Master of Arts (MA) in Interdisciplinary Latin American Studies Freie Universität Berlin

This research-oriented Master's programme provides an in-depth overview of Latin America from the perspectives of the following disciplines: ancient American studies, cultural and social anthropology, gender studies, history, literatures and cultures of Latin America, economics, political science, and sociology. Distinguished by the fact that its students are introduced to scholarly work and related activities early and make early knowledge gains, the programme brings together regional and disciplinary perspectives and has a strong focus on area studies. By considering historical and contemporary dynamics and contingencies, students grapple with regional problems of a region characterised by marked social diversity and interdependent, entangled inequalities.

The region of Latin America, in geographical and cultural terms, encompasses Hispanic America, Brazil, the Caribbean, and the interconnections that extend beyond the region. The changing perception of Latin America in the global context—in particular from transregional, intersectional, and de-colonial perspectives—is a major focus, both in the "longue durée" and in selected cases.

Students comprehensively engage with approaches from the humanities, cultural studies, and social sciences, considering the dynamics of borders in relation to social and spatial mobilities, inequalities, imaginaries, discursive conventions and practices, forms and strategies of representation, the environment, sustainability, human-nature relations, cultures, economies, politics, materialities, provenance, gender relations, societal diversity, conviviality, etc. In doing so, students examine forms of cultural, socioeconomic, and gender difference in various contexts and incorporate a range of materials, productions, approaches, and concepts from the Latin American world and scholarship.

Students learn about different challenges of the Latin American continent as well as locally developed approaches to solve them. More specifically, students discuss and apply interpretive approaches and theories on transformation, development, and inequalities as well as on historical-cultural action, representations, and the interconnections of the region. Understanding the concepts and paradigms of Latin American Studies and the Global South is as important as learning about and gaining a critical perspective on the theories and methods of the humanities, social sciences, and gender studies—all of which, in addition to de-colonial perspectives, permeate all facets of the programme. Early in the programme, students choose a specialisation in the humanities / cultural studies, social sciences, regional studies (Brazil), or gender studies. 

Students in this research-oriented Master's programme develop a comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and specialised understanding of individual countries and regions in Latin America using the latest theories and methods used in international research. At the end of the programme, they will be able to communicate confidently on topics relevant to their studies, primarily in German and Spanish or Portuguese, but also in English and, where applicable, at an elementary level in an indigenous language.

Furthermore, they gain a thorough understanding of national, transregional, and global processes as well as intercultural competencies in the context of growing global interdependencies and asymmetries. Graduates of the programme can:

• reflect on and critically evaluate social transformation processes as well as the dynamics and interconnections of Latin America in changing global and transregional contexts
• reflect on and critically evaluate these from different perspectives
• learn about individual states, regions, and local lifeworlds of Latin America and critically analyse and compare their structural, unequal, and entangled constitutional processes and cultural dynamics in the past and present from different perspectives
• classify and explain the social dynamics and transformation processes of Latin America in their respective contexts
• comprehend, formulate, and work on interdisciplinary problems using and discussing the scientific theories and methods of the subjects represented at the Institute for Latin American Studies
• develop academic projects related to Latin America, applying approaches and methods in practice

Students have the choice of pursuing humanities/ cultural studies, social sciences, regional studies (Brazil), or gender studies. They reflect on their own position, role, and responsibility in academia and society, as well as the production and circulation of knowledge in unequal structures. Students learn to use their knowledge beyond the university to exchange and engage with civil society. They conduct academic work independently, employing good and ethical practices.

Students gain in-depth academic and professionally qualifying interdisciplinary knowledge. They learn to analyse and assess transregional and global processes, as well as international relations and changing world views while considering various analytical categories. They can responsibly manage projects jointly and independently while taking into account the competencies of the various group members which are needed for the project, and which are to be further developed in the course of the project.

Get to know the programme in an interactive environment: https://www.osa.fu-berlin.de/lateinamerikastudien_ma/start/startseite/index.html.

Students independently learn about the practical relevance of Latin American studies and reflect on it within a potential professional environment. They learn to apply the subject-specific methods they have acquired during their studies in an independently organised internship (280 hours). Students have the opportunity to refine practical and analytical skills and gain insights into possible careers. Afterwards, they use the skills they acquired during the internship in their further studies and in their own project. In addition, students can demonstrate high motivation and have effective time management, social, and decision-making skills as well as a sense of responsibility and practical knowledge during the internship. As in the diverse fields of work and activities they may work in, students doing the internship are aware of interdependent inequalities and are sensitive to the dynamics of gender, diversity, and power. If students choose to do a research internship, they should choose an internship in Germany or abroad in a suitable field. The Institute for Latin American Studies advises on the search for potential internship institutions. Internships in the research projects of the Institute for Latin American Studies are especially recommended.

Please find the deadlines for the winter semester 2026/2027 here: https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/studium/bewerbung/bewerbungsfristen/index.html

Applications for Master’s degree programmes with unrestricted admission (first semester): 

20 April 2026 – 15 August 2026

Please apply for the VPD as early as possible. The processing time can take up to eight weeks during peak periods.

The entry requirements for the MA Interdisciplinary Latin American Studies are as follows:

A degree (Bachelor's) in a relevant discipline from a German university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, with at least 60 credit units (LP/ ECTS) completed in one of the following subjects:

• Pre-Colombian Studies
• Brazilian Studies
• History
• Caribbean Studies
• Latin American Studies
• Political Science
• Social and Cultural Anthropology
• Social Sciences
• Sociology
• Political Economy / Economy / Economics
• Literary Studies
• Cultural Studies

If these credit points are distributed across several of the aforementioned subjects, there must be a study component of at least 40 credit points (CP/ECTS) in one of the aforementioned subjects.

For further information about the entry requirements, please visit our website.

Spanish B2 CEFR or Portuguese B2 CEFR

In total, the semester contribution amounts to 358.80 EUR. It includes a fee of 213.80 EUR for the transportation ticket contribution. This allows you to use local public transport in Berlin and nationwide for free. Other costs covered by the semester contribution include a 50 EUR enrolment fee, a 85 EUR semester contribution to the student support service ("studierendenWERK Berlin"), and a 10 EUR contribution to the student union.

Compared to other European countries, the cost of living in Germany is quite reasonable. However, the cost of living has also risen in Germany in recent years. The prices for food, accommodation, clothing, cultural events, etc. are slightly above the EU average. You will need around 900 to 1,300 EUR each month to cover your living expenses. The biggest expense is monthly rent, which is between 500 and 700 EUR in Berlin (for a room in a shared apartment).

There are many ways of earning money while you study, for example as wait staff, academic assistants, or private tutors. Knowledge of German will improve your chances of finding a part-time job, but it isn’t necessarily required. However, it is important to be aware of the legal regulations.The student support service at the university, called "studierendenWERK Berlin", and the local representative of the "Bundesagentur für Arbeit" (Federal Employment Agency) can provide information about jobs for students.

When searching for a job, look at online job boards, notice boards on campus, and ads in local newspapers.
You can also work on campus. The Freie Universität Berlin regularly offers positions for students in science, teaching support and administration that you can find on our careers portal.

The Deutschlandstipendium scholarship enables students at Freie Universität Berlin from all nations and walks of life to fully concentrate on their studies. The programme supports talented students with 300 EUR per month. To apply, you must already be enrolled and be within the standard period of time given to complete your degree during the funding period, or you must have a letter of acceptance to start a degree programme at Freie Universität Berlin.

The Career Service of Freie Universität Berlin aims to support international students at Freie Universität by providing information, advice, and events related to career planning, internships, and job applications.

You have the option to stay in a public/private student dormitory or in a private (shared) apartment. Student dormitories are not administrated by the university itself, so Freie Universität Berlin does not have any on-campus housing. However, it works together with "studierendenWERK Berlin" regarding student accommodation.

If you do not wish to stay in a student dormitory, you can try to find a room or an apartment on the private housing market. Many students in Berlin live in shared apartments ("WGs"). You can find these offers online (e.g. WG-Gesucht or Kleinanzeigen) or on notice boards on campus.

Available rooms/apartments near the university are rare. Therefore, students mostly commute from other parts of the city. The commute via public transportation usually takes between 30 minutes and an hour, which is considered a normal travel time in Berlin due to the size of the city.

Freie Universität Berlin is a young, modern university offering a wide range of degree programmes across all academic disciplines. Today, approximately 34,000 students are enrolled in around 170 degree programmes spanning the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and life sciences. Economics, law, global history, physics, English studies, biodiversity, and cognitive neuroscience are just a few examples of the wide variety of subjects offered at Freie Universität Berlin. Additionally, there are around 3,300 doctoral candidates from more than 70 doctoral programmes.

As a leading research institution, Freie Universität Berlin has held the status of a University of Excellence awarded by the German government for almost 20 years. It is part of the only University Consortium of Excellence in Germany – the Berlin University Alliance – which includes four prestigious partners: Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin.

Freie Universität Berlin is highly international in its outlook. It maintains partnerships with numerous universities worldwide and operates liaison offices in Cairo, Eastern Europe (Tbilisi, Georgia), New Delhi, and São Paulo. Around 22 percent of students in undergraduate and graduate programmes come from abroad, as do 42 percent of doctoral candidates. Many lecturers and professors also have international backgrounds. At Freie Universität Berlin, you will meet people from all over the world.

A variety of support services make it easier to begin your studies, especially for international students and those new to Berlin. Examples include orientation week, the mentorship programme, the peer programme, and the Student Services Centre.

The university sports programme, ranging from Aikido to Zumba, is also very popular. Numerous cafeterias and dining halls across campus offer food and beverages, often including fair trade, organic, vegetarian, and vegan options.

Environmental protection and sustainability are key values at Freie Universität Berlin. There are many opportunities to get involved in related initiatives and student-led projects.

In addition, Freie Universität Berlin actively supports entrepreneurs. Through its start-up support network, students, researchers, and alumni receive guidance on turning innovative ideas into successful businesses – from the initial concept to market readiness.

Freie Universität Berlin is one of the leading universities in Germany’s capital. It is located in the leafy district of Dahlem, in the south-western part of the city. Most of the university’s facilities are situated on the Dahlem campus, making it a central hub for academic life in a uniquely green setting. No other university campus in Berlin offers as much greenery and open space.

Just step outside the university buildings to enjoy the outdoors — have lunch on one of the many terraces or rooftops, or explore the green spaces nestled between the buildings. In the summer, you can cool off after class with a swim in nearby Krumme Lanke or head to Freie Universität’s water sports centre at Wannsee.

Dahlem is also home to one of the largest botanical gardens in Europe, offering a peaceful escape just a few steps from campus life.

Thanks to excellent public transportation connections, the heart of Berlin is easily accessible. The U3 subway line directly links Dahlem with popular central neighbourhoods such as Schöneberg, Kreuzberg, and Friedrichshain, and all other districts can also be reached quickly and conveniently.