- Founded
- 1991
- Students
- 3,933
- International
- 41%
- Programmes
- 26
- Taught in English
- 11
About Europa-Universität Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder)
Europa-Universität Viadrina (European University Viadrina) is a public research university located in Frankfurt (Oder), Brandenburg, at the German-Polish border. Re-founded in 1991 following German reunification - the original Viadrina operated from 1506 to 1811 - it has since 2008 held the legal status of a foundation university (Stiftungsuniversität). It comprises three faculties covering Law, Business Administration and Economics, and Social and Cultural Sciences, alongside the European New School of Digital Studies.
With approximately 3,933 students (as of April 2025), of whom 1,612 (around 41 per cent) are international students from over 100 countries, Viadrina ranks among the most internationally diverse universities in Germany. It offers 35 degree programmes including 11 bachelor's and 15 master's programmes, plus 25 international double-degree options. Research strengths include Central and Eastern European studies, digitalisation, law, and European integration.
The university places strong emphasis on cross-border cooperation: its joint campus Collegium Polonicum is located across the Oder River in Słubice, Poland. Teaching is delivered in small, dialogue-oriented groups and the multilingual environment encompasses German, English, Polish, and several other European languages as working languages.
One of Germany's most international universities: ~41% international students from over 100 countries
Unique cross-border campus - Collegium Polonicum in Słubice, Poland, operated jointly with Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań
25 international double-degree programmes with partner universities worldwide
Foundation university (Stiftungsuniversität) status since 2008, granting greater institutional autonomy
Strong Central and Eastern European research focus, including dedicated Interdisciplinary Ukrainian Studies programme
No tuition fees for all students; low cost of living in Frankfurt (Oder) compared with other German university cities
Key facts
- Type
- Universitäten
- Founded
- 1991
- Students
- 3,933
- International
- approx. 41% (1,612 international students as of April 2025)
- Faculties
- 3
- Programmes
- 26
Study programmes
26 accredited degrees at Europa-Universität Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder), 11 of them taught in English.
Showing 25–26 of 26 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
No tuition fees for any students (domestic or international), with very limited exceptions. A mandatory semester contribution applies to all enrolled students: approximately €396-€403 per semester (Winter Semester 2026/27 rates), covering student union fee (~€100), student body contribution (~€19), registration fee (€51), Germany Semester Ticket (~€227), and student ID for first-year students (€6). Brandenburg state does not charge additional non-EU tuition fees.
Admission requirements
International applicants with foreign university entrance qualifications (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung) apply via uni-assist e.V. for most bachelor's and selected master's programmes. Eligibility is assessed against anabin and DAAD databases. Language certificates are required depending on the programme's teaching language (German or English). Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese applicants who require an APS certificate must obtain one before applying; the university itself does not specify this on its pages, but German consulate/visa requirements apply. Applications and enrolment are processed through the viaCampus portal. Documents not in German or English require certified translation.
Application deadlines
Bachelor's programmes - Winter Semester: 1 June to 15 July; Summer Semester: 1 December to 15 January. Master's programmes - Winter Semester: generally 1 June to 15 September; Summer Semester: generally 1 December to 15 March. Exchange/Erasmus students - Winter Semester: 15 July (EU), 31 May recommended (non-EU); Summer Semester: 15 January (EU), 30 November recommended (non-EU). Exact dates vary by programme; confirm via the viaCampus portal.
How international applicants apply
Yes - mandatory uni-assist (full application processing, not just VPD) for international applicants. Bildungsauslaender without German citizenship and without German HZB apply for the 1st subject semester (bachelor/Staatsexamen) via uni-assist ('Bitte senden Sie keine Unterlagen an die Viadrina!'); non-German master applicants with a foreign degree likewise submit via uni-assist for most programmes (exceptions e.g. German and Polish Law LL.M., Europaeisches Wirtschaftsrecht LL.M., Forced Migrations M.A.). Enrolment for higher subject semesters or after Studienkolleg runs directly via the Viadrina's viaCampus portal.
Languages of instruction
German and English are both languages of instruction. The Viadrina Language Centre offers courses from beginner to specialist level; language training is an integral part of all degree programmes. Polish and other European languages are widely used on campus.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Scholarships at Europa-Universität Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder)
3 schemes run or administered by the university. Always confirm current amounts and deadlines on the official page.
Deutschlandstipendium at the Europa-Universitaet Viadrina
Grant of EUR 300 per month for talented students who have achieved or are expected to achieve outstanding results; financed half f...
Amount: EUR 300/month
Deadline: Online application window in spring; for 2025/26: 28 April - 27 May 20...
bachelor, master
Start, social and merit grants of the Europa-Universitaet Viadrina
Portfolio of university grants awarded for one academic year: 25 Start grants (university-funded), 13 Social grants (need-based),...
Amount: EUR 300/month
Deadline: Same spring online-application round as the Deutschlandstipendium (see...
bachelor, master
Viadrina Fast Track (ENG track) entry scholarships
Applicants selected for the three-month preparatory programme (July-September) leading into the English-taught BA International Bu...
Amount: EUR 3,000 total in the first study year
Deadline: Application window opens 01 October; written applications due by 04 De...
bachelor
Student accommodation
What Europa-Universität Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
Rooms are allocated by
Studierendenwerk Frankfurt
Not by the university. Apply to them directly, and expect a waiting list.
The university's housing page
Deadlines and application forms are published here, and they change every intake.
Open housing pageHousing office: [email protected]
Room types mentioned
What that page describes. Availability varies by intake.
Campuses & locations
Primary campus across several buildings in Frankfurt (Oder), including the Main Building (Große Scharrnstraße 59), Auditorium Maximum (Logenstraße 4), and Gräfin-Dönhoff-Building (Europaplatz 1)
Joint cross-border campus in Słubice, Poland (ul. Kościuszki 1), operated together with Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań
Living in Frankfurt (Oder)
Frankfurt (Oder) is a small city in the state of Brandenburg, eastern Germany, directly on the Polish border with the twin city of Słubice across the Oder River. It offers affordable living costs relative to larger German cities, with accessible student housing on both sides of the river. The city is well connected by train to Berlin (approx. 1 hour). Its location makes it a natural hub for Central and Eastern European academic and cultural exchange.
Student life & support
The Viadrina campus is compact and internationally oriented, with students from over 100 countries creating a multilingual environment. The university runs a Viadrina Founders Center supporting entrepreneurship, a Career Center for professional development, and a Center for Knowledge and Technology Transfer. The Collegium Polonicum across the border in Słubice extends student facilities into Poland. The Germany Semester Ticket included in the semester contribution provides free regional public transport. Living costs in Frankfurt (Oder) are among the lowest of any German university city; new arrivals are advised to have approximately €500 available in cash or accessible accounts for initial expenses.
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