Study programme

About the programme

Introduction and Geographical Context

Southeast Europe is one of the most interesting macro-regions. It is geographically situated between Western Europe, Southern Europe, Russia, the Near East, Northern Africa, and Asia. This is not just a description of its geographical position, but also a good description of the various political, cultural, linguistic, and economic influences and connections. It represents a perfect case to analyse and understand complex societies, complex cultural relations, and complex political and economic patterns. A variety of highly relevant topics in the contemporary world can be mastered solely by studying this region, such as peace and conflict, political transitions and transformations, different approaches to economic development and policies, the relationship between macro cultural and social trends and individual identities, and the connections between politics, culture, art, and languages.

The Southeast European Studies programme, offered by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Zagreb, represents a truly interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary course of study. It is dedicated to examining the vast expanse of Southeast Europe through the distinct lenses of various social sciences and humanities. By synthesizing the methods of history, sociology, ethnology, anthropology, literature, art history, and political science, the programme affords students an exceptionally broad and profound insight into the diverse phenomena and processes that shape the region.

Zagreb emerges as a natural and ideal locus for such scholarly inquiry; the city inherently belongs to the region historically and culturally, yet simultaneously functions within a European Union member state, thereby providing prospective students with an array of distinct academic and structural advantages.

Students interested in the regional affairs of Southeast Europe have a unique opportunity to study this region from within, relying on regional expertise and perspective. Students interested in regional studies in a broader sense can gain competencies and perspectives that are easily transferable to other regions.

Organization

Structure of the Programme

The curriculum is structured as a two-year course of study, demanding the completion of 120 ECTS credits. Designed for the discerning scholar, the programme avoids confining the region to a single analytical framework, choosing instead to merge a myriad of humanistic disciplines:

  • Humanities & Letters: Anthropology, the Fine Arts, Ethnology, History, Art History, Literature, and Linguistics.
  • Social Sciences: Political Science and Sociology.

Central to the philosophy of the curriculum is a profound emphasis on intercultural dialogue, cultivating a sophisticated capacity for cross-cultural communication and preparing graduates to navigate an increasingly complex global landscape.

Languages

Philological Training & Language Component

A cornerstone of this degree is its robust linguistic component, rooted in the conviction that true regional expertise requires a command of its vernaculars. The programme offers tailored pathways depending on the student’s linguistic background:

  • For International Students: A comprehensive opportunity is provided to acquire proficiency in the Croatian language.
  • For Domestic Students (and those fluent in Croatian): The acquisition of another regional tongue as a foreign language is an obligatory component of the degree.

Students may pursue formal philological training in:

  • Bulgarian, Croatian, Greek, Macedonian, Slovenian, Turkish, or Romanian


PARTNERS

Institutional Affiliations & Cooperations

The academic rigor and real-world relevance of the degree are enhanced by its structural foundations. The programme is anchored by a primary partnership with the Faculty of Political Sciences at the University of Zagreb, and benefits from sustained cooperation with renowned domestic and international centers of research, higher learning, and civic action: