Master of Arts InterAmerican Studies / Estudios InterAmericanos Bielefeld University
- Duration
- 4 semesters
- Language of instruction
- EnglishSpanish
- Tuition fees
- No tuition fees
- Next application deadline
- 15 January 2027 (summer semester)
- Language level required
- English: B2German: None
Programme overview
Quick facts
- Degree
- MA
- Duration
- 4 semesters
- Full-time / part-time
- Full-time
- Intake
- Winter and summer semester
- Joint degree / double degree programme
- Yes
- A Diploma supplement will be issued
- Yes
- Combined Master's degree / PhD programme
- No
Language of instruction
- English
- Spanish
Courses are held in English and Spanish. Students can choose to write their Master's theses in either language.
Programme description
The interdisciplinary MA InterAmerican Studies / Estudios InterAmericanos focuses on social, cultural, historical, and political developments in the Americas both in their specifically national characteristics and in regard to processes of transnational integration. The programme is characterised by a broad interdisciplinary approach to Hemispheric area studies and includes the disciplines of literary, cultural, and media studies, linguistics, sociology, political science, and transnational history. The larger context of current research questions of transnationality, of interculturality, of globalisation, and of the world society is of central interest.
Programme structure
The InterAmerican Studies / Estudios InterAmericanos Master's programme is structured according to basic and optional complementary modules. There are four basic modules which should be completed during the first two semesters, together with the individual electives module. The basic modules cover seminars on North and South American culture, literature, history and language. During the second year of the programme, students are to complete two optional complementary modules, choosing their major and specialising in literature and culture and/or linguistic and/or history and politics and/or social studies of the American continent. An additional graduation module consisting of the Master's thesis and a research colloquium is to be completed during the last semester of the programme.
Basic modules:
1. Interdisciplinary Introductory Module
2. History of the Americas
3. North American Literature and the Processes of Culture
4. Latin-American Literature and Culture
5. Individual elective courses with optional internship
Optional complementary modules:
6. History of the Americas
7. Language and the Processes of Culture
8. Media and the Processes of Culture
9. Literatures and Cultures of the Americas
10. Language Typology and Language Comparison
12. The Politics of Global Citizenship
13. Graduation Module
Mode of study
- Fully on-site
In cooperation with
The MA programme provides a double degree option in cooperation with Maestría en Literaturas Interamericanas of Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico.
International elements in the curriculum
The curriculum of this study programme includes international elements that support global perspectives and cross-cultural learning:
- Training in intercultural skills
- Projects with partners in Germany and abroad
- International guest lecturers
- Integrated/optional study abroad unit(s)
The InterAmerican Studies / Estudios InterAmericanos MA programme aims at educating experts in the fields of international, cultural, social and communication processes. Students have the opportunity to choose between the double degree option or going abroad for a semester on a student exchange to Latin America or the United States.
This way, students are given the opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired during their studies in a concrete, cultural, social and political environment of the Americas, at the same time conducting the necessary field research.
The structure of the double degree option is designed so that each generation of students will study the first two semesters at Bielefeld University, where they will acquire the basis of interdisciplinary studies. The remaining two semesters will be spent at Universidad de Guadalajara in Maestría de Literaturas Interamericanas, where they must write their thesis, which will be supervised by professors from both institutions.
The programme offers the possibility to choose specific complementary modules from the special research and educational offers of our partner universities. Most importantly, the exchange programmes offer students the possibility of a double supervision ("co-tutelle") for their Master’s theses. Agreements have been established with the following universities:
Universidad de Guadalajara (Mexico) Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar, Quito (Ecuador) Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín (Colombia) Pontíficia Universidade Católica, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina) Universidad Católica, Lima (Peru) University of Kansas (USA) Texas International University (USA) - Specialist literature in other languages
- Courses are led with foreign partners
- International comparisons and thematic reference to the international context
Application and admission
Application period(s)
Summer semester
| Applicants from | Applications begin | Application deadline | |
|---|---|---|---|
All countries
|
1 December 2026
|
15 January 2027
|
Winter semester
| Applicants from | Applications begin | Application deadline | |
|---|---|---|---|
All countries
|
1 June 2027
|
15 July 2027
|
Academic admissions requirements
The following documents are needed in order to apply:
- Certificate of undergraduate studies or equivalent degree in disciplines related to InterAmerican Studies*
- Transcript of records*
- Language certificates for English (B2) and Spanish (B2)
- Short text samples in English or Spanish regarding your intercultural skills (300 to 400 words), interdisciplinary skills (300 to 400 words), and InterAmerican research skills (300 to 400 words), as you have acquired them during your BA studies
- Applicants to the MA InterAmerican Studies programme who wish to pursue the double degree in Literaturas Interamericanas must mention that in their application.
*Certificates that are not issued in English or German must be officially translated to one of these languages.
Language requirements
German language requirements
English language requirements
Accepted certificates include
| Certificates | Minimum result |
|---|---|
TOEFL iBT (before 2026)
|
Total: 80 / 120
Reading: 20 / 30
Listening: 20 / 30
Writing: 20 / 30
Speaking: 20 / 30
|
Cambridge English Qualifications
|
Total: B2 First
|
IELTS Academic
|
Total: 6 / 9
|
Requirements for other languages
Proof of a B2 level in Spanish is also required.
How to apply?
Costs and funding
Tuition fees per semester
No tuition fees
Semester contribution
Bielefeld University does not charge tuition fees, every student only has to pay a social fee. The social fee includes the contribution to the social ticket for free public transport in Germany for the whole semester.
The current semester contribution is approximately 333 EUR.
Part-time employment
With your residence permit (stamp in your passport), you will receive a work permit for 120 work days per year. This allows you to work 120 full days (eight hours per day) or 240 half days (up to four hours per day). This condition must be noted expressly in the passport by the authorities.
Special promotion / funding of the programme
- DAADIntegrated International Degree Programmes with Double Degrees
Living & services
Support for international students
- Welcome event
- Buddy programme
- Accompanying programme
- Specialist counselling
- Cultural and linguistic preparation
- Visa matters
- Help with finding accommodation
- Support with registration procedures
At PunktUm, our German Learning Centre, we offer a comprehensive range of academic support programmes that are designed to meet the needs of international members of the Bielefeld University. These include the Academic Mentoring Programme for Master's students, the Peer Mentoring Programme for Bachelor's students, and semester-long workshops designed to help all students and researchers with academic writing. We also offer individual consultations on academic writing in German as a Foreign Language (DaF) or German as a Second Language (DaZ).
The International Office provides an orientation programme for all international members of Bielefeld University, including degree seekers (BA and MA), double degree students, Erasmus/cooperation students, doctoral students, scholars, interns, and refugees/preparing applicants. Example of activities include Café International, campus tour, introductions to digital services and administrative procedures.
Career advisory services
Career planning is a step-by-step development and clarification process that requires individual strategies. Based on a strengths- and resource-oriented approach, we support you in developing your own career prospects.
Depending on your needs, our Career Service at Bielefeld University will accompany you throughout the entire process or in individual steps.
Accommodation
Please try to secure accommodation in Bielefeld as early as possible. In Bielefeld, a broad range of accommodation options can be found at affordable prices. Students residences are run by the public "Studierendenwerk" or private organisations, and shared flats are very common.
Offers of accommodation can be found online by following the links below:
- Studierendenwerk Bielefeld (dormitories)
- WG-gesucht.de (private shared accommodation)
The International Office supports students who are searching for accommodation.
Contact
Faculty of Linguistics and Literary Studies
- Name
- Dr Diana Fulger
- Address
- Universitätsstr. 25, 33615 Bielefeld
- Phone
- +49 5211063663