Communication and Journalism Research for a Sustainable Society University of Hamburg

The programme offers a curriculum uniquely focused on developing an analytical and critical lens on the challenges posed by digitalisation and ecological transformation. It provides a solid foundation for analysing and dealing with digital communication as well as reporting on climate change. Media and journalism play a pivotal role in dealing with these challenges as society must agree on how these challenges can be met democratically and in a sustainable way.

In digital media environments and against the backdrop of existential ecological risks, questions about the ethics and quality of journalism and media communication are being raised anew, with implications for the practices and rules of public communication. The programme aims to contribute to a body of scholarship and media practice that is interested in strengthening a democratic public sphere, with professional, independent, quality journalism as an important moderator of open and pluralistic debates. We understand sustainability as a guiding principle of a society that seeks to preserve the opportunities for a good life for current and future generations worldwide.

The aim of the first year is to build a thorough knowledge about sustainability and digitalisation as challenges for journalism and a democratic public sphere. Students will furthermore develop their knowledge of social science methods and acquire digital data literacy. Students will then apply these skills to analyse socio-ecological, institutional or technological sustainability by researching topics such as climate reporting and protest participation, disinformation and mistrust in journalism or digital divide and AI. In the second year, students will get an insight into the professional field of sustainable and digital communication and prove their research skills by researching and writing a Master's thesis.

In the first two modules, students will be offered a mix of lectures and seminars. In the other modules, teaching is problem-focused and project-orientated. The modules are as follows:

1. Twin Transformation: Sustainability and Digitalisation as Challenges for Journalism and a Democratic Public Sphere (6 ECTS) – first semester
2. Methods of Empirical Communication Research (12 ECTS) – first and second semester
3. Research Seminar (16 ECTS) – second and third semester
4. From Research to Practice (16 ECTS) – first and second semester
5. Professional Practice in Sustainable and Digital Communication (12 ECTS) – first to third semester
6. Transforming Society – Transforming Communications (14 ECTS) first to third semester
7. Finale Module (MA thesis, 30 ECTS) elective courses – fourth semester

Elective courses – first to fourth semester

An internship (worth 12 ECTS) is mandatory part of the third semester. Programme advisers will assist students as best they can in finding an appropriate internship. The Career & Qualification Centre at Universität Hamburg regularly offer workshops and information events around internships and jobs in the international and German job market.

Students must have an undergraduate degree with at least three years of higher education (usually a Bachelor's degree with the equivalent of 180 ECTS). If you have not yet graduated, please submit your transcript of records by the application deadline on 31 March of each year. If you are admitted to the programme, you must submit your degree certificate by the end of the first semester of the Master's programme.

Applicants' transcripts of records (or similar documents) must indicate that their previous course of studies covers communication studies and methods of empirical social research.

For further details, please refer to the programme website.

Please include official graduation certificates (if already graduated) and transcripts of records from all your previous university/college studies. The transcripts should provide full details of the degree class and the grades you received in each unit or module.

There is a semester contribution of currently 384 EUR per semester. This provides students with a semester ticket covering public transport in the Hamburg metropolitan area.

The contribution may be subject to change, please see here for current information.

Without additional costs for further insurances, private vehicles, etc., you ought to expect the following expenses:

• housing: approx. 400 to 700 EUR per month
• living expenses: approx. 500 to 700 EUR per month

Are you looking for a part-time job? Stellenwerk, Hamburg's cross-university job platform posts attractive job and internship advertisements every day.

Part-time work, an internship, or self-employment—the Counselling Centre for Social & International Affairs (BeSI) advises you on all aspects of social security.

Students from countries outside the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland are subject to special regulations for part-time work when studying. Contact the Counselling Centre for more information.

There are several job opportunities at Universität Hamburg. Many are offered exclusively to students. Check out departmental bulletin boards, websites, Stellenwerk, or ask directly in your department.

You can find more information about funding opportunities here.

The Career & Qualification Centre supports students and graduates of Universität Hamburg in planning their career paths and acquiring interdisciplinary professional skills. It offers consultation on career goals, assistance with job searches, continuing education opportunities and networking to facilitate the transition from university to the working world.

Are you searching for an apartment or a room? Although affordable housing in Hamburg is rare, please do not despair. Patience and luck will help you find suitable accommodation.

Start looking for accommodation as soon as you can. For more information on how to find accommodation, please visit: Finding accommodation in Hamburg.

For more information on how to find accommodation and how to plan your first steps in Hamburg, please see: https://www.uni-hamburg.de/piasta/beratung/doc/willkommen.pdf.