Central and East European Studies

You can pursue the Central and Eastern European Studies programme entirely in English, but a significant number of courses are also offered in German. Additionally, certain courses are offered in other Central and Eastern European languages.

During your graduate studies at European University Viadrina, you will benefit from its strategic location at the interface of Eastern and Western Europe, offering a unique pan-European perspective. You will study on a multilingual, cross-border campus situated in the German-Polish twin city of Frankfurt (Oder) – Słubice, within the Berlin-Poznań metropolitan region.

The Central and East European Studies programme will give you insights into different academic cultures, enhance your language skills and prepare you to navigate international contexts in a confident manner. During your studies, you will establish a valuable international personal and professional network.

We offer extensive study abroad opportunities at over 250 partner universities worldwide. At Viadrina, nearly every second student is from abroad. This fosters an international community made of multilingualism, diverse perspectives and dynamic interaction.

We are committed to being a university defined by short distances and direct interactions. Our excellent study and learning conditions ensure that, as a student, you remain in personal contact with our researchers. Teaching and research are conducted in an open atmosphere within small learning communities. From the programme-specific student advisory service to the Career Center, a wide range of advisory services is available to support you with any questions and challenges you may encounter during your studies.

The Central and East European Studies programme offers a comprehensive understanding of the cultural, social, and literary landscapes as well as the historical dynamics of Central and Eastern Europe. You will explore the historical developments of this culturally heterogeneous and transnationally interconnected region, gaining insights into the foundations and future potentials of contemporary Europe.

This programme prepares you for a professional career as well as for pursuing further academic studies, such as a PhD.

The Central and East European Studies programme trains you for a range of professional fields nationally and internationally, including:

• Cross-border cultural work
• Extracurricular education
• Foreign Office
• Heritage education
• Media, journalism, and public relations
• Museums and archives
• Non-governmental organisations
• Publishing houses
• Research and academia
• Specialised regional departments in parliaments, ministries and interest groups

Academic requirements

To enroll in the Central and East European Studies programme, candidates must possess a first professionally qualifying degree comprising at least 180 ECTS credits. This degree must include relevant achievements worth at least 30 ECTS credits with a disciplinary or content relation to Central and Eastern Europe (Slavic Studies, Medieval and Modern History, German Studies, Jewish Studies, and Cultural Studies with a focus on Central and Eastern Europe).

Language requirements

All students must demonstrate English proficiency at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). We accept the following certificates:

• TOEFL (IBT): Minimum 80 points (before 21.01.2026) / t.b.a. (from 21.01.2026)
• Cambridge Advanced or Proficiency: Minimum 176 points
• IELTS (Academic): Minimum score of 6.5
• UNIcert II

Furthermore, proficiency in Polish, Ukrainian, Russian, or another Central and/or Eastern European language at level B1 (CEFR) is required.

The programme’s academic manager evaluates and may recognise additional language certificates.

German language skills are not required upon enrolment but are beneficial for participating in courses offered in the programme that are taught in German.

Additional information for the international double degrees

Enrolment in the German-Polish double degree programme “German Literature in a European Context” is possible in the summer and winter semesters. No additional admission requirements apply.

Enrolment in the German-Romanian double degree programme “German Literature in a European Context” is only possible in the winter semester. No additional admission requirements apply.

Admission to this study course is unrestricted. A place in the program is available to anyone who meets the requirements for the degree program and enrolls within the deadlines.

Application for the 1st subject semester is possible in each semester.

The enrollment is done online in viaCampus. The required documents have to be uploaded to the system.

For educational foreigners, the access requirements are reviewed by the uni-assist e.V.

• Please note the special deadlines!
• Here you will find step-by-step instructions.
• Once the access requirements have been approved, your documents will be forwarded to us.
• You will receive your login details for our viaCampus portal and information on the next steps from the Admissions Office.

Application for higher subject semester is possible in each semester in viaCampus.

• For enrolment in higher subject semesters, the following requirement for classification confirmation must also be fulfilled.
• Questions regarding classification confirmation and study planning can be clarified with the Study course related advisory service.

For further information on enrolment, please visit our page "Application and enrolment".

Whether you want to complete one of our study programmes and graduate with an academic degree from the European University Viadrina or whether you are planning a one- or two-semester stay abroad as part of our exchange programmes with us at the Viadrina - we warmly welcome you.

For important information to make enrolment, arrival and settling in easier, follow the link to our page:

Admissions Office: Advice on the application and enrolment process
Central Student Advisory Service: further advice on starting your studies (housing, financing, arriving)
Viadrina International Affairs: specific information and advice for prospective students from abroad

In the introductory module, you will gain foundational knowledge about the history, cultures, and literatures of Central and Eastern European societies.

Your will deepen your knowledge in three thematic modules (“topics”), which will introduce the disciplinary methods and theories of history, literature, and cultural studies:

• Between Past and Present: Society, Politics and Ideas in Central and East European Studies
• Central and East European Literatures in a Global Context
• Entangled History of Central and Eastern Europe

During the course of your studies, you will supplement these specialisations in an elective module. Here, you have the following options:

• Specialise your knowledge in one of the topics from the core curriculum.
• Develop a new thematic focus by choosing from the interdisciplinary electives offered by the Faculty of Social and Cultural Sciences:
• Cultural History
• Gender and Queer Studies
• Philosophy and Arts in Times of Crises
• Acquire practical skills in the practice module by completing an internship, attending courses on practical skills, or obtaining additional certificates.

In the language module, you will enhance your foreign language skills. You can choose between:

• Improving your proficiency in German or English as a foreign language
• Acquiring or advancing your skills in Polish, Ukrainian, Russian or another Central and East European language (all language courses at Viadrina Language Centre are free of charge)

In the concluding phase of your studies, the research module prepares you for your degree with colloquia and research seminars. Subsequently, you will complete a Master’s thesis on a topic of your choice, followed by an oral examination (final colloquium).

The German-Polish double degree programme in “German Literature in a European Context,” offered in collaboration with the Uniwersytet Jagielloński in Kraków, allows you to earn a Master’s degree from both universities. In this predominantly German-language programme, you will study at Viadrina during the first and fourth semesters and in Kraków during the second and third semesters.

The German-Romanian double degree programme in “German Literature in a European Context,” in partnership with the Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca. In this predominantly German-language programme, you will study at Viadrina in the first and fourth semesters and at Cluj-Napoca in the second and third semesters, earning a Master’s degree from both institutions.