Master of Arts in Communication in Digital Societies University of Passau

The main language of instruction is German. However, individual modules may be taught in English. Depending on your chosen world region for the cultural studies portion of your programme, you may study modules in other languages.

The MA Communication in Digital Societies programme allows you to engage in theoretical and application-oriented study simultaneously. Primarily intended for graduates from degree programmes with a focus on communication science, it is the right degree programme for you if you are interested in how the digital media are changing communication processes in the public realm and what consequences this might have for society at large. It takes social-scientific research with a special focus on computational methods and combines this with interdisciplinary aspects of digitalisation. As you progress through the programme, you will acquire a wide range of skills that give you the best preparation for your future career, be it in academic research or working in journalism or in the digital or communications business sectors. You will have the opportunity to complete an internship during your degree programme, which will give you initial work experience and enable you to apply the knowledge you have gained.

Features

• Focus on the relevant and topical field of digital communication
• Methodological focus on computerised research, data collection and analysis processes
• Strong research orientation through two-semester long research projects on current topics in digital communication, which you will complete in a small group with close supervision
• Clearly structured programme that allows you to shape your individual profile by choosing a minor subject and a large interdisciplinary course offering
• Compulsory elective modules that enable you to approach various aspects of the digital transformation from an interdisciplinary perspective, e.g. by specialising in cultural studies of a world region

Career prospects

The forward-looking orientation of the degree programme gives you precisely the skills that are in high demand in the media industry. A recent survey of 245 media companies in Bavaria revealed that there is an acute shortage of skilled staff for the evaluation of digital data in the media industry, specifically in the sub-sectors press, audio/radio, film/TV/streaming, marketing/PR/advertising and print/online publishing. Anywhere between 56% (film/TV/streaming) and 100% (audio/radio) of the companies surveyed agreed with the statement that there are not enough applicants in this area (Start Into Media, 2022). In addition to specifically data-related jobs, the degree programme generally qualifies you for positions in the following areas:

• public relations work at business enterprises, foundations, associations, or political organisations
• strategic communication using digital marketing technologies
• journalism (such as data or science journalism)
• market research
• content management
• public affairs consultancy

The application round starts in early April. As the application deadlines can currently change on short notice, we ask that you check our application pages closer to the time for the specific dates (and what documents you need to submit).

This Master's programme is divided into two sub-areas of communication studies, Digital Communication Theories and Research Fields and Digital Communication Research and Professional Competencies, as well as the interdisciplinary compulsory elective area Social Science of Digital Transformation.

Module cluster A

In the first sub-area, you will acquire comprehensive knowledge of the theories and research fields of digital communication.

To give you an insight into the topic, you will attend courses, e.g. on the consequences of digitalisation for society and others. In this course, you will learn theoretical concepts of digital communication studies, enabling you to analyse, explain, classify, and reflect on socially relevant areas, such as protest and environmental communication.

In the research-oriented advanced seminars, you will work in small groups to examine current research questions in empirical projects, for example on Fake News in a propagandistic context or the changing role of journalism.

In the practice-oriented seminar on science communication, you'll develop a podcast and evaluate it with concurrent empirical research.

Module cluster B

The second sub-area will equip you with research and professional competencies in digital communication. In academic research projects you will apply both traditional and computer-assisted methods of communication science. On the one hand, you will deepen your knowledge of classic social science methods, for example by conducting project-oriented content analyses and surveys. On the other hand, you will learn how to use the programming language Python for the automated collection and analysis of scientific data. With the help of computer-assisted methods, you will examine topics such as how politicians are connected and interact with their audience using social media.

In the context of an optional internship, this module also gives you the opportunity to develop practical professional perspectives. You can also learn a foreign language as part of this module cluster.

Module cluster C

In module cluster C, you will approach the social science of digital transformation from an interdisciplinary perspective. You can choose from courses in political science, sociology, or cultural studies. In the political science seminars, you will analyse the different levels and dimensions of political communication, e.g. by taking a closer look at social actors such as NGOs or examining how social media are used in election campaigns.

In the cultural studies courses, you can choose a specific cultural region from: the Anglo-American, Francophone, Ibero-Romance, South-East Asian, East Central European or the post-Soviet region. In these courses, you will acquire intercultural knowledge by studying topics such as the French language and French cultural practices of the past and modern times.

There is no formal internship requirement for this degree programme. Nevertheless, we recommend that you go to the effort of completing one or more voluntary internships as you study towards your degree. These internship(s) will not be arranged for you; rather, you are responsible for searching for the internship, negotiating the outline (i.e. the job description) and making all necessary arrangements. However, the university can help you with information and hands-on advice. For more details, please see the following websites:

• Future: Careers and Competencies Section
• iStudi Coach

No tuition fees

The semester contribution fee is around 120 EUR per semester. This covers the student services association and bus pass fees. At the time of writing (January 2026), the University of Passau does not charge tuition fees.

You should budget a minimum of 992 EUR per month for your living expenses. If you need a visa to come to Germany, this is the amount you must have available to you (e.g. paid into a blocked account) for each month. Nevertheless, your actual cost of living will vary depending on your lifestyle, and so you should treat this figure as an absolute minimum.

This Master's programme is primarily aimed at those who have graduated from an undergraduate degree programme with a focus on communication studies.

The formal admission requirements are a university degree in a communication studies or social science subject with a final grade of 2.5 or better under the German grading scale (or the relevant equivalent foreign grade); if you do not meet the final grade requirement, you may still be eligible for this programme if you have documentary proof that you graduated among the top 50% of your cohort.

During your previous undergraduate degree, you must have gained at least 30 ECTS credits in communication studies and at least 30 ECTS credits in the field of social-scientific research methods. (Important note: one ECTS credit equates roughly to 30 hours of work, including independent study and attendance of lectures, seminars, etc.) Examples of courses or modules that would count towards these are:

• courses/modules in quantitative and/or qualitative research methods (e.g. surveys, content analysis, qualitative interviews, qualitative text analysis, experiments, observation);
• courses/modules from the field of statistics/data analysis;
• application of social-scientific methods in (student-led) research projects (e.g. in the context of seminars); and
• your Bachelor's dissertation.

You need German language skills at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR).

In addition, you must demonstrate English language skills at level B2 (CEFR).

The application round starts in early April. As the application deadlines can currently change on short notice, we ask that you check our application pages closer to the time for the specific dates (and what documents you need to submit).

The International Office awards a small number of scholarships to international degree-seeking students who have been enrolled in a Bachelor's programme for at least two semesters or in a Master's programme for at least one semester. You may also apply for a Deutschlandstipendium scholarship, which is open to students of all nationalities. This scholarship has a stipend of 300 EUR per month and runs for one year. You may reapply in subsequent years. Finally, there is a one-off emergency hardship grant available to international students in exceptional cases of unexpected financial difficulties.

For international students, a dedicated career adviser is on hand: the "iStudi Coach" will help you with all your questions about finding work or placements in Germany.

Please note that students from non-EU countries must apply for a work permit at the national job centre if they work more than 240 half-days per year. Students from EU member countries do not require a work permit.

The International Office has set up an accommodation service, which assists international students in finding accommodation.

Rooms in the halls of residence cost between 270 EUR and 550 EUR per month and are fully furnished. Kitchen and bathroom facilities are usually shared, although some rooms have en-suite bathroom facilities. However, please note that the demand for the rooms in the student halls is very high, and there is no guarantee that you will be able to rent one.

Luckily, there is a large number of flats and flatshares available on the open housing market. On average, you should expect to pay somewhere in the vicinity of 350 EUR to 550 EUR a month for these. Landlords usually require a two-month or three-month deposit when you move in, which will be returned to you at the end of the rental period, provided you leave your accommodation in good condition.

• Further details on housing in Passau
• Accommodation service for international students

The university provides advice on job hunting, jobs and career-entry positions at German and international companies, here and abroad. These include personal interviews, advice and training courses on how to apply as well as intercultural and soft skills training.

International students have access to a dedicated career adviser – the "iStudi Coach" – who helps them find internships and apply for student jobs and career-entry positions at German companies. The iStudi Coach also coaches international students on German labour market practices, how to write applications, and so on.

Related links:

• Future: Careers and Competencies Section
• iStudi Coach