Above all, I associate Eastern Europe with
cultural and linguistic diversity.
Unfortunately, far too often Eastern Europe
is considered a homogeneous region.
For me, Eastern Europe means discussing Russian politics
with my flatmates in Moscow
If you accept the region’s complexity,
you will never stop exploring.
As an Eastern European myself, I think of
landscapes, colours and symbols,
as well as a colourful potpourri of scents and flavours.
The Elite Graduate Program in East European Studies
aims to train experts at the highest academic level.
The interdisciplinary master’s programme is a joint project of
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and Universität Regensburg.
Fifteen years ago we thought Eastern Europe
would develop in one direction. But today we see
a highly complex region
that continues to become more diverse.
There is Europeanization, but also populism
and the emergence of authoritarian regimes.
That is why it is important to have experts on the region.
The students study the region in various subject combinations.
They choose from more than two dozen subjects:
from history, political science and Slavonic languages and literatures to Albanian.
The purpose of the programme is to impart
knowledge of Central and Eastern Europe.
Ideally, the students graduate as experts on Eastern Europe
and contribute to a better understanding between Western
and Eastern Europe in politics, culture, the economy and academia.
The project course and the annual summer school
in Eastern Europe are distinctive features of the programme
and ensure excellent support of the students.
In particular, the programme fosters analytical skills.
That is, breaking down complex problems,
putting them into a new context and building creative links.
We train research skills, endurance and transfer thinking
Students can enrol in Munich or Regensburg.
The programme takes four semesters.
The research infrastructure on Eastern Europe
in Munich and Regensburg is unique.
The Bavarian State Library in Munich has its Eastern European collection,
while Regensburg boasts the Leibniz Institute for East and Southeast European Studies.
Moreover, there is a wide range of cultural activities for Eastern Europe enthusiasts,
such as the Mittelpunkt Europa film festival in Munich.
Requirements for the programme are a bachelor’s degree
and basic knowledge of an East European language.
The course starts every year in October.
Applications are accepted until mid-June.