Interdisciplinary Ukrainian Studies

The Certificate Programme ‘Interdisciplinary Ukrainian Studies’ is a supplementary academic programme focusing on Ukraine, its history, culture, and society. It is open to Master’s students at the European University Viadrina and other German universities.

The programme is the first comprehensive Ukrainian Studies programme at master’s level in Germany. It offers an interdisciplinary perspective on Ukraine by bringing together approaches from the social sciences, cultural studies, law, economics, and media studies.

Participants deepen their academic knowledge while also acquiring practical skills, including Ukrainian language courses and a study-related internship. Courses address both Ukraine itself and broader comparative perspectives on Eastern Europe and Europe.

The programme can be completed within one to two semesters. Courses take place at the European University Viadrina, as well as in cooperation with Humboldt University of Berlin and Freie Universität Berlin. Teaching is provided by professors and lecturers from the participating universities, as well as international visiting scholars and experts from Ukraine and beyond.

The certificate programme is offered by the Competence Network for Interdisciplinary Ukrainian Studies Frankfurt (Oder) – Berlin (KIU) and is implemented by the European University Viadrina in collaboration with partner universities. Upon successful completion, participants receive a university certificate from the European University Viadrina.

Studying Ukraine, its history, and its current developments provides important insights into contemporary political and social dynamics in Europe, particularly in Eastern Europe.

The programme also offers an opportunity to examine the region from decolonial perspectives and to critically analyse historical and academic traditions of studying Eastern Europe. Historically, Eastern European studies in Germany have often focused primarily on Russia; this programme contributes to broadening that perspective.

Since 2022, Ukraine has been undergoing profound political and societal transformations. These developments make Ukraine an especially important case for research in cultural studies, sociology, political science, and conflict research.

The certificate programme is designed for students who:

• wish to engage academically and professionally with Ukraine, its history, culture, and society;
• are interested in conflict and crisis research and would like to analyse these processes using Ukraine as a case study;
• want to better understand political and social developments in Europe, particularly in Eastern Europe;
• would like to acquire practical skills related to Ukraine, including Ukrainian language skills and professional experience through an internship;
• wish to analyze cultural, historical, and social phenomena in Europe, with a focus on Ukraine, including through comparative analysis.

The programme is primarily intended for Master’s students at the European University Viadrina. Students from other universities may also participate and enrol as auditors (Zweithörer*innen) at Viadrina.

The certificate programme consists of one core module and three thematic specialisation modules, combining theoretical and practical components.

The core module includes: Ukraine Lecture Series, Ukrainian language course and study-related internship

Specialisation Modules

Students choose courses from the following thematic areas:

Module 1: History and Culture of Ukraine
Courses addressing historical, linguistic, literary, artistic, or cultural topics related to Ukraine.

Module 2: State and Society in Ukraine
Courses from political science, sociology, law, media studies, and economics related to Ukraine.

Module 3: Conflict, War, and Multiple Crises in a Global Context
Analysis of conflicts, wars, and crisis dynamics related to Ukraine in an international and comparative perspective.

Each semester, the Competence Network for Interdisciplinary Ukrainian Studies Frankfurt (Oder) – Berlin (KIU)organises a lecture series dedicated to a thematic focus of the semester. The upcoming semester theme is:

‘Nationalities, Minorities, and Identity: (Re)Configuring Ukraine?’

Lectures are delivered by invited scholars, researchers, and experts in Ukrainian Studies from Ukraine, Germany, and the international academic community.

Participants complete a Ukrainian language course worth 3 ECTS credits as part of the programme. Students whose native language is Ukrainian may alternatively take a German, English, or Polish language course of equivalent scope.

A study-related internship connected to Ukraine is a mandatory part of the programme. Internships can be completed in areas such as:politics, public administration, media, culture, civil society, business, research and academia

The internship is self-organised, carries 6 ECTS credits, and must be completed as either: a four-week full-time internship (35–40 hours per week), or an equivalent part-time placement.

If needed, KIU can provide students with a list of organisations offering internship opportunities.

The link to the KVV page can be found here.

21 April 2026, 4:00 PM
Online Q&A session with the academic coordinator Dr. Susann Worschech via Zoom.

Meeting ID: 647 2116 6326
Passcode: 349475

Students enrolled at the European University Viadrina can attend courses as part of their regular studies.

Students enrolled at other German universities may participate free of charge, but must register at Viadrina as auditors (Zweithörer*innen).

You can find the information on registering as an auditor here.

If you would like to participate in the certificate programme, please send the following documents to: kiu-certificate@europa-uni.de.

Required documents:

• letter of motivation describing your academic background and interest in Ukrainian Studies
• the semester(s) in which you wish to participate
• overview of previous courses, summer schools, or other academic activities related to Ukraine
• information about your knowledge of Ukrainian
• curriculum vitae
• certificate of enrolment (or confirmation of future enrolment)
• Knowledge of Ukrainian and prior academic experience related to Ukraine are not prerequisites for participation. Students without prior academic experience or knowledge of Ukraine are also welcome to apply.

Start: Students may begin the programme in any semester.