Program Overview

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University of Fribourg

The University of Fribourg offers a unique joint programme in Eastern European Studies, in collaboration with the University of Bern. This programme provides students with a comprehensive understanding of Eastern Europe, covering its history, culture, and social sciences.

Abstract

The bachelor programme in Eastern European Studies is a multilingual, interfaculty, and interuniversity programme. It combines the diverse Eastern European competences of the two universities, offering a unique opportunity for students to explore the region's complexities. The programme consists of lectures on contemporary history, cultural studies, and social sciences, with a focus on the 20th century and current issues.

Profile of the Study Programme

The programme is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of Eastern Europe, including its languages, cultures, and histories. Students attend classes in Fribourg and Bern, with instruction in German, French, and some classes in English. The programme includes modularisation, intensive support, and interdisciplinarity, allowing students to develop a comprehensive understanding of the region.

Studies Organisation

The programme is structured to provide students with a solid foundation in Eastern European studies. It consists of 120 ECTS credits, plus 60 ECTS credits in a minor study programme freely chosen. The programme is designed to be completed in six semesters.

Structure of Studies

• 120 ECTS credits in the major study programme
• 60 ECTS credits in a minor study programme
• 6 semesters

Curriculum

The curriculum includes lectures on contemporary history, cultural studies, and social sciences, with a focus on the 20th century and current issues.

Comments

Students in the major study programme are free to choose minor study programmes at the two universities, except for the combination of a major and a minor study programme in Eastern European Studies.

Admission

Admission to the bachelor programme in Eastern European Studies requires a Swiss school-leaving certificate or a foreign upper secondary school-leaving certificate that corresponds substantially to the Swiss Maturity Certificate. Foreign candidates must also present proof of sufficient language skills in French or German.

Swiss School-Leaving Certificates

• Swiss academic Maturity Certificate
• Federal vocational or specialised Baccalaureate + supplementary examination of the Swiss Maturity Commission (passerelle)
• Bachelor Degree from a Swiss university, from an accredited Swiss university of applied sciences (HES/FH), or from a Swiss university of teacher education (HEP/PH)

Foreign Upper Secondary School-Leaving Certificates

Foreign school-leaving certificates are recognised if they correspond substantially to the Swiss Maturity Certificate and qualify as general education.

Learning Outcomes and Career Openings

The programme provides students with the competences to work on academic questions independently, with access to current research discussions in the multidisciplinary field of Eastern European studies. Graduates acquire an all-round knowledge and understanding of Eastern Europe, are familiar with the problems of the region, and are capable of analysing them. The programme qualifies graduates for employment in areas such as the diplomatic service, international organisations, journalism, non-governmental organisations, and commercial enterprises operating in Eastern Europe.

Minor Study Programmes to be Chosen

Students can choose from a variety of minor study programmes, including:

• Art History
• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Business Communication
• Business Informatics
• Chemistry
• Communication and Media Research
• Computer Science
• Contemporary History
• Earth Sciences
• Economics
• Education Sciences
• English Language and Literature
• Environmental Sciences and Humanities
• French
• French as a Foreign Language
• Geography
• German
• German as a Foreign Language
• German Literary Studies
• Greek Studies
• History
• Interreligious Studies
• Italian
• Latin Studies
• Law
• Management
• Mathematics
• Musicology and History of Opera
• Pedagogy / Psychology
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Politics and Society
• Psychology
• Religious studies
• Rhaeto-Romance
• Slavic Studies
• Social Anthropology
• Social Work and Social Policy (DE)
• Social Work and Social Policy (FR)
• Sociology (DE)
• Sociology (FR)
• Spanish
• Special Education
• Sport Sciences and Motor Control
• Theology

Key Points

• Degree conferred: Bachelor of Arts in Eastern European Studies
• Languages of study: French, German, and some lectures in English
• Commencement of studies: Autumn Semester (September) or Spring Semester (February)
• Access to further studies: Master's degree

Fribourg Profile

The programme provides students with a knowledge of:

• Political, historical, social, literary, and cultural issues of Eastern European countries and regions in the 20th and 21st centuries
• Theories and history of Eastern European studies
• Relevant methods of Eastern European studies

Teaching is mainly in German or French, with some lectures in English. There is mutual recognition of lectures and seminars in the Eastern Europe Studies programme offered by the Universities of Fribourg and Bern.