West Slavonic Studies BA

general higher education entrance qualification, subject-specific higher education entrance qualification

You can start this programme without previous knowledge of Polish or Czech (course credits are recognised if you submit proof of previous knowledge of Czech and/or Polish).

You will gain sound language skills in Polish and/or Czech combined with well-founded academic knowledge of the culture, literature, history and society of the neighbouring countries of Poland and the Czech Republic.

At the start of your studies, you will choose between a specialisation in Polish or Czech. From the third semester of study, you can also take courses in the other specialisation and from the fifth semester it is possible to switch to the eight-semester Bachelor Plus programme “Intercultural West Slavonic Studies”, which integrates a study stay abroad in Poland (University of Wrocław) and in the Czech Republic (Charles University of Prague), each lasting one semester.

The programme is based on three pillars: Language training, literature and cultural studies, and linguistics. They are all equally important and build upon one another. Special emphasis is placed on comparative aspects. The West Slavonic profile can be expanded in the elective area either by including neighbouring disciplines such as East Slavonic studies, South Slavonic studies, Sorbian studies or by taking courses in non-Slavonic areas.

You can gain additional qualifications by integrating a study stay abroad in your programme.

In addition to the compulsory modules, in the elective area you can take courses from other subjects in the humanities and social sciences to develop an interdisciplinary profile.

The bachelor’s programme in West Slavonic Studies entails a student workload of 180 credit points.

It is made up of compulsory elective and compulsory courses together with the bachelor’s thesis in the core subject West Slavonic studies (90 credit points) in addition to a free elective area or an elective subject. The elective area or elective subject are worth 60 credit points.

Besides this, 30 credit points are earned in courses focussing on key skills. The key skills can be taken from those specific to the subject, specific to the faculty or those offered to all students at the University.

• During the programme you can learn either Polish, Czech or both languages.
• Possibility to choose the programme variant “Intercultural West Slavonic Studies (Bachelor Plus)” with an integrated year of study at the Charles University of Prague and the University of Wrocław).
• Support for study stays abroad and internships during the programme.
• Partner universities in Poland and the Czech Republic, Erasmus+ cooperation agreements.
• Possibility to learn fundamentals of translation.

Graduates of the West Slavonic Studies bachelor’s programme will find potential career options in all areas in which solid proficiency in Polish and/or Czech, a sound knowledge of culture and literature, history and society of both neighbouring countries is required, e.g. in the following fields:

• Culture and science management,
• Foundations and international organisations,
• Journalism/media,
• Publishing, libraries, archives and museums,
• Foreign trade and business,
• Public relations and advertising.

It is advisable to make useful professional contacts in the course of your studies (e.g. during the internship in the fifth semester). Leipzig University Career Service can advise you on preparing for your transition to the world of work.

After successfully completing the West Slavonic Studies bachelor’s programme, it is possible to add an MA.

• It is possible to complete internships during the programme, and these can be recognised for credit. The programme variant “Intercultural West Slavonic Studies (Bachelor Plus)” includes an internship.
• A period of study abroad is generally recommended. The numerous exchange agreements between Leipzig’s West Slavonic Studies department and universities in Poland (Wrocław, Krakow, Warsaw, Katowice, Gdańsk, Poznań) and the Czech Republic (Prague, Brno, Ústí nad Labem, Olomouc, Ostrava) mean that students can choose from a wide range of study places abroad. Alternatively, you can choose the programme variant “Intercultural West Slavonic Studies (Bachelor Plus)” with an integrated year of study at the Charles University of Prague and the University of Wrocław. You can apply for this programme variant in your second year of studies.

• Study regulations (SO) and examination regulations (PO), curricula and module descriptions (in German)

Course start: Winter semester
Admission restriction (NCU): no
Application period: 2 May–15 September
Application portal: AlmaWeb

Please ensure that you read and take note of the further information provided on the pages “Online application”.

International students can find information about application periods and how to apply on the page “International”.

Options in the winter semester: 3rd semester and 5th semester – each without restrictions on admission
Options in the summer semester: 2nd semester, 4th semester and 6th semester – each without restrictions on admission
Application period: 2 May–15 September for the winter semester; 1 December–15 March for the summer semester
Application portal: AlmaWeb
Special enrolment requirements: Credits form (Anrechnungsbescheid)

You can find more information on our page for “Applying for higher semesters of study”.

International students can find information about application periods and how to apply on the page “International”.

Only for the programme variant “Intercultural West Slavonic Studies (Bachelor Plus)”:
Two semesters of study at foreign partner universities