Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Programme in Social Psychology of Transformation (SPOT)

Overview

This Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s (taught in English) invites you to study social psychology across several European locations — from Lisbon to the Balkans — together with an international cohort. The programme emphasizes open communication, inclusivity and a supportive learning community, giving you space to work collaboratively and to engage in student-led initiatives such as a self-organised summer school. You will also take part in SPOT conferences and can contribute to programme quality through the Student Advisory Board.

Core themes and learning focus

The curriculum is organised around three interrelated areas: Transformative Leadership (examining how work relationships can be changed from organisational and psychosocial perspectives); Conflict and Cooperation (using psychodynamic approaches to understand unconscious dynamics in conflict); and Environment and Sustainability (applying social-psychological theories and methods to promote socially and environmentally sustainable relationships). These themes prepare you to analyse and intervene in complex social processes and organisational contexts.

Final semester, internships and thesis

In your final semester you will complete an internship and write a Master’s thesis under the supervision of a professor from the programme consortium. Internships in Bosnia-Herzegovina or Serbia are guaranteed, though you are free to select another location that fits your academic and professional goals. Overall, the programme is designed to equip you with the skills and networks to act as a practitioner-researcher and to contribute to social change across diverse European contexts.

Requirements

• No specific entry criteria were provided here; consult the programme’s official webpage for detailed admission requirements.
• Check the programme site for information on: academic prerequisites, English-language requirements, required application documents, deadlines, visa guidance and scholarship opportunities.

Overview

This two‑year (120 ECTS) Erasmus Mundus master's trains students in the social psychology of societal change across three core strands: Transformative Leadership, Conflict and Cooperation, and Environment and Sustainability. Students rotate through three partner institutions—IPU Berlin (Germany), ISCTE Lisbon (Portugal) and the University of Padua (Italy)—complete a student‑run online summer school, undertake a supervised internship (20 ECTS) and write a joint master’s thesis. The programme comprises 10 modules that combine theory, applied intervention design and advanced research training to prepare graduates for work in NGOs, policy, community practice and research.

Curriculum highlights and learning outcomes

• Semester 1 (IPU Berlin) establishes foundational knowledge and research skills: Transformative Leadership I (societal transformations, ethical dilemmas, leadership & sustainability); Conflict and Cooperation I (psychoanalytic and epistemological perspectives on conflict dynamics, social psychology of violence or social influence, and action‑oriented interventions I); Environment and Sustainability I (environmental psychology; digital transformation & sustainability); plus Advanced Research Methods (research workshop, qualitative design, cross‑cultural methods or multivariate statistics). Outcomes: ability to critically analyse social change processes, design research, and apply mixed methods.
• Semester 2 (ISCTE Lisbon) deepens practice and theory toward socio‑environmental transformation: Transformative Leadership II (community psychology; social intervention programmes); Conflict and Cooperation II (social trauma; action‑oriented interventions II or intergroup conflicts); Environment and Sustainability II (environment, justice & health; social psychology & environment). Outcomes: skills in designing community interventions, responding to trauma and advancing justice‑oriented environmental work.
• Semester 3 (University of Padua) focuses on cultural and organisational dimensions through the Cultural Diversity in Organisational Psychology module (cross‑cultural personnel issues; human rights; psychology of inclusion and social sustainability), strengthening cross‑cultural competence for international practice.
• Summer school: students plan and run an online summer school on “Digital Transformation and Sustainability,” selecting speakers and programme content with organisational and financial support from partners—developing event design, academic coordination and public engagement skills.
• Internship and thesis: a 20 ECTS supervised internship is normally placed in Serbia or Bosnia and Herzegovina, offering hands‑on experience delivering psychosocial support and community interventions in post‑conflict democratisation contexts; placements are guaranteed within the programme’s NGO and civil‑society network. Alternatively, an approved internship elsewhere may fulfil the requirement. After the internship, students complete a master’s thesis under joint supervision from two partner universities and defend it orally.

Requirements (summary)

• Total workload: 120 ECTS over two years
• Mandatory study periods at: IPU Berlin (Semester 1), ISCTE Lisbon (Semester 2), University of Padua (Semester 3)
• Ten modules covering three thematic strands + Advanced Research Methods and Cultural Diversity module
• Student‑organised online summer school on Digital Transformation & Sustainability (supported and funded by partner universities)
• 20 ECTS internship (preferably in Serbia or Bosnia and Herzegovina; alternative placements possible if approved); supervised by professional psychologists with guaranteed NGO/civil‑society placements in the preferred countries
• Joint master’s thesis supervised by two partner universities with an oral defence required for graduation

For full module syllabuses, assessment rules and placement procedures, consult the SPOT Academic Programme Handbook.

Graduates are prepared for professional roles in psychosocial support, community interventions, NGOs, mental health organisations, policy and advocacy bodies, and international development agencies, particularly in post-conflict and transitional contexts. The programme’s strong practical component (20 ECTS internship) and guaranteed placements in the Western Balkans provide hands-on experience highly relevant for practitioner roles in civil society and public services.

The EuroPsy-aligned internship and the joint Erasmus Mundus degree strengthen professional recognition and mobility across Europe, supporting careers in applied research, organisational consultancy, human rights and inclusion initiatives, and further academic pathways such as PhD programmes in social or cross-cultural psychology.