Study program

University

City

Advertising

Universität Hamburg

Peace and Security Studies

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Subjects: Sociology, Law, Political Sciences, Peace and Conflict Studies

M.A.

Degree

60, 120

ECTS

15-30

No. of places

English & German

Language

Winter semester: 31 Mar

Application Deadlines

1 - 2 Years (starting: Winter semester)

Duration

Free

Tuition Fees (per semester)

Starting: Winter semester
Mode of admission:: local admission restriction
Application:: directly at the University
Study mode:: On campus

Five Reasons to choose this Master's Program

A unique master’s program

This one-of-a-kind program in Germany teaches important knowledge about international peace and security policy combined with a broader view from other areas such as humanities, international law, peacekeeping and conflict, peace research, peace ethics, and social sciences

Brilliant career prospects

After completing this master’s program, you’ll have the skills required to continue an academic career in research or teaching in the field of peace and security. This program will prepare you to work in national and international organizations, public administrations, professional associations, private companies, and the media.

Gain practical experience

During the Practice Module of this program, you can spend 10-12 weeks at one of the partner institutes (KoFrieS - Cooperation Network for Peace, Research and Security Policy) for an internship.

Study at a “University of Excellence”

Universität Hamburg is one of Germany’s largest universities and the largest education and research institution in northern Germany. The university was successful in the Excellence Strategy of the Federal and State Governments and was chosen as one of ten “Universities of Excellence”.

Benefit from field trips to main German and international institutions

As part of the program, students take part in field trips to different institutions such as the Bundestag in Berlin, the OSCE in Vienna, or the European Parliament in Brussels.

How do you want to continue?

Go to course website

Course Description

Is one of your career goals to work towards achieving peace and security in the world? If the answer to this vital question is yes, then this program is for you! During your studies in the M.A. in Peace and Security Studies, you will study peace and security from a social science, humanities, scientific, ethical, and legal point of view. You’ll learn and practice research methods that will open the doors towards working in major international organizations or academic institutions.

Target Groups

Curriculum

Study Mode

Career Prospects

The M.A. in Peace and Security Studies is intended for holders of a first bachelor’s degree. It is targeted to highly qualified graduates and academically trained practitioners from different fields such as:

Social sciences
Natural Sciences
Education
Law
Media
Psychology
Education
Other relevant subjects

For students who are interested in advancing their career opportunities in the field of peace and security studies.

Special Program Features

Diverse perspectives of peace and security

This master's program combines theory and practice and has a unique interdisciplinary focus that combines social sciences, ethics, human rights, and humanities to study peace and security issues.

A current and important study approach

The main courses of this master’s program are based on topics about foreign policy development, current conflicts, structural problems, and strategies for avoiding or minimizing violent conflicts.

Great University and partner Institutes

This program is offered jointly by Universität Hamburg together with the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at Universität Hamburg (IFSH), leading academic and security policy institutions, and think tanks in and outside of Germany, as part of the Cooperation Network for peace research and security policy (Kooperationsverbund Friedensforschung und Sicherheitspolitik—KoFrieS).

Accreditations

HRK Internationalization Audit

The "Internationalization of Higher Education Institutions" audit is part of the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) EXPERTISE Internationalisation project. Since 2009, it has been supporting HRK member universities in strategically aligning their internationalization and anchoring it permanently within the institution.

Family-Friendly Higher Education Audit

The “Family-Friendly Higher Education” audit serves to systematize and develop the existing regulations, activities, and opportunities. It aims to create a reliable framework offering a scope of individual arrangements. Employees and students must be able to achieve a healthy balance between their studies/work and their family commitments, including childcare and care duties.

Diversity Audit

The "Shaping Diversity" audit from the Stifterverband aims to help universities to develop and implement diversity strategies. The Stifterverband is the joint initiative of companies and foundations that provides holistic advice, networking, and support in the fields of education, science, and innovation.

AQAS

The “Agency for Quality Assurance through Accreditation of Study Programs” is a German non-profit association that is authorized to conduct external evaluation procedures for universities in Germany and Europe.

Requirements

Qualification Requirements

The application requirements for the study program in “Peace and Security Studies” are:

Bachelor's (Undergraduate) Degree

Previous bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in:

Not specified

Min ECTS required:

240 ECTS*

*For this program, a degree with 180 ECTS is required. After admission, it is possible for
applicants with 240 ECTS to apply for a two-semester curriculum.

More Info

GPA

A grade reflecting excellent academic achievement in a degree completed at a German or foreign university, or a successfully completed degree from a German or foreign university together with proof of professional experience in the field of peace studies or security policy.

Language Requirements

The following certificates are recognised as proof of your language proficience.

English

CEFR English

min B2

IELTS

min 6.5
Specification: At least 6.0 per skill

TOEFL iBT

min 92
Specification: At least 22 points per skill (Listening, Writing, Speaking, Reading)

TOEFL pBT

min 570
Specification: At least 22 points per skill (Reading, Listening, Writing)

Cambridge

min C1 Advanced (CAE)

Cambridge

min C2 Proficiency (CPE)

Cambridge

min C1 Business Higher (BEC Higher)

German

DSH

min DSH 2

TestDaF

min TDN 4

Goethe-Zertifikat

min C1

Deutsche Sprachdiplom (DSD)

min DSD II (B2/C1)

telc Deutsch

min C1

Does the university recognize "other equivalent language certificates"?

yes

Additional information:

Furthermore, the following certificates can be recognised: a) a university entrance qualification obtained at an English-speaking institution in a state with English as an official language, b) a university degree in an English-language degree programme, or c) five years of English language instruction at a German-language school.

Application & Admission

Application Deadlines

Locked

For Candidates with Previous Degree from

Winter Semester
(starting in October)

Germany

Winter Semester: -

Another EU Country

Winter Semester: -

Rest of the world

Winter Semester: -

Applications are open from:

Winter semester:February 15 (German)February 15 (EU)February 15 (Non EU)

Application Procedure & Selection

Mode of Admission:

local admission restriction

Admission Test/Interview:

None

No. of places available:

15-30

Application:

directly at the University

Application Fee:

none

Application Documents

Online Application Form

Application for admission (in German)

The online application runs via the Studieninfonetz - StiNE of the University of Hamburg only! The application there has to be completed in German!

There is a new study regulation that was adopted by the WiSo Faculty Council at the beginning of 2022. As soon as it is has been officially announced, we will post the new version. Until then, please refer to the information on our homepage.
You find here more useful information on financing your studies, information for administrative procedures for foreign students and accommodation tips here.

More Info

Letter of Motivation

Completed form: Letter of motivation (in English or German)

More Info

Tabular Curriculum Vitae (in English or German)

More Info

School-Leaving Certificate

Certificate of general qualification for university entrance or certificate of an equivalent school leaving certificate (in English or German)

First University-Level Degree Copy

Certificate(s) of graduation from a university or university of applied sciences or current transcript of records (in English or German).

Information on whether your foreign degree is recognized in Germany can be found on the platform of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany: anabin. If you cannot find your degree program there, please contact anabin directly. To find more about the topic, click on the "More Info" button.

More Info

English Language Certificate → Language Requirements

Copy of the English language certificate

German Language Certificate → Language Requirements

Applicants who have not acquired their university entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution must provide evidence of sufficient knowledge of the German language in accordance with § 3 of the University of Hamburg Statutes on Admission to Studies (Universitäts-Zulassungssatzung - UniZS) in the currently valid version.
Applicants who have a foreign university degree but nevertheless acquired their university entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur) at a German-speaking institution may also submit the university entrance qualification (i.e. Abitur certificate) as proof.
An overview of all German certificates recognised by the University of Hamburg can be found here.

Proof of Professional Experience

Proof of relevant professional activity or internships in the subject area of the degree programme, if available (in German or English).