International War Studies University of Potsdam

University College Dublin (UCD)

The programme can be studied completely in English. Some courses may be taken in German as well.

The International War Studies degree programme examines the causes, dynamics, and contexts of violent conflicts at a national and international level as well as their pre-history, course of events, and consequences. The programme focuses primarily on military history, the cultural history of political violence, and military sociology, with each field's respective methodologies and theories. The interrelationships between the state, society, and military are analysed from the beginning of the Early Modern period to the present day. The programme concentrates on modern history (the 19th and 20th centuries).

Students will acquire abilities and competences that enable them to analyse historical and current conflicts. They will deepen and expand their subject-specific competences to include essential content from military sociology, the history of violence, and military history. Students will refine their use of methodologies in the social sciences and humanities, become capable of discussing various subjects in a critical manner, and learn how to present the findings of their work in an appropriate way.

The international orientation of the programme and the location of studies in Dublin and Potsdam offer students global career opportunities. There are also no limits when it comes to fields of work. Opportunities abound in international organisations and NGOs, academia, the media, subjects related to politics and policy, think tanks, museums, foundations, and the area of cultural management and communications.

The international orientation of the programme enables a broad array of scholarly opportunities for creating your own profile. Dublin and Potsdam, as places to do research, offer diverse cultural and political institutions that constitute a unique environment for research and teaching.

The programme offers an international environment for university studies and global career opportunities. By working together with several partners in Germany, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, there are established cooperative agreements for internships in German ministries, media firms, museums, and think tanks.

Classes during UP's winter semester start in mid-October and run through February. The summer semester is taught from April to July. Students then go up to UCD in early September to spend their second academic year in Dublin.

Rolling application process, admission only for winter semester
Information about the application deadlines can be found here.

No tuition is charged for studying at the University of Potsdam.

For the University College Dublin, the following fees apply:

• approx. 4,000 EUR per year for EU students
• approx. 10,000 EUR per year for non-EU students

Join our online Master's Info Day on 13 March 2026 to learn about the Master’s programmes, career prospectives, and life in Potsdam.

All information on course organisation and programme structure can be found here.

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Year One (October to July) is spent at the University of Potsdam, while Year Two (September to July) is spent at University College Dublin. The MA thesis is written at and supervised by UCD. The integrated study abroad units allow students to earn two MA degrees, one from UP and one from UCD. 

Varied

No tuition is charged for studying at the University of Potsdam.

For the University College Dublin, the following fees apply:

• approx. 4,000 EUR per year for EU students
• approx. 10,000 EUR per year for non-EU students

There is an administrative fee that includes a semester ticket entitling you to free use of public transport all over Brandenburg and Berlin as well as regional/local trains all over Germany.
More information here

The average monthly living expenditures of students at the University of Potsdam are 941 EUR, but this can vary between 600 and 1,100 EUR, largely depending on accommodation. A more detailed list of the average monthly expenditures of our students can be found here.

 Information about the academic admission requirements can be found here.

All information about the language requirements is available here.

Rolling application process, admission only for winter semester
Information about the application deadlines can be found here.

The Chair of War Studies usually offers one or two merit scholarships of 7,500 EUR each, awarded to the best IWS students after the first year of study. During the second semester at UP, the Chair facilitates applications to relevant foundations for scholarships on social grounds as well.

Job opportunities for students alongside their studies are numerous. Depending on personal and professional skills, students can find jobs in the service sector (e.g. in restaurants, supermarkets, cinemas, museums, theatres, etc.) or work as student research assistants at the University of Potsdam or at one of the many non-university research institutions located in the area. Berlin, the capital city of Germany, is located just around the corner, and students can also find jobs there. Please see this website for further information.

There are several student dormitories in Potsdam. These are administered exclusively by Brandenburg's Association for Student Affairs ("Studierendenwerk West:Brandenburg"). You can apply for a room in one of these dormitories if you are under the age of 30. If you are a Master's student, you can only apply if the degree at the University of Potsdam is your first Master's programme. Additionally, there are also a few private dormitories in Potsdam, to which these conditions do not apply. However, many students prefer to find an apartment in Potsdam or Berlin, which they often share with fellow students. The housing market is very tight, so please start looking for an accommodation as early as possible.

For information on how to register for a dorm room or find accommodation elsewhere, please click here.

The Career Service of the University of Potsdam supports students and graduates who want to actively shape their careers. The aim is to ensure comprehensive career orientation and to provide opportunities for the development of professional skills. The Career Service offers workshops, seminars, and individual counselling. There are information pages on a wide range of occupational fields as well as a database of internships and jobs. Many of the services are also available in English. For more info, visit https://www.uni-potsdam.de/en/career-service

General services and support for international students: The International Office and the Central Student Advisory Service support international students in preparing for their studies and life in Potsdam.