Master of Arts in International Education and Global Learning University of Passau

The teaching language for the whole degree programme is English.

Teaching in multicultural and global classrooms

Education professionals increasingly work with multinational and diverse groups of learners. This raises an important question: How can educators best prepare for this challenge?

The MA International Education and Global Learning enables students to develop the knowledge and skills needed to support learning in a globalised world. Through practical seminars and internships - partly conducted abroad – students engage with real-world case studies to explore pedagogical concepts that open doors to international education and exchange opportunities. The programme also provides critical insight into current global education trends and policies.

This intensive, one-year Master's degree is delivered entirely in English. It integrates flexible teaching formats with a compulsory international internship, thus ensuring academic rigour as well as professional applicability and relevance.

Features

• Develop expertise in global education trends and policies, applying innovative approaches in your own teaching and learning contexts
• Prepare to teach effectively in multinational and multilingual learning environments
• Undertake a six-week placement abroad at one of our partner institutions, supported throughout by the programme
• Benefit from a compact, English-medium taught programme that was designed with working professionals in mind: the flexible structure and hybrid delivery enable participants to balance academic study with professional commitments
• Join a unique Master's offering in Germany, designed for education professionals seeking an international perspective.

Career prospects

Graduates are well-positioned for roles in:

• International and bilingual schools
• Educational development organisations and agencies
• Educational policy development and advisory roles
• Curriculum design and educational consultancy
• Teacher leadership and professional development

This degree programme starts in April (summer semester) each year.

The application round starts in early November. As the application deadlines can 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 programme comprises two module areas and the Master's thesis:

Research and Practice of International Education

The seminars “Concepts of Learning and Leadership in International Comparison” and “Engaging International Education Research Methods and Design” provide the theoretical framework for your studies. In the second semester, you will complete a six-week international placement at one of our partner institutions, accompanied by the Field Atelier seminar, which links academic reflection with practical experience.

Connective Aspects of International Education

You can choose one or two out of three modules that connect intercultural learning, multilingualism, and global perspectives on sustainable development. Students whose prior education was not conducted in German can also take a German as a Foreign Language course at the Language Centre.

Master's Thesis and Research Atelier

All students have to complete a Master's thesis in English. Alongside the thesis, students will take part in a Research Atelier.

International Placement

As part of Module Area A, students are enrolled in the module "Concepts and Practices of International Education (Field Atelier & Internship)". During the second semester of their studies, they will normally be required to complete a six-week placement abroad at one of our partner institutions, attending a "Field Atelier" seminar alongside the placement.

Upon request, the university may accept a placement taking place within Germany.

During the integrated internship abroad, you will study the accompanying Field Atelier.

The programme includes an integrated six-week placement (internship) at a partner institution abroad, to be completed during the second semester.

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.

To be eligible for this Master's programme you need:

• A first/undergraduate university degree with a minimum final grade of 2.5 (or equivalent – your grades will be converted automatically when you apply). This degree must meet specific requirements – see options 1 to 3 below. If your final grade does not meet the above criterion, you are still eligible if you can prove that you were among the best 50% of your cohort (graduating class) by means of an official certificate issued by your prior university.
• Proof that you have completed modules/courses amounting to 30 ECTS credits in educational or social science subjects.
• Proof of relevant international experience in the field of education or social sciences gained either:
  • practically (e.g. in the context of internships or other work experience, jobs you have held in the past, or excursions with an international dimension whilst at university), which must have had a cumulative duration of at least six weeks or
  • by attending graded or ungraded modules/courses with a cumulative credit load of at least 10 ECTS credits.
• Proof of English language skills at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

The completed prior university degree programme must meet the following requirements:

• Option 1: The degree programme carried a total credit load of 240 ECTS credits (equivalent to four years of study).
• Option 2: The degree programme carried a total credit load of 210 ECTS credits. In this case, you must additionally provide proof of:
  • an additional 30 ECTS credits of graded modules/courses completed at a university or
  • at least six months of practical experience in the field of education or social sciences gained after completion of the first degree programme.
• Option 3: A total of 180 ECTS credits (three years of study). In this case, you must additionally provide proof of:
  • an additional 60 ECTS credits of graded modules/courses completed at a university or
  • at least one year of practical experience in the field of education or social sciences gained after completion of the first degree programme.

You must be able to provide proof of English language skills equivalent to level B2 CEFR, unless English is your native language or the language of instruction in your previous education.

The application round starts in early November. As the application deadlines can 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

In addition to the general careers services available to all students in the form of the "Future: Careers and Competencies" section, international degree-seeking students have a specialised service at their disposal: the iStudi Coach offers coaching and advice to international students to help them successfully seek work – anything from internships to career-entry positions – in the German labour market.

The University of Passau

More than 10,000 students from approximately 100 countries are currently studying towards their degrees on our bright, modern campus next to the Inn River and a stone's throw from the town centre and the historical old town.

The five faculties of the university offer degrees at the undergraduate, Master’s and doctoral levels. Currently, 11 degree programmes can be studied entirely in English: BSc Artificial Intelligence, MSc Artificial Intelligence Engineering, MSc Business Administration, MSc Computational Mathematics, MSc Computer Science, MA Development Studies, MA Governance and Public Policy, MSc Information Systems, MSc International Economics and Business, MA International Education and Global Learning, and BSc Mathematics.

A cosmopolitan university

No other Bavarian university has more of its students spending part of their programme abroad – to study, conduct research or gain work experience – than the University of Passau.

The range and depth of language tuition offered by our language centre probably has a role to play in this. Another reason is that our programmes are very international in their outlook – and with some 300 international partner universities to choose from, it is difficult not to be tempted to go abroad for a semester or two or even to complete one of our double-degree programmes offered in cooperation with our global partner universities.

An unparalleled student experience

Passau’s students benefit from a good staff-to-student ratio and from studying on an urban campus of manageable size that is located very close to the town centre.

The facilities on campus are of a high standard. There are bright, sunny seminar rooms, lecture theatres equipped with the latest technology, numerous computer rooms, Wi-Fi access exists throughout the campus, and our well-stocked university library stays open until late into the night on most days.

Student satisfaction at the University of Passau is particularly high and our sought-after graduates typically occupy executive posts in business, social, and academic organisations in Germany, Europe, and indeed all over the world.

Student life

Throughout the semester, there are plenty of events of all sorts on campus and around town, often organised by our very active student societies. Our sports centre has some 40 sports clubs, offering everything from acrobatics to Zumba.

An ideal student town

Passau is situated near the Bavarian Forest at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers, and it is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Germany. After two fires that destroyed much of the town in the 17th century, the old town was rebuilt in the baroque style by Italian master builders, which is why you will notice a distinct Italian flair as you stroll through "Bavarian Venice", another name by which Passau is known.

With students accounting for one-quarter of its population, Passau is very much a student town with many galleries, art studios, bars, cafés, clubs and, of course, beer gardens; naturally, there is a modern multiplex cinema. A shopping centre and the nearby pedestrian zone offer a lot of excellent eateries and shops, just a short five-minute walk from campus.

Passau is home to a number of cultural institutions, such as the theatre and the "Scharfrichterhaus" – a restaurant, cinema and political cabaret/stand-up stage where many of Germany’s most popular contemporary comedians started out. Both have productions and acts running throughout the year.

In addition to this, Passau plays host to numerous annual cultural events, including "Europäische Wochen Passau" – a cultural festival which brings international symphonic orchestras, classical ensembles, theatre companies and artists to Passau for about six weeks every year; the Eulenspiegel Festival with predominantly German comedy acts and rock bands; two Oktoberfest-style festivals in spring and autumn; and no list of festivals would be complete without the traditional Christmas Market in front of St. Stephen’s Cathedral every December. Incidentally, did you know that St. Stephen's is home to the world's largest cathedral organ?

Outdoor enthusiasts will be delighted at the many opportunities for hiking, climbing, cycling, and alpine and cross-country skiing in the nearby Bavarian Forest. Additionally, Passau is not far from the Austrian and Bavarian Alps, with their famous skiing areas as well as their mountain biking and hiking trails.