Interdisciplinary Joint Master’s Programme in South-Eastern European Studies – Universities of Graz

Why Southeast European Studies in Graz?

South-Eastern Europe has been a focus of the University of Graz for over a century. The noble prize winner Ivo Andrić wrote his PhD in Graz and many scholars and prominent intellectuals from the region have studied here. Since the early 1990s thousands of students from across the Balkans have decided to study at the University of Graz and it is today normal to hear Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian and Albanian in addition to German and English in the hallways of the university. Only two hours from Ljubljana and Zagreb by car, the city is close to South-Eastern Europe and the dense ties to the region are tangible throughout the city, from the cultural life to the social scene.

Over the past decades, the University has had a strong academic interest in the history of South-Eastern Europe, in particular historical anthropology. Various exchange programs, teaching, research and public events on the region have a long tradition. The Centre for Southeast European Studies is not only coordinating the Master’s Programme, but also hosts regular public events, workshops, conferences and conducts research on South-Eastern Europe. There are two other degree programs focused on South-Eastern Europe, an MA programme in the History of South-Eastern Europe and an LLM in South-East European Law and European Integration. Students are thus not just offered an MA programme in South-Eastern Europe, but are part of a vibrant community of scholars and students interested in, and from, South-Eastern Europe.

Content of the Programme

The Interdisciplinary Joint Master in South-Eastern European Studies is an international and interdisciplinary programme in social sciences and humanities of the highest quality which enables participants to effectively understand the interrelationship between law, politics, economics and culture with an emphasis on South-Eastern Europe. The programme prepares students for doctoral studies and professional life in a variety of
other fields including work in international, local governmental and non-governmental organisations, journalism, business, scientific research, and consultancy.

In the first year at the University of Graz, students take core courses which include an introduction to multidisciplinary approaches in the study of South-East Europe, public law, political science, history, economics and cultural studies. In the summer after the first year a joint summer school is held for all students from the participating universities to complete the compulsory core modules. In the second year, students attend one of the partner universities and specialise in their desired field. In the final semester students write a master thesis reflecting their capacity to work on a scientific subject independently.

All compulsory subjects are conducted in English though students are able to take classes in other languages. Language acquisition is an important key aspect of the joint degree and students are expected to learn a regional language and/or the predominant language of their mobility institution.

Faculty

Most of the compulsory courses in Graz are thought by the staff of the Centre for Southeast European Studies – Florian Bieber, Joseph Marko, Armina Galijaš, Emma Lantschner and Rory Archer. Other faculty members offering classes on South-eastern Europe and/or contributing to classes in the framework of the MA Programme are Karl Kaser (History), Harald Heppner (History), Renate Hansen-Kokoruš (Slavic Studies), Wolfgang Benedek (International Law) and Hubert Isak (European Law). Visiting professors include Vladimir Gligorov and Tamara Pavasović-Trošt.
For further details on lectures and the courses they teach see: http://www.seestudies.eu/node/35

Academic Degree

Students completing the Interdisciplinary Joint Master’s Programme in South-Eastern European Studies earn the degree “Master of Arts”, abbreviated MA. The joint degree is awarded by all four partners (pending accreditation at some partners).

Admission

The Interdisciplinary Joint Master’s Programme in South-Eastern European Studies welcomes applicants who hold an academic degree of at least 180 ECTS credits (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) who can demonstrate their basic knowledge of social sciences or humanities -law, political, social, or economic sciences, cultural studies - and who have some general insight and interest in South-Eastern Europe.

Tuition fees are waived for Austrian/EU students. Tuition costs approx. €745 per semester for citizens of other states but can usually be fully refunded upon successful completion of each semester for citizens of Albania, Belarus Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, and Ukraine. For enquiries about the admission procedure, tuition fees and refund process at the University of Graz please contact Alexandra Fauland alexandra.fauland@uni-graz.at at the Office for International Relations.

Please note that the University of Graz does not provide financial support – no scholarships are currently available but we encourage students to seek available funding from third parties.

The APPLICATION should consist of:

1. completed application form (MS Word DOC)
2. at least one letter of recommendation (preferably from a university professor or employer, in English or German)
3. certificate/diploma obtained at the undergraduate level (translated into English or German)
4. transcript of records obtained at the undergraduate level (translated into English or German)
5. letter of motivation (English)
6. curriculum vitae (English)
7. proof of proficiency in English language: IELTS (required minimum score: 6.0), a TOEFL (required minimum score: 210 on the computerised test, 547 on the paper based test, 78 on the internet based test), a Cambridge Exam (required level: FCE) or an equivalent certificate. Students who have completed their BA in English are not required to provide this proof of proficiency but may be interviewed.

Applicants should apply by email sending the application as A SINGLE PDF FILE to rory.archer@uni-graz.at(multiple files will not be accepted)

The deadline for applications is July 15th 2013

Interdisciplinary Joint Master’s Programme in South-Eastern European Studies – Universities of Belgrade

Why Southeast European Studies in Belgrade?

First of all, you will be studying South Eastern Europe in its very centre. In this way, you will be able not only to better understand your chosen field of interest, but also to learn one or more languages of the region.
Secondly, you will profit learning from a group of outstanding FPS and foreign professors, with excellent academic records and long-time expertise in South-Eastern Europe.
Last, but not least, as part of an academic community with strong international character, you’ll enjoy the exciting social life in Belgrade, too.
Check some impressions of our previous generation of students or watch the 5 minute TV programme about our Master.

Content of the Programme

The Interdisciplinary Joint Master in South-Eastern European Studies is an international and interdisciplinary programme in social sciences and humanities of the highest quality which enables participants to effectively understand the interrelationship between law, politics, economics and culture with an emphasis on South-Eastern Europe. The programme prepares students for doctoral studies and professional life in a variety of other fields including work in international, local governmental and non-governmental organizations, journalism, business, scientific research, and consultancy.
In the first year students take core courses which include an introduction to multidisciplinary approaches in the study of South-East Europe, public law, political science, history, economics and cultural studies. In the summer after the first year a joint summer school is held for all students from the participating universities to complete the compulsory core modules. In the second year, students attend one of the partner universities and specialize in their desired field. There are also optional provisions in place to offer students professional trainings and internship positions.
In the final semester students write a master thesis reflecting their capacity to work on a scientific subject independently.
All compulsory subjects are conducted in English though students are able to take classes in other languages. Language acquisition is an important key aspect of the joint degree and students are expected to learn a regional language and/or the predominant language of their mobility institution.

Teaching staff

We proud ourselves for being able to gather an international team of teachers from the leading universities and research institutes in Serbia, Austria, Great Britain and the US. For further details on lecturers and compulsory courses they teach during the first two semesters, please, seehttp://www.seestudies.eu/node/40.
You will be able to expand your choices even more, by opting to spend the third - mobility – semester at one of nine partner universities in eight European countries, where you will specialize in one of many fields.

Academic Degree

Students completing the Interdisciplinary Joint Master’s Programme in South-Eastern European Studies earn the degree “Master of Arts”, abbreviated MA. The joint degree is awarded by all four partners (pending accreditation at some partners).

Admission

The Interdisciplinary Joint Master’s Programme in South-Eastern European Studies welcomes applicants who hold an academic degree of at least 180 ECTS credits (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) who can demonstrate their basic knowledge of social sciences or humanities -- law, political, social, cultural or economic sciences -- and who have some general insight and interest in South-Eastern Europe.
The full application should consist of
• completed application form (MS Word DOC)
• at least one letter of recommendation (preferably from a university professor or employer)
• certificate/diploma obtained at the undergraduate level (certified translation into Serbian shall be required additionally)
• transcript of records obtained at the undergraduate level (certified translation into Serbian shall be required additionally)
• letter of motivation
• proof of proficiency in English language: IELTS (required minimum score: 6.0), a TOEFL (required minimum score: 210 on the computerised test, 547 on the paper based test, 78 on the internet based test), a Cambridge Exam (required level: FCE) or an equivalent certificate. Students who have completed their BA in English are not required to provide this proof of proficiency but may be interviewed.
Please send the application form with all supporting documents to the University of Belgrade by registered mail (see address below) and send a scan of the entire application as a single pdf email attachment to gordana.ristic@fpn.bg.ac.rs
Postal applications should be directed to:

Gordana Ristic
University of Belgrade – Faculty of Political Sciences
Jove Ilica 165
11000 Belgrade
Serbia

For enquiries about the admission procedure and tuition fees at the University of Belgrade please contact gordana.ristic@fpn.bg.ac.rs