Master in Border Studies

The Master in Border Studies is a two-year joint international study programme addressing the complex economic, political, social and cultural issues of borders and of border regions in Europe and beyond.

Discover the Master with our Alumni

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);
• RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau (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 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 literatures 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 specialise in one of the two tracks:

• spatial track including geography and spatial planning;
• language and cultural track including cultural studies, literature, linguistics, intercultural communication.

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 included:

• the economic sector (e.g. trade companies…);
• 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.

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 programme is based on a 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. 

Further information about the University of the Greater Region in general and the Master in Border Studies in particular can be found here.

The programme benefits from the recognition and the support of the Université franco-allemande ¦ Deutsch-Französische Hochschule. As a consequence, students can benefit from mobility grants.