Digital Entrepreneurship European University Viadrina

The digital transformation affects all of us. But it’s your choice to either stand by and watch or take an active role in shaping the digital future. At ENS, you will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to become an architect of digital change — with excellent career opportunities in various fields of science, politics, civil society and economics.

Our Master of Digital Entrepreneurship (MoDE) programme is based on the idea of knowledge entrepreneurship. We believe in close cooperation between students and academic staff in teaching, team-based projects and everyday working life. You will have access to our very own coworking space which is the central meeting spot at ENS. Both academic and non-academic mentors will help you to plan and realise your project ideas and support you in developing your personal network of partners from business, politics and civil society.

The MoDE is a transdisciplinary, international double-degree programme offered by the European University Viadrina (Germany) and the Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan (Poland). After being accepted to the programme, you have to enrol at both universities. By taking courses from both universities, completing an internship in the field of digital technologies and submitting a Master’s thesis co-supervised by professors from both sides, you will be eligible to get the Master of Digital Entrepreneurship double degree, recognised throughout Europe.

As a graduate of the MoDE, you will have a firm foundation in ethics and the know-how to organise, plan and run both for profit and non-profit businesses. You will learn how to analyse markets and to establish an economically sustainable unit that integrates the promises of democracy and human rights with digital technologies.

The ideal project for applying for the MoDE is digital, creative and promises to contribute to making the world a better place. It puts you in the position of leading a non-profit, not-for-profit or profit-oriented entrepreneurship. Your project could be a platform offering services, a tool for solving real-world problems, an algorithm fostering fair distribution of a scarce resource, or any other entity that is worth working on. You do not need to have a proper business plan, well-reasoned ideas about your entity’s legal set-up or a team that is capable of implementing it. Although it is no mistake to have thought about these issues (even less so to have answers and to report them), we do not require them. We will help you develop them during your stay at ENS. It is more important for us that you have an innovative entrepreneurial idea and that you believe enough in it to convince us of its merits. We are looking forward to learning from you and to offering our help in realising your ideas.

The MoDE has a modular structure enabling you to choose from a variety of topics according to your individual aims and profile.
The first part of your studies will comprise a basic introduction to the theoretical and methodological fundamentals of digitalisation from the different scientific perspectives involved. Moreover, you will acquire practical skills in technical topics, project management, law and business while already starting to work on your individual specialisation. The second part of your studies will give you the chance to focus on your individual or group project, complete an internship and work on your Master's thesis.

Examples of courses:

• Digital Law and Ethics
• Theories of Management in the Digital World
• Sociology of Technology and Digital Society
• Managing Emerging Technologies in Entrepreneurial Contexts
• Computer Science in Management
• Entrepreneurship in Action
• Web Design
• Sociology of Technology

Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan (Poland)

The internship in Module D is mandatory and consists of 12 ECTS. It can be completed either locally or abroad. There are two options: a part-time or a full-time work placement. In case of part-time employment, students can substitute the missing ECTS with workshops from the Viadrina Founders Center (Gründungszentrum) with 1 ECTS equating to one workshop (16 hours).

Students should make arrangements for internships on their own. The practical experience should correspond to the study programme and refer to digital society. The Viadrina Career Centre can also assist with finding internship offers. The ENS Examination Board is responsible for its acknowledgement.

You may apply to the MoDE programme if you have a Bachelor’s degree (or a comparable undergraduate degree) and have obtained 10 ECTS in two of the major subjects of the MoDE (economics, law, sociology, political science, informatics or interdisciplinary digital studies. Please note: 10 of the 20 ECTS can be acquired before the start of the third semester).

You need to speak and write English fluently (level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).

Thanks to the publicly financed German university system, no tuition fees are charged - neither for German nor for international students. However, students will have to pay a semester fee at Viadrina, which currently adds up to around 380 EUR per semester. This includes a ticket for public transport, the cost of the student ID card, and a registration fee. The amount varies each semester and might increase slightly over time.

Student life in Frankfurt (Oder) is less expensive than in most other German university cities. In order to be able to live here with all the expenses you can expect (health insurance, rent, etc.), you will need about 750 EUR per month. Depending on which type of accommodation you choose, monthly rent is usually 200 to 350 EUR.

At present, it is possible to find an acceptable and well-paid job in Berlin, which can be reached within one hour. Thanks to the semester ticket, the trip to Berlin and public transport within Berlin is free of charge for students at the European University Viadrina. Recently, the German capital was also recognised as one of the world's most important cities for start-up and digital businesses such as eBay, Groupon, PayPal, and Zalando.

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

https://www.europa-uni.de/en/studium/im-studium/finanzierung/index.html

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

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

The twin cities of Frankfurt (Oder) and Słubice offer many possibilities for single or shared housing, and all offers are within a reasonable price range. Students can choose from a number of student dormitories, shared flats, and affordable apartments on both sides of the border.

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.

More information on student dormitories:
Frankfurt (Oder): https://studentenwerk-frankfurt.net/en/
Słubice: https://dsslubice.amu.edu.pl/

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.

European New School of Digital Studies
The European New School of Digital Studies (ENS) is a transdisciplinary teaching and research institution of the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder). Located at Collegium Polonicum on the Polish side of the Oder River, ENS brings together expertise in economics, social and media sciences, politics, law, and technology to explore how digital transformation is reshaping European societies.

ENS pursues a research-oriented, collaborative, and dialogue-based approach to teaching. Within a small and personalised campus environment, students and lecturers work closely together in manageable groups and engage in continuous intellectual exchange. Project-based learning, critical debate, and interdisciplinary perspectives define the academic culture.

The dedicated ENS Coworking Space offers an open setting for focused work, collaborative knowledge creation, and informal exchange. Short distances, individual mentoring, and a supportive atmosphere provide ideal conditions for research-based learning at a high academic standard.