All courses are held in English. Other departments offer courses that students may choose as part of the external module, and these courses may be taught in other languages as well.
Deadlines:
early May (early bird phase)
mid-July
The application portal will open at the beginning of May, and there will be two evaluation periods. The earlier you apply, the earlier you will be notified: successful candidates who apply within about a week of the portal opening will be offered a place by late May. Applications received between mid-May and 15 July will be processed at the end of July. For the exact dates, please consult the website listed below.
The final application deadline for both EU and non-EU residents alike is 15 July. Especially applicants from outside the EU are strongly advised to apply by the first deadline. In this way, successful applicants maximise their time to obtain visas (which can be time-consuming) and to arrange funding, travel, and accommodation before the start of the MA NTS Orientation Week in October.
Please check http://www.wwu.de/MA_transnational/Admissions/ for potential updates.
The international, research-led Master of Arts in National and Transnational Studies (MA NTS) is a well-established programme exploring the sociocultural dynamics of an increasingly globalised world beyond national frameworks at one of Germany’s largest universities. The MA NTS is inspired by the so-called transnational turn in social science and the humanities. Its flexible syllabus enables students to curate their specific academic and professional profiles according to their own research interests and career goals — both within the core areas of the MA and beyond English studies. All MA NTS classes are taught in English, and students work in small, highly international seminar groups, in which they are offered close supervision. Münster is a beautiful, historical city with a vibrant and welcoming student life.
Tracing interdisciplinary developments within transnational literatures and cultures, key topics include colonialism and postcolonialism, (trans-)migration and diaspora, book studies, world Englishes, and (socio-)linguistics of globalisation.
During this two-year programme, students of National and Transnational Studies:
Since the core of the MA NTS lies in anglophone literatures and cultures, book studies, and the varieties of English, students are primarily based in the English Department. Its staff possess a wide scope of expertise, ranging from Adam Smith to Zadie Smith, from Bollywood to Shakespeare, and from Black studies to queer studies. Our research in transnational literary and cultural studies focuses on complicating and methodologically transgressing the geographical and ideological framework defining conventional approaches to the study of cultural representations and identifications. In book studies, we focus on book history and publishing studies, including book production, distribution, and reception. Our linguistic research ranges from socio- and corpus linguistics to phonetics and pragmatics. Students can also select courses from other modern literatures and languages, film and media studies, history, sociology, anthropology, and related fields.
Given the programme’s high academic standards and its focus on research and practical experience (internship, study abroad, independent study), NTS graduates successfully pursue (inter)national careers in both academic and non-academic sectors, including media and publishing, advertising and public relations, museums, festival organisation, and NGOs dealing with e.g. migration, language policy, and international cultural relations.
This programme draws on the transnational turn in the humanities and social sciences as well as the critique of methodological nationalism in literary and cultural studies in particular. It comprises a variety of course types, including lectures, seminars, postgraduate research classes, and practical skills courses (including language tuition) as well as independent study and research. Most modules and courses take place over one semester, with the exception of the Research Modules, each of which takes place over two semesters.
The first semester begins with an orientation week, followed by the module “Foundations of National and Transnational Studies: History, Theory, Methods”, which includes an introductory class with components from literary and cultural studies, as well as classes on linguistics and book studies. “Research Module I”, in which students begin to engage with possible topics for their MA theses, runs throughout the first and second semesters. The second semester also includes modules in “Nationalism, Transnationalism, Transculturalism: Literary, Cultural and Linguistic Manifestations” and “Minorities and Migration”. The third semester comprises the module in “Culture Contact, Culture Conflict” and the interdisciplinary “External Module”, which allows students to attend relevant courses in other departments and disciplines. It is also recommended that the module in “Work Experience” be completed in this semester. “Research Module II” runs throughout the third and fourth semesters, offering succinct advice on your Master’s thesis. Most of the fourth semester is dedicated to the completion of the thesis and preparation for the disputation.
This MA programme offers an excellent student-teacher ratio and first-rate mentoring options. Students receive individualised advice and support with regard to the planning of their personal study and research programme.
PDF DownloadIn the compulsory module in “Work Experience”, students gain practical experience in professional fields especially relevant to the thematic and international focus of this Master’s programme. The module covers a minimum of 150 working hours. It can be completed on a part-time basis during the semester or on a full-time basis for a minimum of four weeks in the semester break (either in Germany or abroad). Students choose one of the following options:
Students must pay a semester contribution fee of 317.48 EUR per semester. This includes a "semester ticket" covering public transportation in the greater Münster area and throughout Germany.
You can find more information here:
https://www.uni-muenster.de/studieninteressierte/en/einschreibung/semesterbeitrag.shtml
We recommend that students budget at least 900 EUR per month to cover personal expenses (accommodation, living expenses, health insurance).
Admission to the Master of Arts programme in “Books - Literature - Culture - Language: National and Transnational Studies (MA)” is offered for each winter semester, which starts in October. It is a very selective programme that admits only those applicants who can prove that their interests and previous qualifications make them especially suitable for this degree course. Applicants are selected by an inter-departmental admissions committee.
Prospective students must have completed a first academic degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) with a standard period of study of at least six semesters (three years). This first degree must be in a field which is thematically relevant to this Master’s programme: literature, linguistics, cultural studies, book studies, media studies, communication studies, history, political science, sociology, social anthropology, ethnology, philosophy, theology, educational science, art history or psychology.
Applicants must prove a special qualification and suitability for this programme, which is assessed through the grades attained in MA-relevant focal subjects during their BA studies (or equivalent) as certified by their BA diploma (or equivalent) and transcript of student records, through the CV, evidence of previous international and professional experience (where applicable), and a short essay task: Applicants will be asked to submit an essay of approximately 2,000 words that meets accepted standards of academic writing with regard to both form and referencing.
Essays containing plagiarism will be disqualified. The topic of the essay changes every year and can be found on the admissions page of the programme from early March until the end of the application period for EU students in July:
https://www.wwu.de/MA_transnational/Admissions
All prospective students should have a strong interest in literary and cultural studies and linguistics as well as in the study of national and transnational processes. Applicants who have already dealt with national and transnational studies as undergraduates are especially welcome. Students previously unfamiliar with the methodologies of literary studies, cultural studies and linguistics should be prepared to familiarise themselves with these fields during their first semester on the MA programme.
It is desirable but not obligatory that prospective students have spent several months abroad or have done internships relevant to the programme.
Detailed information on the application requirements and the selection of applicants can be found in the latest amendment ("Änderungsordnung") to the general programme regulations for this Master's programme ("Prüfungsordnung"): PDF: Amendment of regulations [de].
Excellent English language skills are mandatory. Admission to the programme requires a minimum language proficiency level of C2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). As such, most internationally recognised tests that certify C2 are valid. Please consult the website for more details on language tests. Please note that we will consider you a native speaker if English is an official language in your country.
German language skills are desirable (e.g. to facilitate everyday life), but these skills are not required. Hence, it is not necessary to submit a German language certificate like DaF or DSH. However, those students who wish to learn German while they are here can attend German language courses at different levels at the university's language centre.
Deadlines:
early May (early bird phase)
mid-July
The application portal will open at the beginning of May, and there will be two evaluation periods. The earlier you apply, the earlier you will be notified: successful candidates who apply within about a week of the portal opening will be offered a place by late May. Applications received between mid-May and 15 July will be processed at the end of July. For the exact dates, please consult the website listed below.
The final application deadline for both EU and non-EU residents alike is 15 July. Especially applicants from outside the EU are strongly advised to apply by the first deadline. In this way, successful applicants maximise their time to obtain visas (which can be time-consuming) and to arrange funding, travel, and accommodation before the start of the MA NTS Orientation Week in October.
Please check http://www.wwu.de/MA_transnational/Admissions/ for potential updates.
As in all popular university cities in Germany, accommodation is in high demand and is not easy to find in Münster – but it’s not impossible either!
Please contact the International Office (Bachelor's and Master's students) or the CERes (doctoral candidates) of the university for advice. Please also note that the University of Münster (like most German public universities) does not have its own student halls of residence.
With about 43,000 students and 5,500 academics, the University of Münster is one of the largest universities in Germany. It enjoys an outstanding reputation in the region and far beyond for its excellent research opportunities, high-quality teaching and promotion of junior researchers. Fifteen faculties with 280 degree programmes and some 30 research centres comprise the institutional backbone of the university. Besides its academic opportunities, the University of Münster offers a wide and varied range of extracurricular activities. Pursue your interests by participating in student societies, university theatre, choirs, orchestras, bands, and sports courses. Additionally, make sure to visit the university's museums and gardens to further enrich your experience.
Münster is located in north-west Germany, close to the border with the Netherlands. The city is a lively student town, famous for its bicycle-friendly atmosphere and student pubs. Of Münster's total population of approx. 319,400 inhabitants, over 62,800 are students at the different universities. Münster is a thriving centre of science and academia. It is a great place to live, learn and teach.
To activate the map, click on the "Show map" button. We would like to point out that data will be transmitted to OpenStreetMap after activation. You can find out more in our privacy policy. You can revoke your consent to the transmission of data at any time.
