Literaturwissenschaft: Ästhetik – Literatur – Philosophie│Literary studies: Aesthetics – Literature – Philosophy (M.A.)

The German-Romanian double degree „German Literary Studies in a European Context“ combines the Master's degree programme „Literary Studies: Ästhetics – Literature – Philosophy“ at the Faculty of Social Cultural Sciences at the European University Viadrina and the Masters programme „German Studies in a European Context“ at the Faculty of Philology of the Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca. Through the German-Romanian study programme, students receive a master's degree in literature (Viadrina) and German studies (Cluj-Napoca) in four semesters.

Study programme

The Viadrina students begin their studies in Frankfurt (Oder), then study the second and third semesters in Cluj-Napoca and return to the Viadrina for the fourth semester.

In the first semester at the Viadrina, they acquire basic theoretical, conceptual and methodological knowledge of literary studies as part of the „central module“. They deepen their knowledge preferably in the modules of the track „Literary Cultures of Europe“, other modules are possible.

The second and third semesters at the Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca enrich the programme with courses on German studies in a European context and optionally from other disciplines (at the student's choice). In addition, the third semester includes courses in the research module, which facilitates the students' path to the Master's thesis.

In the fourth semester, students write their Master's theses at the Viadrina and are supported both by a research colloquium and by the supervisors of the thesis.

The double is characterised by intensive personal supervision at both partner universities, and it ends with a Master's thesis, which is recognised in the certificates of both universities.

Teaching at the Viadrina takes place in German, and partly also in English, at the Babeș-Bolyai University in German and other languages.

 

Our cooperation partner: Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca

The Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, whose history dates back to the XVI century, is the oldest university in Romania. Today, it is one of the best and most prestigious universities in the country and the Southeast European region. The university comprises 21 faculties with over 41,000 students studying in various degree programmes. It is the only trilingual university in southern Europe. It is generally possible to study in the three different languages of Siebenbärgen - in Romanian, Hungarian or German. This multilingual profile connects the university with the past and present of Cluj-Napoca, which has experienced strong cultural changes due to its multi-ethnic neighbourhoods.

The Institute of German Language and Literature at Babeș-Bolyai University is part of the university's German-language study programme, which currently offers 12 German-language courses for BA and MA students. The institute's unique selling point is also its lively multilingualism. The university is the only one in Southeast Europe to offer three degree programmes taught in Romanian, Hungarian and German. At the Department of German Studies, whose history began in 1872 under the direction of Hugo von Meltzl, it is also possible to study German Studies as a major or minor subject, always in combination with another language (e.g. Romanian, Hungarian, English, French, Spanish, Italian, etc. as a major or minor subject). The institute specialises in: German language and culture in Romania (1918-1933), post-imperial realities in interaction with public discourse and cultural areas, literary sites in Southeast Europe, German as a foreign language in Central and Eastern Europe.

Here you can find more information about the Institute of German Language and Literature of the Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca.

 

The German-Polish double degree „German Literary Studies in a European Context“ combines the master's programme „Literary Studies: Ästhetics – Literature – Philosophy“ of the Faculty of Social and Cultural Sciences at the European University Viadrina and the Master „Germanic Philology“ at the Faculty of Philology of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków. The German-Polish study programme enables students to obtain a master's degree in literature in Frankfurt (Oder) and in literature and linguistics in Kraków in four semesters.

Study programme

The Viadrina students begin their studies in Frankfurt (Oder), then study in Krakow for two semesters and return to the Viadrina for the final semester.

In the first semester at the Viadrina, they acquire basic theoretical, conceptual and methodological knowledge of literary studies as part of the „central module“. They deepen their knowledge preferably in the modules of the track „Literary Cultures of Europe“, other modules are possible.

The second and third semesters at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków expand the programme with courses from German literature and linguistics (and optionally from other disciplines). In addition, in the second and/or third semester, the master's seminar with guided research is planned in consultation with lecturers from Viadrina and the Jagiellonian University, which is intended to facilitate the students' path to the Master's thesis.

In the fourth semester, students write their Master's thesis at the Viadrina and are supported by a research colloquium as well as by the supervisors of the thesis.

The double degree is accompanied by intensive personal supervision at both partner universities and ends with a Master's thesis, which is recognised in the certificates of both universities.

Teaching at the Viadrina is generally conducted in German at both universities.

 

Our cooperation partner: Uniwersytet Jagielloński in Kraków

Founded in 1364, the Jagiellonian University in Kraków is the oldest university in Poland and one of the oldest universities in Europe. It is located in the heart of one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, whose cultural heritage is of great importance for the German-speaking cultural area and German-Polish relations, but also for the culture of Eastern European Jewry. The Jagiellonian University took first place in the 2021 national ranking.

The university comprises 16 faculties, where around 4,000 academic staff conduct research and educate around 40,000 students in more than 150 different study programmes. Outstanding achievements in research and teaching, a modern infrastructure and a broad network with major academic centres around the world make the Jagiellonian University one of the most attractive academic institutions in Poland and Europe.

The Faculty of Philology of the Jagiellonian University is internationally oriented. It currently comprises eight institutes: the Institute of Germanic Philology, the Institute of English Philology, the Institute of Classical Philology, the Institute of Romance Philology, the Institute of Slavic Philology, the Institute of East Slavic Philology, the Institute of Linguistics and Translation Studies and the Institute of Oriental Studies. The Institute of Germanic Philology is one of the best Polish institutions in the field. It currently has over 60 employees and eight research groups. The institute's teaching and research focuses on intercultural relations in the literary and cultural sphere, research into literature and other media, German-language literature and its contexts, Yiddish literature and Yiddish culture, applied linguistics, translation studies, research into the mediation of intercultural communication and historical linguistics.

The binational track „Philosophy and Cultural Studies“ enables a double degree in the Master's programmes in Literary Studies and Philosophy. It combines the Master's programme in Literary Studies: Ästhetics – Literature – Philosophy at the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder) and the Master's programme in Philosophy in the Parcours "Philosophie et sciences culturelles" at the Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. The Franco-German study programme enables you to obtain a master's degree in literature (Viadrina) and philosophy (Sorbonne) in four semesters.

The track is funded by the Deutsch-Französische Hochschule/Universté franco-allemande (DFH) with a mobility grant. You will be enrolled at the DFH and receive a mobility grant in addition to the Erasmus funding.

Study programme

You start your studies at the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder) and go to the Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne in your second year of study. Please note that the mobility phase in Paris always begins in the winter semester and that you must have fully completed the first year of study at the Viadrina (60 ECTS).

In the first year of study at the Viadrina, you will gain an insight into the theoretical and conceptual foundations of aesthetics, literature and philosophy in a cultural studies module. Modules such as „Cultures of Knowledge and the Arts“ or „Philosophy and Literature: Interactions“ then allow students to deepen these connections. The third semester at the Sorbonne extends the programme with courses in contemporary philosophy as well as in specific philosophical areas such as philosophy of law, arts or political philosophy. In the final semester, you will write your masters thesis, with the stay in Paris facilitating work on Franco-German topics.

You will receive academic support in Paris on the way to your master's thesis and will meet in the research colloquium „Philosophy and Literature“ in Frankfurt (Oder) to present questions and results of your master's thesis. The contact persons in Frankfurt (Oder) and Paris ensure close personal support.

Teaching at the Viadrina takes place in German, partly also in English or French, at the Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne in French and partly in English.

 

Our cooperation partner: The Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne

The Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne is a prestigious and cosmopolitan university. It has one of the largest departments of philosophy in France with a long tradition in German philosophy. You will study there in the Master Parcours Philosophie et sciences culturelles.

You will take part in an intensive cultural exchange, familiarise yourself with a different academic environment and expand your knowledge of different scientific methods and disciplines. They experience the rich cultural life in the metropolis of Paris and have access to numerous cultural institutions, universities and libraries.

In the track „Literary Cultures of Europe“, students can focus on the world-literary interdependencies of European literatures in the various phases of globalisation, as well as on the literatures of individual non-national groups or literatures that have emerged in exile, in the diaspora or through migration. Another focus is on the literatures of Central and Eastern Europe.

The theoretical practice taught in the degree programme is research-oriented. It prepares students for highly qualified academic professional practice (publishing houses, media, theatre, cultural institutions, agencies) and provides the basis for further graduate studies.

European literature at the European University Viadrina is not viewed as the sum of individual national literatures, but rather in its transcultural quality in the past and present. This orientation can be deepened in the track „Literary Cultures of Europe“.

The global literary interdependencies of European literature in the various phases of globalisation are therefore emphasised, as is a research-oriented focus on the literatures of individual non-national groups or the „small“ literatures as well as literatures that have emerged in exile, in the diaspora or through migration.

Students who choose the track „Literary Cultures of Europe“ must take the modules „Comparative Literary History“ and „Literary Theory as Cultural Theory“ in the compulsory elective area.“

To have external academic achievements recognised, please complete the application form and send it together with a copy of the transcript of records by e-mail to the chair of the examination board.

After your application has been reviewed, the recognised achievements will be forwarded directly to the Examination Office for entry in viaCampus by the Examination Board.

 

Application for registration for the final examination

Professional requirements

Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) with at least 30 ECTS in Literature, Philosophy or Cultural Studies

Language requirements

In addition to knowledge of German, language skills in a European language at the level of UNIcert II or B2 and in another European language at the level of UNIcert I or B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) are required for the successful completion of the programme and for the reception and discussion of the relevant primary and specialist literature. One of these languages must be English. The language certificates must be submitted for enrolment at the latest.

Please note: 

• Please submit a transcript of records (confirmed by your university) to certify that the 30 ECTS have been completed.

• Applicants whose native language is not German and who have not obtained their further education admissions certificate in Germany must submit proof of sufficient knowledge of the German language in accordance with the DSH examination regulations of the Viadrina Language Centre of the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) before starting their studies.

Double Master's programme „German Literary Studies in a European Context“ with Kraków

In order to enrol in the double, you must first enrol in the Master's programme in Literary Studies: Literature – Ästhetics – Philosophy at the Viadrina. Enrolment in the double is possible in the summer and winter semesters. There are no special admission requirements.

Double Master's programme „German Literature in a European Context“ with Cluj-Napoca

In order to enrol in the double, you must first enrol in the Master's programme in Literary Studies: Literature – Ästhetics – Philosophy at the Viadrina. Enrolment in the double is only possible in the winter semester. There are no special admission requirements.

Double Master's programme „Philosophy and Cultural Studies“

To take part in the Double Master's programme, you must first enrol in the Master's programme in Literary Studies: Literature – Ästhetics – Philosophy at the Viadrina. Enrolment in the double master's programme is only possible in the winter semester.

Specific requirements for admission to the the double degree

• Proof of at least 12 ECTS in Philosophy as part of the Bachelor's degree
• Language skills: French at level B2 and English at level B1 (this also fulfils the general language requirements for admission to the Master's in „Literary Studies: Ästhetics – Literature – Philosophy“)
• Letter of motivation

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) via viaCampus.

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

• the completed and signed application for enrolment (available after completing your online enrolment on viaCampus),
• proof of knowledge of a European foreign language at level B2 (UNIcert II or Äequivalent) and of another European foreign language at level B1 (UNIcert I or Äequivalent), one of which must be English,
• a transcript of records to certify the relevance of the (forthcoming) university degree,
• an officially certified copy of the university degree or a certificate from your previous examination office 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: Bestätigung der erbrachten Bachelorleistungen zur Einschreibung. 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 your student ID (chip card) and the documents you have submitted,
• 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 contribution (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.

 

* Notes 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.

Please apply online in the period from 1 June to 15 July (for the winter semester) or from 1 December to 15 January (for the summer semester) at https://viacampus.europa-uni.de/ and send your documents by 15 July (for the winter semester) or 15 January (for the summer semester) to the Europa-Universität Viadrina. Further information can be found at https://www.europa-uni.de/de/internationales/Students/Incomings/Applying/Master/index.html.

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