Digital Studies European University Viadrina

The Master's in Digital Studies is taught entirely in English. 

Interdisciplinary research on digital technologies, media and society

Platforms shape public debate, algorithms influence political processes, and AI systems are transforming work and everyday life. Digital technologies are fundamentally reshaping societies — across Europe and around the world. They are redefining how we live together at a time marked by armed conflicts, the climate crisis, geopolitical power shifts, and increasingly polarised public discourse. Understanding — and actively shaping — these complex dynamics requires critical, theoretically grounded thinking that reaches beyond disciplinary boundaries.

The Master's in Digital Studies equips you to analyse and critically examine the interplay between digital technologies, media, culture, and politics. You will gain in-depth theoretical knowledge and methodological expertise in Science & Technology Studies (STS), Media Studies, and Communication Studies, complemented by perspectives from Cultural Studies, Law, and Economics.

The programme fosters a nuanced understanding of diverse technological and social contexts, as well as the practices, conflicts, and forms of resistance that emerge within them across different geographical, cultural, and historical settings. Building on this foundation, you will learn to investigate contemporary developments and societal challenges using qualitative, quantitative, digital, and other innovative research methods. Western and Eurocentric perspectives are critically examined through case studies from various world regions, with particular attention to Central and Eastern Europe. Key themes include exclusion, inequality, and discrimination, as well as fundamental questions of responsibility, participation, and sustainability.

The Master’s programme is taught entirely in English. It is designed for graduates with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in cultural, media, or communication studies, economics, law, or technical disciplines, provided they have relevant foundational knowledge and a strong interest in research.

Course start is October each year.

Application period: 1 May to 31 May

The standard period of study is four semesters with a total of 120 ECTS credits. 

The modular structure allows students to tailor their studies to their individual interests while gaining in-depth disciplinary knowledge that prepares them for professional careers or further academic research.

The programme consists of six modules:

Basic Module Technology, Media, Society: This module provides the conceptual and methodological foundations of the programme. It includes the submodules “Introduction” and “Methods”.

Competence Module Digital Matters: This module focuses on key thematic areas of digital transformation. You can choose two of the following submodules:

1. Digital Infrastructures, Technopolitics and Transformations
2. Digital Practices, Theories, Criticism
3. Digital Platforms and Political Communication

Competence Module Researching Technology, Media and Society: This module focuses on research practice. It includes:

1. one research seminar 
2. two colloquia or one colloquium and one competence seminar focusing on specific academic skills

Compulsory Electives I: This module allows you to specialise through thematic tracks. You must complete two tracks out of the following options:

1. Social and Cultural Studies Track – courses from the Faculty of Social and Cultural Sciences
2. Business and Economics Track – courses from the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics
3. Law Track – courses from the Faculty of Law
4. Digital Entrepreneurship Track – courses from the interdisciplinary programme Digital Entrepreneurship (MoDE) at ENS
5. Digital Matters Track – additional courses from Module B that have not already been taken in Modules B or S
6. Certificate Track – recognition of a Viadrina certificate programme

Compulsory Electives II: In the compulsory elective module E II, you have the choice between:

1. two graded foreign language courses of 6 ECTS credits each or
2. an internship of at least eight weeks (full-time) during the programme, or
3. a combination of one language course (6 ECTS) and a four to seven week internship (full-time).

Specialisation Module: In the specialisation module, you complete an examination in a course from the Digital Matters module. The selected course must be different from those you have already taken in the Digital Matters and Compulsory Electives I modules.

During your studies, you will build an international personal and professional network and benefit from the university’s unique location at the intersection of Eastern and Western Europe. Situated at the Collegium Polonicum on the Polish side of the Oder River, the European New School of Digital Studies (ENS) is embedded in a cross-border academic and cultural environment. Close cooperation with Polish and international partner institutions, the daily encounter with different languages, cultures, and perspectives, and the proximity to Berlin create a distinctive European learning experience.

The ENS represents a modern, open, and networked vision of Europe — one in which transnational cooperation, intercultural exchange, and social responsibility are part of everyday academic life.

The Master's in Digital Studies is taught entirely in English. You also have the opportunity to earn a double degree with selected international partner universities. In this case, you typically spend at least one semester abroad (30 ECTS credits). Beyond the double-degree option, the European University Viadrina offers extensive opportunities for international mobility, including study exchanges at more than 290 partner universities worldwide.

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

No tuition fees

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 350 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 600 EUR per month. Depending on which type of accommodation you choose, monthly rent is usually 200 to 250 EUR.

The Master's degree programme "Digital Studies – Technology, Media, Society" requires a first professionally qualifying university degree of at least 180 ECTS credits (six semesters), in which knowledge in the following subject areas has been acquired through coursework and examinations or equivalent evidence amounting to at least 60 ECTS credits:

• Social sciences or humanities (e.g. sociology, media studies, communication studies, political science, history, etc.)
• Interdisciplinary digitalisation research or a related subject (e.g. social informatics, science and technology studies, digital studies, etc.)

A minimum of 10 ECTS credits must be proven through methodological knowledge from the above-mentioned subject areas.

Of the 60 ECTS, a maximum of 10 ECTS can also be from the subject areas:

• Economics or a related subject,
• Law (Law) or a related subject or
• the technical sciences

All students are required to have English language skills at level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The following are recognised as proof:

• Cambridge English Advanced: at least Grade B
• IELTS (Academic): 7.0 points minimum
• TOEFL (iBT): for exams taken on or after 21 January 2026: minimum score: 5. For exams taken until 20 January 2026: 95-120 points minimum
• TOEIC: 945 points minimum (listening/reading), 180 points minimum (speaking), 180 points minimum (writing)
• Certificate UNIcert III
• Viadrina Dialog und Transfer GmbH placement test

Students, who have successfully completed a Bachelor's or Master's degree in English at a university located in one of the following countries, do not need to provide a proof of English language knowledge: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada (except Québec), Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States of America.

Moodle, ViaCampus, Zoom

Application period: 1 May to 31 May

The European University Viadrina has developed special financial support programmes for international students. Recipients receive approx. 150 EUR and do not need to pay part of the administration fees.

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

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 300 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/

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

Study Europe. Seize global opportunities. Shaping 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 an all-European perspective. This will enable you to acquire unique expertise to shape the society of tomorrow.

All-European perspective
A cross-border campus at the interface between Western and Eastern Europe: here you can study future European questions 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 home of the European New School of Digital Studies is the Collegium Polonicum, located in the twin cities of Frankfurt (Oder)-Słubice. Collegium Polonicum is a unique hub for academic and cultural exchange, situated right on the border between Poland and Germany. It offers an ideal environment to pursue your graduate programme or kick-start your academic career, with modern technical infrastructure, direct access to academic and administrative staff, and an international, open-minded atmosphere.

At the heart of the European New School of Digital Studies campus is a coworking space where students, academic staff, mentors, and external professionals work side by side, shaping their vision for Europe’s digital society.