Joint MA in Intercultural German Studies (IcGS)

The University of Waterloo and the University of Mannheim. Text reads: Study in Canada, study in Germany with IcGS

Welcome to Waterloo's Master of Arts in Intercultural German Studies (IcGS)!

This section of the department's website exists to provide graduate students in this joint degree program some basic information and advice. A complete program handbook is available upon request.

This joint international MA program will award you one degree from two universities, the University of Waterloo and the Universität Mannheim.
This international accreditation means you will have equal degree recognition in Europe and North America.
More integrated than an exchange term, this MA is the first joint transatlantic humanities degree available in Canada.
Your studies will help you develop the linguistic, research and intercultural skills and understanding necessary for succeeding in today’s knowledge-based global society.

I chose the IcGS program at the University of Mannheim and the University of Waterloo because it seemed to perfectly integrate my different interests in a way that I could not find anywhere else. It allows me to deepen my studies in German literature and linguistics while combining it with cultural studies and even practical intercultural experience.

Christina Bauermeister, MA Intercultural German Studies

Program timelines

After one term at the University of Waterloo (September-December) all students move to Mannheim in order to stay there for two semesters (January-June and August-December). The remaining two terms are spent back at UW. During this time, you will write and defend your MA thesis.

Here is an overview of when you will be where. Please note that “Term” denotes a study term spent at UWaterloo, while “Semester” refers to program time spent at UMannheim.

Term 1 Semester 1 Semester 2 Term 2 Term 3
September-December January-June August-December January-April May-August
Waterloo Mannheim Mannheim Waterloo Waterloo

As the program is tightly integrated between the two universities, it is best not to deviate from this model. Please note that any changes to this study sequence must be formally approved by the Joint Program Committee. Please contact the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies for further information.

Experiential learning component

As part of your experiential learning, you will have a job at the Philosophical Faculty in Mannheim of approximately 3 hours per week. You will get paid € 100.-/month for your work. Your Hi-Wi (Hilfswissenschaftler)-Job can be used for your Graduate Studies Internship if you complete the necessary requirements as outlined on the info sheet for the Graduate Studies Internship.

Additional information

  • For additional information, please visit the Guidelines page
European Union flag

With the support of the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union