North American Studies Leibniz University Hannover

The programme is taught exclusively in English, and research is also conducted in English. Students are regularly involved in the planning and running of international conferences or workshops. Lecturers from many, mostly English-speaking countries offer courses, and the study topics are internationally based.

The two-year Master's programme in North American Studies is a consecutive degree programme taught exclusively in English. No German skills are required. North American Studies is offered by the American Studies division in the English department. It is designed for students with BA degrees in American Studies, English, and related fields of literary or cultural studies. The programme offers a broad variety of courses in North American Studies. It is concerned with the literary and cultural history of North America from the colonial period onward and with current developments in North America in a transnational context. Categories of difference and diversity (race, gender, sexuality, class, religion, and more) are taken into account systematically. The programme allows for a focus on media history and media theory, and it invites its students to acquaint themselves with new trends in television studies, popular culture studies, and the studies of digital cultures.

Application from students from non-EU countries (VPD from uni-assist is required.)

• 15 April to 31 May of the year for the winter semester
• 15 October to 30 November of the previous year for the summer semester

Application from students from Germany and the EU

• 1 June to 15 July of the year for the winter semester
• 1 December to 15 January of the year for the summer semester

Prospective students applying from outside the EU must request a Preliminary Examination Documentation (VPD) from uni-assist before applying to the Master's programme. The processing time for the VPD takes up to eight weeks. Therefore, please allow enough time before applying for the programme. More information about applying for the VPD can be found on the central application pages.

The teaching units constituting the modules are listed in the module catalogue or the model curriculum on the programme's website. They include lectures, seminars, and supervised student work groups as well as one mandatory internship and/or a study abroad period of at least four weeks.

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The Master's studies include one mandatory internship and/or a study abroad period of at least four weeks.

No tuition fees

Approx. 400 EUR semester fee ("Semesterbeitrag")
The semester fee includes the following:

• Contribution to the "Studentenwerk Hannover" (student services organisation)
• Contribution to the student government (Student Union, AStA)
• Semester ticket
• Contribution to administrative costs for the Federal State of Lower Saxony

http://go.lu-h.de/study-costs

Compared with other European countries, the cost of living in Germany is quite reasonable. The prices for food, accommodation, clothing, cultural events, etc. are basically in line with the EU average. You will need around 850 EUR a month to cover your living expenses. The largest expense will be your monthly rent. In Hannover, the rent amounts to between 300 and 500 EUR per month.

Cost of studying at Leibniz University Hannover:
http://go.lu-h.de/study-costs

General information on the cost of studying in Germany:
https://www.daad.de/en/studying-in-germany/living-in-germany/finances/

1. It is a prerequisite for access to the Master's programme in North American Studies that the candidate has an academic degree in a relevant subject or an equivalent academic degree from another foreign university in a relevant subject from a German university or from a university adhering to the Bologna Process. The equivalence of other foreign degrees will be determined through evaluation by the Central Office for Foreign Education Systems from the minister of Cultural Affairs (http://anabin.kmk.org).
2. An academic degree from a German University or university adhering to the Bologna Process can be either a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Diploma ("Diplom"), Magister, or state-examination degree.
3. Subjects that qualify as relevant for the previous study programme are English, Anglistics, American Studies, Cultural Studies or other Humanities subjects. The decision as to whether the subject is relevant is to be decided by the party declared as responsible in the examination regulations (Prüfungsordnung). A favourable definition may be contingent on the condition that missing modules be completed within the first two semesters of study.
4. Additionally, proof of English language competence is required (see below).
5. If the degree has not been completed at the time of application, notwithstanding paragraph one, proof needs to be given that 83.33% of the total necessary credit points have been earned (at least 150 credits). If the applicant cannot demonstrate the required 150 credits by 15 July (winter semester) or by 15 January (summer semester) of the appropriate year, the responsible authority, as indicated by the examination regulations, will decide in individual cases on a conditional admission subject to the demonstration of completion of the required credit points by 15 September (admission for the winter semester) or 15 March (admission for the summer semester) of the respective year.
6. Applicants with officially recognised refugee status who can substantiate the conditions for admission but cannot present the documents may participate in an aptitude test. Proof of the passed aptitude test is to be enclosed in the application.

Proof of English language competence is required. The proof of this knowledge is subject to the provisions of the Regulations on Special Requirements for the subject English at the English Department of the Leibniz University Hannover in its current version. Applicants with English as their mother tongue or with a degree in English/American Studies need no further evidence beyond a transcript or diploma. When in doubt, the authority indicated in the examination regulations is to decide.

Application from students from non-EU countries (VPD from uni-assist is required.)

• 15 April to 31 May of the year for the winter semester
• 15 October to 30 November of the previous year for the summer semester

Application from students from Germany and the EU

• 1 June to 15 July of the year for the winter semester
• 1 December to 15 January of the year for the summer semester

Prospective students applying from outside the EU must request a Preliminary Examination Documentation (VPD) from uni-assist before applying to the Master's programme. The processing time for the VPD takes up to eight weeks. Therefore, please allow enough time before applying for the programme. More information about applying for the VPD can be found on the central application pages.

Although tuition fees no longer exist in Lower Saxony, costs are indeed incurred at university, such as the semester fee, accommodation and living costs, and costs for learning materials. You will find possibilities to help you finance your studies here:
www.uni-hannover.de/en/studium/finanzierung-foerderung

Deutschlandstipendium:
go.lu-h.de/deutschlandstipendium

Niedersachsenstipendium:
go.lu-h.de/niedersachsenstipendium

There are many job opportunities for students on campus (in the different departments, the central administration, etc.) and off campus. About two-thirds of our students work at part-time jobs while pursuing their studies.

Internal job postings:
https://www.uni-hannover.de/en/universitaet/stellenangebote-arbeit-an-der-uni/jobboerse

Student jobs outside of the university:
jobbico Uni Hannover

Links on housing in Hannover (including a video about housing in Hannover for international students)

The "Zentrum für Schlüsselkompetenz" supports students in career matters: https://www.zqs.uni-hannover.de/de/sk/.

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