The programme is a two-year, research-led Master of Arts that brings together sociology, political science, anthropology and human geography in a single interdisciplinary curriculum. It is the oldest higher-degree programme of its kind worldwide and is designed so that students learn across multiple continents: cohorts study at three partner institutions on three different continents, giving a sustained international and intercultural classroom experience. Teaching is delivered by international faculty in a flexible, student-centred environment where learning beyond the lecture theatre is an explicit part of the curriculum.
Academically, the programme combines rigorous theoretical instruction with methodological training and practical skills for comparative analysis. Students are trained to examine social, political, economic and cultural dimensions of globalisation from at least four disciplinary perspectives, and to trace how transnational processes are manifested in concrete local and regional contexts. Emphasis is placed on analyzing the interdependencies between regions and between local/regional and global dynamics.
The content and thematic focus respond to current global developments and regional research priorities, so students engage with topics such as migration, social movements and civil society, inequalities, climate politics and sustainability, pandemics, populism, and knowledge production. The combination of interdisciplinary study, intercontinental mobility and an international cohort helps graduates become specialists in transnational connections while strengthening their intercultural competence and comparative outlook.
Key facts and requirements
This program is built around intensive, location-based study: you spend three semesters on three different continents, with each semester dedicated to four core modules. The modules—globalisation, global governance, cultural change, and methodology—are taught as one course per module each semester. All classroom work is delivered in seminar format, with every seminar and module carrying equal weight in assessment and workload.
Academically, the curriculum is designed to give you both theoretical breadth and practical research skills. The globalisation and global governance modules develop your ability to analyse transnational processes and institutional responses, while cultural change investigates social and cultural dynamics across diverse contexts. The methodology module equips you with qualitative and quantitative research tools needed to conduct independent, comparative studies. Together these prepare you for advanced analysis, policy-minded thinking, and rigorous empirical work.
The course culminates in hands-on and capstone experiences: an international internship that places you in a professional context abroad, followed by a final semester devoted to your Master’s thesis. This structure ensures you graduate with practical international experience, strengthened intercultural competence, and the ability to design and complete an independent research project grounded in the global perspective you developed during your studies.
Program requirements and structure (key points)
This programme seeks applicants with a solid foundation in the social sciences. You should hold a recognized bachelor's degree (or an equivalent qualification) in a social science discipline or a closely related subject, with above‑average academic results. International degrees are accepted if they are comparable; you may be asked to provide official transcripts and certified translations where applicable.
In addition to your degree, the application requires short written statements and proof of English ability. Prepare a motivation letter of 600 words and an essay of up to 800 words (references do not count toward the word limit). You must also demonstrate English proficiency at least at CEFR level B2—via an accepted certificate or test result—along with any other documents the admissions office requests (e.g., diplomas, transcripts).
Requirements (bullet points)
Winter Semester (International)
30 November
Summer Semester (International)
30 November 2026
Summer Semester (EU/EEA)
30 November 2026
Graduates are prepared for roles that require expertise in globalisation processes and cross-regional analysis, such as positions in international organisations, NGOs, development agencies, policy institutes, and multinational or regional governance bodies. The programme’s interdisciplinary and intercultural training, combined with methodological skills and a mandatory international internship, also suit careers in consultancy, journalism, and civil society organisations focused on migration, sustainability, social inequality, and related global issues.
For those aiming at academic or research careers, the programme provides a strong foundation for doctoral study in social sciences and related fields. The focus on comparative, multi-regional perspectives and hands-on research experience enhances employability in research institutes, think tanks, and university-based projects addressing transnational social and political challenges.