Communication and Journalism Research for a Sustainable Society University of Hamburg

Courses are held in English. Internships in Germany may require a high proficiency in German.

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 practice 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.

At the start of the semester, 1 October each year, Universität Hamburg provides an international welcome week for general orientation and for getting to know (a bit) of Hamburg and some of your fellow students. The journalism studies section then provides a discipline specific orientation and welcome. Lectures and classes start mid-October.

Applications will be accepted between 15 February and 31 March for the following winter semester.

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

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Students may spend the second or third semester abroad in the framework of either bilateral Erasmus+ partnerships, e.g. with Arhus University, University of Thessaloniki or Universität Zürich, or in the framework of bilateral partnerships of Universität Hamburg, e.g. with University of Stellenbosch, RSA or Charles University in Prague. Staff exchange is also part of the bilateral agreements, so that students profit from input provided by staff of these and other partner universities.

Students are also encouraged to go for internships abroad and to take part in extracurricular and cross-cultural activities in the framework of the certificate of intercultural competence offered at UHH.

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 Center at Universität Hamburg regularly offer workshops and information events around internships and jobs in the international and German job market.

No tuition fees

There is a semester fee of approx. 340 EUR per semester. This fee includes a semester ticket covering public transport in the Hamburg metropolitan area.

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

Students must have an undergraduate degree in social science discipline or a related discipline with social science focus with at least three years of higher education (usually a Bachelor's degree).

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.

Students in this programme do not necessarily need a German language certificate, but they must be able to furnish proof that their English language proficiency meets the minimum entry requirements; language proficiency can be demonstrated by a minimum of the following grades in the these tests:

• TOEFL internet-based test (test date scores): 92 with a minimum score of 22 in each of the skills (Listening,  Writing, Speaking, Reading)
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – Academic: Overall Band Score 6.5 (with a score of 6.0 per skill);
• Cambridge English Qualification C1 Advanced [formerly CAE];
• Cambridge English Qualification C2 Proficiency [formerly CPE];
• Cambridge English Qualification C1 Business Higher [formerly BEC]

A degree from a programme taught completely in English is also deemed sufficient proof of English proficiency (confirmation by degree awarding university required).

Applications will be accepted between 15 February and 31 March for the following winter semester.

You can find more information about funding opportunities here.

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 Social & International Affairs for more information.

There are several job opportunities in diverse areas of Universität Hamburg. Many of these jobs are offered exclusively to students enrolled at the university. For job ads of this kind, check out departmental bulletin boards, departmental websites, www.stellenwerk.de (wanted ads for Hamburg’s universities), or ask directly in your department.

• tutors
• student assistants (in the academic area) and student employees (in the administrative area)
• library assistants
• test subjects for studies conducted in the fields of psychology or in the social sciences

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.

The Career & Qualification Center 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.