International War Studies | Master
Photo: Matthias Friel (left) & University College Dublin (right)
The English-language MA in International War Studies is a double degree program with the University College Dublin. Students spend their first year at the University of Potsdam and the second year at University College Dublin. Upon completion of their MA thesis in Dublin, students will be awarded two master’s degrees. This double degree program caters primarily to international applicants. Those applicants who are German native speakers (C1 level) can apply for our MA in War and Conflict Studies.
THE PROGRAM AT A GLANCE| Name | International War Studies |
| Degree | Master of Arts (Double Degree) |
| Standard period of study | 4 semesters |
| Credit points | 120 |
| Language of instruction | English. Some courses may be taken in German. |
| Start of study (1st semester) | Winter semester |
| Campus | Am Neuen Palais & University College Dublin |
| Fees & Charges | Semester fees and charges: yes
Tuition fees: yes |
Prof. Dr. Sönke Neitzel and Prof. Dr. Robert Gerwarth, the program's initiators
„We offer our students the best conditions for university studies, attractive internship positions, and an international atmosphere that lays the foundation for later success in professional life.“
Program Content
The International War Studies degree program examines the causes, dynamics and contexts of violent conflicts at a national and international level, as well as their pre-history, course of events, and consequences. The program focuses primarily on military history, the cultural history of political violence, and military sociology, with each field’s respective methodologies and theories. The interrelationships between the state, society and the military are analyzed from the beginning of the Early Modern period to the present day. The program concentrates on modern history (the 19th and 20th centuries).
Course Objective and Future Career Options
Students will acquire abilities and competences that enable them to analyze historical and current conflicts. They will deepen and expand their subject-specific competences to include essential content from military sociology, the history of violence, and military history. Students will refine their use of methodologies in the social sciences and humanities, become capable of discussing various subjects in a critical manner, and learn how to present the findings of their work in an appropriate way.
The program’s international orientation, as well as its location in Dublin and Potsdam, offer students global career opportunities. There are also no limits when it comes to future fields of work. Opportunities abound in International Organizations and NGOs, in academia, the media, fields related to politics and policy, think tanks, museums, foundations and cultural management and communications. Click here to find an overview of further careers available to you after graduation.
Prof. Dr. Sönke Neitzel and Prof. Dr. Robert Gerwarth, the program's initiators
„We offer our students the best conditions for university studies, attractive internship positions, and an international atmosphere that lays the foundation for later success in professional life.“
Prerequisites for Admission to the Master’s Program
The foundation of your application and your acceptance into the master’s program is a strong interest in political, social and historical events.
Applying for a master’s degree requires that you hold an undergraduate degree, such as a bachelor’s degree. Your undergraduate degree must be in a field relevant to International War Studies, such as history, political science, sociology or a related subject. Proof of 40 credit points in one of these subject areas is sufficient. If your transcript comes from a system that does not use credit points, then the joint Examining Board will make a decision about the equivalence of academic performance. Because the master’s degree program is also conducted in English, we require proof of English language skills that correspond at least to Level C 1 of the Common European Framework for Languages. German language skills are not required.
You can read more about the subject-specific admission requirements in the respective Admission Regulations.
Program Structure
This four-semester master’s degree program requires the completion of 120 credit points. The following overview provides information about the weighting of individual modules and types of courses. For additional information, please consult the subject-specific Degree Regulations or the Departmental Advisory Office.
Student testimonials on the program
Student Experience
Students of the “War and Conflict Studies” and “International War Studies” programs share their experiences in Germany and abroad [mult. lang.]
CONTENT AND CREDIT POINTSModules | Credit points |
|---|
| Mandatory modules | 60 CPs |
| Introduction to International War Studies | 9 CPs |
| The Military and Society in the Age of “Total Wars”, 1792-1945 | 15 CPs |
| Themes and Methods of War and Conflict Studies | 6 CPs |
| Study Abroad Module Dublin 1: Modern History and Politics | 10 CPs |
| Study Abroad Module Dublin 2: Political Violence in 20th Century Europe | 10 CPs |
| Study Abroad Module Dublin 3: War Studies | 10 CPs |
Elective Fields
Two modules of 15 credit points each must be successfully completed. | 30 CPs |
| Military and Society after 1945 | 15 CPs |
| International History since the Early 20th Century | 15 CPs |
| Related Study Areas of Military History | 15 CPs |
| Conflict, Security and Armed Forces – Historical and Social Science Approaches | 15 CPs |
| Security Studies | 15 CPs |
| Master’s Thesis | 27 CPs |
| Final Colloquium | 3 CPs |
| Total | 120 CP |
The program’s international orientation enables a broad array of opportunities for creating your own academic profile. As places of research, Dublin and Potsdam house a diverse set of cultural and political institutions that constitute a unique environment for research and teaching.
The program offers an international environment for higher education and global career opportunities. By collaborating with several partners in Germany, Ireland and the United Kingdom, long-running cooperations exist to help place students as interns in ministries, the media, museums and think tanks.
Application
Have you decided to study for a master’s degree in International War Studies at the University of Potsdam? Then you should take the next step and get more information about the current application and enrollment procedures at the application website. We have collected answers to frequently asked questions here.
Short answers to the most important and frequently asked questions about applying for and enrolling in the International War Studies (IWS) program at the University of Potsdam and the University College Dublin.
The International War Studies double degree program at the University of Potsdam and the University College Dublin investigates the causes, dynamics and contexts of violent conflicts on a national and international level. The main areas are military history, the cultural history of violence, and military sociology with its specific methodological approaches and theories. Beginning in the early modern period, the interrelations between state, society and military are analyzed up to the present. The focus is on modern history (19th and 20th centuries).
You should have obtained your first degree in a subject relevant to the degree program, ideally in history, political science or sociology. However, it is crucial that you have earned at least 40 credit points in history or social sciences in your first academic degree. If the proof comes from a system without credit points, the Joint Examination Committee will decide on the equivalence of the credits earned there. In addition, you must have certain language qualifications. Proof of English proficiency at level C1 is required. You do not have to prove proficiency of German.
The following deadlines normally apply:
Application deadline for the winter semester:
- 15th July – for the first semester of study
- 15th July – for a higher semester
Application deadline for the summer semester:
- No entry possible for the first semester of study
- 15th January – for a higher semester
The current application deadlines can be found here.
As the courses are held in English, you should have a level C1 English proficiency of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The following certificates are recognized for the Master's program:
- UNIcert (level III or higher)
- TOEFL iBT (score range 6:0 or higher)
- IELTS (band scores of 6.5 or higher)
Whether further alternative proofs are permissible can be found out individually in the course advisory service.
Applications must be submitted exclusively via the UCD. It is possible to apply online on the UCD's website for the International War Studies program.
All information and access to the applicant portal can be found here.
Depending on the country of origin, different entry and residence regulations apply.
- Citizens from EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway do not need a visa or residence permit to study in Germany. Swiss citizens need a Swiss residence permit from the German Immigration Office
- Citizens of Andorra, Australia, Brazil, Canada, El Salvador, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, South Korea, Monaco and the USA can enter Germany without a visa, but must apply for a residence permit for study purposes within the first 90 days
- Citizens from other countries need a visa for study purposes (National Visa, D) to enter Germany in order to study
All relevant information on this topic can be found here.
Depending on the country of origin, different entry and residence regulations also apply here.
- Citizens from EU countries or Switzerland do not need a visa or residence permit to study in Ireland
- Citizens from some non-EU countries need a visa for study purposes
The UCD refers to the pages of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) to check individual entry conditions.
All relevant information can also be found here.
Enrollment applications for prospective students are completed online. Further steps are normally completed via post. Accordingly, you will receive your letter of admission, which is bilingual, both via post and via e-mail. After your enrollment papers have been processed, and if your materials are complete, we will send you information on paying the administrative fees to the e-mail address provided in the online portal.
The online portal and information on the documents required by the university can be found here.
NOTE: All documents must be handed in via post or fax only, until the individual end of the enrollment deadlines! Documentation via e-mail will NOT be accepted!
Once enrollment is complete, you will receive your student number as well as your PUCK (Potsdamer Universitäts Chipkarte/student card), which will allow you to register for access and use our University on-campus resources (libraries, canteens, etc.).
The course of studies is a double degree at the University of Potsdam and the University College Dublin. The students spend two semesters in both institutions. We want all our students to go to Dublin so that they can benefit from the different academic structures (in Germany and Ireland) and take advantage of the diverse cultural offerings and research facilities.
If you would like to study entirely in Potsdam, you should apply for the MA in War and Conflict Studies, which also does not charge tuition fees.
The tuition fees that are incurred at the UCD are divided between both years of study. This is to enable our students to pay the tuition fees in installments so that the burden is not so high. You only pay for the year in Dublin.
The exact amount of the fees can be found here.
For the two semesters at the University of Potsdam only the regular tuition fees are charged. The exact amount can be found here.
The Studentenwerk Potsdam needs your letter of admission and the certificate of matriculation for a successful application for a place in a student dormitory. However, it is possible and advisable to apply before you receive your letter of admission. You will then receive a confirmation e-mail from the Studentenwerk with your application number. It is possible to hand in the letter of admission and the certificate of enrolment later by e-mail after you have received it.
The individual steps can be found here.
Other possibilities to find accommodation are the Base Camp – though this is a bit on the pricier side – as well as the shared flats. Further information on the Base Camp can be found here. To find shared flats in Berlin and Potsdam you can go to the following website (in German only).
In Dublin it is also possible to find accommodation in one of the student residences, which can be applied for through the website of the UCD Residences.
Our Chair does not specifically offer scholarships for our students. We do however have a friends’ association that grants a scholarship, which covers the study fees of the UCD. Call for application will be hosted each year accordingly. Information on the association can be found here.
Another possibly to apply for scholarship is the programme of PROMOS, which is run by our university’s International Office. Applicants can find more information here.
Other alternatives are the scholarships of the DAAD as well as the Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes.
This description is based in part on information from the subject-specific regulations for a master’s degree in International War Studies at the University of Potsdam and the University College Dublin dated February 9, 2022 (AmBek No. 16/22, p. 626).
