Formal requirements

The graduate program targets German and international students who have already obtained an excellent or good grade in a first academic degree (generally a Bachelor’s degree) and who have a keen interest in Eastern Europe. Students will be required to explain their interest clearly during the selection procedure. All students wishing to embark on the degree program will need to furnish evidence of proficiency in German to a high level, proficiency in English, and basic language skills in at least one major East European language.

University degree

In order to qualify for the Elite Graduate Program for  East European Studies, you must have achieved an “excellent” or “good” grade (for law: “fully satisfactory”) in a relevant university degree (minimum level: Bachelor’s), and meet all other requirements. If you have not yet received your degree certificate when you submit your application, please submit your transcript of records detailing all the mandatory lectures you have attended with the respective grades you achieved.

Language proficiency

Lectures are held in German and English. For this reason, students should have a high level of proficiency in German and a good level of proficiency in English. Students should also have a basic knowledge of at least one East European language.

Information about accepted German language certificates can be found under "International Applicants".

East European languages are Albanian, Bulgarian, Estonian, Greek, Croatian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Rumanian, Russian, Polish, Serb, Slovakian, Slovenian, Czech, Ukrainian, Hungarian, Belarus and Turkish.

A good level of proficiency equates to the level achieved in at least five consecutive years of language lessons.

A basic knowledge accords to UNIcert Level 1.

Social and community involvement

We are also interested in learning how you are involved in social, community and political work.