Eastern European Cultural Studies University of Potsdam

University of Warsaw

The cooperation with the HSE Moscow will not be offered until further notice.

At the University of Potsdam, courses are held in German (60%) and English (20%) as well as Russian, Polish and/or Yiddish (language courses).
At the University of Warsaw, courses are predominantly held in Polish.

The two-year Master's programme in Eastern European Cultural Studies trains students to become experts in the history and culture of Central and Eastern Europe.

The programme is interdisciplinary and combines Slavic literature, culture and media studies with Central and Eastern European history and politics as well as Jewish cultural studies. Our unique profile conveys a transcultural perspective of Central and Eastern Europe. Students gain specialised knowledge about the entangled Russian, Polish, German, Ukrainian, Belarusian and Jewish regional culture and history.

The programme aims also at the acquisition of methodical competences in regional cultural studies. By dealing with theoretical approaches to cultural phenomena (oriented towards text, image, media, space and performance studies as well as history and political science) students obtain competences that enable them to analyse cultural and societal processes of the past and the present in Central and Eastern Europe.

One main feature of the programme is the double degree option with our international partner:

• University of Warsaw: Students who choose this track will study one mandatory semester in Warsaw where they focus on culture, media and society of Poland, Ukraine and Belarus. Additionally, language courses in Polish, Ukrainian and Belarusian are offered.

The students can also choose a home track at the University of Potsdam with a single degree. This track sets a focus on intercultural studies including Jewish studies of Central and Eastern Europe.

The advantages of studying Eastern European Cultural Studies:

• the interdisciplinary course of study allows for a broad specialisation, creating a solid foundation for a career path in many professional fields
• optional double degree
• no tuition fees
• interesting options for a semester abroad: In addition to the double degree track, we cooperate with many universities in Central and Eastern Europe as well as with the University of Haifa in Israel. We support our students in finding a scholarship for a voluntary semester abroad.
• Students learn how to put their skills and acquired knowledge into practice by conducting an independent research project during the course of studies.
• Students acquire and consolidate their language skills in German, Russian, Polish, Yiddish, Ukrainian and/or Belarusian.
• a vibrant student life at our splendid and lively campus at Park Sanssouci in Potsdam near Berlin
• Students receive a semester ticket that enables them to use public transportation free of charge all over Germany.

Additional information about the dates and deadlines can be found here.

Information about the application deadlines can be found here.

Join our online Master's Info Day on 13 March 2026 to learn about the Master’s programmes, career prospectives, and life in Potsdam.

All information on course organisation and programme structure can be found here.

No tuition fees

No tuition is charged for studying at the University of Potsdam (with the exception of a few continuing education courses). However, there is an administrative fee that includes a semester ticket entitling you to free use of public transport all over Brandenburg and Berlin as well as regional/local trains all over Germany. More information here

The average monthly living expenditures of students at the University of Potsdam are 941 EUR, but this can vary between 600 and 1,100 EUR, largely depending on accommodation. A more detailed list of the average monthly expenditures of our students can be found here.

All information about the academic admission requirements can be found here.

All information about the language requirements is available here.

Information about the application deadlines can be found here.

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Job opportunities for students alongside their studies are numerous. Depending on personal and professional skills, students can find jobs in the service sector (e.g. in restaurants, supermarkets, cinemas, museums, theatres, etc.) or work as student research assistants at the University of Potsdam or at one of the many non-university research institutions located in the area. Berlin, the capital city of Germany, is located just around the corner, and students can also find jobs there. Please see this website for further information.

There are several student dormitories in Potsdam. These are administered exclusively by Brandenburg's Association for Student Affairs ("Studierendenwerk West:Brandenburg"). You can apply for a room in one of these dormitories if you are under the age of 30. If you are a Master's student, you can only apply if the degree at the University of Potsdam is your first Master's programme. Additionally, there are also a few private dormitories in Potsdam, to which these conditions do not apply. However, many students prefer to find an apartment in Potsdam or Berlin, which they often share with fellow students. The housing market is very tight, so please start looking for an accommodation as early as possible.

For information on how to register for a dorm room or find accommodation elsewhere, please click here.

The Career Service of the University of Potsdam supports students and graduates who want to actively shape their careers. The aim is to ensure comprehensive career orientation and to provide opportunities for the development of professional skills. The Career Service offers workshops, seminars, and individual counselling. There are information pages on a wide range of occupational fields as well as a database of internships and jobs. Many of the services are also available in English. For more info, visit https://www.uni-potsdam.de/en/career-service

General services and support for international students: The International Office and the Central Student Advisory Service support international students in preparing for their studies and life in Potsdam.