International Area Studies - Global Change Geography Master's study programme

Study in Halle because ...

• you can study geography in an integrative way with a focus on global change and its local and regional facets, especially at the intersection of human-environment relations.   

• you can focus your studies on research or application and choose your own geographical track. In particular, an interdisciplinary and international orientation is more than welcome.

• you can start your professional career based on a wide methodological range from social science survey and evaluation techniques to laboratory and field analytics to digital methods (GIS and remote sensing) in depth.

• you can easily participate in research activities of the institute and the University of Halle; for example in the context of in-house projects on questions of global change or connect with the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research or the Center for Interdisciplinary Regional Studies.

• the consequences of the phase-out of coal mining and post-mining landscapes and the development of transformation regions are being researched here. Experts from various disciplines are gathered in Halle because this is not the first time that diverse economic, political, social and ecological transformation processes are taking place in this region.

The MSc International Area Studies - Global Change Geography opens career opportunities to professions that require an understanding of complex intersectoral and spatial relationships. It qualifies for both subject-related scientific work and the use of scientific expertise in the preparation of public and corporate decisions. Possible employers are universities and research institutions, companies, associations, state and municipal institutions as well as international organisations.

The MSc International Area Studies - Global Change Geography is accredited. For more information, please visit the website of the Accreditation Council.

The study programme is structured as follows:

• Compulsory modules (15 CP)
• Elective modules (75 CP)
• Master's thesis (30 CP)

Compulsory modules (45 CP)

Elective modules (75 CP) 

The content, learning objectives, workload, requirements and prerequisites of specific modules are published in the module catalogue (English version available via geo.uni-halle.de) and the study and examination regulations (in German only). 

***Note: The contents may be subject to change.***

Applicants for the MSc International Area Studies - Global Change Geography must

• hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent degree in geographically oriented or comparable field with a minimum grade of 2.3 or better according to the German academic grading scale and

• prove good knowledge of written and spoken English.

A study programme is comparable if

• at least 10 ECTS have been obtained in geographical and spatial science methods (e.g. statistics or geographical information systems), and

• at least 60 ECTS have been obtained in at least three areas clearly related to planning sciences, environmental sciences, physical geography and human geography.

Decisions on comparability are made by the examination board on the basis of the transcript of records submitted.

Applicants must prove their English language proficiency by submitting either TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate, Unicert II, German Abitur or an equivalent internationally recognised language certificate attesting level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). However, proof of language proficiency is not required if the first degree was obtained in a study programme taught in English.

Important note: The MSc International Area Studies - Global Change Geography is a bilingual study programme (English/German). Therefore, international applicants must additionally prove their German language proficiency for studies. For more detailed information on German language requirements for university, see here.

This chapter consists of excerpts roughly translated into English. Only the study and examination regulations are legally binding.

For information in German, see here.

***Note: The contents may be subject to change.***

The admission to the MSc International Area Studies - Global Change Geography is currently not restricted (no NC).

• Applicants with a German bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) please apply via www.uni-halle.de/bewerben by 31 August.

• Applicants with a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from abroad please apply via www.uni-assist.de by 15 June. > Information and Application procedure

Halle University reconsiders its admission policy every winter semester and determines whether admission to a study programme is restricted (Uni-NC) or free (no NC). From May each year, the current decision is published here (see also General Information).

Required documents

The following documents must be submitted with the application for admission:

1. A hard copy of your bachelor's degree or equivalent (i.e., graduation certificate and transcripts). Important note: Applicants via uni-assist upload their certificates and transcripts (both in original language and official translations, unless the originals are in English or in German) with their online application. For those applicants it is not necessary to hand in any additional hard documents.

2. Halle University does accept provisional graduation certificates, if your degree is scheduled after the application deadline. Please submit your transcripts indicating minimum 2/3 of your total credits to be passed / your senior student stage, accordingly. The final graduation certificate shall be submitted with enrolment, respectively by no later than 31 January in the year following admission.

3. Proof of English language proficiency (see admission requirements)

4. Language certificate attesting German language proficiency for university studies (see admission requirements)

This chapter consists of excerpts roughly translated into English. Only the study and examination regulations are legally binding.

For information in German, see here.

Information for international applicants

For any questions regarding application and admission - except eligibility - please see website or contact Kati Gaudig (Student Registration Office - International Students Section).