Slavic Studies (Master's Degree Subject)Interdisciplinary Approaches to Slavic Cultures
Slavic Studies turns to the Slavic cultures of Eastern Europe, with a primary focus on literature, film, language, and the corresponding research methodologies, as well as a particular emphasis on cultural studies. In the master’s degree program, students extend their knowledge of the specific cultural-historical contexts they are interested in, with the opportunity to set their own thematic, regional, and linguistic priorities. Themes under discussion include not only the analysis of individual texts and films, but also literary history, aesthetics, and connections between literature and social context, along with the everyday life of each Slavic culture.
Focal areas of teaching and research
Slavic Studies in Basel focuses on Russian culture, mostly from the nineteenth to twenty-first centuries, as well as on Croatian-Serbian, Polish, and Czech language and culture. A trademark of Slavic Studies in Basel is research on film, and especially the history of cinema in Slavic languages. The wide range of the program, with its focus on cultural studies, gives students the opportunity to create their own specific themes (such as in film studies). It is also possible to attend courses on art and society in Eastern Europe.
The primary themes of research in the Slavic Studies program in Basel include the cultural legacy of empire in Eastern Europe, cultural concepts of space, interculturality and cultural contact (as well as conflict), the contemporary relevance of Postcolonial Studies in the Slavic field, cultural nation-building, national identity and differentiation in literature, and literary and cultural eras (including Romanticism, the early Soviet avant-garde, and post-Soviet culture). The program's extensive cooperation with the program in Eastern European History also includes courses and events on contemporary issues. Finally, the program also regularly works with cultural institutions (literature, film, theater).
The master’s curriculum in Slavic Studies has four parts:
- Slavic Cultural Studies, including courses in literary studies and events on such subjects as the history of film or art in Eastern Europe (but not on linguistics)
- A focus on Slavic Literary Studies or Slavic Linguistics
- Interphilological courses
- Language skills
Short profile
| Degree | MA in Slavic Studies |
| Type | Subject |
| Start date | February, September |
| Credit points | 120 |
| Study structure | The Master's degree is the second degree after the Bachelor's degree and comprises a total of 120 credit points (CP). The Master's subject Slavic Studies is combined with a second, independent subject, both of which are studied for 35 CP each. The subject in which the Master's thesis (30 CP) is written becomes a major, the other a minor. In addition, there is the free elective area (20 CP). One credit point (CP) ECTS corresponds to approximately 30 hours of work. |
| Subject combination | A subject from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences or a non-faculty subject can be considered as a second Master's subject. Students can choose it according to their interests and professional goals. The free elective area consists of freely selectable courses that can be used to deepen knowledge of the subjects, to gain insight into other subjects offered by the University of Basel or to acquire language skills. |
| Language of instruction | German, Russian |
| Subject area | Slavic Studies |
Master’s admission requirements
Admission to master’s programs is regulated by the university student regulations and the stipulations of the individual degree program descriptions. More details of the general master’s admission requirements are provided here.
For students to be admitted with no additional requirements, they must hold a bachelor’s degree worth 180 CP from a higher education institution recognized by the University of Basel.
Subject-related requirements are defined in the admission requirements (section 3) of the study program for the relevant subject. The guidelines may also contain further useful information that is key to successful studies.
Registration dates
Students must register for their bachelor’s or master’s degree program within a specified timeframe – even in cases of delayed registration.
Information events
The University of Basel organizes regular information events for bachelor’s and master’s programs. Details can be found on the events page of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Some subject areas also offer their own separate information or welcome events. Please consult the page for the relevant subject area for event dates and locations.
Deadlines and dates for the Master's studies
See also factsheets under Documents & Factsheets.
Master's thesis
Fall semester 2024
Fall semester 2026
Master's examinations for students of the subject and degree program
Master's degree
All data subject to subsequent changes.
Career opportunities
The Master's degree in Slavic Studies opens up career opportunities in the fields of media, publishing, culture or cultural management, business, administration, politics, diplomacy or in cultural, political, non-profit, international organizations or NGOs.
It also qualifies students for doctoral studies, e.g. in the doctoral subjects Slavic Studies and Russian Studies, and in principle qualifies students to obtain a teaching diploma for secondary schools.
Teaching diploma
Graduates who are interested in the teaching profession can study for a teaching diploma for the lower secondary level (Sekundarstufe I) or upper secondary level (Sekundarstufe II). For details and teaching diploma regulations, please consult the relevant school for teacher education (such as the FHNW School of Education) or the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education.
Student advisory service
Teaching commission
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