The programme is taught entirely in English.
Applications will be received from 1 June to 15 July for the following winter semester.
For further information and possible changes, please consult the programme's website.
Bielefeld University’s interdisciplinary two-year MA programme “World Studies: Orders, Politics, Cultures” combines scientific perspectives of law, history, sociology, political and cultural studies and provides students with in-depth knowledge of global structures and interactions. It prepares them for an international career in academia as well as in other professional fields with interdisciplinary and international requirements. An increasing number of professions throughout the world are no longer just internationally oriented but also require in-depth knowledge of global structures and interactions. The MA programme “World Studies” prepares students for a career in the following fields:
The MA programme is jointly convened by the Departments of Law, Sociology, History, and Literature/Cultural Studies. Accordingly, we address global processes and structures from diverse perspectives including social sciences, history, literary and cultural studies. The Master's programme aims at an enhanced understanding of structures and processes as globally interdependent and interconnected relationships. We understand "orders" as stable settings gathering the parts and a whole (e.g., in the sense of multi-level governance and international legal systems). "Politics" is concerned with the regulation of societies in transnational contexts. "Cultures" refers to contested interpretations, practices, and values pertaining to these orders and politics.
The “World Studies” MA programme is linked to two of Bielefeld University’s research facilities dealing with questions of globalisation, the “Institute for World Societal Studies” (www.uni-bielefeld.de/fakultaeten/soziologie/forschung/iw/) and the Research Training Group “World Politics: The Emergence of Political Arenas and Modes of Observation in World Society” (https://www.uni-bielefeld.de/fakultaeten/soziologie/forschung/worldpolitics).
The World Studies MA programme offers an international study programme with a duration of four semesters. After a broad and intensive introduction (Basic Module) in the first semester, the programme covers the following five study areas:
These study areas are covered in lectures as well as in seminars. During the fourth semester, the Master's thesis should be written.
In addition, students can take academic language training courses in English or German as well as in other languages.
For further details, see the following chart.
PDF DownloadThe study programme strongly encourages students to undertake an internship during the semester breaks. There is a regular offer of workshops and information events around internships, both national and international. However, internships are not a requirement for the Master's degree.
Since Bielefeld University does not charge tuition fees, every student only has to pay a social fee. The social fee includes the contribution to the social ticket for free public transport in the city and area of Bielefeld and on regional trains and buses in North-Rhine Westphalia for the whole semester.
The current semester contribution is approximately 300 EUR.
Costs for studying in Germany are relatively high due to the living expenses.
There are several ways of cutting expenses in Bielefeld. For example, it is possible to rent a room in a student residence for about 230 EUR, and a meal at the student canteen (Mensa) costs only about 2.60 EUR.
Prospective students must have an undergraduate degree in law, sociology, political science, history, or literature/cultural studies. An undergraduate degree in a related field with at least three years of higher education (usually a Bachelor's degree) might also be suitable.
Applicants with a degree from a related field must submit a work sample from their previous studies (e.g. an essay or the BA thesis), in order to prove the relatedness of their qualification to at least one of the five core fields of "World Studies". Applicants with a degree from the core fields of "World Studies" may also submit such a document (not compulsory though), in order to allow the selection committee a better appreciation of their skills.
If the BA diploma has not yet been received, other documents showing the content of the respective study course should be submitted. Examples of this include a transcript of records, diploma supplement, etc. or any document showing that the applicant is qualified for the Master's programme.
Applicants have to fill out a form (part of the online portal) detailing their verifiable knowledge in the methodology of one or more of the five core fields mentioned above.
Qualifications can only be reviewed if all the required documents are submitted within the application period.
Students must furnish proof of English proficiency at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This proof is usually given by any English language test such as TOEFL (iBT) with a minimum of 87 points, TELC English with a minimum grade of B2, IELTS with an overall band score of at least 6.0 or any other equivalent English language test at level B2. A degree from a programme taught completely in English is also deemed sufficient proof of English proficiency. A proof of proficiency in German is NOT necessary.
Applications will be received from 1 June to 15 July for the following winter semester.
For further information and possible changes, please consult the programme's website.
Apply via the online portal.
For further information about the application to the Master's programme, please use the following link: www.uni-bielefeld.de/bewerbung.
Basically, with your residence permit (stamp in your passport), you will receive a work permit for 120 work days per year. This allows you to work 120 full days (eight hours per day) or 240 half days (up to four hours per day). This condition must be noted expressly in the passport by the authorities.
Please try to secure accommodation in Bielefeld as early as possible. In Bielefeld, a broad range of accommodation options can be found at affordable prices. Students residences are run by the public "Studierendenwerk" or private organisations, and shared flats are very common.
Offers of accommodation can be found online by following the links below:
The International Office supports students who are searching for accommodation.
Career planning is a step-by-step development and clarification process that requires individual strategies. Based on a strengths- and resource-oriented approach, we support you in developing your own career prospects.
Depending on your needs, our Career Service at Bielefeld University will accompany you throughout the entire process or in individual steps.
At PunktUm, our German Learning Centre, we offer a comprehensive range of academic support programmes that are designed to meet the needs of international members of the Bielefeld University. These include the Academic Mentoring Programme for Master's students, the Peer Mentoring Programme for Bachelor's students, and semester-long workshops designed to help all students and researchers with academic writing. We also offer individual consultations on academic writing in German as a Foreign Language (DaF) or German as a Second Language (DaZ).
The International Office provides an orientation programme for all international members of Bielefeld University, including degree seekers (BA and MA), double degree students, Erasmus/cooperation students, doctoral students, scholars, interns, and refugees/preparing applicants. Example of activities include Café International, campus tour, introductions to digital services and administrative procedures.
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