Master's Program in Intercultural German Studies

In accordance with the current tuition fee schedules, students have to pay additional incidential fees in the amount of approx. CAN $ 780 per term for the three terms at the University of Waterloo (status autumn 2022). Yet, you do not have to pay tuition fees at the University of Waterloo.

The master’s program in Intercultural German Studies is a joint degree program in which students study one year at the University of Mannheim and at the University of Waterloo in Canada, respectively.

Students take courses in Germanic Linguistics and Literary Studies as well as in Cultural Studies and Intercultural Research.

The master's program includes one mandatory module in Mannheim and in Waterloo, respectively. Apart from that, students can flexibly organize their studies. They can chose their courses freely, focusing either on Literary Studies or Linguistics. Please see the exemplary degree plan for orientation.

The master’s program in Intercultural Studies offers students the opportunity to study at two outstanding universities in two different languages and cultural areas. This enables our students not only to acquire sound specialist knowledge but also intercultural understanding that is important for their subject matter and, of course, beyond.

Our graduates stand out due to their intercultural competence and enhanced mobility. These skills are becoming increasingly important in our society and thus qualify our students for jobs with international focus.

For example, they can work in public relations, marketing, project management, and consulting. Likewise, they qualify for activities in the media such as journalism, editing or proofreading.

Another option is to continue your academic education at a university in Germany or abroad. Suitable subject matters would be related fields such as second language acquisition, intercultural communication, educational science or international business administration. Successful graduates of the master's program also have the opportunity to subsequently obtain a doctoral degree and thus pursue a career in academia.

Students of the master’s program in Intercultural German Studies should

• have a pronounced interest in cultural, literary and/or linguistic topics,
• have intercultural competence and be willing to extend it,
• have a high level of motivation and willingness to work independently and in a targeted manner.

Module catalog
For students who apply for the course at the University of Mannheim, the module catalog of the University of Mannheim (only available in German) offers an overview of courses and learning content.

To be admitted to the master's program in Intercultural German Studies (M.A.) applicants need to have a bachelor’s degree in German Studies. A degree in a different field is sufficient if it is recognized as equivalent by the admissions committee. The following requirements must be met:

• a total of 180 ECTS credits or a standard period of study of at least six semesters,
• a final grade of 2.5 (German grading system) or better.

Language requirements
You have to submit proof of English language proficiency at least equivalent to level B2 and German language proficiency at least equivalent to level C1.

Conditional admission
If you have not yet completed your bachelor’s program by the application deadline, you may still be admitted to the master’s program as long as you provide proof that you have obtained at least 140 ECTS credits in your core subject. In this case, your admission to the program is subject to receipt of your bachelor’s degree by the exam registration period in the first semester (refer to selection statutes).