North American Studies (NAS) University of Bonn

The MA degree programme North American Studies is dedicated to the transdisciplinary study of North America in a global context. The study course facilitates a critical understanding of theories and practices of culture, transatlantic relations, and the processes of globalisation. The modules focus on the interplay of political and economic structures with literary and cultural discourses, the dynamics of race, class, gender, and sexuality, and the interrogation of the United States and Canada as cultural, political, and economic systems. Distinctive research areas include literary and cultural theory, Native and Indigenous studies, gender studies, environmental studies, visual culture studies, the intersections of law and culture, and dialogues between cultural studies and the natural sciences.

As a study programme and research institution, the North American Studies Programme organises numerous conferences and a lecture series on issues of North American and cultural studies. It also draws on long-standing collaborations with North American universities. The core faculty members are experts in literary and cultural studies, political science, and economics and also include visiting scholars. In addition, students interested in historical and postcolonial studies profit from the programme’s cooperation with the University of Cologne.

The MA North American Studies offers a carefully designed curriculum, comprised of five core modules and four elective areas of specialisation of which you choose two.

Mandatory Modules

Literary and Cultural Studies (Bonn):

• Literature and Theory (10 credits)
• Processes and Practices of Popular Culture (10 credits)
• Transdisciplinary Perspectives (10 credits)
• Professional and Intercultural Competence (10 credits)
• Research in Dialogue (10 credits)
• MA Thesis (Bonn/Cologne; 30 credits)

Elective Modules

Politics & Society (Bonn):

• Foreign Policy and International Relations (10 credits)
• Political Institutions & Domestic Policy (10 credits)

Economics (Bonn):

• Micro-/ Macroeconomics (10 credits each)

History & Society (Cologne):

• Issues in North American History (10 credits)
• Approaches to North American History (10 credits)

Postcolonial Studies (Cologne/Bonn):

• Postcolonial History (10 credits)
• Postcolonial Literature (10 credits)

Master's programme in North American Studies at the University of Cologne

Within the "Professional and Intercultural Competence" module, students may elect to do an internship, which offers the opportunity to obtain valuable practical experience and apply the knowledge they have gained during their studies to professional fields outside academia.

For admission in time for the winter semester 2026/2027, the application period will run from 4 May to 15 September 2026.

For admission in time for the summer semester 2027, please check our website where the application period will be announced in due time.

• University degree (German or non-German) in a relevant discipline
• Specific modules with focus on North America in one of the following fields: Literary and Cultural Studies | Political Science | Recent and Contemporary History | Postcolonial Studies | Economics | Media Studies | Linguistics
• English language proficiency (CEFR level C1) or BA in English or American Studies/taught in English
• Minimum grade of 2.5 or local equivalent OR a Bachelor's thesis with a minimum grade of 2.0

If you have questions about the application process or requirements, please contact our programme coordinator, PD Dr Jan Logemann: jlogeman@uni-bonn.de

The University of Bonn is a public university, meaning that it does not charge tuition fees. However, all students must pay the semester fee of about 350 EUR per semester, which covers a Deutschlandsemesterticket (student transit pass for public transport) and statutory accident insurance, among other things.

Students in Bonn can expect to pay around 1,000 EUR a month, with rent accounting for the largest share of their living costs.

The Career Centre at the University of Bonn offers assistance and job and internship portals for students, where you can connect with businesses, and which will help you on your search for a part-time job.

The University of Bonn Foundation offers two scholarship programmes for which talented students can apply. These are the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship and the Ließem scholarship.

You can find more information on both scholarship programmes via the following link:

https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/studying/consultation-and-service/financing-and-support/scholarships

The University of Bonn has a central Career Service (www.uni-bonn.de/careerservice), which provides a range of advice and support about choosing a career and applying for jobs. International students can also join the iStart career programme (www.uni-bonn.de/istart), which teaches participants tangible knowledge and valuable skills that will enable them to write successful applications for jobs in Germany. The programme is geared toward giving students a successful career path both during and after their studies and thus making it easier for them to enter the job market.

Students at the University of Bonn can apply for a room in a dormitory owned by the Studierendenwerk Bonn (see www.studierendenwerk-bonn.de/en/accommodation for more details).

For further information on housing in Bonn, please visit our website at www.uni-bonn.de/living-in-bonn.

International applicants who are admitted to a Master’s programme can apply for a dorm room through the programme coordinator. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that all students will be allotted a room as these are in short supply.