Winter semester 01.06 - 15.07
Summer semester 01.12 - 15.01
The application process is online: Application Website
Application Deadlines: January 15th for the summer semester and July 15th for the winter semester (German time). The online application process for the program is mandatory. Follow this link to access the online application portal:
The following documents are needed in order to apply:
Certificate of undergraduate studies or equivalent degree in disciplines related to InterAmerican Studies. If you do not have the certificate by the application date, you may send an official transcript * (It is not mandatory to send physical official documents by mail / post).
Transcript of records *
Language certificates for English (B2) and Spanish (B2)
Short text samples in English or Spanish proving your intercultural skills (300 to 400 words), interdisciplinary skills (300 to 400 words), and InterAmerican research skills (300 to 400 words), as you have acquired them during your BA.
Applicants to the MA InterAmerican Studies who wish to pursue the Double Degree in Literaturas Interamericanas must mention it to the coordinator Diana Fulger.
* Certificates that are not issued in English or German must be officially translated in one of these languages.
The selection committee, consisting of professors of the master’s program, reviews all the applications in order to decide whether they meet all the admission requirements. A rejection does not mean that the candidate cannot apply again the next semester.
Those who have applied for the Double Degree in Literaturas Interamericanas will be called for an interview (15-20 minutes) to determine if they are accepted into this binational program.
Students with a Bachelor’s degree in Germany: The candidates who receive a letter of acceptance must contact the "Studierendensekretariat" to start the enrollment process. An introductory meeting for incoming students takes place at the beginning of each semester.
Students with a Bachelor’s or equivalent degree outside Germany: Candidates who have been accepted will be contacted by the International Office of Bielefeld University and will receive additional information about the enrollment process.
The International Office provides international students with guidance and information about scholarships, housing and the enrollment process at the university. It also has a mentoring program to help incoming students adjust to life in Bielefeld.
We also recommend contacting the Fachschaft IAS (IAS student association) at fs_ias@uni-bielefeld.de.
The master’s degree in InterAmerican Studies has an interdisciplinary focus and its areas of study include, but are not limited to, the following:
In addition to the areas of study mentioned above, students have the possibility of expanding their profile during a stay abroad at one of our foreign partner universities. For example, the Double Degree in Literaturas Interamericanas at the University of Guadalajara focuses on Literary and Cultural Studies.
For the master’s program in InterAmerican Studies, students must demonstrate advanced knowledge of English (B2) and Spanish (B2), as all seminars of the compulsory and elective modules are taught in these languages. Official language certificates (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, DELE) must be available when applying for admission. Students can take language exams at Bielefeld University.
Since the summer semester 2018, the master’s program in IAS has been an international program taught exclussively in English and Spanish, so that it is no longer necessary to demonstrate German language skills in order to obtain the degree. Foreign students can attend German language courses at Bielefeld University. Those who already have advanced knowledge of German can benefit from the interdisciplinary courses and research offered by other programs at this university.
The MA in InterAmerican Studies does not require a stay abroad. However, there are several possibilities for students to spend at least one semester at one of our foreign partner universities. This stay abroad not only gives them the opportunity to put into practice the theoretical knowledge acquired in a specific cultural, social and political environment of the Americas, but also prepares them for their role as intercultural mediators, by deepening their own socio-cultural knowledge of the host country.
Bielefeld University has numerous partner universities in North and Latin America. In particular, one DAAD-funded exchange progras (ISAP) is available to IAS students at Universidad Nacional La Plata (Argentina) for a semester abroad.
Starting with the winter semester 2018/19, the master’s program has been offering a Double Degree in Literaturas Interamericanas, which is also funded by the DAAD. In this case, a German-Mexican cohort studies the first two semesters in Bielefeld and the last two semesters at Universidad de Guadalajara.
For more information on study abroad opportunities, please click here. International Cooperations
The DAAD-funded Double Degree program in InterAmerican Studies is a particularly attractive opportunity for those students who wish to specialize in Literature and Cultural Studies. This is a specialization that includes one year of study in Bielefeld and one year in Guadalajara.
Applicants who wish to pursue the Double Degree in Literaturas Interamericanas must apply for the Master in InterAmerican Studies / Estudios Interamericanos and mention their intentions to enter the bi-national program to our program coordinator.
An internship is not mandatory for the master’s degree in InterAmerican Studies; however, the option of an internship (Praktikum) combined with a long stay abroad can have a positive impact on career opportunities. Therefore, it is recommended to do an internship during the semester break, for example. It is also possible to do an internship in connection with the intended master thesis.
For further questions regarding internships, please contact:
Dr. Diana Fulger
E-Mail: ias@uni-bielefeld.de
Telefon: +49 521 106-3663
Students acquire a variety of skills depending on the area of study. Generally, these skills include the development of critical thinking, textual analysis, and the creative and critical use of media, among others. These skills enable them to pursue careers in intercultural communication, public relations, media, international institutions, government, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations.
They will also have the opportunity to work for international companies where intercultural skills, languages proficiency, and an understanding of different social and historical contexts are increasingly important.
The Master's program offers a double degree option with the "Maestría en Literaturas Interamericanas" of the Universidad de Guadalajara in Mexico. Obtaining both degrees simultaneously enhances graduates' career prospects across Latin America and Europe.
The "Career Service" at the University of Bielefeld is a counseling center for career orientation and planning. Students can engage in various workshops and events, including those with partner companies. Additionally, they can explore job opportunities in Germany and Europe through the job pool provided by the service and partners.