Global Communication: Politics and Society

Our Master’s programme is innovative in that it considers "global communication" as the main area of teaching and research. We systematically promote comparative approaches in and between Europe, America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East in communication studies. 

After our students have discovered theoretical and methodological principles in global media and communication research, they will deepen their expertise in optional compulsory modules. We discuss political, social and cultural effects and patterns of mediatization in the field of politics and society; in the field of media we focus on media-specific transformations. You can set your own focus of interest in choosing modules on an individual basis. 

The programme includes fundamental training in quantitative and qualitative methods and students will develop their own reasearch projects. There will be further opportunities to join research projects at the Department of Media and Communication Studies. We encourage independent research skills. According to the students performance, students can make use of a "fast track" for PhD-students. 

We put special emphasis on the integration of fundamental research and practical orientation. Our students will be introduced to communication consulting for politics and society, in ministries, foundations or NGOs. An internship in an internationally oriented political, commercial or civic institution provides them with the opportunity to apply their skills in practice. Students who are interested in an academic career will be encouraged to participate in academic exchange, for example in appliying for presentations at conferences such as ICA, IAMCR, DGPuK, ECREA or for publication of articles in academic journals. 

The Master's programme " Global Communication: Politics and Society" stands for the internationalization of communication research and everyday day studies. English is the preferred language of teaching; all mandatory courses are offered in English. Courses in German will be provided aditionally. We support studies and internships abroad. German and international students are working closely together.

The Department of Media and Communication Studies encourages close cooperation between students and lecturers. Short distances on Campus, availability and small seminars of approx. 15 students ensure a positive learning atmosphere and lively exchange between students and staff. 

• Introductory module on theories and methods of global comparative communication research in the 1st semester,
• four in-depth content modules in the areas:
  • Media
    • Media discourses, media use and media effects in global comparison,
  • Policy
    • Communication and politics in a global comparison,
  • Company
    • Communication, culture and society in global comparison
• two method modules in the optional compulsory area of the 2nd and 3rd semester
• Inter-semester module that introduces the practice of consulting in communication studies and includes an internationally oriented internship in Germany or abroad (Communication Research and Knowledge Transfer: Academic Consulting for Politics and Society).

The Master's thesis is written in the 4th semester and presented in a colloquium.

Detailed structure of the study programme

Model Plan of Study (pdf)

Study regulations

Study regulations Master programme Global Communication 2018

Study regulations Master programme Global Communication 2023

Internship: Academic Advice for Politics and Society

The programme includes an internship in an internationally oriented political, commercial or civic institution. Here you should apply scientific communication advice and consulting and learn in practice. The internship follows on the lecture "Communication Research and Knowledge Transfer: Academic Advice for Politics and Society", in which students can already gain insights into application and practical fields and discuss them with representatives from the field. We support the search for suitable internships.

Internship experience reports 

What is the Fast Track Doctoral Programme?

Particularly qualified students can apply for admission to a “Fast Track” doctoral programme as part of their master’s degree. Fast Track means that talented Master's students have the opportunity to signal their interest in pursuing a doctorate early on and to align their studies towards this goal. Important partial achievements such as the master thesis are designed in such a way that they enable a smooth transition to the doctoral phase, which significantly shortens the later doctoral period.

How does the Fast Track programme work?

In their fourth semester, the participants admitted to the "Fast Track" programme complete a master's thesis in accordance with § 21 Para. 1 M-RPO in the range of approx. 25,000 words. By doing so, on the one hand, candidates show that they can work independently on the topic given according to scientific methods and to present the results appropriately within the allotted time. On the other hand, they also justify acceptance as a doctoral student with a topic based on the master's thesis.

Regarding the requirements for the master thesis, the procedure and the responsibilities, especially the supervision, the rules of §§ 21 and 22 M-RPO apply. The doctoral committee of the Faculty of Philosophy decides whether the master's thesis completed as part of the “Fast Track” programme can also be accepted as initial part of the doctorate.

What is the added value of the Fast Track programme on the way to the doctorate?

• Shortening the doctoral phase by at least one semester (due to the preparatory work in the master phase)
• Simplified admission to the doctoral college (preparation of an exposé is not required) and acceptance as a doctoral student in the Faculty of Arts after completion of the master's degree
• Early involvement in the ComDigMed doctoral programme - the master's thesis can be presented and discussed
• Follow-up support after the master's thesis and support in the use of the knowledge gained

more information about Fast Track programme

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All applicants must pass a selection procedure before their eligibility for admission can be confirmed. The prerequisites for admission to the programme are:

• a relevant bachelor's degree in the area of media and communication studies or journalism studies. If students do hold a bachelor's degree in another subject area within the social sciences, proof of basic knowledge in the field of media and communication studies is required.
• prior knowledge of empirical methods (12 ECTS)
• very good English proficiency: TOEFL iBT: 80 or above, IELTS 6.5 or above; C1 (GER); equally accepted standards are a Bachelor degree in an English language programme or 6 months of English language higher education experience in an English speaking country
• successful participation in the selection procedure, which includes a personal interview. 

Information about German language proficiency for students from abroad: German language proficiency is not required for admission. However, we recommend that students who are unable to speak the German language should study German before or during their studies so that they can benefit from additional courses that are taught in German and which complement the core curriculum. Furthermore, basic German skills facilitate living in Germany. German courses can be taken at the Language Center of the University of Erfurt. 

more Information about admission and application

After we have checked your written application documents, we will invite qualified applicants to a selection interview in Erfurt. You will receive your invitation via the application portal. Time slots for interviews in late July and early August will be published early on at our Website. 

If the country of your permanent residency at the time of the selection interview is not Germany, and if you are not able to travel to Erfurt personally, your interview can be conducted via internet telephony.

The interview takes approx. 15 minutes and will be conducted in English. Your letter of motivation provides the basis for our conversation. Hence, the letter of motivation is of special relevance! We will evaluate your communication skills and your ability to assess your own strengths and weaknesses, your ability to construct academically sound arguments and comprehend complex questions, your international and intercultural competence, experiences and interests, and your professional interest in completing the academic master's degree programme in question.  

Candidates can score up to 40 points in the interview. The interviewer(s) will base their questions on the applicant's personal statement (motivation letter), which therefore is of high relevance. Bachelor's degree classifications are converted into points; candidates with a converted mark of 1.0 receive the full score of 40 points. If the converted mark falls short of 1.0, one point is subtracted for every missing tenth (0.1). In cases where the candidate has not yet received their bachelor's degree certificate, the selection committee will determine the candidate’s required mark based on their interview performance. If the candidate achieves that mark, the competent examination committee at the Faculty of Philosophy will admit them. To pass the selection procedure, candidates must achieve at least 60 out of 80 points. 

• very good English proficiency: TOEFL iBT: 80 or above, IELTS 6.5 or above; C1 (GER); equally accepted standards are a Bachelor degree in an English language programme or 6 months of English language higher education experience in an English speaking country

Information about German language proficiency for students from abroad: German language proficiency is not required for admission. However, we recommend that students who are unable to speak the German language should study German before or during their studies so that they can benefit from additional courses that are taught in German and which complement the core curriculum. Furthermore, basic German skills facilitate living in Germany. German courses can be taken at the Language Center of the University of Erfurt.

To submit your application, you need to apply online and hand in the respective filled-in form:

• admission application for international students (International applicants, German and EU citizen applicants)

Your letter of motivation should contain at least three pages that provide an outline of your previous academic, professional and practical education. We are also interested in your social engagement and your interest in international/intercultural issues and experiences. Furthermore, we strongly recommend that you reflect on your interests, experiences and future perspectives and explain how they relate to the core topics of the master's degree in "Global Communication: Politics and Society". You should mention topics and observations, which are of your own theoretical and analytical interest, in order to help us understand your particular interest in the program.

Your Bachelor's degree certificate can be handed in later if it is not yet available at the date of application. In case of admission, you will have to present your certificate until December the same year.

Besides the official transcript of records, students from another subject area within the social sciences should enclose an additional list that documents their knowledge in the field of media and communication studies. For example, you can refer to the content of certain seminars in your transcript.

• e.g. high school diploma

• see admission requirements

Internships and professional experience that are related to the content of the master's program "Global Communication: Politics and Society" must be proven with respective documents.