Kulturwissenschaften│Social and Cultural Studies (B.A.)

External achievements (domestic)

For previous academic achievements to be recognised in the Bachelor Social and Cultural Studies, please fill out the application form and send it together with a copy of the transcript of records by email to the secretariat of the examination board.

After your application has been reviewed, the examination board will forward the recognised achievements directly to the Examination Office for entry in viaCampus.

 

Recognition of external achievements (semester abroad)

Recognition of external achievements from your studies abroad is carried out by the department for International Affairs (Nicole Klück).

If you have earned at least 30 ECTS credits (then 2nd semester) in your previous studies, e.g. at another university or in another degree programme at Viadrina, which can be recognised in the Bachelor of Social and Cultural Studies, you can be placed in a higher semester.

The procedure for placement in a higher semester is two-stage:

1. Please submit an application for placement to the secretariat of the examination board at the same time as enrolment and enclose a transcript of records or similar with the application.
2. Please submit an application for recognition of your previous academic achievements to the secretariat of the examination board after enrolment. Please also enclose a copy of your transcript or transcript of records with this application.

The Examination Committee will inform the Examination Office directly about which achievements have been recognised in which modules.

Registration of the Bachelor's thesis

You can register your Bachelor's thesis if you have completed at least 75% of the ECTS required for the degree (minus the credit points for the final thesis and the final colloquium), i.e. a total of 126 ECTS.

The application form to register for the final examination should be submitted to the secretariat of the examination board.

You can obtain the routing slip ("Laufzettel") from the Examinations Office. The routing slip includes, among other things, the topic, the reviewers and the „date of the topic issue“, from which the processing time for your Bachelor's thesis begins. Submit the completed routing slip to the secretariat of the examination board.

 

Further requests

• For the following issues, please submit an informal request to the secretariat of the examination board:
• External first or second reviewer of the thesis (Please note: The approval must be obtained before submitting the routing slip and a copy must be attached to it.)
• Delayed submission of the thesis (Please state the new submission date in the application and briefly explain the delay. In case of illness, a doctor's certificate must be enclosed). Please note: The submission date of your Bachelor's thesis can be viewed in viaCampus under „Info about registered examinations“.
• Change of examiners
• Change of the title of the thesis (Please state the old and the new title in the application. The application must be accompanied by a written declaration of consent from both reviewers.)

 

 

 

1. Which compulsory courses are there in the BA Cultural Studies programme?

In Module 1 (Social and Cultural Studies) and in all disciplines, there are basic introductory courses in which the most important methods and theories of social and cultural studies and the disciplines are taught. These introductory courses are accompanied by tutorials, which provide an introduction to the necessary basics of academic work (e.g. citing, bibliography or writing term papers). It is strongly recommended to attend these introductory courses (including the assigned tutorials) in the first year of study.

The following introductory courses with accompanying tutorials are available in modules 1-3:

Module 1a (Social and Cultural Studies)

• „Introduction to Social and Cultural Studies“ (offered every semester); the 2nd introduction can be freely chosen

Note: It is recommended to attend this introduction (incl. tutorial) in the 1st semester!

Module 2a/3a (Disciplines)

• Cultural History: „Introduction to Cultural History“ (offered every semester); the 2nd introduction can be freely chosen
• Literary Studies: „Introduction to Literary Studies“ (offered every second semester); the 2nd introduction can be freely chosen
• Comparative Social Sciences: „Introduction to Theories of the Social Sciences“ (offered every second semester); the second introductory course in the social sciences must be chosen from the range of compulsory elective methodological introductions (see labelling in the course catalogue). 
• Linguistics: „Introduction to Linguistics“ (offered every semester); the 2nd introduction can be freely chosen

Note: The compulsory introduction courses are highlighted in grey shading in the PDF version of the course catalogue.

 

2. Are tutorials compulsory?

Yes, tutorials are compulsory, namely one tutorial in each of the modules 1a, 2a and 3a. The tutorials are exclusively assigned to the introductory courses (highlighted in grey in the PDF version of the course catalogue).

Exception: Students who have been placed in a higher semester may, under certain circumstances, be exempted from the tutorials by the examination board if they have sufficient basic knowledge.

1. How does the categorisation into a higher semester work? Who recognises credits earned at other universities prior to commencing studies at Viadrina?

The examination board determines the placement in a higher semester. To apply for a higher semester, the first step is to submit an application for placement in a higher semester, submitting a copy of the previous transcripts of records at the same time as enrolment. The courses to be recognised must have corresponded to a scope of 2 SWS and must have been successfully completed and graded with a written examination, a term paper or essays. As soon as you have the corresponding confirmation of your placement in a higher semester, please enclose this with your enrolment documents.

Once you have successfully enrolled, you can then apply for the recognition of additional academic achievements (see 2.) in a second step.

 

2. Who recognises individual credits that were earned at other universities before/while studying at Viadrina?

The examination board carries out these recognisations.

These must be recognised by means of a detailed application, using the corresponding application form. For the application, in which the level of study, type of achievement (term paper, written exam, etc.), SWS, grade and the desired assignment to the Bachelor in Social and Cultural Studies must be indicated, please submit the corresponding proof of achievement in digital form by e-mail or as a copy.

Recognition takes the form of a letter of recognition to the student, which must be submitted to the Examinations Office when registering for the examination.

Please note: Placement in a higher semester (see 1.) does not replace the recognition of other academic achievements.

 

3. Who recognises credits earned during (compulsory) studies abroad?

Credits acquired abroad are recognised by the Department of International Affairs.

Before your stay abroad, you have to clarify the recognition of your chosen courses in the learning agreement. During the stay abroad, in case of changes, the eligibility for recognition can be clarified by e-mail, if necessary, by providing suitable information at a later date.

After the stay abroad, the following documents must be submitted to the International Office: form for the recognition of foreign academic achievements, transcript of records and, if applicable, seminar papers, proof of study level, SWS. Please note the additional information on recognition.

 

4. What conditions must be met in order for foreign study achievements to be recognised?

The following conditions must be met for recognition:

1. Study achievements from universities: The relevant academic achievements must have been completed at a university with the right to award doctorates (not at a college, etc.)
2. Compatible academic achievements to the Bachelor in Social and Cultural Studies: The selected academic achievements must come from the range of subjects represented at the Viadrina's Faculty of Social and Cultural Sciences or be closely related. (This may also include disciplines and academic fields that are not represented at the Faculty. In such cases, please contact the examination board).
3. Minimum scope of 2 semester hours per week (SWS): A course must comprise at least 2 SWS of attendance time (or a total of 22.5 hours) in order to be recognised.
4. Equivalent level of study: The academic achievements to be recognised must come from courses that correspond to the level at Viadrina (see 5.).

 

5. How do I provide evidence of an equivalent level of study for foreign academic achievements?

Introductory courses

In principle, you can have courses with an overview character or from the introductory phase of your studies recognised as introductory courses if they meet the first three criteria mentioned under 4.

Specialisation courses

If you wish to have a course recognised as a specialisation, the course must be at an in-depth level. A course is generally considered in-depth from the 2nd year of study onwards. Proof of the advanced level of study must be provided: e.g. the transcript of records, an excerpt from the course schedule or the study system of the selected university, which shows the classification of the course, or a written confirmation from the lecturer. Here, too, the first three criteria listed under 4. must be met. In exceptional cases, it is also possible to combine two introductory courses into one specialisation.

 

6. How are the grades converted?

The conversion of grades for external coursework is based on the ECTS grade conversion table. If no ECTS grades are stated on the transcripts of records from foreign universities, these are determined from the national grading systems using the conversion table.

 

7. Can I have a period of study abroad recognised even if I have not acquired any credits?

No. In order to be recognised as a study visit abroad, you must provide proof of at least one academic achievement with at least 6 ECTS credits.

1. Are there any specifications regarding the type of assessments to be completed?

No more than 5 of the assessments in modules 1, 2, 3 and 8 must be obtained in the form of written examinations and/or oral examinations and at least 3 of the assessments in these modules must be completed in the form of a term paper (6 or 9 ECTS) (§ 8 para. 5 SPO).

The courses in Module 4 (Law or Economics) are exempt from these regulations.

The courses completed during the compulsory stay abroad are also exempt from these regulations.

 

2. Is it possible to have a course assigned to a module for which it is not offered in the course schedule (module extension)?

In principle, the selection of modules in the course schedule is binding and final. In justified cases, however, it is possible to assign an additional module to a course.

As a rule, students must request such a module extension within the first 3 weeks after the start of lecture period. To do so, please obtain the following approvals for a module extension in the order stated (preferably in one e-mail thread):

1. Obtain written confirmation of agreement to the module extension from the lecturer of the course
2. Forward thirs confirmation to the academic manager of your degree programme (preferably by email).
3. Final approval by the head of the degree programme.
4. Forward the approvals to the Dean's Office, stating the course number, seminar title, lecturer and module that should be added

Notes: It is not sufficient to simply agree on a module extension with the lecturers. It is generally not possible to credit introductory courses as specialisations (or vice versa).

 

3. Can credits for introductory courses be acquired in specialisation courses?

Generally no, as these are two fundamentally different formats. In exceptional cases, the head of the degree programme (Dean of Studies) may approve this after consultation with the lecturer. The procedure is described under question 2.

 

4. Can I obtain credits for specialisations in introductory courses?

No.

 

5. What is the maximum number of credits that may be acquired outside the Viadrina in the Bachelor's degree programme?

Students must acquire at least 30 ECTS in modules 1-3 and have studied at least 2 semesters at Viadrina in order to be eligible to take the Bachelor's examination (§ 8 para. 9 SPO).

 

6. Can certificates of achievement be acquired as part of study programmes at the CP?

Credits obtained as part of a degree programme at the Collegium Polonicum can be reognised in the Bachelor of Social and Cultural Studies. Recognition is carried out by the examination board.

1. Is it possible to acquire both Law and Economics credits in Module 4?

No. All students must choose one of the two neighbouring faculties.

 

2. Are there compulsory courses in Module 4?

No. In principle, you can choose the courses in Module 4 freely. However, some of the law courses in particular are selected as recommended courses for students of cultural studies, while others are not suitable for students of the Bachelor of Social and Cultural Studies due to the necessary prior knowledge of law (see also question 5).

 

3. Which law and economics courses are recognised for Module 4?

Students must successfully complete courses in Module 4 at one of the two neighbouring faculties (§ 6 Abs. 2 und 7 SPO).

Please note that the following law courses cannot be included in the programme:

• Courses that are not listed as courses for students of Social and Cultural Studies in the course schedule, as these usually require in-depth knowledge in law
• Courses from the area of key qualifications/soft skills (however, these may be recognised in module 7 as practical skills courses)

Please note that the following economics courses cannot be included:

• Interdisciplinary (i.e. law or cultural studies) courses
• Soft skills courses
• Lecture series, because no grade is awarded here

 

4. How is the crediting of the law and economics courses within the framework of Module 4 carried out?

The documentation of successfully completed courses at the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics takes place in ViaCampus. For courses at the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, the grades are taken into account for credit transfer.

Due to the strongly differing grading conventions, the grades according to the point system of the Faculty of Law in Module 4 of the BA Social and Cultural Studies are converted into the grading scale of the Faculty of Social and Cultural Sciences as follows:

0 - 3 points: 5.0 (failed)
4 points: 4.0
5 points: 3.7
6 points: 3.3
7 points: 3.0
8 points: 2.7
9 points: 2.3
10 points: 2.0
11 - 12 points: 1.7
13 points: 1.3
14 - 18 points: 1.0

The Examinations Office will convert your law grades automatically when calculating your overall grade and issuing your graduation certificate.

Note: Normally, no ECTS credits are awarded at the Faculty of Law. These will be credited or corrected when you register for the BA examination at the Examinations Office.

1. Is a stay abroad compulsory in the Social and Cultural Studies programme?

Yes, a stay abroad is compulsory. It can be completed as a period of study at a foreign university (semester abroad) or as an internship (minimum 3-month). In order for a period of study abroad to be recognised for the BA in Social and Cultural Studies, you must successfully complete at least one course with at least 6 ECTS credits at the university abroad.

 

2. Where can non-German students complete their compulsory stay abroad?

International students (more precisely: students who do not have German citizenship and/or a German university entrance certificate (HZB)) can also go abroad to a German-speaking country for their compulsory stay abroad on the Bachelor's degree programme. A stay abroad in the home country is only possible for international students (= foreign students according to the above-mentioned criteria) if this is not completed as part of the Erasmus+ programme.

 

3. Is it possible to complete the compulsory stay abroad at the CP or in Słubice?

No, neither German nor international students can complete the stay abroad at the Collegium Polonicum or in Słubice in general. This applies to both studying and doing an internship abroad. A change of location is necessary in any case.

 

4. Is it possible to recognise stays abroad that were completed before I started studying at the Viadrina?

This is possible in individual cases. Stays abroad can be recognised as an internship abroad under certain conditions, which must be clarified with the Career Center.

 

5. When do I have to apply for a study period abroad and what is the procedure?

If you would like to study abroad, you must apply in good time for a place at one of our many partner universities. This procedure takes some time! The deadline for the application for the entire following academic year (joint deadline for winter and summer semesters) is always in December, so you usually apply during your 2nd or 3rd semester for a stay abroad in the 4th or 5th semester (possibly even the 6th semester).

The exact deadlines and further information on the application process can be found at the Department of Viadrina International Affairs.

 

6. How is the recognition of achievements from studying abroad carried out?

Please coordinate your course selection with the Viadrina'S Department of International Affairs before your stay at the partner university. Further information on the procedure during the various phases (before, during and after your stay abroad) can be found here.

 

7. Who is responsible for recognising internships (abroad)?

The Career Center is responsible for internship advice and the recognition of internships. You will also find all the important information there.

Even if this is not recommended: In exceptional cases, internships from the time before the start of your studies can be recognised. The Career Center is also the point of contact here.

 

8. Who confirms that an internship is a compulsory part of your degree programme?

The Career Centre. Sometimes internship providers require confirmation that the internship is part of the degree programme. However, scholarship providers, e.g. the DAAD, also require confirmation that internships abroad are part of study programmes. For the BA in Social and Cultural Studies, however, only the mandatory 4-week period can be confirmed; for longer internships, no corresponding certificate can be issued for submission to the internship provider.

 

9. Who is responsible for approving semesters of leave?

The admission's office is responsible for approving applications for semesters of leave.

Here you will find the form as well as all relevant information and deadlines.

Notes:
Please note that you are not entitled to receive BAföG during the semester of leave and are generally excluded from taking examinations at the Viadrina (including language examinations at the Viadrina Language Centre).

The use of the compulsory semester ticket is optional during a semester of leave, i.e. if you waive the ticket, you do not have to pay the corresponding share of the semester fee for the semester in question.

 

10. How many semesters of leave can I apply for?

In principle, there is no limit to the number of semesters of leave. However, unless there are special reasons outside of your studies (e.g. illness or parental leave, working more than 20 hours per week), if you take more than 2 semesters of leave, you must prove whether further leave is in line with your study objectives.

1. Which language qualifications do I need for the BA Kuwi programme?

In order to take the Bachelor's examination and complete the programme, you generally need two UNIcert II, B2 certificates of university-specific foreign language training (or UNIcert II, B2).

There are two exceptions to this rule:

1. Students who have already obtained a certificate in science communication (UNIcert III, C1) in a modern foreign language must present a UNIcert I (B1) in the second modern foreign language. The UNIcert I is acquired (according to the Study and Examination regulations of the Viadrina Language Centre) with the completion of module B1 or with a direct placement above B1.
2. Students who have a Latinum and have been awarded this by the examination board, the following additional language certificates are required for registration for the Bachelor's examination:

• Certificate of university-specific foreign language training (UNIcert II, B2) in a modern foreign language
• UNIcert I (B1) in a second modern foreign language. UNIcert I is acquired (according to the Study and Examination regulations of the Viadrina Language Centre) with the completion of module B1 or with a direct placement above B1.

In these two exceptional cases, UNIcert I (B1) is not taken into account when determining the overall Bachelor's grade. Instead, only the certificate University-Specific Foreign Language Training (Unicert II, B2) or the certificate Academic Communication (UNIcert III, C1) is included in the overall grade with 10%.

 

2. My mother tongue is not German – can I choose German as a foreign language?

This is possible, but only if you did not obtain your university entrance certificate (HZB) in Germany, usually the A-levels, or are considered a "Bildungsinländer" for other reasons.

 

3. My mother tongue is not German – can I choose my mother tongue as a foreign language?

This is only possible if you did not obtain your university entrance certificate in this but in another language or if you are considered a "Bildungsinländer".

 

4. Can I have language certificates recognised that I did not acquire at Viadrina? Is this also possible if the language is not offered at Viadrina?

Certificates obtained at another university that is accredited according to UNIcert can generally be recognised. Gradings taken at UNIcert-accredited universities are also recognised at the Viadrina.

Certain conditions apply to the recognition of achievements that were not achieved outside the UNIcert system. Some certificates (e.g. TOEFL or IELTS for English) can always be recognised under certain conditions (see the Viadrina Language Centre's information on the recognition of external language qualifications).

The examination board is responsible for recognising external language certificates.

1. Can excursions and project days completed outside the Viadrina also be recognised as part of Module 7?

Yes, this is possible. The examination board decides on recognition.

 

2. Can I have credits from my professional training recognised?

Under certain circumstances, professional training can be recognised in module 7 as a practical skill or internship. For further information on the recognition, please contact the Career Center.

 

3. Can participation in committees at the university be recognised as an internship or practical skill?

University committee work (e.g. membership of the Faculty Council, Senate or hiring commissions for professors) can be credited as a practical skill with a maximum of 6 ECTS in module 7. Participation in student and university committees is generally not recognised.

You can find detailed information on the Bachelor's examination (thesis and final colloquium) in the guide to the Bachelor's examination.

We have also put together videos with tips from students for students on the thesis and the final colloquium for you.

 

1. Who is authorised to supervise dissertations and conduct Bachelor's examinations?

Anybody who has completed at least a Master's degree or a comparable degree may be appointed as a supervisor of a thesis and/or examiner for an oral Bachelor's examination (final colloquium). However, the first supervisor and at least one of the examiners must hold a doctorate.

It is not necessary (but possible) that the reviewers of the thesis are the same as the examiners in the oral examination.

 

2. What is the formal procedure for graduation (from registration for the examination to the oral examination) for the Bachelor's degree programme?

Registration for the Bachelor's degree examination is possible if you have a sufficient number of ECTS credits (according to §17 Abs. 5 ASPO 75 %, i.e. 126 ECTS credits) are possible at any time.

Please contact the Student Advisory Service if you have questions.

 

3. When are the examination deadlines for the oral examinations (final colloquia)?

There is no specific examination period. After completing the curriculum requirements, you can register for the examination at any time, and you can indivudually arrange the date for the final colloquium (the oral examination) with your examiners.

 

4. When do I have to take the oral examination at the latest?

In accordance with the examination regulations, the Bachelor's examination should be taken at the end of the 6th semester. However, it is of course also possible to graduate at a later date. However, in accordance with § 11 Study and Examination Regulations, you have to conclude a study progress agreement after exceeding the regular study duration by four semesters.

 

5. How is the Bachelor's grade calculated?

According to § 15 Study and Examination Regulations the overall grade of the BA degree is composed as follows:

• 60% course achievements (modules 1-4 as well as 8 and possibly 7)

• 10% foreign language certificates (modules 5 and 6)
• 20% BA thesis
• 10% final colloquium (oral final examination)

For students with family responsibilities (childcare or caring for relatives), there is compensation for disadvantages in the General Study and Examination Regulations (§ 19 ASPO), which ensures that they are on an equal footing in everyday study life and can complete their studies without disadvantages. Further information on studying with children can be found on the pages of the Family Affairs Office.

Valuable tips for families in Frankfurt and the surrounding area can be found in the guide for families in the city of Frankfurt (Oder).

Study applicants require a general or subject-restricted higher education entrance qualification, entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences from a German school or a foreign university entrance certificate recognised as equivalent.

Applicants who have not obtained their  university entrance certificate in Germany must also provide proof of German language proficiency by successfully passing the German language test for admission to higher education for foreign students (DSH) or an equivalent test.

Germans and applicants with a German university entrance certificate ("Bildungsinländer*innen") can enrol online from 1 June to 15 September (for the winter semester) or 1 December to 15 March (for the summer semester) in the online portal viaCampus.

Please submit the following documents by 20 September (for the winter semester) or 20 March (for the summer semester) to the Admissions Office ("Zulassungsamt") of the European University Viadrina:

• the fully completed and signed application for enrolment (available after completing your online enrolment on viaCampus)
• an officially certified copy of your university entrance certificate,
• a health insurance certificate*,
• if applicable, certificates of study from German universities showing the subject and university semesters you have completed to date,
• if applicable, a certificate of exmatriculation from your last German university,
• a self-addressed and sufficiently stamped envelope, size DIN A4, for sending your student ID (chip card) and the documents you have submitted,
• proof of payment of the semester fee (e.g. printout of the online transaction),
• a copy of an identification document showing your full surname, first name, date of birth, address and date of validity. You have the option of blacking out all other details. This copy of the ID card is used exclusively for identification purposes and also protects against identity theft,
• For enrolment in higher semesters only: a notification from the examination board regarding the recognition of study and examination achievements and placement in a higher semester.

As a professionally qualified person without A-levels, please submit the following documents as a university entrance certificate:

• an officially certified copy of the secondary school leaving certificate and
• an officially certified copy of the certificate of completed vocational training suitable for the intended degree programme and
• work certificates as proof of the required professional experience (at least two years)

* Notes on student health insurance

Proof of insurance status is required for enrolment - either statutory insurance or exemption from the statutory insurance obligation. To do this, contact a statutory health insurance company and either have yourself insured (e.g. student) or exempted so that your insurance status can be reported electronically to the Viadrina. The chip card or a paper certificate are not sufficient.

For the notification of the insurance status, the health insurance companies may require the sender number of the European University Viadrina: H0001747.

Students,

• from the age of 30
• in continuing education programmes
• who are enrolled for a PhD
• are enrolled in college

do not receive a student rate. They can voluntarily insure themselves at the regular rate.

These students do not require electronic proof of health insurance.

Please apply from 1 June to 15 July (for the winter semester) and from 1 December to 15 January (for the summer semester) via uni-assist e.V. Further information can be found at: https://www.europa-uni.de/en/internationales/Students/Incomings/Applying/Bachelor/index.html

All required documents that are not issued in German or English must also be submitted as a sworn translation in German or English.

Germans and foreign students enrol for all higher semesters in the period from 1 June to 15 September (for the winter semester) or from 1 December to 15 March (for the winter semester) online at viaCampus.

Please send the following documents to the European University Viadrina by 20 September (for the winter semester) or by 20 March (for the summer semester):

• the completed and signed application for enrolment (available after completing your online enrolment on viaCampus)
• an officially certified copy of the further education admissions certificate,
• a health insurance certificate*,
• a self-addressed and sufficiently stamped envelope, size DIN A4, for sending the student ID card (chip card) and your submitted documents,
• Certificates of study from German universities showing the semesters you have completed to date,
• a certificate of exmatriculation from your last German university (not required if you have previously studied in Berlin or Brandenburg or if you have not previously studied in the area of the Basic Law),
• proof of payment of the semester contribution (e.g. printout of the online transaction),
• a copy of an identity document showing your full surname, first name, date of birth, address and date of validity. You have the option of blacking out all other details. This copy of the ID card is used exclusively for identification purposes and also protects against identity theft,
• confirmation of placement in a higher semester from the examination board

 

* Information on student health insurance

For enrolment, proof of insurance status is required - either statutory insurance or exemption from the statutory insurance obligation. To do this, contact a statutory health insurance company and either have yourself insured (e.g. student) or exempted so that your insurance status can be reported electronically to the European University. The chip card or a paper certificate are not sufficient.

In order to report the insurance status, the health insurance companies may require the sender number of the European University:H0001747.

Students,

• From the age of 30
• in continuing education programmes
• who are enrolled for a PhD
• are enrolled in college

do not receive a student rate. They can voluntarily insure themselves at the regular rate.

These students do not require electronic proof of health insurance.

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All required documents which are not issued in German or English, must also be submitted as a sworn translation into German or English.