Master Border Studies Saarland University

Our Master's in Border Studies is a two-year joint international study programme that addresses the complex economic, political, social and cultural issues of borders and of border regions in Europe and beyond.

The study programme is designed for students with different disciplinary backgrounds who wish to develop the necessary skills and competencies to work in intercultural and cross-border settings. 

The multilingual study programme is located in three countries at four different universities: 

• University of Luxembourg (LUX) 
• University of Lorraine (FR)
• Saarland University (DE)
• University of Kaiserslautern (DE)

Courses in this Master's in Border Studies are taught in German, French and English.

Border Studies: Addressing the challenges of the 21st century

In the wake of the abolition of regular border controls in Europe and the fall of the iron curtain, the field of Border Studies has opened up new objects of research and has experienced significant growth. At the same time, European societies experience the challenges of new border closures.

The Master's programme in Border Studies provides students with the major concepts and analytical tools to understand the social, cultural, political and economic challenges of border regions and cross-border cooperation. Students gain theoretical knowledge of border problems, border cultures, border literatures and constructions of “otherness”.

Students acquire the needed skills to play a crucial part in the increasing discussions on national and European identities, worldwide mobilities, migration, cultural diversity, citizenship and cross-border cooperation – especially in the Greater Region.

Students may specialise in one of the two tracks:

• spatial track, including geography and spatial planning
• language and cultural track, including cultural studies, literature, linguistics, intercultural communication

The Master's programme in Border Studies prepares for a career in cross-border and intercultural working settings, especially in border regions in Europe (such as the Greater Region) and beyond.

The careers of our graduates show that they find attractive positions very quickly. Some examples from the Greater Region, the home countries of students and throughout Europe include:

• cross-border cooperation projects
• cross-border administration
• higher education institutions
• national and regional ministries
• diplomatic service
• migration services
• political education
• international companies
• journalism
• academia and research

The curriculum covers a full-time two-year programme (120 ECTS)

Semester 1

Students spend the first semester at the University of Luxembourg and at the University of Lorraine. They gain knowledge of central concepts and research methods in the study of border regions and are introduced to current debates on border issues from a spatial/geographical and a linguistic, cultural, and sociological perspective.

Semester 2

Students spend the second semester mainly at the University of Lorraine as well as at the University of Luxembourg. They further specialise their studies by choosing between one of the two tracks of the programme:

• spatial studies
• language and cultural studies

Each track consists of one module (12 ECTS) and an elective module selected from the other track (6 ECTS). Students have to accomplish a mandatory internship during the second semester.

Semester 3

Students spend the third semester at Saarland University and the University of Kaiserslautern. Students participate in a seven-day excursion, and they work on a case study in cross-border relationships and cooperation. Students deepen their knowledge according to the chosen specialisation in the second semester.

Semester 4

The last semester is dedicated to the final Master’s thesis. At the beginning and the end of the fourth semester, a workshop takes place in which students present and discuss their Master’s theses.

Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau (Germany)
Université de Lorraine (France)
University of Luxembourg (Luxembourg)

Mandatory internship in the second semester

Applications can be submitted until the end of June/15 July. Due to different national regulations, the deadlines differ at the partner universities. Please find the exact dates on our website.

Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in the field of anthropology, cultural studies, geography, history, intercultural communication, law, linguistics, political science, sociology or spatial planning.

The programme is limited to 20 students. Selection is based on the application documents, which should include a motivation letter, a curriculum vitae, certificates and diplomas of previous studies and proof of written and oral language skills in German, French and English (level B2).

You can find more information here: http://www.uni-gr.eu/de/Master_Border_Studies.

French, level B2

For all three languages, all kinds of official language tests, language course certificates and university diplomas are accepted as proof.

Currently 394.30 EUR per semester (https://www.uni-saarland.de/en/study/organisation/fees/semester-fee.html)

Enrolment fees and social security fees only have to be paid at the home university, but students are free to use the facilities at all four partner universities (language courses, libraries, sports programmes).

Mobility grant of the Franco-German University (350 EUR per month)

Students can take advantage of the career advisory services at all partner universities and benefit from the intercultural job application training at the Franco-German University.

Most students live in Metz (France) or Luxembourg during the first year and then move to Saarbrücken (Germany) for the third semester.

All partner universities offer accommodation in student residence halls or provide support in finding other forms of accommodation.