How did the idea of setting up a Franco-German degree programme come about? Since when has the contact to the partner been established?

The international relations department of the Institut de Traducteurs, d'Interprètes et de Relations Internationales (ITIRI) / Faculté des Langues / University of Strasbourg and the Chair of Romance Literatures and Cultures can look back on a long history of collaboration: In addition to a simple Erasmus exchange, this led to a successful Franco-German partnership at degree programme level. In 1999, a double degree programme was introduced for the first time that was based on existing degree programmes of the international relations department (ITIRI / University of Strasbourg) and the Diplom-Kulturwirt (certified culture economist, University of Passau). The current double master’s programme has developed from this initial double degree course; the original agreement was valid from 2015 to 2020 and is now being renewed from the 2020/2021 academic year for a further five years.

The University of Passau has further FGU-sponsored programmes such as the double degree programme M.A. Kulturwirtschaft/International Cultural and Business Studies with the Université Aix-Marseille and the master’s there, Langues Étrangères Appliquées (LEA) (Prof. Dr Christoph Barmeyer) as well as the Franco-German Research Training Group between INSA de Lyon and the University of Passau (Prof. Dr Harald Kosch). Thanks to these excellent connections to other FGU-sponsored programmes and programme partners, the suggestion was made to apply for FGU funding – especially because an earlier double degree in the certified cultural economist course with the Université de Strasbourg was already being funded by the FGU.

What is the added value for the higher education institution of developing a Franco-German degree programme?

The relationship between Germany and France is a motor for the European idea. The University of Passau includes the European focus in its guiding principles – naturally Strasbourg fits fantastically here as it is a “capitale européenne”. Partnerships between universities and higher education institutions for degree programmes are the first steps on the way to binational networks.

What is the added value for the students?

Since its introduction in the year 2005, the M.A.  in European Studies has been systematically focused on interculturalism, not only in a content-related subject-specific way but also with a programmatic-structural approach. It was the founding principle to combine the different pillars of the degree programme not only in a multidisciplinary but also an interdisciplinary approach. The double degree programme brings this central reasoning for the programme even more sharply into focus by guiding the students to a double qualification in a clearly structured format which is supervised by both partners, both subject-specifically and administratively.

The acquisition of intercultural competences is not limited to staying at the respective higher education institution, but is supported by academic courses and translated into practical experience. Life, learning and work take place across borders between Germany and France. Through the learned and experienced interculturality, transnational exchange of meaning can not only be experienced personally, but can also be grasped methodically and reflexively.

The European studies are taught and lived in theory and practice at two universities that identify with Europe in a special way: Passau in the triangle Germany – Austria – Czech Republic and Strasbourg as "capital européenne".

What are the career prospects like for the graduates?

Excellent! The first study year in Passau lays a theoretical foundation in the field of intercultural European Studies, but an important part of the professional orientation and preparation takes place during the second study year in Strasbourg. In both master’s programmes, courses (particularly in the accompanying Diplôme Universitaire – D. U.) are taught by specialists with practical experience who have a background in international communication or inner/outer-European collaboration. With their expertise, the professional consultants teach the students essential abilities for their future careers. Furthermore, in their fourth semester, the students are already working in a professional context, e.g. for companies, associations or (international) organisations. Previous work placements have taken the students to the Germany Embassy in Paris, the EU Council, International Criminal Court or internationally operating companies.

With the double degree programme, graduates are qualified, for example, to work in international / EU organisations, in the diplomatic service, in the international not-for-profit field or in companies with international, but particularly Franco-German partners.

(Source text: Dorothea Will/Susanne Hartwig)