Master in Border Studies
Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
EUR 200 / per semester
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* non-EU applications are accepted between February and April and EU applications between February and July
Introduction
The Master in Border Studies is a two-year joint international study program addressing the complex economic, political, social, and cultural issues of borders and of border regions in Europe and beyond.
The multilingual courses are taught in German, French, and English in three countries at four different universities:
- University of Luxembourg;
- University of Lorraine (France);
- Saarland University (Germany);
- University of Kaiserslautern (Germany).
Addressing the challenging questions of the 21st century
In the wake of the abolition of regular border controls in Europe and the fall of the iron curtain, the field of Border Studies has opened up new objects of research and has experienced a noticeable development boost. At the same time, European societies experience the challenges of the new closing of borders.
The Master in Border Studies provides students with the major concepts and analytical tools to understand the social, cultural, political, and economic challenges of border regions and cross-border cooperations. Students gain theoretical knowledge of border problems, border cultures, border literature, and constructions of “otherness”.
Students acquire the needed skills to play a crucial part in the increasing discussions on national and European identities, worldwide mobilities, migration, cultural diversity, citizenship, and cross-border cooperation – especially in the Greater Region.
Students may specialize in one of the two tracks:
- spatial track including geography and spatial planning;
- language and cultural track including cultural studies, literature, linguistics, intercultural communication.
Why study Border Studies at the University of the Greater Region?
- The multilingual courses are taught at the four partner universities in the Greater Region.
- Students benefit from a multicultural and multilingual study experience which is essential for their future professional careers.
- The interdisciplinary study program is based on strong and long-standing cooperation between the partner universities.
- A mandatory internship enables students to get a better overview of their career opportunities.
- Successful students are awarded a joint diploma issued by the four universities.
Curriculum
Program
The curriculum covers a full-time two-year program (120 ECTS).
Semester 1: The first semester is spent at the University of Luxembourg and at the University of Lorraine. Students gain knowledge of central concepts and research methods in the study of border regions and are introduced to current debates on border issues from a spatial/geographical and a linguistic, cultural, and sociological perspective.
Semester 2: The second-semester students mainly spend at the University of Lorraine as well as at the University of Luxembourg, students further specialize their studies by choosing between one of the two tracks of the program:
- spatial studies
- language and cultural studies
Each track consists of one module (12 ECTS) and an elective module selected from the other track (6 ECTS). Students have to accomplish a mandatory internship during the second semester.
Semester 3: Students spend the third semester at Saarland University and the University of Kaiserslautern. Students participate in a seven-day excursion during which they work on a case study in cross-border relationships and cooperation. Students deepen their knowledge according to the chosen specialization in the second semester.
Semester 4: The last semester is dedicated to the final master’s thesis. At the beginning and the end of the fourth semester, a workshop takes place in which students present and discuss their master’s thesis.
Admissions
Gallery
Career Opportunities
The Master in Border Studies prepares for a career in cross-border and intercultural working settings, especially in border regions in Europe (such as the Greater Region) and beyond.
More specific career perspectives including:
- the economic sector (e.g. trade companies, etc.);
- cultural agencies or institutions;
- the media;
- public administrations (e.g. cross-border regional and spatial planning, economic, cross-border public services);
- planning and promotion, cross-border cultural management, cross-border regional marketing.