Intercultural Communication and European Studies (Master)

ICEUS is particularly aimed at prospective students with a first degree in social sciences, European studies, political sciences, law, philology or similar, who wish to qualify for work in an international environment and who may already have international work or study experience, foreign language skills and a special interest in other cultures. The study programme is made up of German and international students.

The Master's study programme extends over four semesters. All students attend courses in the fields of intercultural communication, European studies, European law, globalisation and international organisations.
The degree programme includes an internship abroad as well as excursions to Bad Liebenzell / Strasbourg and Brussels. Students visit European institutions and have discussions with local experts. Several elective subjects (Model United Nations and Model European Union) are offered as part of the programme structure.
After the internship, further courses are attended for specialisation and the Master's thesis is written in the fourth semester. Students develop the idea for their Master's thesis from topics they have dealt with in their studies or internship.
The language of instruction is German and English. The degree programme offers both practical orientation and research opportunities.

Modules:
M1 Intercultural Communication: Communication, Culture, Media
M2 European Studies: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives and Social Solution and Political , Economic and Legal Integration in the EU
M3 Intercultural and Media Communication: Fields of Action
M4 Globalisation and International Organisations
M5 European Studies: European Policy Fields
M6 Social Sciences Methodology: Theory and Practice of Interdisciplinary Research
M7 Internship Module
M8 Advanced Studies: Intercultural and Digital Communication and European Studies (Research, Development, Challenges)
M9 Examination Seminar and Collloguium
M10 Master's Thesis
M0 Cross Studies

Integrated internship

After the second semester, students complete an internship, usually outside their home country. German students look for internship positions abroad, international students find then internship in Germany or other countries. The internship can be completed at public institutions or at social or business organisations and enterprises that ties and/or professional ties  to the programme, e.g. intercultural communication, international organisational activitiy, aspects of European integration or international collaboration.
Students acquire internships from a broad spectrum: international organisations, European institutions, international NGOs, research institutes, think tanks, ministries, embassies, enterprises, educational institutions, etc. The internship is prepared and followed up as part of the programme.

Field trips

Almost all ICEUS cohorts have so far been able to go on field trips to Bad Liebenzell and Strasbourg as well as to Brussels to simulate legislative procedures as part of seminars or to visit European institutions and discuss current topics with European experts. The field trips are prepared and followed up in seminars and accompanied by the respective teachers.

The field trips to Bad Liebenzell and Strasbourg usually take place in December. Accommodation is provided at the International Forum Burg Liebenzell that organizes seminar programme with simulations of the legislative process. From there, the group travels to Strasbourg to visit the European Parliament and the European Court of Human Rights, for example.

In the second semester, the group travelles to Brussels. There, the students visit the Council of the EU, the European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee and the European Parliament. In addition, they usually spend an afternoon at the Hessian State Representation or a political foundation.

Delegations from Fulda optionally visit Model European Union (Brussels) and Model United Nations (New York) conferences.

1.)Evidence of a qualified degree of at least six semesters (B.A. level) in social, law, humanities or cultural sciences at a university within the scope of the German Higher Education Framework Act or at a foreign university recognised as equivalent.

2.) evidence of a good command of German and English. For students who have successfully completed a university degree programme within the scope of the Higher Education Framework Act, evidence of good English language skills is usually provided by a TOEFL iBT test score of at least 79 or equivalent. For students who have successfully completed a university degree at a foreign university recognised as equivalent, evidence of proficiency in one of the two languages is usually provided by a TOEFL iBT test score of at least 79 or equivalent, or by passing the "German language test for admission to university (DSH)" (level DSH 2) or equivalent. If the final examination was passed in English, this is always considered the equivalent of a TOEFL iBT test score of at least 79; if the final examination was passed in German, this is always considered the equivalent of passing the "German language test for admission to university (DSH)" (level DSH 2). With regard to knowledge of the other language, evidence must be provided that this is sufficient to follow classes in this language; in cases of doubt, admission will be made dependent on the successful completion of an oral interview in this language at Fulda University of Applied Sciences.

With German educational certificates: 15 April to 30 September; with foreign educational certificates: 1 March to 30 September

Important note: International applicants who require a student visa for Germany must apply by July in order to receive notification of admission in time to start their studies in October. You can expect to receive the notification of admission you need for the visa approximately five to eight weeks after submitting your application. We advise to find out about the usual visa processing times in your country of origin and make an appointment at the embassy in charge as early as possible. Apply as early as possible so that you have enough time for your preparations (visa application, finding accommodation, etc.).