You can have study guidance for thesis writing and planning of your studies. You can specialize in the ECEBB area in the Bachelor’s programme in Cultural Studies and the Master’s programme in Area and Cultural Studies, as well as in the Master’s programme in European and Nordic Studies (ENS).
ECEBB studies provide students with a comprehensive knowledge base in order to deepen their understanding of the recent history and current societies of the East Central European, Balkan and Baltic regions. ECEBB is suitable for all students who wish to become experts on the East Central European, Balkan and Baltic region.
Every degree student and exchange student of the University of Helsinki has the right to take the ECEBB study programme. Students of the Aleksanteri Institute Expertise in Russian and Eastern European Studies (ExpREES) can take ECEBB courses that are included in the ExpREES teaching programme.
Students outside the University of Helsinki may apply for the right to partake in ECEBB Studies through the Flexible Study-Right Scheme (JOO). All Finland’s universities are signatories to the JOO agreement, which gives undergraduate and postgraduate students the chance to include studies from other Finnish universities in their degrees. The flexible study right for the ECEBB studies can be applied through the Faculty of Arts at the University of Helsinki. Further information about JOO
Master’s or Bachelor’s degree holders that hold are not subscribed to any university can apply the right to take ECEBB Studies as non-degree studies: this refers to the possibility of taking completing specific courses in order to upgrade professional qualifications. Further information about non-degree studies
Please note that the teaching programme might be subject to changes and additions, so it is advisable to check course-specific information before the start of the course. You can find course descriptions and registration links at the course pages.
Ukraine lecture course: The Russian invasion in the core of Europe: Bringing Ukrainian voices to the fore (ALKU-IK531, ALKU-IK533, PVK-P209, KUKA-UK501, KUKA-UK502, KUKA-UK503, RUS-521, RUS-522, RUS-523, RUS-524), course page, I-II period, online independent studies course
Migration in Central and Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union (ALKU-IK533, ALKU-IK531, ALKU-E319, ALKU-E320, ALKU-E313, KUKA-UK502, KUKA-UK503, KUKA-AL216, KIM-SB305), course page, I-II period, online course
Gulag and Beyond: exploring Eastern European societies through incarceration (ALKU-IK533, ALKU-IK532, KUKA-IK505, KUKA-IK506, KUKA-IK507, KUKA-IK508, KUKA-IK509, KUKA-IK510, ALKU-E320, ALKU-E317, ALKU-E313), course page, I period
Russia’s war in Ukraine: Lessons in the context of contemporary warfare and European security (KUKA-UK502, KUKA-UK503, ALKU-IK533, ALKU-IK531), course page, I period, hybrid course
Conspiracy theories and illiberalism in East Central Europe (ALKU-IK532, ALKU-IK531, KUKA-IK506, KUKA-IK505, ALKU-E313, KUKA-AL218, KIM-SB305), course page, I period
Ukrainian film classics: avant-garde and poetic cinema (KUKA-UK501, ALKU-IK533), course page, I period, online course
The approaches of historical policy research: History of the Soviet Union (YMV-P513, ALKU-IK533, KUKA-IK509, KUKA-IK510), course page, I period
Political and social transformation in the Balkans after the dissolution of Yugoslavia (ALKU-IK532, ALKU-IK533, ALKU-IK531, KUKA-IK508, KUKA-IK507, ENS-360, KIK-SL221, KIM-SB305, KUKA-AL218), course page, II period, online course
The politics of memory in Central and Eastern Europe (ALKU-IK533, KUKA-UK503, KUKA-UK502, KUKA-IK505, KUKA-IK506, ALKU-E317, KUKA-AL218, KIM-SB305), course page, II period
Ukrainian culture and society (KUKA-UK502, KUKA-UK501, KUKA-UK503, ALKU-IK533), course page, II period, online course
The IV period course pages will be published in January 2023.
Histories of Hip Hop culture(s) in the Balkans (ALKU-IK533, KUKA-IK507, KUKA-AL217, ALKU-E313, ALKU-E315, ALKU-E320, KUKA-AL217, KIK-SL221, KIM-SB305), course page, III period
Investigating the Ukrainian crisis: effects on Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Romania and CEE region (ALKU-IK531, KUKA-UK502, KUKA-UK503, KUKA-IK506, KUKA-IK508, ALKU-IK532, ALKU-IK533, KUKA-AL218, KIM-SB305), course page
Post-Communist Nostalgia in the Balkans: Literature, Culture, Politics (ALKU-IK533, ALKU-IK531, KUKA-IK507, ALKU-E316, ALKU-E313, ALKU-E317, ALKU-E320, KUKA-AL218, KIK-SL221, KIM-SB305), course page, III period, two-week intensive course
Modern Economic History Eastern Europe and Russia (ALKU-IK533, ALKU-E313, KUKA-IK505, KUKA-IK507, KUKA-UK501, KUKA-UK502, KUKA-UK503, HISM-321, HISM-322, HISM-323, HISK-225, ENS-365, KIM-SB305), course page, III-IV period, online course
Chornobyl Studies: Political, Social and Cultural Contexts (ALKU-IK533, KUKA-UK501, KUKA-UK502, ALKU-E319), course page, III period, online course
(Communism and transition to democracy in the Balkans (ALKU-IK533, KUKA-IK507), course page, IV period, online course) CANCELLED
Abortion and homosexuality in Poland, East Central Europe and the Balkans (ALKU-IK533, ALKU-E318, KIM-SB305, KIK-SL221, KIK-PL221, ALKU-E318, KUKA-AL215), course page, IV period, online course
Geopolitical theories and the place of Central and Eastern Europe in the modern world order (ALKU-IK532, ALKU-IK531, ALKU-E322, ALKU-E313, KUKA-UK502, KUKA-UK503, ENS-359, KIM-SB305), course page, IV period, online course
Literacy in the Balkans (ALKU-IK533, KUKA-IK508, KUKA-IK507, KIK-SL221, KIM-SB305), course page, IV period
The Great Famine (1932–1933) and the Birth of Modern Ukraine (KUKA-UK501, ALKU-IK533, ALKU-E317, ALKU-E313), course page, IV period
Democratic Erosion in Eastern Europe (ALKU-IK531, ALKU-IK532, ALKU-IK533, KUKA-UK502, KUKA-UK503, KUKA-IK506, KUKA-IK508, KUKA-IK510), course page, IV period, online course
Jazz in former Eastern Europe (ALKU-IK533, KUKA-IK509, ENS-367, TTK-MU244, TTK-MU254, TTM-MU333, TTM-MU353, ALKU-E315, ALKU-E320, KUKA-AL217, KIK-SL221, KIM-SB305), course page, May intensive period
For older teaching programmes starting from the academic year 2006-2007, please turn to ECEBB Planning Officer.
The Aleksanteri Institute coordinates the ECEBB study modules in cooperation with the Bachelor’s programme in Cultural studies (KUKA) and the Master’s programme in Area and cultural studies (ALKU).
Starting from August 1, 2020, the ECEBB study modules can be taken as follows:
Please find below study modules with required study units:
KUKA-IK520 East Central European, Balkan and Baltic Studies I (15 cr)
Compulsory:
Select 10 cr:
OR
KUKA-IK500 East Central European, Balkan and Baltic Studies II (30 cr)
Compulsory:
Select 25 cr:
IN ADDITION:
ALKU-IK530 East Central European, Balkan and Baltic Studies, specialization studies (15 cr)
Instructions and forms concerning ECEBB Studies on bachelor level can be found in Instructions for students by choosing Bachelor’s Programme in Cultural Studies as the degree programme, and for master level studies by choosing Master’s Programme in Area and Cultural Studies. Director of Educational Programs Jouni Järvinen (see Research staff and experts) grants overall grades for the ECEBB Studies, and is responsible for recognition of credits completed elsewhere, for example during exchange studies.
You can apply for exchange in ECEBB countries via Erasmus or Norplus programmes, or via University of Helsinki bilateral agreements.
Many universities organise short courses and summer courses for foreign students. You can look for information on intensive courses at universities' websites.
University of Helsinki International Exchange Services: Short courses and summer courses abroad
The Ikebb-ecebb-info mailing list is an information channel for the ECEBB study programme and the region in question. Information and comments on new publications, seminars, education possibilities, funding options etc, relating to ECEBB are welcome on the list.
You will receive an automatic reply confirming that your request has been received and forwarded to the administrator of the ikebb-ecebb-info list. When you have been added to the list you will receive confirmation of this and instructions for unsubscribing the list. It is advisable to save this message for future reference.
NB: Please do not use addresses such as Yahoo or Hotmail. Messages from such addresses will be regarded as junk mail.
The messages aimed for the ikebb-ecebb-info mailing list should be sent toikebb-ecebb-info@helsinki.fi. Please use the same address from which you subscribed to the mailing list.
In questions concerning the content of the list, please turn to ECEBB Planning Officer
Director of Educational Program Jouni Järvinen
Planning Officer Minna Oroza
In Planning group also:
The planning group supports pedagogical planning and development and participates to long-term strategic development of the ECEBB Studies. The planning group consists of researchers/teachers and two student members.
Please find below a list of university departments and research centres which conduct teaching and/or research concerning the ECEBB region.
NB: The friendship societies' websites are mostly in Finnish. Please see for more friendship societies in Finnish.