The course is a joint programme of the University of Hamburg and the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg (IFSH). The programme is guided and partly implemented by a number of cooperating institutes of the "Cooperation Network Peace Research and Security Policy" (Kooperationsverbund Friedensforschung und Sicherheitspolitik – KoFrieS). The partner institutes are located in Germany, Norway, Austria and the USA.
Both German and English are used.
Students can choose the language (German or English) in which they would like to take their exams, give their presentations or write their Master's theses.
It is a two-year Master's programme (with an option for a one-year curriculum) starting each winter semester (October).
Students can apply from 15 February until 31 March each year. The selection process takes place in April and May.
The "Peace and Security Studies – MA" Master’s programme is a transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary programme combining theory-based education in the areas of peace research and security policy with a practice-orientated application of methods for research.
It is a joint programme of the University of Hamburg and the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg (IFSH). The programme is also supported and partly implemented by a number of academic institutions from Germany and abroad that have a thematic proximity to the work of the IFSH and are members of the Cooperation Network Peace Research and Security Policy ("Kooperationsverbund Friedensforschung und Sicherheitspolitik – KoFrieS"). The intense cooperation with the various partner institutes, each concentrating on different issues in the broad field of peace research and security policy, ensures the diversity of the programme.
The aim of the programme is to teach highly qualified university graduates from Germany or abroad the fundamentals of peace research and security policy and to provide them with the tools for differentiated research in this field. For example, students receive an overview of the social science foundations of peace research and security policy. They learn about current conflicts in individual regions of the world, concrete aspects of peacekeeping, disarmament and foreign policy. All students have the opportunity to complete a practice-orientated research stay at one of the cooperating partner institutes. Students learn from experts in the field of social sciences, law, humanities, ethics and natural sciences. Upon successful completion, students acquire the Master of Arts (MA) in Peace and Security Studies. The degree programme prepares students for careers in academic peace research, international organisations, media or private companies, peacekeeping and monitoring, verification, development aid, mediation or arbitration, etc.
International students of all disciplines are welcome to apply. The languages of instruction of the programme are English and German; applicants need very good knowledge of both languages. Access to the course is limited. An examination committee is responsible for the selection process.
More information: https://ifsh.de/en/teaching/mps
The programme of the University of Hamburg is a four-semester Master's degree course with the option of a two-semester curriculum; both start each winter semester (in October). The one-year curriculum is an abbreviated form of the two-year programme. The degree programme combines research-oriented learning with practical skills in an interdisciplinary environment.
The curriculum begins with an orientation unit. The aim of the introductory unit is to illustrate basic issues in peace studies and security policy. In addition, the cooperating partner institutes use the opportunity to present their research and teaching profiles.
The unit takes place at the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg (IFSH) in the first half of October. It also includes a study visit to Berlin. Afterwards, students start with the basic modules of "Fundamentals and Methods of Peace and Security Research" and "Normative Issues in Peace and Security Research". The profile modules of "Security Studies" and "Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Peace and Security" are the core modules of the Master’s programme. In the "Practice Module", students acquire practical skills, job-specific qualifications, and knowledge about possible professional fields and their requirements. Students have to complete an internship, e.g. at one of the cooperating institutes involved in the programme (KoFrieS).
Events designed to prepare students for careers, such as media training or the alumni association's job exchange, round off the programme. In the “Final Module”, students have to write the Master's thesis.
More information: https://ifsh.de/en/teaching/mps/informations
Students have the opportunity to do an internship with our national and international cooperation partners or at an institution of their choice.
More information: https://ifsh.de/en/teaching/mps/cooperation-networks
There is a semester fee of approx. 350 EUR per semester. This fee includes a semester ticket covering public transport in the Hamburg metropolitan area.
International full-time students may apply for merit scholarships or exam grants of the University of Hamburg. For more information, please use the provided link. We also recommend contacting our colleagues in the Department of International Affairs for further guidance. http://www.uni-hamburg.de/internationales/studieren-an-der-uhh/finanzierung-des-studiums_e.html
University graduates from all disciplines and prospective students from abroad are welcome to apply. Prerequisites are a university degree with 180 ECTS (usually a three- or four-year Bachelor's) and sufficient knowledge of English and German language. Students who already have 240 ECTS can apply for the two-semester curriculum after admission. Additionally, the applicant should have a professional interest in peace and security policy issues and ideally have already worked in the field, completed an internship or volunteered.
The application form and further information on the application can be found at https://ifsh.de/en/teaching/mps/applications.
To be considered for admission, applicants must have a very good working knowledge of both German and English and are required to provide appropriate evidence of their language skills. The following certificates are recognised for the application:
English:
German:
For more information, please see: https://ifsh.de/en/teaching/mps/applications.
Students can apply from 15 February until 31 March each year. The selection process takes place in April and May.
Please find all relevant information here (access to online application portal):
https://ifsh.de/en/teaching/mps/applications/
The Department of International Affairs offers comprehensive international student support. In addition to professional advising and counselling during all stages of the course of study, there is close cooperation with other advisory and counselling services at the University of Hamburg. International students will thus receive the necessary support and advice at any point during their studies.
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