The Center for Cultural Diplomacy Studies

MA & PhD Programs

Application Procedure

Application Process

The academic components of the MA Programs which are conducted fully in Berlin are administered by the Furtwangen University (HFU) and the Center for Cultural Diplomacy Studies (of the ICD Academy for Cultural Diplomacy).

Accredidation

The Master’s Degree programs are awarded by the Hochschule Furtwangen University (HFU), which is recognized as a fully accredited institution of higher education with the right to award university degrees.

The HFU is a state university of Baden-Württemberg - Germany. It is accredited by AQUIN with all its study programs and quality ensuring processes via an institutional accreditation (Systemakkreditierung).

All MA programs are accredited within the framework of this institutional accreditation according to federal law according to § 33 Landeshochschulgesetz Baden-Württemberg (LHG).

The Furtwangen University (HFU) is part of the Bologna Process set in place by the European Commission, and uses the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) to award degrees. Credits obtained through the MA program are equivalent to those of courses at universities in all other 30+ signatory countries. Students will earn 30 credits per semester during the MA program, for a total of 90- 120 credits upon completion (pending on the track).

Application Requirements

Individuals studying for an MA will represent a diverse range of cultural and academic backgrounds. Candidates will include recent BA graduates as well as young professionals who combine strong academic backgrounds with significant work experience.

Individuals are required to hold a BA degree (or equivalent Degree) of minimum of 3 years studies, as degrees from across the world and from any field are acceptable* /**. 

We do not consider any one element of an application exclusively. Rather, our admissions panel considers academic achievement as well as personal qualities such as strength of character, motivation and the ability and willingness to take on new academic challenges. Our aim is to attract students from a variety of backgrounds and countries that will foster a unique and diverse learning environment. 

*Current undergraduate students are able to submit an application and participate in the pre-enrolment process, by submitting a confirmation of their current studies in good standing and their transcripts.
**For the 90 ECTS MA program (the one year- or short track of the MA program of only 3 semesters), the BA studies must have a total of minimum of 210 (European transfer Credit points) or 420 UK Credits (normally 4 years BA studies). 
Once the BA degree of the applicant has total of 180 ECTS credits only (180 European transfer Credit points) or 360 UK Credits only (normally 3 years Studies), individuals are required to have additional professional of one year and/or additional academic experience/extra curriculum Credit Points of min. 30 ECTS. 

ECTS Breakdown (copyright HFU)

Language

All courses are taught in English, thus an evidence of adequate competence in English is required for the applicants whose mother tongue is not English. A minimum of CEFR B2 English profi ciency level must be proven to be eligible for the degree program.  (see also below). German language is not a requirement.    

Application Procedure

  • The Application procedure should start with a submission of an online application form.

The application form can be found here      

  • Once submitting the online application form, the admission office will refer to the student with an e-mail, indicating the application reference code and outlining all the next steps, including the supporting documents required for the application, and an interview to be conducted (Via Skype/Phone).

The supporting documents required for the application process:

  • Official Undergraduate/Graduate Degree Transcript: A copy of an official undergraduate degree (and of graduate degree, once applicable) transcript, which list all the courses included in the undergraduate degree and the course grades. If the transcripts are issued in a different language than English or German, a certified translation in one of the two languages has to be submitted.
  • Official Diploma: A copy of the official diploma from the university that awarded the undergraduate degree (and the graduate degree, once applicable). If the document was issued in a different language than English or German, a certified translation in one of the two languages is to be submitted.

*Current undergraduate students are able to submit an application and participate in the pre-enrollment process by submitting a confirmation of their current studies and their transcripts.

  • Passport Copy: A scanned copy of the passport photo identification page should be submitted (the information on the passport should be clearly readable).
  • Motivation letter: A personal statement of at least 1 and up to max. 2 pages (A4) explaining the motivation for undertaking the MA Program, in view of academic and/or professional background and future career plans.
  • Curriculum Vitae (Resumé): This should include information of academic background (institutions attended, courses studied); professional experience, once applicable;   hobbies and interests; any awards or scholarships received and full contact details. The curriculum vitae should be no longer than 2 A4 pages.
  • English language competencies: A minimum of CEFR B2 (upper-intermediate) English proficiency level must be proven to be eligible for the degree program. You can provide this proof by submitting one of the following recognized  English proficiency test results  (the results should not be older than two years):

Minimum score required is:   TOEFL (PBT): min. 500 ; TOEFL (iBT): min. 72 ; TOEIC: min. 785 ; IELTS: min. 6.0; Cambridge English Certifi cates: B2 First (FCE)
You are exempt from submitting an English proficiency test score if any one of the following conditions is applicable:

  • You have completed an undergraduate degree at an institution in one of the English country speaking countries listed below, OR
  • You have completed a graduate degree at a university in one of the English country speaking countries listed below, OR
  • You have been employed for at least three years in a position in which English was the language of business in one of the English country speaking countries listed below, OR
  • You have completed an undergraduate or graduate degree at a university where English is listed as the only language of instruction on the International Association of Universities World Higher Education Database (WHED).

* English speaking countries as defined by the HFU for the English proficiency regulations are:
USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas, Guyana, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Micronesia, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Singapore, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, South Africa, Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Rwanda, Sudan, Botswana, Ethiopia.

  • Essay: A writing sample of between 2-5 pages on any topic related to the fields of the program or former/current studies. You are not required to write a new essay especially for the application, and may submit any paper/essay you wrote in your former studies.
  • Employment verifi cation letters (once applicable): Letters on the professional experience from the organization where the applicant was positioned, including start and end dates -month and year- of the position; the framework, title and a brief description of the tasks in your position held.

Dates & Deadlines

Applications are being processed on a rolling base, as enrolment to the programs are possible towards Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer start, each year.
Dates and deadlines can be found here.

Financials

Short Track MA Programs

The tuition fee for the short track  MA programs stands on 9,000 Euros for the full program for all students.  The fees cover only the tuition fees  (including examination fees and administrative fees),  and do not include housing or any other living costs and related expenses which students may have.

Instalments: The tuition fees are s paid in 2 instalments: 
The First Instalment of 5,175 Euros is required to be paid upon acceptance to the program in order to activate the Registrations on the Program.
The Second Instalment of 3,825 Euros is required to be paid prior to the start of the second semester.

*For the MA Program International Management and Global governance:
The First instalment of 4,500 Euros to be paid upon acceptance to the program and of 4,500 Euros to be paid prior to the second semester. 

Regular Track MA Programs

The tuition fee for the regular track MA programs stands on 12,000 Euros for the full program for all students. The fees cover only the tuition fees fees  (including examination fees and administrative fees),, and do not include housing or any other living costs and related expenses which students may have.

Instalments: The tuition fees are paid in 2 instalments: 
The First Instalment of 6,900 Euros is required to be paid upon acceptance to the program in order to activate the Registrations on the Program.
The Second Instalment of 5,100 Euros is required to be paid prior to the start of the third semester.

*For the MA Program International Management and Global governance:
The First instalment of 6,000 Euros to be paid upon acceptance to the program and of 6,000 Euros to be paid prior to the third semester. 

Personal Costs

The ICD Academy offers Students Rooms in the Academy Campus Student Residences and is happy to assist you with advice and support for finding your housing and offer you possible affordable accommodation solutions.

Scholarships

Limited Scholarships, equalling up to 10% deduction of tuition costs are available for students based on educational excellence and financial need. Although each scholarship request will be evaluated on an individual basis, students are expected to have an above-average grade point of 4.5 (of 5.0) in order to qualify for a grant and then to prove fi nancial need.

Further to these scholarship offered by our Schools, Students are welcome to search for scholarships, such as from governments, or other Institutions. With regards to how to obtain such funding, we encourage Applicants to consider relevant foundations, institutes, organizations, companies and Governments as possible sources. A number of students on our MA programs have been able to acquire funding from their governments, companies or from relevant foundations.
We do not have any specific sponsor to which we can refer students.  Please note that our programs are not funded by DAAD or supported by BaföG.