Cultural and Social Studies European University Viadrina

Cultural and Social Studies is a Bachelor's programme conducted in English and progressively in German, so it provides for the gradual acquisition of knowledge of German or knowledge of another foreign language (in addition to the dominant language of instruction, English).

The goal of the programme is to gain an understanding of the contemporary social and cultural world through its historical interconnections as well as its intersectionally organised structures and discourses. You will become acquainted with theoretical and methodological approaches of different disciplines (cultural history, literary studies, language and media studies, and comparative social sciences).

While offering a profound consolidation in all four academic fields, your studies will specifically deepen your knowledge of the following interdisciplinary and thematic fields:

EUROPE/S – History, Culture, Politics
MEDIA − Image, Text and Language
DIFFERENCE – Migration, Gender and Diversity

The standard period of study is six semesters and the scope of study is 180 ECTS credits.

Module 1: Cultural and Social Studies Introduction

• Overview of disciplinary approaches to studying culture and society in a lecture series by professors of the department
• Accompanying seminar that focuses on the acquisition of basic academic writing competences in the context of cultural and social sciences

Module 2: Cultural and Social Studies Consolidation

• Two courses in general cultural and social sciences of your choice (taught in English)

Modules 3 and 4: Topic-based elective modules

Choose two of three modules and attend four courses in each:

1. EUROPE/S – History, Culture, Politics
2. MEDIA – Image, Text and Language
3. DIFFERENCE – Migration, Gender and Diversity

These can be attended in English and/or German.

Module 5: Specialisation

You can attend two courses in one of the following options:

• One of your elective modules
• Economics (offered in cooperation with the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration)
• Digital Societies (offered in cooperation with the European New School of Digital Studies).

Module 6: Methods, Academic Writing and Research Skills

The module focuses on methods in science to ensure access to academic standards as they are common in German social and cultural sciences.

• Peer-writing class (ideally to be attended in the beginning)
• Research colloquium
• Programme-specific interdisciplinary colloquium in which BA thesis research design is presented and an exposé is written

Module 7: Language Skills

For students without German university entrance qualification:

• German (at least B2)
• Another foreign language (B1), (C1) if this is English

Students with anglophone backgrounds are excluded from choosing English as a foreign language.

For students with German university entrance qualification:

• One foreign language which is not English (B2)
• One other foreign language (B1) or (C1) if this is English

Module 8: Practical Skills

• At least four weeks internship for all students – up to a three-month internship (abroad) possible
• Other courses on practical skills 

Bachelor's Thesis and Final Exam

The thesis and oral exam can be conducted in English or German.

The Career Centre supports you in finding and organising both study-related mandatory internships and voluntary internships. It offers tips and information during your search and application process and advises you on planning and legal matters.

• General qualification for university entrance from a German school or an accepted comparable qualification from a foreign school
• completed application form with certified copies of the following:
  • German higher education entrance qualification or equivalent transcript from a foreign school
  • passport (only pages with personal data, certification not necessary)
  • e-mail address (important!)
  • copy of language certificate, see language requirements),
  • passport-style photo

Please note: Your certificates and official documents in languages other than German or English have to be translated into German (by a certified translator). The translations as well as all copies you hand in have to be officially certified. Please send in the certified copy of the original documents together with their certified translation.

https://www.europa-uni.de/en/internationales/Students/Incomings/Applying/Bachelor/index.html

Language skills

In order to be able to successfully complete the English-language courses in the Bachelor Cultural and Social Studies, in particular the introductory modules offered exclusively in English, you should already have a good command of English at the beginning of your studies (level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). 

You do not have to provide proof of German language skills at the time of enrolment. However, if you have not received your university entrance qualification in Germany, you must reach at least B2 level in German during your studies.

Each semester, each student has to pay a semester contribution. It is composed of a social service contribution and a student contribution and is collected for the following purposes:

• social service contribution
• student body fee
• registration fee
• free ticket for public transport (mandatory)
• student ID / chip card (paid only once)

The semester contribution is currently approx. 380 EUR.

Depending on which type of accommodation one chooses, monthly rent is usually around 300 EUR. In addition, monthly food and living expenses generally come to about 250 EUR. In total, one needs about 750 EUR each month to live comfortably.

The semester contribution includes a ticket for public transport within Germany (high-speed trains not included).

At present, it is possible to find an acceptable and well-paid job in Frankfurt (Oder) or especially in Berlin, which can be reached within one hour. Thanks to the semester ticket, travelling between Berlin and Frankfurt (Oder) by public transport is free of charge for students of the European University Viadrina.

There are also students jobs available at the European University Viadrina.

The European University Viadrina has developed special financial support programmes for international students.

The Career Centre at the European University Viadrina helps students to get acquainted with all the requirements for their future professional life.

Our team supports the students by:

• Giving advice on jobs, internships and/or applications
• Keeping in touch with employers
• Publishing job offers as well as internship opportunities
• Organising workshops which provide our students with important skills for their studies and their future careers
• Supporting internships abroad with Erasmus+ or PROMOS funding

The European University Viadrina offers very good and affordable student accommodation in single room apartments or apartments with two to five rooms. Prices vary between 200 and 350 EUR. All prices include a broadband Internet connection, electricity and warm water. Student residences are furnished. Each tenant has access to a common kitchen, which is well-equipped. Lockable refrigerators, washing machines and dryers are provided by the student service as well.

Study Europe. Experience the World. Shape Society.
At the Viadrina, you will study individually and receive personal support at the interface between Eastern and Western Europe. Here, you will study in small groups and engage directly with your lecturers. Our hands-on degree programmes in the fields of culture, law, economics and digital transformation offer you a pan-European perspective. This will enable you to acquire unique expertise to shape the society of tomorrow.

Pan-European perspective
A cross-border campus at the interface between Western and Eastern Europe: here you can study future European challenges relating to digital transformation, culture, law and economics.

Study individually
Personal support from the start of your studies to your graduation, manageable study groups, individual focus: we offer you the ideal conditions for success in your studies.

International network
Everyday student life with people from more than 100 countries, stays abroad, worldwide double degrees and foreign language courses: with us, you can build your international, individual and professional network during your studies.

Committed community
Short distances, direct contact, participation and commitment: join our strong community. Numerous initiatives and projects are waiting for you, allowing you to help shape the university and our twin city Frankfurt (Oder)-Słubice.

Focus on society
Hands-on relevance and project-oriented teaching: with us, you will learn to tackle complex social challenges and contribute to shaping a successful future.