German (Intercultural German Studies) - Master of Arts (MA)

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If you want to advance your German literature and linguistic skills while also immersing yourself into German culture, this program is a perfect fit.

The two-year MA in German, Intercultural German Studies program is operated jointly with the Universität Mannheim. You will spend two semesters at the Universität Mannheim (January - June and August - December) to gain practical intercultural experiences while earning credit towards your degree.

This program is the first joint transatlantic humanities degree offered in Canada. Through your studies, you will develop comprehensive skills needed for thriving in today’s interconnected global society, including linguistics proficiency, advanced research abilities, and an understanding of intercultural dynamics. Once you have completed this journey, you will be awarded a single degree from both the University of Waterloo, and the Universität Mannheim.

Research areas and degree options

  •     Applied Linguistics/Language Acquisition
  •     Literature/Media Studies

Program highlights

  • Degree has equal degree recognition in Europe and North America.
  • A more integrated experience than a typical exchange program.
  • Hands-on learning experience with a job at the Philosophical Faculty in Manheim for 3 hours per week.

Program overview

Department/School: Germanic & Slavic Studies
Faculty: Faculty of Arts
Admit term(s): Fall (September - December)
Delivery mode: On-campus (Waterloo/Mannheim campus)
Program type: Joint, Master's, Research
Length of program: 24 months (full-time)
Registration option(s): Full-time
Study option(s): Thesis

Application deadlines

  •  March 31 (for admission in September)

Key contacts

Graduate Coordinator
gssadmin@uwaterloo.ca

Graduate Officer
gssgrad@uwaterloo.ca

Admission limitations

Due to funding restrictions, the Faculty of Arts is currently limiting the number of international students we can admit. Please contact the department's Associate Chair, Graduate Studies prior to applying to discuss your interest in this program.

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

Supervisors

Admission requirements

  • A four-year Honours Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in German Studies or a four-year Honours Bachelor's degree in the Humanities and Social Sciences if evidence justifying admission is offered (with sufficient German proficiency; normally level B2).
  • Minimum average of 78% overall in final two years.
  • Students whose native language is neither English nor German and who have not taken their first degree in a program taught in either language will have their language skills assessed by the admitting university.
  • While every student will be registered at both the University of Waterloo and the Universität Mannheim during the two-year program, students should apply to the university that they will consider their home-university, via that university's application system. This means that Canadian students should apply to the University of Waterloo while German students should apply to the Universität Mannheim.

Degree requirements

  • Review the degree requirements on the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar, including the courses that you can anticipate taking as part of completing the degree

Application materials

  • Resume
  • Supplementary information form (SIF)
    • Outlining intellectual interests and reasons for applying; international study and work experiences, as well as academic honours, or presentations or publications should be included.
    • Review the writing your personal statement resources for helpful tips and tricks on completing this form
  • Transcript(s)
  • References
  • Proof of English language proficiency, if applicable
    • TOEFL 90 (writing 25, speaking 25), IELTS 7.0 (writing 6.5, speaking 6.5)

Tuition and fees