International Organisations and Crisis Management

Study information
Key facts
Degree
Master of Arts
Admission restriction
without admission restriction (without NC)
Duration
4 Semesters
Credits/ECTS
120
Teaching language
English
Tuition fee
None
Semester contribution
€ 272,65
Start of studies
Winter semester
Part-time possible
No
Institutions
Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Institute of Political Science
Application & Deadlines

Programme summary

The Master´s degree International Organisations and Crisis Management is the only programme in Germany and one of very few in Europe that focuses on the following three areas. First, you will learn about the goals, tasks, structures, cultures and norms of international governmental and non-governmental organisations. Secondly, you will become familiar with the possibilities and limits of international crisis management, by which we understand the settlement of violent conflicts as well as the governance of issues such as pandemics, migration flows, natural disasters and financial crises. Thirdly, we address whether and how international organisations (together with states and other actors) are able to overcome these crises, what problems of effectiveness and legitimacy may arise in the process, and how, sometimes, this plunges international organisations into crises themselves.

The programme comprises two main tracks: a Disciplinary Core Track and a Supplementary Track.

  1. The Disciplinary Core Track consists of compulsory courses that impart key competences in the fields of international organisations and crisis management. It also includes a practitioner’s seminar, a study trip to the headquarters of international organisations and a summer school on crisis management.
  2. The Supplementary Track consists of Interdisciplinary and Language Studies. As part of the Interdisciplinary Studies track, you can choose courses from other areas of Political Science and related disciplines (e.g. Law and Economics) at our university and our partner universities in Erfurt, Halle and Leipzig. In the Language Studies track you will learn a language of your choice that is relevant for working in international organisations. International students who do not speak German well are encouraged to learn German. Whether you focus more on languages or on interdisciplinary studies is your decision to make.

The third semester takes place at one of our international partner universities. A stay at partner universities in Germany is also possible, especially for international students. A two-month internship is also planned for this semester. The fourth semester is reserved for the Master's thesis.

Special features

The programme is, among others, characterized by the following special features:

  • a focus on international organisations and international crisis management that is unique in Germany and very rare in Europe;
  • a semester abroad in a pertinent Master's programme at one of our international partner institutions in places such as Birmingham, Budapest, Haifa, Nijmegen, Rhode Island and Tampere or at one of our partner universities in Germany;
  • a study trip to international organisations in Geneva, Rome or other headquarter locations in Europe;
  • a summer school with alternating formats such as workshops and simulations on topics like peace ethics, minority rights and climate change;
  • language courses that improve your proficiency in a foreign language of choice and that prepare you for a career in a multi-lingual environment;
  • interdisciplinary courses that enable you to complement your studies by choosing classes from a great variety of related disciplines, ranging from Law, Economics, History and Applied Ethics to Arabic and Caucasus Studies
  • an internship, ideally during your stay abroad, in an international organization, a ministry, a think tank or similar.

Career opportunities

Our Master’s in International Organisations and Crisis Management prepares you for a wide range of attractive careers focusing on international affairs. These include international governmental and non-governmental organisations, national and regional ministries and administrations, international and national think tanks, the media, industry and economic associations and universities.

Admission requirements

  • Undergraduate degree or equivalent

    For this Master's programme you need an undergraduate degree (Bachelor with 180 credit points) or an equivalent first professional qualification that meets the following requirements:

    1. You have acquired at least 90 credit points in the field of Political Science and an overall grade of 1.5 (approx. “very good”) or better.
    2. You have acquired at least 20 credit points from classes focused on international relations or international organizations.
    3. You have acquired at least 15 credit points in qualitative and/or quantitative research methods.
    4. You have completed at least one job-oriented internship in international relations or international organizations or studied one semester abroad.

    If you do not sufficiently meet any of these requirements, but your overall grade is at least 2.3 (approx. “good”) and your studies, curriculum vitae and motivation indicate a particular fit for our programme, you may also be admitted upon consideration of the following factors:

    • The scope and grades of the courses, which are particularly relevant for our Master’s programme, as well as the final thesis of your first academic qualification;
    • your international experiences as they relate to our programme;
    • your practical experiences and additional qualifications, which may be relevant for our programme; and
    • your individual areas of interest and reflections on the content and requirements of our Master’s programme, as indicated in your letter of motivation and your curriculum vitae, which inform us about your background, knowledge and skills as well as your personal goals and your capacity to study successfully.

    The acquisition of credit points in qualitative and/or quantitative research methods can be made up as early as possible and at the latest by the 4th semester.

  • Language requirements

    This master's programme requires the following language proficiency:  

    • English language proficiency at level C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

Application documents

  • CV

    Your CV should have a tabular form, containing key information on your school record and academic career.

  • Motivation letter

    A motivation letter should not exceed the size of two DIN A4-pages and normally, it should contain information on your motivation for taking up this course of studies. You should  elaborate on the following essential questions:

    • Why do you desire taking up this specific course of studies?
    • What are - in your opinion - the main features that this course of studies excels in?
    • Which features of this course have inspired your application? 
    • Why Jena?

     

  • University entrance qualification certificate

    Please upload at the online application system your university entrance certificate/school leaving certificate. Usually, this means the school graduation diploma (German "Abitur"), i.e. the diploma that makes you eligible for studies at an University or other institution for higher education. Be mindful of the fact that here, we do not need any University diploma but a High School diploma! 

  • Previous university degrees earned

    All previous University degrees (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, etc.) if available before the application deadline - if not, please make a note of the anticipated date of issue of your degree certificate. Please upload your University degree or the most actual, detailed transcript of records/ mark sheet of all semesters available to you, should you not hold your degree certificate at the time of application. The main document is the degree/ transcript based on which you apply for the master programme.

  • Detailed transcript of records

    Detailed transcript of records/ mark sheet of your first, subject-specific university degree, with which you are applying for the Master's programme (minimum requirement is the transcript/mark sheet up to the semester before the last). This transcript MUST contain an overall cumulative grade point average or average mark. You need at least 140 credits (ECTS) by the time you apply.

  • Proof of relevant work experience

    Should you have obtained subject-specific work experience, you can upload corresponding certificates in order to support your application. 

  • Proof of subject-specific practical experience

    Should you have obtained subject-specific practical experience (e.g. by internships etc.), you can upload corresponding certificates in order to support your application. 

  • Proof of language proficiency

    You have to submit the following proof of language proficiency:

    • Proof of language proficiency in English at level C1 following the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

    The following certificates are recognized as proof of your language skills:

    • Cambridge Certificate (Advanced)
    • IELTS – International English Testing System (7.0 - 8.0)
    • TOEFL Test
    • TOEFL – Internet-based (95)
      • TOEFL – Paper-based (637)
      • TOEFL – Institutional Testing Program (543 - 626)
      • TOEIC Test (945 - 990)
      • BULATS – Business Languages Testing Service (75 - 89)

    Temporary certificates are accepted up to a maximum of four years after the date of acquisition.

    Evidence is not required for students whose mother tongue is English.

    You are invited to submit further proofs of your language skills, especially with regard to the language that you want to learn in the programme (also German for international students).

Additional application documents for international students

  • Translation of foreign/external application documents

    Every mandatory application document from foreign/external countries must also be available in either English OR German translation. Such a translation has to be conducted by officially acknowledged/ sworn translators or translation offices.

  • Proof of grading system

    External/foreign degree certificates/ transcripts of records must contain information on the grading system (= description of the maximum grade possible and the minimum passing grade) used at the respective University. 

  • Certificate APS

    Applicants with degrees from India, Vietnam or China must submit the original APS-certificate issued by the German Embassy.

  • University entrance exam

    Applicants from the following countries must submit a certificate of their university entrance examination/college entrance examination:

    • Iran (College entrance examination certificate or certificate of pre-university course/year)
    • Republic of Korea/South Korea: SAT (Scholastic Ability Test)
    • People's Republic of China: College entrance examination certificate ("Gaokao")
Institute for Political Science - Subject Advisor - Philip Mats Tantow M.A.

Opening hours:
by arrangement via e-mail

Institute for Political Science - Student Representatives - Political Science
Academic Office for Student Affairs and Examinations (ASPA)

Telephone hours:
Mondays and Fridays (9:00 – 11:00)
Wednesdays (13:00 – 15:00)

The ASPA is primarily responsible for students in the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and the Faculty of Theology.

Master Service Centre

Office hours:
Telephone consultation:
Tuesday - Thursday
10 am - 11 am

Personal consultation:
Tuesday - Thursday
2 pm - 3 pm

Live chat:
mondays
10 am - 12 noon

Ticket enquiries via Service Desk at: www.uni-jena.de/service-msz

Postal address:
Friedrich Schiller University Jena
Master Service Centre (MSZ)
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena

Video chat: To the video chat – Zoom Videochat ZeitenTuesday - Thursday
3:15 pm - 4 pm
Password Master Data protection informationpdf, 101 kb

Central Student Advisory Service

Office hours:
We offer consultations in person, by telephone, and via Zoom. You can make an appointment by calling us on +49 3641 9-411111 (Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 to 11:00) or outside these office hours on +49 3641 9-411200. You can also use our remote help desk.

Consultation hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (9:00 to 12:20), Tuesdays (14:00 to 18:00), and Wednesdays and Thursdays (14:00 to 16:00).

Video chat: To the video chat – Zoom Videochat ZeitenMondays to Fridays (12:30 to 13:00) Password ZSB2020 Data protection informationpdf, 101 kb

Student Service Centre

Opening hours:
Mondays (10:00 – 12:00)
Tuesdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Wednesdays (10:00 – 12:00)
Thursdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Fridays (10:00 – 12:00)

You can also use our remote help desk at
www.uni-jena.de/service-ssz
or send us your enquiries by post.

Telephone hours:
Mondays to Fridays
(9:00 – 11:00)

Postal address:
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Studierenden-Service-Zentrum
07737 Jena

Contact

International Office - International Students

Universitätshauptgebäude (UHG), Room 0.17 -0.18
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Office hours:
Please see "more information" on the left for our contact information and availability.