Master in European Studies (MES)

The degree programme teaches the basics of European Studies and also enables individual in-depth study in one of the central areas offered. Practical knowledge and foreign language courses are also included. The degree programme usually lasts four semesters and can be started in both the winter and summer semesters.

The introductory courses "Introduction to European History" (basic module 1), "Politics of European Integration" (basic module 2), "European Economic Policy" (basic module 3) and "European Law" (basic module 4) are compulsory for all students. A total of 24 ECTS credits are earned here.

The choice of the central area - Culture, Politics, Economics or Law - is based on your first degree programme and allows you to specialise in a particular discipline. You must acquire 12 ECTS in the central area.

Of a total of six compulsory electives - Governance in Europe; European Economic Law; Migration, Ethnicity, Ethnocentrism; City, Region and Border in Europe; Culture, History and Society in Europe; Economic Policy in Europe - you choose two. The choice is independent of your central area. Depending on your inclination, the degree programme is therefore more discipline-oriented or interdisciplinary. You will earn a total of 24 ECTS (12 ECTS per compulsory elective area).

In order to complete the practical module you must complete an internship of at least four weeks. You can earn the remaining ECTS credits by completing an extended or additional internship, but also by participating in business games, project seminars, workshops and the like. Here you will gain a total of 18 ECTS credits.

In the foreign language module you can bring in knowledge of a modern European foreign language at the level UniCERT I (not English), UniCERT II (not English) or UnieCERT III (also English). You will receive 12 ECTS for this.

The Masters module comprises your final thesis and an oral examination (usually a defence of the thesis). You will write your Master's thesis at a chair assigned to your central department. A total of 30 ECTS credits are earned here. Examples of topics that our students have worked on in their masters thesis can be found here. Particularly outstanding final theses can be found here. 

The courses are offered by the three faculties of the Viadrina, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Business and Economics. The political science courses are based on the curriculum of the Faculty of Cultural Studies.

 

The degree programme is based on a binding module structure. This is intended to impart basic knowledge in the field of European studies as well as to enable students to specialise individually. Practical knowledge and foreign language courses are also included.

A total of 120 ECTS points must be earned during the programme. The programme comprises four semesters with approx. 3,600 working hours.

The acquisition of study credits is distributed among the different modules according to the following pattern in the overview table. 

The achievements in five out of six modules form the basis for determining the overall grade for the Master in European Studies. No grades are awarded in Module 4.

The grades for Modules 1 to 3 and Module 5 are determined by the average grade of the credits submitted. The weighting of the individual grades per module is based on the number of ECTS points.

The number of ECTS points for each individual course is determined by the requirements set by the lecturers.

It is strongly recommended to complete the courses in the compulsory elective modules with longer assignments (9 ECTS credits) in order to familiarise yourself with in-depth academic work with a view to the MA thesis.

As a rule, the degree programme can be designed individually. Only Double Master's students must observe the requirements of their partner university. The respective study plans serve as a guide.

 

Criteria for the recognition of internships

Please inform yourself here about the requirements for the recognition of internships. It is possible for an internship completed before the start of the MES to be recognised, but it must not have been completed more than one year ago and it must not have been credited as part of another module, another degree programme or elsewhere (the Bachelor's certificate will be checked in this regard. Attempted double crediting is equivalent to attempted cheating and will result in criminal prosecution).

Recognition of internships
Internships for the MES are no longer recognised via the pdf application form, but via an online form. The form for the recognition of credit points in the PF module can be found under the heading Studiendokumente.

Online form for internship recognition
The recognition of your internship as academic achievement is applied for by submitting an internship report. To do this, you must complete an online form after completing your internship and submit a copy of your internship certificate.

Procedure for preparing the internship report
Please prepare a separate report for each internship that is to be recognised.

1. log in to the online form.

The login details are the same as for your student account (access to e-mail, HIS, Moodle), e.g. euv999999 and your corresponding password.

2. please complete Part I and Part II of the internship report in full.

The MES is listed under the heading "Faculty" as "Inter-faculty". If entered correctly, the red text frame is coloured green. Incomplete or incorrectly completed forms CANNOT be converted to a PDF report in the next step and therefore CANNOT be sent.

Please note that you CANNOT save the report and continue writing it at a later time. After logging in, the online form is connected to the Viadrina server for 2 hours. If the report has not been sent by then, the data entered will no longer be available. Therefore, please have all necessary data (name and address of the internship provider etc.) and files (internship certificate as pdf) ready.

3 Next, a PDF will be created from your internship report. Please save, print and sign the report. Now upload both parts of the report as well as a scan of the internship certificate.

4 In the next step, you can write a personal message to us.

5. please submit the online form (we need this online and signed).

Your documents are now complete. If any documents are missing or there are any queries, we will contact you by email.

Here you will find a list of links to international organisations, internship programmes, foundations and many interesting contacts.

To apply for an internship at the European Parliament, take a look at the Guide.

You can find information about your rights and obligations during an internship on the DGB Youth website.

Here you can find information on Erasmus-funded internships abroad.

Counselling services for career orientation.

Information on internships on the pages of the Career Center.

Focus on ‚Sustainability in Europe‘ in the MES in the summer semester 2024

Sustainability is on everyone's lips. The consequences of climate change are becoming more tangible and are raising awareness of, but also fuelling political debate about, the intensification of ecological and social problems in capitalist societies. In the winter semester, you can attend a series of courses at Viadrina that focus on ecological and social (in)sustainability. You can learn how (un)sustainability is conditioned by social structures, law, policies and discourses. There are also a number of initiatives that deal with the topic and offer students opportunities to get involved.

The MA European Studies has compiled the following overview for students who wish to focus on the topic this semester. The information in brackets indicates which organisational unit is responsible and contact person for the respective course, an asterisk indicates that the courses can be credited in MES modules. Initiatives and associations are listed below.

Amelie Kutter (MES)*: Politics with climate and biodiversity. Studies on local implementation in Brandenburg

Climate change and species extinction are mutually reinforcing. They have our resource-intensive society as a common cause. However, the two trends are being addressed in separate policies of emissions reduction (climate) and renaturalisation (biodiversity). In terms of implementation, emissions reduction and species protection are often even in conflict and become the subject of bitter political battles: should the local ecosystem suffer from the establishment of low-emission technologies, as in the case of the Tesla factory in Grünheide, or should a renewable energy generation project fail due to species protection, or are there models in which both go together? The aim of the seminar is to explore how actors who are committed to sustainable change in specific localities in the state of Brandenburg deal with this conflict of objectives. What ideas and practices of sustainable transformation have they developed and how do they utilise policies of climate neutrality and biodiversity? The photovoltaic project that the agricultural cooperative Löpten-Briesen e.G. wants to realise in its moorland areas serves as an example. Participants will familiarise themselves with the project development and the associated process of political negotiation and accompany it with their own research and on-site surveys. Moodle link

Jens Lowitsch (Wiwi-Fakultät)*: Energy Transitions.

Wind is deemed to become one of the major energy sources of the 21st century. However, despite its importance to tackle climate change, distrust and misinformation regarding its exploitation exists. The Wind Barriers Report estimated in 2010 that as much as 30% of wind energy projects in Europe were canceled due to resistance of local populations filing lawsuits (EWAE 2010). Furthermore, perceptions are often influenced by lobby groups and exacerbated by their reflection in the media (Crouch, 2016). In the seminar, the students will have the chance to discuss strategies to overcome skepticism and increase acceptance by analyzing (social) media data through practical exercises. Moodle Link

Kamila Schöll-Mazurek (Kuwi-Fakultät)*: Onboarding in Europe? Social Cohesion in a Europe of Diversity. Strategies, controversies, future

.

The seminar deals with the question of how equal opportunities and social cohesion in Europe can function in the face of increasing diversity and conflicts, for example with regard to religion and ideology. We will analyse the situation and biographies of new immigrants, especially from Bulgaria, Poland, Romania and Spain, but also from outside the EU. The aim of the seminar is to familiarise participants with theoretical concepts of integration and social cohesion, to look for best-practice solutions and to discuss these with each other as well as with politicians and practitioners. Moodle courses

Reimund Schwarze (Wiwi-Fakultät)*: Economics of Climate Change.

This course provides an introduction into management strategies to tackle global climate change. Special attention is given to international policy issues, following the “breakdown” of Kyoto-type models in Copenhagen (COP15). Among the topics addressed are: 1. managing climate change, 2. international architectures for managing climate change; 3. re-thinking the efficacy of international climate agreements after COP15, 4. on the way to COP19: climate and energy policies in Poland. Moodle Link

 

In order to have foreign academic achievements recognised, please complete the application form and send it together with a copy of the transcript of records by email to MES Coordination Office. After your application has been reviewed by the MES Examination Committee, the recognised achievements will be forwarded to the Examination Office. The achievements are available there in file form and are generally not transferred to ViaCampus.

 

Application for registration for the final examination

What is the profile of the Master's degree programme in European Studies?

The MES is a research-orientated Master's degree programme that enables students to explore interdisciplinary and critical issues and solutions to problems in the EU and Europe. There are 4 central areas and specialisation options: Law, Business / Business and Law, Politics and Culture. Each student is encouraged to develop their own profile. The choice of courses, the selection of languages, a stay abroad if applicable, the topic of the masters thesis and the choice of a relevant internship are all relevant.

Who are my contact persons?

You can find the contact persons for the degree programme on the team page on the MES homepage.

Is the degree programme accredited?

The MES was accredited internally in 2019. The accreditation is valid until 30 September 2027. Further information on accreditation can be found here.

Standard period of study and extension of the degree programme

(Cf. ASPO (2016)  5 and 6) The standard period of study in MES is 4 semesters. However, as long as you complete your studies by the end of the 8th semester at the latest (i.e. have achieved 120 ECTS credits, i.e. have also passed the MA thesis and examination), you do not need to apply for an extension.

However, if you exceed the standard period of study, please bear in mind the possible consequences for the financing of your degree programme.

Which study regulations are relevant for me?

If you started your studies before the winter semester 2016/17, you are studying according to the 2008 study regulations (SPO 2008). All students who have enrolled in the MES since 1 April 2017 study on the basis of the 2017 study regulations (SPO 2017). A change from the SPO 2008 to the SPO 2017 is possible and irrevocable under certain circumstances. A change from the SPO 2017 to the SPO 2008 is excluded.

Who is responsible for approving semesters of leave?

The admission's office is responsible for approving applications for semesters off. Relevant information, deadlines and the corresponding application forms are available there. The form and all relevant information/deadlines can be found here.

Supplementary information: Please note that you are not entitled to BAföG during the semester of leave and are generally excluded from taking examinations at Viadrina (including language examinations at the Viadrina Language Centre). The use of the compulsory semester ticket is optional during a semester of leave: if you waive the ticket, you do not have to pay the corresponding share of the semester fee for the semester in question.

How many semesters of leave of absence can you apply for?

In principle, there is no fixed limit to the number of semesters of leave. However, unless there are special reasons outside of the degree programme (e.g. illness or parental leave), if more than 2 semesters of leave are taken, it must be proven whether a further leave of absence is in line with the study objectives

Can the degree programme also be studied part-time?

Yes, it is possible to study part-time if you can provide evidence of an appropriate reason (e.g. caring for a family member, working at least 15 hours per week, etc.). To do this, an application must be submitted to the admission's office when enrolling or registering. The condition is that the part-time study programme comprises at least two semesters and that no more than 30 ECTS credits are earned in these semesters. It should also be noted that there is no entitlement to a BAföG if you are studying part-time. All information can be found here.

In the course schedule on viaCampus you will find the courses on offer and all the important information about the individual courses, e.g. a description of the course content, the certificates of achievement to be provided, the course dates and the modules in which a course can be taken. Please make sure that you take the course in viaCampus via the correct module so that the credit is correctly recorded, as some courses are offered in several modules. For detailed instructions on how to register for exams, please refer to the viaCampusWiki via this link, and for instructions on how to register for courses, please refer to the viaCampusWiki via this link.

As a general rule, you must register in ViaCampus for each course/module of the Kuwi Faculty in which you wish to receive ECTS points for a completed course. Registration is necessary so that a credit/grade can be recorded later. It is important that registration takes place in the current semester. After the end of the semester, you can no longer register online for courses.

Course registration in ViaCampus is usually sufficient to be able to take examinations at the Kuwi Faculty. If you want to take an exam for which you have to register in advance in order to be allowed to take it, this is NOT done via ViaCampus. In this case, your lecturer will inform you in advance. Please also note that other registration modalities apply for the provision of services at neighbouring faculties (Law or Economics) and inform yourself in good time about the conditions and deadlines.

In addition to registering for courses in viaCampus, you should also register for your courses directly on Moodle at the start of the semester.

 

In the information on the individual courses in viaCampus, you will also find a link to the e-learning platform Moodle.Moodle is a learning platform where you can find the documents and teaching materials for your courses, communicate with your lecturers and fellow students or exchange information with each other in forums. Registration for modules/events on ViaCampus and Moodle are independent of each other. If you register for a course via Moodle, you are not automatically registered for the course on ViaCampus and vice versa. ViaCampus and Moodle are two systems that operate independently of each other. Please also register on Moodle for the courses you wish to attend. This is because the materials that you need to take part in the course during the semester are usually made available there, e.g. schedules and course readings. Please always use your Viadrina account (euv000000@europa-uni.de) for enrolment on Moodle.

You do not have to register for the exam in a module right at the beginning of the semester. In the Faculty of Cultural Studies, it is usually sufficient to register via ViaCampus at least 3 days before the scheduled exam (e.g. written exam, oral exam, etc.) or before the end of the semester in the case of term papers (in the winter semester by the end of March, in the summer semester by the end of September). At the Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics and the Faculty of Law, there are usually deadlines after which it is no longer possible to register or deregister for examinations. You can find the deadlines here. If you are unsure, you can also ask the lecturers.

Since many courses can be credited in more than one module, you decide for which of the creditable modules you want to register the course in question. You can change your module allocation yourself until the grade is entered. To do this, simply deregister from the exam or course in ViaCampus and then re-register for the desired module. However, you can of course only register for an exam/course in those modules in which the course can be credited. You will find the assignment of the courses to the corresponding modules at the beginning of the semester in the KVV and later in ViaCampus.

You can also withdraw from a course as long as no credit has been entered.

What is the KVV?

The courses are announced in the annotated course schedule (KVV) before the start of the semester. This determines the allocation of the courses to the individual modules. Proposals to change the module allocation can usually be submitted to the Coordination Office by a certain date in the first 4 weeks of the semester. After this date, changes are no longer possible.

How many semester hours per week does the programme comprise?

It is not possible to specify the exact number of semester hours. In the first semester, you should complete a large part of the four basic modules. You will then take courses from your core and compulsory elective areas. You can therefore aim for 30 ECTS per semester. The language training runs in parallel.

Which seminars have to be taken in the basic modules?

MES students must complete a total of four courses with 6 ECTS credits each in the basic module. Different courses are offered in some of the basic modules. The basic modules must be taken at the Viadrina

.

Do you have to take European Law in GM 4?

Yes, lectures on European law are compulsory in GM 4.
There are two ways to achieve the 6 ECTS:

1: Attend one course (6 ECTS) with Prof. Pechstein, this is only offered in the summer semester.
2: Attend two courses (3 ECTS each) with Prof. Thiele, one in the winter semester and another in the summer semester.

What is the central area based on?

Assignment to the central area is initially based on the first degree programme.

Can I change the central area?

A change to the central areas of culture and politics is generally possible and must be applied for at the Coordination Office, stating the reasons and previous grades.

What constitutes the Practical Skills module?

For the Practical Skills module, appropriately labelled courses from the KVV can be taken. Alternatively, courses from the CareerCentre can be attended. The prerequisite for the award of one ECTS is a minimum duration of 8 hours. Shorter courses cannot be recognised and you will acquire skills that you will need in your professional life, but which are more additional competences than academic knowledge of European Studies.

How many ECTS credits do you need in the individual modules?

In principle, 6 ECTS credits are awarded for a basic module. However, the requirements for obtaining credits may vary. Please discuss the requirements with the lecturers at the beginning of the semester. In the central area (12 or 18 ECTS in total), you are free to acquire 3, 6 or 9 ECTS.

What forms of proof of achievement are there?

(see § 16 para. 1 Prüfungs- und Studienordnung) 3 ECTS points:- presentation or essay (usually no more than 4 pages)- minutes of the meeting 6 ECTS points:- seminar paper (approx. 12 pages)- written examination (the duration of the examination should not be less than 90 minutes)- oral examination (the duration of the examination should not exceed 20 minutes)- several essays totalling approx. 12 pages 9 ECTS points:- presentation and a written term paper (the term paper should not exceed 25 pages). A maximum of 9 ECTS credits can be earned in a single course.

Can I have credits from my first degree programme recognised?

Crediting courses completed before the start of the degree programme is only possible in exceptional cases. The prerequisite is that the course has not been taken anywhere before, that it is a course at Master's level and that it is related to European Studies. For further information, please contact the Coordination Office.

Which variations of ECTS credits are possible in the central area and in the compulsory elective area?

Further information can be found on the module structure.

In which form can the certificate of achievement (6 ECTS) be obtained in the compulsory English-language course (§18 para. 1 PO)?

In the MES, an English-language content-related course is compulsory, in which 6 ECTS are acquired through an English-language written examination or an English-language term paper. This must be credited in a module in which grading takes place. This means that this is not possible in the Practical Skills module. This also excludes language courses offered by the Viadrina Language Centre or Viadrina Sprachen GmbH.

Can I apply for a semester off for a semester abroad or an internship?

You can apply for leave of absence (see the requirements and formalities at https://www.europa-uni.de/de/studium/organisation/beurlaubung.html). During the leave of absence, you can complete the compulsory internship. However, it is not possible to take examinations at the Viadrina during a semester of leave.

Which study regulations apply to me?

If you started your studies before the 2016/17 winter semester, you are studying according to the 2008 study regulations (SPO 2008). All students who have enrolled in the MES since 1 April 2017 study on the basis of the 2017 study regulations (SPO 2017). A change from the SPO 2008 to the SPO 2017 is possible and irrevocable under certain circumstances. A change from the SPO 2017 to the SPO 2008 is excluded.

Admission regulations
Admission regulations dated 10 January 2018

The admission regulations in force at the time of your enrolment will remain in force for the duration of your entire degree programme. The new admission regulations apply exclusively to newly enrolled MES students and do not apply retroactively to previous semesters.

Examination and study regulations

Examination and study regulations 2017

The examination and study regulations contain the legal framework and regulate the course of the Master's programme in European Studies. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Contact person
Ms Elke Noack is responsible for the MES at the Examination Office.

Module structure
Module structure 2017

What opportunities does the MES offer to study abroad?

The MES offers 3 double degree programmes with partner universities in Poznań (Poland), Strasbourg (France) and Istanbul (Turkey), which include two semesters abroad in the partner country. An application for these programmes is only possible together with the application for a study place in the MES. Further information can be found on the respective information pages.

In addition, you can also complete a regular semester abroad as part of Viadrina's Erasmus cooperation programmes (see below).

Can I do an Erasmus semester abroad?

Yes, the Viadrina has more than 200 partner universities. You can find more information on this and on the possibility of completing an Erasmus semester on the Viadrina International Affairs website.

Can I have credits that I have completed during the semester abroad recognised for the MES?

Yes. It is advisable to discuss which courses you would like to take with the programme coordinator before your stay abroad. Please note that the awarding of ECTS points is also based on the MES examination regulations for courses completed abroad. Please also note that it is generally not possible to have courses at BA level, courses already included in another degree or basic modules from another university recognised.

In order to have academic achievements recognised, you must apply for recognition. You can find all information on the recognition procedure here.

How are my grades converted?

The grades are converted on the basis of Viadrina's central conversion table. You can find it here

Can I get credit for language courses completed abroad?

You receive ECTS in the MES language module for a completed level (such as UniCert I, II or III) and not for individual courses. You must therefore clarify with the responsible lectorate at the Viadrina Language Centre whether language courses taken abroad can be recognised for your language training at Viadrina. For information on the possibility of exemption from English courses due to English-language courses taken during the semester abroad, please consult the FAQs of the English lectorate.

Can I have foreign language coursework completed abroad recognised for the Multilingual Certificate?

Yes. The criteria for multilingualism can be found in the examination regulations. It does not matter whether the coursework was completed at Viadrina or abroad.

Can I complete an internship abroad?

Yes. It is also possible to finance it through the Erasmus+ programme. Please contact the Career Center for more information.

Is participation in a double master's programme compulsory for MES students?

The exchange programmes leading to a double master's degree are a special offer of the MES degree programme. They enable interested students to gain special qualifications beyond their studies. Participation in such a programme is not compulsory.

How can I apply for a place on one of the double master's programmes?

The application procedures for the individual double master's programmes are different. Please consult the pages of the respective double master's programme you are interested in:

Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań

BILGI University in Istanbul

Sciences Po Strasbourg

Am I sufficiently qualified to participate?

The admission requirements depend on the individual programmes. Further information can be found on the respective pages mentioned above.

What happens if I have to drop out of the programme or fail the exams?

It is possible for students in Poznan to leave the double master's programme at any time and continue their studies in Poznan in accordance with the MES examination regulations. In this case, it is a semester abroad without a double master's degree.

Students enrolled at Bilgi University can repeat failed courses in the second semester. As you can take up to two semesters off during this time and then come back for the third semester, there is no one who can't make it.

The year can be repeated in Strasbourg. You can also return to Germany and obtain the normal MES master's degree.

Please find out more about language training on the Viadrina Language Centre website. This applies in particular to the possible exemption from individual course components after stays abroad.

Which languages are to be studied

The aim of language training in the MES is to achieve at least a UNIcert qualification or a specialised language certificate that improves the language skills available at the start of the degree programme. You can choose from the languages offered at the Viadrina Language Centre. Please note: The certificate courses of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics are also open to MES students.

What is the placement test?

A language placement test is compulsory for all MES students at the start of the programme. This also applies to students taking language courses outside the Viadrina. The tests are valid for 2 semesters. The result is announced immediately and also serves as a basis for course selection. Please also note the follow-up dates for the placement tests.
If you are starting a language from scratch or your level has already been recorded in the Viadrina Language Centre system, no placement test is necessary.

How should you proceed if you already have language skills above UNIcert II level?

If you already have language skills above UNIcert II level, please contact the relevant lecturers at the Viadrina Language Centre for information on access to specialist language training (UNIcert III, IV).

In which form can the certificate of achievement (6 ECTS) be obtained in the compulsory English-language course (§18 para. 1 PO)?

In the MES, an English-language content-related course is compulsory, in which 6 ECTS are acquired through an English-language written examination or an English-language term paper. This must be credited in a module in which grading takes place. This means that this is not possible in the Practical Skills module. This also excludes language courses offered by the Viadrina Language Centre or Viadrina Sprachen GmbH.

All MES students must successfully complete an English-language course with 6 ECTS?

Yes, regardless of the foreign language programme, all MES students must successfully complete an English-language course within the framework of the examination regulations (§1 para. 2 PO) and write a written assignment in English or pass a written examination, for which 6 ECTS are to be credited (§18 para. 1). Students who are enrolled in the double Master's programme with the IEP Straßburg only have to provide evidence of 3 ECTS in an English-language course.

What are the requirements for the Multilingualism Certificate?

In order to obtain the Multilingualism Certificate, you must obtain at least 12 ECTS credits in at least two foreign languages. In contrast to language training, this requirement applies to seminars and lectures, i.e. content-related foreign language courses.

Do I have to apply for the multilingualism certificate?

A separate application is not required for the "Multilingualism" specialisation according to § 3 para. 2 ZulOrd.

I would like to have knowledge of a language credited that is not offered by the Viadrina Language Centre, who can I contact?

In this case, please contact the Viadrina Language Centre's Managing Director, Dr Almut Klepper-Pang, directly with the relevant documents.

For which achievements are 12 ECTS (SPO 2017) credited for the foreign languages module?

18 ECTS are awarded for Unicert II and III or for taking the specialised language certificate. Unicert I can only be taken in exceptional cases. If you are studying in accordance with the 2017 study regulations, you will receive 12 ECTS credits for a Unicert I, II or III and, if applicable, for the certificate in Scientific Communication German.

Why were only 12 ECTS noted in Via Campus for my Unicert?

You will receive 18 ECTS credits (SPO 2008) for completing a Unicert or the specialised language certificate. This is automatically converted to 18 ECTS by the Examinations Office.

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MES students are enrolled at the Faculty of Cultural Studies. However, you can also be assigned to the faculty of your specialisation and choose accordingly in elections at the university. The change of faculty assignment must be made by the student at the admission's office.

What skills should be acquired in the Practical Skills module? Which courses can be taken for this?

The Practical Skills module is designed to teach you skills that you will need in your professional life, but which are additional competences rather than academic knowledge of European Studies per se. These may include, for example, presentation techniques, moderation, stress and time management, rhetoric, application training and intercultural competence. In the course schedule, you can see which MES courses are suitable for this based on the module categorisation of the courses.

Can Career Center courses also be credited towards the practical module?

Yes, full-day events can be credited with 0.5 ECTS per day for the practical module. You can find an overview of which courses are eligible for this under course information.

Where can I obtain confirmation that a compulsory internship is required?

You can obtain an official confirmation that a 4-week compulsory internship is required as part of the Master of European Studies programme from Ruth Geiger.  However, an internship of at least 3 months is expressly recommended.

What duration is recommended for the internship? Do I only have to complete the prescribed four weeks?

The examination regulations stipulate an internship period of four weeks and a four-week internship can be recognised for the MES. If you are studying in accordance with the 2017 examination regulations, an internship of up to three months can be recognised. However, in order to gain a real insight into professional life, we strongly recommend an internship period of 3-6 months, possibly taking a little more time to organise and complete the internship abroad and applying for a semester off for this.

What are the criteria for having an internship recognised for the MES?

You can find the criteria for recognising internships here. The internship is recognised on the basis of an online form, which you can find here.

Is it possible to have an internship completed before the start of the MES recognised?

Yes, but it must not have been completed more than one year before the start of the programme. Additional criteria for recognising internships already completed can be found under the heading Internships and jobs.

Do I have to write an internship report?

No. An internship report is sufficient. It should contain information about the internship provider, the period completed, the intern's activities and a brief evaluation of these. There is no set number of pages, but standardised internship/work references are usually around 2 pages long.

Am I allowed to complete the mandatory internship during my semester off?

Yes, you can apply for leave of absence (see here for the requirements and formalities). Internships completed during the semester of leave can be recognised as a compulsory internship in the MES.

It is possible to be enrolled at two universities in Berlin and Brandenburg at the same time. The semester fee must be paid at both universities. You can only be exempted from the enrolment and registration fee if you can prove that you have already paid this fee at the other university. The Viadrina's admission's office will refund the semester fee (at least proportionately) if you de-register before the start of the semester.

Please also familiarise yourself with the relevant sections of the examination regulations and the ASPO!

When do I have to register my masters thesis?

The study plan provides for the fourth semester for the masters thesis. The plan is for you to register, write your thesis and take your oral examination in this semester. If you do not manage to register for the Master's thesis in the fourth semester, you do not have to apply for an extension (see standard period of study and extension of the processing time below). You can enrol at any time as soon as you fulfil the admission requirements in accordance with section 18 of the 2008 Examination Regulations and section 9 of the 2017 Examination Regulations. There are no fixed registration deadlines.

Is it possible to register for the masters thesis if you have not yet taken all the examinations and therefore do not yet have all the necessary ECTS credits?

It is possible to register for the masters thesis if you have at least 72 ECTS (SPO 2017).

How do I find a supervisor for my masters thesis? Who comes into question?

You should find a supervisor for your Master's thesis as early as possible. Your supervisor must have a doctorate in the subject area in which you are writing your masters thesis and be a professor at Viadrina. Supervision by a guest lecturer is not possible. As a rule, you must have already obtained a certificate from the professor with whom you wish to write your thesis during your studies. For more detailed information, please contact the relevant chair. It is therefore advisable to look for a suitable supervisor when selecting the courses for the central area and the compulsory elective modules.

Who appoints the second examiner for my masters thesis?

You must find the second supervisor for your masters thesis yourself. This person must have at least a doctorate.

How do I register? Which documents do I have to submit and to whom?

The first step is to go to the Examinations Office to Ms Elke Noack (Büro AM 12, e-mail: enoack(at)europa-uni.de). There you should submit the attachment for registering your Master's thesis (see forms). If you have completed work that is not listed in your ViaCampus transcript of records (language certificates etc.), you must bring these with you when you register. The recognition of your achievements abroad as well as internships and practical skills recognised in the Coordination Office are usually already available to Ms Noack, even if they do not appear in ViaCampus.

You will then receive a so-called routing slip. You take this to your first reviewer, who enters the topic and the date of issue. The date of issue is then recorded. From this date, you have three months (SPO 2008) or 12 weeks (SPO 2017) to write your thesis. We therefore strongly recommend that you carry out extensive research in advance and only complete the registration when you can foresee that you will be able to work on the topic in three months/12 weeks. After the second assessor and the Chair of the Examination Committee Prof Dr Beichelt (Büro LH 111, e-mail: mes(at)europa-uni.de) have signed the application, you will receive written notification of your application, which will contain the binding topic and the submission deadline.

How long do I have to complete the thesis?

The processing time for the thesis is three months (SPO 2008) or 12 weeks (SPO 2017) from the date on which the issue was made public. An extension of this period is only possible in exceptional cases and must be applied for via the application form  from the MES Examination Board.

What formalities do I have to observe when writing the masters thesis?

The length of the masters thesis is set at 60-80 pages for students of the SPO 2008. Students following the SPO 2017 must discuss the length with their first supervisor; for the central areas of culture and politics, the 60-80 page limit still applies. Further formal information on the preparation of Master's theses can be found here. The thesis must be related to European studies. Example topics can be found here. Particularly outstanding final theses can be found here. 

What do I have to consider when submitting my masters thesis?

Once you have completed your master's thesis, submit two (SPO 2017) or three (SPO 2008) printed copies and an electronic version to the Examinations Office or the Info Point in the AM. Please send the electronic version as a pdf file to your first assessor and in the CC to Ms Noack (enoack@europa-uni.de). Students in the old SPO 2008 do not have to submit an electronic version. If the day of submission falls on a weekend or public holiday, submit your work on the next working day.

Will there be a note on my degree certificate if I have failed the assignment?

No

Who sets the date for the oral examination?

You must set the date with your supervisors. One of them must take minutes. It can also be just one examiner (first assessor) and one assessor who takes the minutes and must have at least a master's degree in the relevant subject.

Is it necessary or useful to attend a colloquium?

If a colloquium relevant to your subject area is offered, it certainly makes sense to attend. Some professors explicitly require you to attend the colloquium they offer if you intend to write a thesis with them and will only supervise you on this condition. Please inform yourself in good time about the practices at the chair where you intend to write your thesis.

Who is my contact person at the Examination Office?

The MES is supervised in the Examination Office by: Elke Noack, AM 12, (03 35) 55 34 - 43 22

Standard period of study and extension of the degree programme

(See ASPO (2016) § 5 and 6) The standard period of study in MES is 4 semesters. However, as long as you complete your studies by the end of the 8th semester at the latest (i.e. have achieved 120 ECTS credits, i.e. have also passed the MA thesis and examination), you do not need to apply for an extension.

However, please bear in mind the possible consequences for the financing of your studies if you exceed the standard period of study.

How long after submitting your masters thesis is your student status valid and can you continue to use the semester ticket?

Once you have passed your Master's examination, you will remain enrolled until the end of the semester and can of course continue to use the semester ticket.

I want to de-register before the end of the semester in which I have completed my studies. What do I have to do?

You can find all information about exmatriculation here.

I am a participant in a double master's programme. What rules apply to me when writing and submitting my masters thesis?

Please consult the information pages of the respective double master's programme.

The degree programme can be started in the winter and summer semesters. The MES is an admission-free degree programme. The general enrolment period ends for the winter semester on 15 September and for the summer semester on 15 March. The application deadline for the three double Master's programmes is 15 July.

Admission to the Master's programme „European Studies“ requires a completed university degree. The character of the first degree programme determines the allocation to one of the four central areas. The requirements for admission to the individual areas are as follows:

• Culture: at least 30 ECTS in history, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, literature and linguistics or related subjects
• Politics: at least 30 ECTS in political science, social science, sociology, anthropology, social geography or related subjects
• Law: 1st law examination or 30 ECTS in Law courses
• Economics: Examination achievements totalling at least 30 ECTS in mathematics, statistics, business informatics, microeconomics or macroeconomics

Note: In order to enrol in the Master of European Studies, you only need to fulfil the requirements for one of the four central areas.

The languages of instruction for the programme are German and English. Proof of appropriate language skills must be provided before starting the programme. This requirement is waived for native speakers.

Further information can be found in the admission regulations of the degree programme.

If you have any further questions about formal enrolment, please contact the Admissions Office at: zulassung@europa-uni.de.
For further questions about content requirements and the double degree programmes contact the Coordination Office at: geiger@europa-uni.de.

In order to gain access to the programme, proof of language proficiency in the form of a UniCERT II certificate (or Äquivalent) must be presented.

The following certificates are recognised as Äquivalent:

• Cambridge English Advanced ( B) (not older than three years)
• Cambridge English Proficiency ( C) (not older than three years)
• IELTS (academic): at least 6.5 points (not older than three years)
• iTOEFL (internet-based): at least 80 points (not older than three years)

Language tests other than those mentioned above cannot be taken into account. This also applies to school-leaving certificates, language courses and DAAD forms.

You also have the opportunity to take an admission test organised by viadrina Dialog und Transfer gmbh to prove your English language skills at B2 level. If you do not pass this test and have not submitted any of the above-mentioned certificates, you will not be admitted to the MES.

Note: The required certificates can be replaced by English-language components of the Bachelor's programme or a semester abroad if you have successfully completed several courses in English as the language of instruction. In this case, please contact the following before applying:

Dr Richard Bland
Viadrina Language Centre
bland@europa-uni.de

with the following documents as an email attachment:

• A transcript of your courses in the Bachelor's programme or semester abroad, with grades. It should be clear from this which courses were taught exclusively in English (the language of instruction for the relevant courses can be taken in another way).
• A term paper that you wrote for one of the courses that was taught in English.

Germans and applicants with a German further education admissions certificate (Bildungsinländer) can enrol online from 1 June to 15 September (for the winter semester) or 1 December to 15 March (for the summer semester). 1 December to 15 March (for the summer semester) üvia the online platform viaCampus .

Then submit the following documents by 20 September (for the winter semester) or 20 March (for the summer semester)

to the Admissions Office of the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder):

• the fully completed and signed application for enrolment (available after completing your online enrolment on viaCampus)
• the language certificate in English (UniCert II or äquivalent),
• a transcript of records to assess the relevance of the (forthcoming) university degree,
• an officially certified copy of the university degree or a certificate from your previous examination office confirming that all academic achievements have been submitted. An assessment of all achievements is not necessary for enrolment. In this case, please submit the following form: Confirmation of completed Bachelor's coursework for enrolment. The Bachelor's certificate must be submitted to the admission's office by the end of the first semester.
• 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,
• 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.

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If you would like to participate in one of the double master's programmes, for organisational reasons your enrolment is required by 15 July. In this case, please also submit the following documents:

• a letter of motivation,
• a curriculum vitae in tabular form
.

*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.

The health insurance companies may require the sender number of the European University: H0001747.

to report the insurance status.

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.

Applicants who have not obtained their university degree in Germany should apply for the winter semester from 1 June to 15 July and for the summer semester from 1 December to 15 January. General information on the application process can be found on the Viadrina International Affairs website.

The predominant language of instruction is German. Therefore, you must have a study level (i.e. DSH 2 or Äquivalent) command of the German language at the start of the programme.

• A certificate of your current German language skills must be submitted as an officially certified copy already with the application documents . The certificate of the required German language skills must be submitted as an officially certified copy or in the original 
by the time of enrolment at the latest.
• If the DSH 2 or its equivalent is not available at the time of application, applicants can take an internal DSH test at the Viadrina Language Centre. Participation in this test is only possible upon presentation of certain language certificates (see table). If the DSH test is passed, enrolment is granted. If the DSH test is not passed, the programme cannot be started.

Notes on the German language certificate for university admission and the accepted certificates

 

Please note: All documents that are not issued in German or English must also be submitted as a sworn translation into German or English.