you will be able to set your own study focus by choosing from a wide variety of subjects, including the linguistics of various European languages, media studies, history and sociology, political science, geography, art history, East Central European studies and philosophy. You will also learn or improve your knowledge of a European language.

Features

• Core subjects: linguistics, literary, cultural, socio-historical and geographic studies, intercultural communication and foreign languages
• Shape your academic profile by choosing your own areas of focus.
• Specialised foreign language training: nine languages to choose from, with a focus on cultural studies or business/economics
• Double degree options with the University of Málaga (Spain) or Université de Strasbourg (France)
• Languages of instruction: German and English as well as other foreign languages depending on the chosen focus region/cultural area

The degree programme is divided into four module groups:

A) European core modules
Subjects treated in the core modules are European politics, culture and history as well as intercultural communication.

B) European cultural studies
You can choose one or two focus areas from the following subjects: English studies, French Romance studies, German studies, Spanish studies, East Central European studies (literature and culture), media studies and intercultural communication.

C) European social studies
In addition, you will choose one or two further focus areas from the following subjects: geography, history, Slavic literatures and cultures, art history and visual culture, sociology, political science and European philosophy.

D) European foreign languages
You will also choose one foreign language to study as a subject-specific language programme. You can choose from Czech, English, French, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish or German as a foreign language (for non-native speakers) in the cultural studies or business/economics track (this does not apply to English).

Master's thesis
The programme concludes with a Master's thesis on a European topic, which you will choose on the basis of a subject area covered in module group B or C. In total, you will acquire 120 ECTS credits.

There is no formal internship requirement for this degree programme. Nevertheless, we recommend that you go to the effort of completing one or more voluntary internships as you study towards your degree. These internship(s) will not be arranged for you. Rather, you are responsible for searching for the internship, negotiating the outline (i.e. the job description) and making all necessary arrangements. However, the university can help you with information and hands-on advice. For more details, please see the following websites:

• Future: Careers and Competencies Section
• iStudi Coach

To apply, you need a good first university degree in a humanities subject or social science, earned after a standard period of three years' full-time study, with the result of 2.5 or better according to the German marking system (or an equivalent grade in a foreign grading system) or be ranked among the best 50% of your cohort.

The semester contribution fee is around 130 EUR per semester. This covers the student services association and bus pass fees. At the time of writing (April 2026), the University of Passau does not charge tuition fees.

You should budget a minimum of 992 EUR per month for your living expenses. If you need a visa to come to Germany, this is the amount you must have available to you (e.g. paid into a blocked account) for each month. Nevertheless, your actual cost of living will vary depending on your lifestyle, and so you should treat this figure as an absolute minimum.

For international students, a dedicated career adviser is on hand: the "iStudi Coach" will help you with all your questions about finding work or placements in Germany.

Please note that students from non-EU countries must apply for a work permit at the national job centre if they work more than 240 half-days per year. Students from EU member countries do not require a work permit.

The International Office awards a small number of scholarships to international degree-seeking students who have been enrolled in a Bachelor's programme for at least two semesters or in a Master's programme for at least one semester. You may also apply for a Deutschlandstipendium scholarship, which is open to students of all nationalities. This scholarship has a stipend of 300 EUR per month and runs for one year. You may reapply in subsequent years. Finally, there is a one-off emergency hardship grant available to international students in exceptional cases of unexpected financial difficulties.

The university provides advice on job hunting, jobs and career-entry positions at German and international companies, here and abroad. These include personal interviews, advice and training courses on how to apply as well as intercultural and soft skills training.

International students have access to a dedicated career adviser – the "iStudi Coach" – who helps students find internships and apply for student jobs and career-entry positions at German companies. The iStudi Coach also coaches international students on German labour market practices, how to write applications and so on.

Related links:

• Future: Careers and Competencies Section
• iStudi Coach

The International Office has set up an accommodation service, which assists international students in finding accommodation.

Rooms in the halls of residence cost between 240 EUR and 510 EUR per month and are fully furnished. Kitchen and bathroom facilities are usually shared, although some rooms have en-suite bathroom facilities. However, please note that the demand for the rooms in the student halls is very high, and there is no guarantee that you will be able to rent one.

Luckily, there is a large number of flats and flatshares available on the open housing market. On average, you should expect to pay somewhere in the vicinity of 350 EUR to 550 EUR a month for these. Landlords usually require a two-month or three-month deposit when you move in, which will be returned to you at the end of the rental period, provided you leave your accommodation in good condition.

• Further details on housing in Passau
• Accommodation service for international students

The University of Passau

More than 10,000 students from approximately 100 countries are currently studying towards their degrees on our bright, modern campus next to the Inn River and a stone's throw from the town centre and the historical old town.

The five faculties of the university offer degrees at the undergraduate, Master’s and doctoral levels. Currently, 11 degree programmes can be studied entirely in English: BSc Artificial Intelligence, MSc Artificial Intelligence Engineering, MSc Business Administration, MSc Computer Science, MA Development Studies, MA Governance and Public Policy, MSc Information Systems, MSc International Economics and Business, MA International Education and Global Learning, BSc Mathematics and MSc Mathematics.

A cosmopolitan university

No other Bavarian university has more of its students spending part of their programme abroad – to study, conduct research or gain work experience – than the University of Passau.

The range and depth of language tuition offered by our language centre probably has a role to play in this. Another reason is that our programmes are very international in their outlook – and with some 300 international partner universities to choose from, it is difficult not to be tempted to go abroad for a semester or two or even to complete one of our double-degree programmes offered in cooperation with our global partner universities.

An unparalleled student experience

Passau’s students benefit from a good staff-to-student ratio and from studying on an urban campus of manageable size that is located very close to the town centre.

The facilities on campus are of a high standard. There are bright, sunny seminar rooms, lecture theatres equipped with the latest technology, numerous computer rooms, Wi-Fi access exists throughout the campus, and our well-stocked university library stays open until late into the night on most days.

Student satisfaction at the University of Passau is particularly high and our sought-after graduates typically occupy executive posts in business, social, and academic organisations in Germany, Europe, and indeed all over the world.

Student life

Throughout the semester, there are plenty of events of all sorts on campus and around town, often organised by our very active student societies. Our sports centre has some 40 sports clubs, offering everything from acrobatics to Zumba.

An ideal student town

Passau is situated near the Bavarian Forest at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers, and it is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Germany. After two fires that destroyed much of the town in the 17th century, the old town was rebuilt in the baroque style by Italian master builders, which is why you will notice a distinct Italian flair as you stroll through "Bavarian Venice", another name by which Passau is known.

With students accounting for one-quarter of its population, Passau is very much a student town with many galleries, art studios, bars, cafés, clubs and, of course, beer gardens; naturally, there is a modern multiplex cinema. A shopping centre and the nearby pedestrian zone offer a lot of excellent eateries and shops, just a short five-minute walk from campus.

Passau is home to a number of cultural institutions, such as the theatre and the "Scharfrichterhaus" – a restaurant, cinema and political cabaret/stand-up stage where many of Germany’s most popular contemporary comedians started out. Both have productions and acts running throughout the year.

In addition to this, Passau plays host to numerous annual cultural events, including "Europäische Wochen Passau" – a cultural festival which brings international symphonic orchestras, classical ensembles, theatre companies and artists to Passau for about six weeks every year; the Eulenspiegel Festival with predominantly German comedy acts and rock bands; two Oktoberfest-style festivals in spring and autumn; and no list of festivals would be complete without the traditional Christmas Market in front of St. Stephen’s Cathedral every December. Incidentally, did you know that St. Stephen's is home to the world's largest cathedral organ?

Outdoor enthusiasts will be delighted at the many opportunities for hiking, climbing, cycling, and alpine and cross-country skiing in the nearby Bavarian Forest. Additionally, Passau is not far from the Austrian and Bavarian Alps, with their famous skiing areas as well as their mountain biking and hiking trails.