East-West Studies – Europe in Discourse (Ost-West-Studien – Europa im Diskurs) University of Regensburg

Courses are usually held in German. Some optional classes may be in English. Language classes may be taken in the chosen languages.

The main objective of our Master's programme is the comparison between Eastern and Western European countries, the study of the relationships between these countries, and the discussion of current European issues.

As the topic of Europe and its integration is highly complex, questions concerning its past, present, and future can only be satisfactorily answered by joining the perspectives of different academic disciplines. The integration of the relevant subjects is provided by our programme East-West Studies – Europe in Discourse ("Ost-West-Studien – Europa im Diskurs").

The East-West Studies – Europe in Discourse programme starts one week prior to the regular start of lectures. During this orientation week, you will receive information on the structure and content of the degree programme, the organisation of the timetable and other organisational matters.

There are also extracurricular activities scheduled with your fellow students.

30 June for the following winter semester

As each participant chooses two main subjects and several complementary subjects, each student can tailor an individual programme to his or her preferences. Possible subjects include the following: studies of literature and linguistics, cultural studies, law, economics, political sciences, history, area studies, social anthropology, philosophy, and (Catholic and Protestant) theology.

Each student also has to take courses in two foreign languages. For students who do not come from an Eastern European country, at least one of those languages must be Eastern European (e.g. Russian, Polish, Czech, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Hungarian, Romanian, Yiddish, Bulgarian, Slovakian). Students from a Central or Eastern European country must learn at least one Western European language (e.g. German as a Foreign Language, English, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Greek, or Swedish).

Project work is an integral part of the programme. Together, students plan and execute a project usually presenting one lesser known European country ("Kennen Sie ...? - Do you know ...?"). In doing so, they acquire practical skills that are crucial for their professional lives (project management, team work, public relations, cross-cultural communication, visualisation and presentation).

The students also attend interdisciplinary seminars on a variety of topics concerning Europe that are exclusively drafted to the requirements of the East-West Studies.

Furthermore, it is expected for the students to go abroad (international internship, studying at one of our partner universities, taking part in summer schools, etc.)

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Students are required to spend two months in European countries that are not their native country. They gain international experience by participating in internships, summer schools or study trips. We regularly offer study trips to different Eastern European countries for our students.

Students from Western European countries are obligated to spend these two months in Eastern European countries. Since students from Eastern Europe are already studying in a Western European country (Germany), they are free to choose any European country with the exception of their own native countries.

The participants in the programme are encouraged to do internships in companies and institutions according to their intended careers. Gaining work experience is very important and can be a very useful complement to the programme, so the accreditation of an internship as a part of the programme is possible. Students are assisted with finding an appropriate internship.

No tuition fees

Student service fee: approx. 200 EUR per semester (includes a public transport ticket valid for the entire semester)

You will need a minimum of about 1,000 EUR per month (including rent, food, clothing, insurance, books, and study materials).

Higher Education entrance qualification (equivalent to German "Abitur")
BA degree, based on at least three years of studies in a humanities subject (e.g. philological, cultural), social studies, economics, or law, or certificate of an equivalent qualification, evidencing exceptional marks in one of the above-mentioned disciplines

Foreign students need a very good knowledge of German (on the level of the German "DSH2" exam, which is the German language exam for the admission of foreign students to German universities, CEFR C1) and at least basic knowledge of a second European language. For students not from an Eastern European country, this must be an Eastern European language (e.g. Russian, Polish, Czech, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Hungarian, Romanian, ...) (CEFR A2).

If you do not have any official record of your language skills, please contact us at ost.west@ur.de.

30 June for the following winter semester

No

Students from EU member states and Switzerland do not need a work permit. Students from non-EU states who are registered at a German university are allowed to work 140 days per year.
Please note that almost all employers require good German language skills.

The International Office will try to assist students in finding a room in a student dormitory or on the private market. The price for a room in a student dormitory ranges from approx. 300 EUR to 450 EUR per month.
For more information about student housing, please contact international.accommodation@ur.de.

Yes