Intercultural Communication and European Studies (M.A.)

The Master's degree program in Intercultural Communication and European Studies (ICEUS) enables students to qualify for international and intercultural professional fields.

The program includes courses in the social sciences, political sciences, communication sciences, and law. Topics include culturally reflective communication, European politics and European law, globalization, transnational governance(Model United Nations conferences), culture and media, etc.

The languages of instruction are German and English. The degree program offers both practical experience and research opportunities.

Intercultural Communication Also in Everyday Study Life

Every year, around 30 international and German students come together on this program. It is not uncommon to have 10-15 different nationalities in a study group. Here, intercultural communication and cooperation can not only be learned in theory but also experienced in practice. This is another reason why we attach great importance to getting to know each other and team building at the beginning of the program.

Internship Abroad and Excursions

The program includes an internship abroad as well as field trips to Bad Liebenzell / Strasbourg and Brussels. Here, students visit European institutions and hold discussions with local experts. The internship abroad is prepared as part of the degree program.

Counselling and Orientation

If you are interested in the ICEUS Master's program, there are various ways to obtain information or advice: Online InfoSessions, a taster day at the department, contact with the degree program coordinator, or information material. We also put you in touch with current students who are happy to share their experiences.

Why study in Fulda?

Many Possibilities

Fulda University of Applied Sciences with its eight departments offers around 60 Bachelor's and Master's programs. The selection is large and ranges from technology, computer science, business, and law to nutrition, health, society, and culture. In addition to traditional subjects such as business administration or electrical engineering, we also offer innovative degree programs such as Nutrition, Health Sciences, or Renewable Energies.

Applied Sciences - the Combination of Theory and Practice

Fulda University of Applied Sciences is a university of applied sciences. This means that studying with us is not just about theory, but also has a lot to do with practice. This is reflected, among other things, in the close relationship between the university and regional organizations and companies, for example, when it comes to internships or theses. The International Careers Service of the International Office also offers international students and graduates a comprehensive range of information and advice on the topics of internships and career entry - paving the way to your future career.

Dual Study Programs - a German Success Story

More practice is not possible. As a student in a dual study program, you attend courses at the university and work in a company. In this way, you gain specialized knowledge that you can apply directly, gain the necessary experience for the transition into work, and also earn money. Some degree programs even include complete vocational training. This means you study in a discipline and learn a profession at the same time.

State-of-the-Art Equipment and the Latest Technology

Where could technicians, scientists, or engineers apply their acquired knowledge better than at the workplaces typical for their work? Fortunately, Fulda University of Applied Sciences has a wide range of so-called "labs" for authentic experimentation, real research, and repeated application. This Audio/video, NetLab, Renewable Energies Lab, Raw Materials Science Lab, Microbiology Lab, and Skills Labs simulate real working conditions and thus help students acquire the skills for their future profession.

From Preparatory Program to Doctorate

At Fulda University of Applied Sciences, you can follow the complete path of higher education. If you still lack some knowledge, you can catch up on it in a preparatory program. If you want to complete a Master's degree or even a doctorate, all doors are open to you. Since 2016, Fulda University of Applied Sciences has been the first university in Germany to have the right to award doctorates independently.

Thriving Internationality

Of the approximately 9,000 students at Fulda University of Applied Sciences, about 1,500 are not from Germany, but from over 100 different countries. The mix of languages, cultures, and perspectives not only creates an international atmosphere on campus and in the refectory but also enriches the courses and (student) life in the city.

Short Distances and Personal Contact

A great advantage of small towns and small universities is the short distances and personal contact between students and their lecturers. Despite its now 9,000 students, Fulda University of Applied Sciences still has a familiar atmosphere. People know each other and meet regularly. If you need support, you don't have to look far and the contact persons are easy to reach.

Support Where It is Needed

We want to help international students with their transition to life in Germany and Fulda. To this end, we have developed various measures for the time before and during your studies. Special preparatory programs such as Pre-College and Pre-Study help you to improve your German language skills, acquire specialist knowledge, or get to know the German academic system. The Buddy program, the orientation week as well as field trips provide opportunities for encounters and exchange.

Historic City With a Central Location

With a population of around 70,000, Fulda is one of the smallest cities in Germany. However, it offers a high quality of life, short distances, public safety, and nature on your doorstep. Its central location and direct connections to trains, long-distance buses, and highways make Fulda an ideal starting point for getting to know the whole of Germany.

Free Time Activities

A historic city center, museums and theatres, restaurants, and bars, concerts, clubs and parties, hiking and cycling trails, and the mountains of the Rhön. The list of leisure activities in and around Fulda is very long. On campus, there are university sports, and events as well as student projects, film evenings, the University Days, and the International Evening. And if you want even more, the train to Frankfurt/Main only takes about 80 minutes...

• M1 Intercultural Communication: Kommunikation, Kultur, Medien
• M2 European Studies: Geschichte und Gegenwart europäischer Gesellschaftsentwicklung
• M3 Intercultural Communcation: Handlungsfelder
• M4 Globalisierung und Internationale Organisationen
• M5 European Studies: Europäische Politikfelder
• M6 Sozialwissenschaftliche Methodenlehre: Theorie und Praxis interdisziplinärer Forschung
• M7 Praxismodul
• M8 ICEUS Vertiefungsmodul: Forschung, Entwicklung, Herausforderungen
• M9 Examensseminar und Kolloquium
• M10 Master’s Thesis
• M0 Cross Studies

The Master's degree program comprises the following specializations: Intercultural Communication, European Studies and Organisations, and Internationalisation. Students complete modules in all areas.

Intercultural Communication

Theory of intercultural communication, ethnography of communication, perception and behavior training, simulation games and the simulation of intercultural encounter situations, culture, and media, in-depth study of the second foreign language.

International Organisation

Globalization, international framework conditions for organizational action, tasks and organizational structures of international organizations of a state, market economy or intermediary nature, cross-border cooperation

European Studies

European history of ideas and mentalities, historical development of the European integration process, EU bodies and decision-making procedures, European policy fields, fundamentals of European and international law, social structures

Social Science Methodology

Qualitative social research, data collection, data processing, and data analysis in qualitative social research

In the first two semesters, ICEUS students have around 20 to 24 lessons (45 minutes each) per week. After the second semester, the compulsory internship of (at least) 10 weeks is completed. The third semester offers a selection of in-depth courses and prepares students for the Master's thesis. The Master's thesis itself is written in the fourth semester. As a rule, these can be written in German or English.

After you have passed the final examination, you will be awarded the title of Master of Arts (M.A.). The Master's degree in this study programme qualifies you to take on positions in the higher civil service.

International Career Paths

As experts in intercultural communication and Europe, ICEUS Alumni work for international organizations, European Institutions, Non-Governmental Organisations, and multinational companies or in politics, media, and administration. Others continue their academic career in a PhD program, e.g. at the Fulda Graduate Centre of Social Sciences.

The programme duration is four semesters - always starting in the winter semester.

The first two semesters are regular study semesters. Excursions to Bad Liebenzell and Strasbourg in the first semester and to Brussels in the second semester are core parts of the European Studies modules.

Between the second and third semester (during the lecture-free period), you complete a work placement (internship) of at least 10 weeks. In the third semester you will pursue more in-depth studies.

The Master's thesis is written in the fourth semester. You do not necessarily have to remain in Fulda during this period. However, the thesis defence must be held in Fulda.

The languages of instruction in this degree programme are German and English.