From the summer semester 2026, the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) will be offering a certificate programme in Ukrainian Studies for Master's students for the first time in Germany. The "Interdisciplinary Ukrainian Studies" programme enables an in-depth examination of Ukraine, its history, culture and society. As an accompanying study programme, it offers insights into social, cultural, legal, economic and media studies.
In addition, the programme opens up new perspectives on Eastern Europe, in particular through decolonial approaches that break with the dominant Russian perspective in the field of German research on Eastern Europe.
"With the certificate programme, we offer and train the expertise that is necessary for cooperation with Ukraine, for the support and reconstruction of the country suffering from Russian aggression in a free and democratic Europe," says Dr Susann Worschech, academic coordinator of the programme. She continues: "In addition to academic knowledge, students also acquire language skills and practical insights – because we don't live in an ivory tower, but in a world that needs solutions to major problems."
The programme is aimed at students who wish to study Ukraine academically or professionally. The programme includes modules on the history, culture and society of Ukraine as well as on the analysis of conflicts and global crises using the country as an example. The courses take place at the European University Viadrina and in cooperation with the Humboldt University of Berlin and the Free University of Berlin. The programme is primarily open to Viadrina students, but can also be attended by students from other universities who register as guest students. Participation is free of charge.
Application for the certificate programme is now open. Previous knowledge of Ukraine or the Ukrainian language is not required.
An online information event with Dr Susann Worschech will take place on Tuesday, 21 April at 4 p.m.
Background KIU: The certificate programme is part of the Competence Network Interdisciplinary Ukraine Studies Frankfurt (Oder) – Berlin (KIU), a DAAD-funded project to strengthen and institutionally anchor Ukraine research in Germany. The current KIU programme includes a lecture series entitled "Nationalities, Minorities and Identity: (Re)Configuring Ukraine?", which will take place in the summer semester of 2026. In addition, sociologist Prof Dr Oksana Mikheieva will teach as a KIU visiting professor at Viadrina and offer events on Soviet totalitarianism and occupied territories in Ukraine. Further information: www.europa-uni.de/kiu
Further information and application
All information about the application and the information event can be found at:
www.europa-uni.de/de/studium/studienangebot/kiu-ukrainian-studies