This English-language MA explores the causes, dynamics and contexts of violent conflict at both national and international levels. You will study the origins, trajectories and consequences of political violence with a particular emphasis on military history, the cultural history of political violence, and military sociology. Coursework and research examine the relationships between state, society and armed forces from the start of the Early Modern period to the present, while placing strongest emphasis on modern history (the 19th and 20th centuries).
The programme combines theoretical and methodological training from the humanities and social sciences so you can analyse both historical and contemporary conflicts. You will deepen subject-specific knowledge in military history, the history of violence and military sociology, refine research methods, engage in critical debate, and learn to present research results clearly. Teaching and research take place in an international setting split between Potsdam (Bergholz-Rehbrücke) and Dublin, giving access to a wide range of cultural and political institutions that enrich study and fieldwork.
The degree prepares graduates for a broad set of careers: international organisations and NGOs, academia, the media, policy and political institutions, think tanks, museums, foundations, and cultural management or communications. Established partnerships with institutions in Germany, Ireland and the UK provide pathways to internships in German ministries, media companies, museums and think tanks, supporting an international profile and global career options.
All formal details about course organisation and the programme structure are contained in the programme PDF (download). That document is the authoritative source for the exact sequence of modules, ECTS credit breakdown, assessment methods and the timetable for seminars, lectures and the master’s thesis. Please consult it for the precise curriculum map and up-to-date information.
Because the PDF is the source of record for this Master’s, the specific module titles and learning outcomes are listed there. International applicants should look in that document for the compulsory and elective modules, the required workload in ECTS, guidance on the MA thesis/dissertation, and information on contact hours, assessment formats and supervision arrangements.
If you want a quick sense of what to check for in the programme specification, focus on these typical items: core and optional modules, research-methods training, language or regional studies options, requirements for a final thesis or capstone project, and any internships or practical placements. These elements determine the skills you will graduate with—research design, critical analysis of conflict, archival and primary-source work, and the ability to communicate complex historical and strategic arguments clearly.
Requirements (where to find them)
Full details about the academic admission requirements are available on the program’s official admissions webpage. Please consult that page for the authoritative and up‑to‑date information.
That webpage will be your primary source for the specific academic prerequisites, application deadlines and any supporting documentation you must provide. International applicants should check the page carefully and use the contact information there if they need clarification.
Winter Semester (International)
Rolling application process, admission only for winter semesterInformation about the application deadlines can be foundhere.
Graduates are prepared for a wide range of international careers that require advanced capabilities in analysing historical and contemporary violent conflicts. Typical sectors include international organisations and NGOs, academia and research, media and communications, political and policy advisory roles, think tanks, museums, foundations, and cultural management. Employers value the programme’s training in historical-methodological skills, critical analysis, and the ability to present research findings professionally.
The programme’s double-degree structure (Potsdam and Dublin), its cooperative links with governmental and cultural institutions, and established internship pathways further enhance employability by providing practical experience and international networks. Graduates can also pursue doctoral research in related fields given the programme’s research-oriented components and methodological training.