Intercultural Conflict Management – Social Action in Global Contexts (ICM) ASH Berlin

The entire programme is conducted in English.

The Intercultural Conflict Master's programme represents a transdisciplinary and practice-oriented Master's course of study that combines a multidimensional theoretical and methodological approach to social conflict with a strong focus on participatory practical social action. Thus, the programme prepares students to manage real-world social conflicts in transnational and intercultural contexts, enabling them to work in various fields, including NGOs, governments, and international organisations.

The programme was established in 2002 with a strong emphasis on transnationality, interculturality, and transdisciplinarity. Since then, more than 300 students from over 50 countries have successfully completed it. The transnational, intercultural, and transdisciplinary nature of the programme is reflected in the diversity of its students, lecturers, and managers in terms of nationalities, languages, cultural backgrounds, scientific traditions, and work experiences. All these differences coalesce in Berlin, which serves as a space for social analysis, collaborative learning, and discursive construction.

Furthermore, the cultural, professional, political, social, and linguistic diversity of participants is one of the main characteristics of the MA ICM. The methodological and didactic design is oriented around that diversity and differences, giving students the opportunity to experience and handle diversity in lectures, working groups, and everyday life. The ICM integrates this diversity, effectively functioning as a living laboratory for students and teachers.

Non-EU applicants / EU applicants: 15 May

The tuition fees for the MA-ICM programme amount to 2,640 EUR per semester. For the fourth and last semester, the tuition fee amounts to 1,250 EUR, resulting in a total of 9,170 EUR for the whole programme. A different payment scheme, e.g., monthly instalments, can be agreed upon with the programme management.

The MA-ICM is offered once per year, beginning in the winter semester. It starts with mandatory introduction weeks in the middle of September.
The curriculum consists of four modules and is programmed to guide theoretical-methodological studies towards the application of practical skills. 

The Intercultural Conflict Management Master's programme revolves around the premise that social conflicts materialise in the space of manifold interrelated social worlds. Accordingly, social conflicts never correspond with the space of one particular social world, but they represent an overarching continuum which stretches out over the space of several interwoven social worlds. For this reason, the programme is structured into four interrelated module areas which break down social conflicts from distinct perspectives, in order to bring forward social actions aimed at the participatory resolution of conflicts: a) Theoretical Modules, b) Practical Modules, c) Specialisation Modules, and d) Thesis and Colloquia. These modules are not to be conceptualised as accumulative elements, but they are inherently correlated and come about in parallel from throughout the programme. 

Theoretical Modules:

The Theoretical Modules address social world and power relations and conduct a multidimensional examination of social relations based on the spatial axis. Social space does not represent a geographic category but rather a relational and analytical one, linked to the specific logics of social relations in their different spheres. This multidimensional approach integrates phenomenological, power, and global perspectives.

Practical Modules

The Practical Modules bring forward a methodological triangle, which coalesces social research, network analysis and project-based social actions. This methodological approach triangle represents the backbone of the programme, for it establishes a direct relation between social research and social action.

Specialisation Modules

The Specialisation Modules are structured into seminars and workshops. Seminars break down specific real-world conflicts, providing both analytical and intervention skills for conflict resolution.

Thesis and Research Colloquia
The fourth semester is reserved exclusively for writing the Master's thesis. The topic of the thesis will be decided individually by the student, in close communication with the MA-ICM faculty. The thesis will be based on the theoretical and methodological components of the MA-ICM. In order to support the collective learning process, research colloquia will provide a space to receive feedback and to consolidate the thesis project throughout the fourth semester. The colloquia will be framed on the basis of common or interrelated themes and will be attended by an MA-ICM lecturer.

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Internships are possible in the fourth semester, e.g. carrying out research on the Master's thesis topic.

2,640 EUR

The tuition fees for the MA-ICM programme amount to 2,640 EUR per semester. For the fourth and last semester, the tuition fee amounts to 1,250 EUR, resulting in a total of 9,170 EUR for the whole programme. A different payment scheme, e.g., monthly instalments, can be agreed upon with the programme management.

Included in the tuition fees

900-1,200 EUR

Applicants for admission to the Master's programme must have:

1. An undergraduate degree preferably in one of the following disciplines:

A. Social Sciences
Social Work - related to social justice, anti-discrimination, and anti-racism
Sociology - related to migration, inequity and marginalisation, social justice
Political Science - related to conflict, inter-state relations, inter-ethnic relations
International Relations - related to conflict, peace-keeping, inter-state relations

B. Law - related to human rights, international relations, conflict

C. Humanities and Cultural Sciences
History - related to conflict and international relations
Geography - related to voluntary and forced migration, dispersion of populations
Philosophy - related to ethics, world views and the logic of arguing and reasoning
Psychology - related to human behaviours such as communication, conflict, identity
Anthropology/Ethnology - related to ethnicity, culture and cultural diversity, human behaviour, communication, identity
Theology - related to world religions, world views, human behaviour, communication, identity

D. Other - If you are able to logically argue why you would favour pursuing a Master's degree in Intercultural Conflict Management even though your previous studies are not related to this field, you may apply for the programme.

2. Your previous academic studies should ideally amount to at least 180 ECTS. In case your Bachelor's studies account for less, you will be required to obtain additional credit points prior to your graduation from the Master's programme.

3. One year of practical (including internships and/or voluntary work) or professional experience in fields related to conflict, human rights, humanitarian aid, voluntary or forced migration, social work or relief work, or teaching a relevant subject

4. Referees to be contacted by Alice Salomon University, such as university instructors or employers who are willing to support the candidate's application

5. Proficiency in English (see below) and computer competence

6. Motivation and interest in studying Intercultural Conflict Management

The language of instruction is English. All applicants must demonstrate an acceptable level of proficiency in the English language before being admitted to the Master's programme. English language certificates should not be older than two years and should indicate a high score. Any ONE of the following tests is considered to be sufficient proof:

• Cambridge Advanced Certificate (CAE) -> recommended test result "GRADE B" or better
• Duolingo Test 120
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) -> recommended test result 90 points computer-based or better
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) -> recommended test result "GRADE B, 6.5" or better
• An academic degree from a recognised institution at which English is the language of instruction

Non-EU applicants / EU applicants: 15 May

No

Most of our students find student jobs during their stay in Berlin.

We assist students with finding accommodation.

Available and built into the curriculum

Programmes of the International Office

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The university is also firmly anchored in national and international networks in the areas of academia, research, and the professional world.