Digital Studies: Technology, Media, Society

The Master of 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.

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 European New School (ENS) follows a research-oriented, collaborative, and dialogue-based approach to teaching. Within a small and personalised campus environment, students and lecturers work closely together in manageable groups and engage in continuous intellectual exchange. Project-based learning, critical discussion, and interdisciplinary perspectives shape the programme’s academic culture. The dedicated ENS Coworking Space provides an open environment for focused work, collaborative knowledge production, and informal exchange. Short distances, individual mentoring, and a trusting learning atmosphere create ideal conditions for research-based learning at a high academic level.

Academic requirements

To enrol in the Master’s programme in Digital Studies: Technology, Media, Society, you will need:

• a first university degree comprising at least 180 ECTS credits
• evidence of at least 60 ECTS credits in Social Sciences or Humanities (e.g. Sociology, Media Studies, Communication Studies, Political Science, History) or Interdisciplinary Digitalisation Research (e.g. Social Informatics, Science and Technology Studies, Digital Studies)

You have to prove at least 10 ECTS credits through methodological knowledge from the above-mentioned subject areas.

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

• Economics or a related subject,
• Law or a related subject or
• Technical Sciences

Language requirements

You must demonstrate proficiency in English at level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The following certificates are accepted:

UNIcert III
TOEFL (IBT): at least 95 points (before 21 January 2026) / at least 5 points (from 21 January 2026)
Cambridge Advanced (CAE): C1
IELTS (IELTS for Study): minimum score 7.0
TOEIC: at least 945 points (listening/reading), at least 180 points (speaking), at least 180 points (writing)

You do not need to provide proof of English language proficiency if you have successfully completed a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in English at a university in one of the following countries:
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

The study course is admission restricted. Please note the application deadlines.

Application for the first subject semester is possible in the winter semester.

If you obtained your school-leaving qualification abroad, you are classified as an educational foreigner. In this case, your eligibility for admission will be assessed by uni-assist e.V. Our step-by-step guide will help you with your application. Once uni-assist has reviewed your application, your documents will be forwarded to us. You will receive your login details for our viaCampus portal and further information on the following procedure from the Admissions Office.

If you have obtained your school-leaving qualification in Germany or hold German citizenship, you apply online directly in viaCampus. The required documents are uploaded to the system. After admission is received, you complete your enrolment online in viaCampus, where you will upload further required documents.

Application for a higher subject semester is possible in viaCampus for both the winter and summer semesters. Please note that you will need a placement certificate to enrol in higher subject semesters. You can find information on the classification confirmation here. If you have any questions regarding credit recognition or planning your studies, your Student Advisory Service will be happy to assist you. For further information on enrolment, please visit our website Application and Enrolment.

If you are coming to Viadrina as a visiting student for a semester abroad, or if you have decided to complete your entire degree programme at Viadrina, you will find additional information for incoming students here.

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

This module provides the conceptual and methodological foundations of the programme. It includes the submodules “Introduction” and “Methods”, each worth 9 ECTS credits.

Total: 18 ECTS

This module focuses on key thematic areas of digital transformation. You can choose two of the following submodules, each worth 9 ECTS:

• Digital Infrastructures, Technopolitics and Transformations
• Digital Practices, Theories, Criticism
• Digital Platforms and Political Communication

Total: 18 ECTS

This module focuses on research practice. It includes 

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

Total: 18 ECTS

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

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

Total: 24 ECTS

In the compulsory electives module E II, you have the choice between:

• two graded foreign language courses of 6 ECTS credits each or
• an internship of at least 8 weeks (full-time) during the programme, or
• a combination of one language course (6 ECTS) and a 4–7 week internship (full-time).

Total: 12 ECTS

In the specialisation module, you complete an examination in a course from Module B: Digital Matters. The selected course must be different from those you have already taken in Modules B and E1.

Total: 9 ECTS