European Studies specialization in the Master International Relations (MIB)

In cooperation with the department "European Studies" of the Université de Fribourg/Universität Freibourg in Switzerland we are pleased to be able to offer you a specialization of the MIB.

Deepen your studies of International Relations with a profound knowledge of European integration: History of the integration process, its legal, economic as well as cultural aspects are part of the content spectrum of this stay abroad. In addition, you will improve your knowledge of French, one of the working languages of the various European institutions.

Up to three students can spend the third semester of the MIB at our Swiss partner university. In this way, you will complete a particularly attractive semester abroad: the Université de Fribourg/Universität Freibourg is not only the only completely bilingual university in Switzerland, located halfway between Bern and the international metropolis of Geneva, but is also known in particular for its excellence in the field of European studies.

Vice versa, up to three students of the Master "European Studies" will spend a semester at the KU at the same time, thus further intensifying the long-standing partnership between the two universities, just as the students of the MIB will do in Fribourg.

Study program in Switzerland

Switzerland has a fall and a spring semester. You will complete a total of two modules of 15 ECTS credits each of the Master's program "European Studies" in the fall semester: "Specialization European Studies 1: European Integration" and "Specialization European Studies 2: Europe as Cultural Space". You can choose between French- and German-language courses, some classes are also taught in English.

The fall semester in Switzerland begins in early September and ends before Christmas. Exams are usually held in January.

Funding and accommodation

For your stay in Switzerland, you will not receive funding from the ERASMUS+ program, but from the Swiss European Mobility Programme (SEM). Currently, the funding for one semester is 2200 CHF. The International Office of the KU as well as the degree program coordinators will advise you on further funding possibilities.

You organize your accommodation in Freiburg yourself. The contact persons of the Master’s degree program European Studies and the International Office of the University of Fribourg/Freiburg will be happy to support you.

Application and further procedure

Due to the deadlines, the semester abroad has to be organized immediately after the start of your studies of the MIB. Students interested in the specialization "European Studies" should apply to the head of the degree program by November 15 of the year at the latest (required documents: curriculum vitae, short letter of motivation and proof of French language skills).

Although the Université de Fribourg/Universität Freibourg is bilingual in principle (German/ French), knowledge of French is a central requirement for participation in the European Studies specialization, if only because of the objective of the stay abroad. Your language level should be at least B2 according to the European reference framework.

If you are selected for one of the three places, the further procedure follows the guidelines and deadlines of the International Office of the KU.

Contact persons

Contact person for questions regarding the specialization "European Studies" is Dr Andreas N. Ludwig.

Contact person in Fribourg/Freiburg is Marie Moulin.