Official Study Guide for Germany
Minor European languages and cultures
The modern philologies of Finno-Ugric Studies and Baltic Studies are combined in the ‘Minor European Languages and Cultures’ field of study.
Overview of the academic discipline
Fennistics or Finno-Ugric studies (Uralic studies) deals with the languages, literatures and cultures of Finland, Hungary, Estonia and some smaller languages in Russia. What they have in common is that they are not related to the other languages of Europe.
Baltic Studies deals with the Baltic languages Latvian and Lithuanian and the Caucasian languages (Caucasian Studies).
Which topics are included in the curriculum?
The degree programmes impart comprehensive specialist knowledge, methods and skills in the field of Finno-Ugric languages and cultures. This includes linguistic basics, learning Finnish and Hungarian if necessary, regional studies and basic academic working techniques and skills.
The ‘Baltic Studies’ degree programme, which is unique in Germany, focuses on Baltic philology. The philological view of the Baltic region encompasses the linguistic, literary and cultural developments of Latvia and Lithuania. Students also acquire language skills in at least one of the two languages.
What are the requirements?
To study Finno-Ugric or Baltic Studies, it is an advantage to have a good knowledge of these school subjects: German, English and History.
What study programmes are there to choose from?
Study programmes in the field of Fennistics are offered at various universities, sometimes in combination with Scandinavian Studies.
The University of Greifswald is the only university in Germany to offer a degree programme in Baltic Studies.
What job opportunities are there after graduation?
Graduates work in cultural, economic and political organisations, especially in the context of a Europe that is growing together.