Master in Southeast European Studies

Master in Southeast European Studies is one of 5 English-taught Area Studies programmes at master’s level in the register, offered by 3 institutions. 4 of them list an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland; this programme lists EUR 1,453 a year. 4 are at a public university, where EU, EEA and Swiss students pay no tuition within the standard duration plus two semesters.

What you study

The Joint Master in Southeast European Studies at the University of Graz looks at the history, politics, law, economy and culture of Southeast Europe. You choose one of two tracks: History, or Law and Politics. The programme also covers European integration, democratisation, human rights, the rule of law, and postcolonial and intersectional studies. Teaching is in English, and you engage with international teachers from various disciplines. That mix gives you a differentiated view not just of Southeast Europe but of the idea of Europe as a whole.

How the programme is organised

This is a full-time master's programme worth 120 ECTS, taken over four semesters. It has a distinctively international emphasis and offers the chance to graduate with a double degree. Courses are taught in English. The programme is run as a joint programme, so there are specific application processes and deadlines that vary. You should check the application window for this programme on the University of Graz website.

Who it suits

You should have an interest in Southeast Europe and good knowledge of English. For admission you must have already completed a first degree in a relevant subject area. The programme suits students who want to understand the region from more than one angle, and who are ready to study with an international group of teachers and students.

Admission, language and next steps

Admission requires a completed first degree in a relevant subject area. The teaching language is English. Applications go directly to the institution, not through a central portal. The University of Graz page gives the application period for this joint programme. After completing the master's, you can go on to a doctoral programme; the content of your master's is evaluated during the admission process. As a public university, the University of Graz charges no tuition to EU/EEA and Swiss students within the standard duration plus two semesters; other students pay a fee per semester.

The master's programme "Master in Southeast European Studies" is a sophisticated international and interdisciplinary master's programme in social sciences, law and humanities that provides its students with an understanding of the connections between law, politics, economics, culture and history with a focus on Southeast Europe. The master's programme offers the possibility to focus on "History" or on "Law and Politics".

Compulsory semester abroad at one of the following partner universities: Central European University (Austria/Hungary) - St. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje (North Macedonia) - University of Belgrade (Serbia) - University of Bologna (Italy) - University of Cluj (Romania) - University of Ljubljana (Slovenia) - University of Novi Sad (Serbia) - University of Regensburg (Germany) - University of Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) - University of Sofia (Bulgaria) - University of Zagreb (Croatia) - University College London (United Kingdom)

There is no central application portal in Austria: you apply to the institution, here University of Graz. A public university sets the admission requirements and dates for this level, so read them on the programme page. Entrance examination, as the register states it: Admission procedure of the University of Graz together with its partner universities. Entry requirements and language tests are set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, the student residence permit and housing.