West Slavonic Languages, Literatures and Cultures BA

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

• No special language skills required.

This degree programme focuses on the West Slavonic languages Polish and Czech. You will acquire thorough language skills in Polish and/or Czech combined with scientifically sound knowledge of the culture, literature, history and society of the neighbouring countries of Poland and the Czech Republic.

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). 

The programme lasts six semesters and is based on three pillars: Language training, literature/cultural studies and linguistics. Special emphasis is placed on comparative aspects. 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.

By attending optional courses outside the field of Western Slavonic Studies (elective area), you have the opportunity to develop an interdisciplinary educational profile and to acquire new skills. These can include non-Slavic subjects as well as the neighbouring disciplines of Eastern Slavonic Studies and Sorbian Studies. You will acquire further important additional qualifications through a study-abroad period, an internship or by selecting other educational content that is important to you. The bachelor's thesis marks the end of your studies.

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:

• 20 of these are allocated to the subject-related key qualifications offered within the faculty:
  • students specialising in Polish take the modules ‘Polish I’ and ‘Polish 2’,
  • students specialising in Czech take the modules ‘Czech 1’ and ‘Czech 2’
• the remaining 10 credit points can be earned either in modules from the cross-faculty range of key qualifications at the student's choice, or in the modules ‘Polish 5’ or ‘Czech 5’ or can be earned through internships or as part of a study abroad programme

In the programme version Bachelor Plus, you will need eight semesters to complete the 240 credit points. There is no option to study part-time during the semester abroad in the Bachelor Plus programme version.

• During the programme you can learn either Polish, Czech or both languages.
• Possibility to choose the programme version 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 version 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 version 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.

• Examination regulations (PO) and study regulations (SO), course plan and module descriptions

• 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” and “Applying for a master’s programme”.

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

• Options in the summer semester: 2nd semester – without restrictions on admission
• Application period: 1 December–15 March
• Application portal: AlmaWeb
• Bewerbungsfrist: 01.12. – 15.03. 
  Bewerbungsportal: AlmaWeb
  Special enrolment requirements: Credits form 

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”.