Application

The program Master of Arts in Intercultural Conflict Management (MA-ICM) takes four semesters to complete, starting in September 2025 and ending in September 2027. For the academic year 2025/2026, we we would encourage you to apply early.

As many of our applicants require a student visa and/or are intending to apply for a scholarship, we highly encourage you to submit all the required documents, including the online application form in the suggested timeframe stated below.
The processing of a student visa application at the German authorities usually takes three months or longer.

 

Requirements

Applicants should prefereably hold an undergraduate degree in one of the following disciplines:

A. Social Sciences

  • Social Work - related to social justice, anti-discrimination and anti-racism;
  • Sociology - related to migration, inequity and marginalization, social justice;
  • Political Science - related conflict, inter-state relations, inter-ethnic relations;
  • International Relations - related conflict, peace-keeping, inter-state relations;

B. Law - related to human rights, international relations, conflict;

C. Humanities and Cultural Sciences

  • History - related to conflict and international relations;
  • Geography - related to voluntary and forced migration, dispersion of populations;
  • Philosophy - related to ethics, world views and the logic of arguing and reasoning;
  • Psychology - related to human behaviors such as communication, conflict, identity;
  • Anthropology/Ethnology - related to ethnicity, culture and cultural diversity, human behavior, communication, identity;
  • Theology - related to world religions, world views, human behavior, communication, identity.

D. Other - if you are able to logically argue why you would favor to pursue a Master in Intercultural Conflict Management, although your previous studies are not related to this field, you may apply for the program.

Your previous academic studies should ideally amount to at least 180 ECTS.

Attestation of at least 12 months of qualified work experience in a relevant field relevant of Intercultural Conflict Management after your first degree (One year of atleast 20 hours or more work experience is the minimum requirement, but only the attested experience can count for the overall ranking.) The type, scope, length, differentiation, and relevance of the work experience are included in the evaluation; either in English or German translation. 

All applicants must present a motivation letter stating reasons about the motivation to study, the expectations, professional and/or academic visions for the future by the applicant; a curriculum vitae (CV) in English; two recommendation letters from past/current employers and/or academic references and show English language competency. Additionally, students should submit a proof of financial ability

How to apply

Please fill out the online Application form (Only available during the application period).

Please submit the following documents (in the order mentioned below and as one single pdf file!) via E-Mail to: icm@ ash-berlin.eu

Document Description
1) Letter of Motivation English, two pages, 12 pt font size, 1.5 line spacing, stating reasons about the motivation to study, the expectations, professional and/or academic visions for the future by the applicant. The letter seeks to explore the various life experiences that have shaped your journey and how these experiences have influenced your decision to pursue this specific master's program. It's an opportunity to connect the dots between your personal history and your aspirations in a way that demonstrates your unique fit for the program.
2) Curriculum Vitae Please state your experience in a month/year-format in your CV and the amount of hours per week worked (or in case of trainings the exact timeframe, e.g. if it was a two-day course or a whole month full-time) in English.
3) Certificates and Academic Records Undergraduate degree and transcript of academic records (to be validated upon arrival! Do NOT include high school or secondary school certificates.) In case of multiple university degrees, please submit all your transcripts and certificates.
4) Two Letters of Evaluation Recommendations from past or current employers and/or academic references (not older than one year at day of application), signed and stamped.
5) Work Certificates Attestation of at least 12 months of qualified work experience in a relevant field relevant of Intercultural Conflict Management after your first degree (One year of atleast 20 hours or more work experience is the minimum requirement, but only the attested experience can count for the overall ranking.) The type, scope, length, differentiation, and relevance of the work experience are included in the evaluation; either in English or German translation. Please submit a proof for all your work experience/volunteering experience, training courses, etc. stated in the CV.
6) Reflection Paper of Work Experience Additionally, a written reflection (1-2 pages) on relevant professional practice experience has to be submitted. Please note that this is different from the Letter of Motivation. You should focus on providing insights into the experiences you've gained from your work and articulate why these experiences are relevant to the master's program.
7) English Language Proficiency The English language certificates should not be older than two years and shall indicate a high score. The following official language certificates are being accepted (TOEFL =>90, IELTS Academic=>6.5, CAE=> Grade B or duolingo English test =>112). Attestation of language of conduct in English in your undergraduate degree can also be valid for the language certificate.
8) Proof of financial ability Statement of financial support, scholarship letter, or bank statements that prove liquidity.

Please send digital copies; we are not going to accept any hard copies!
Also, please send your documents as one single PDF file and in the exact order listed above!

We urge you to read the details carefully. However, do not hesitate to contact us for any further questions via E-Mail: icm@ ash-berlin.eu or telephone +49(30)992 45 142

The application period for our Master's Program in Intercultural Conflict Management is from October 15, 2024, to May 15, 2025. We recommend applying early, especially for applicants who require a visa.

If you submit your documents by April 15, you’ll receive feedback on their completeness before the deadline.

Financing your studies

We have to make sure that you can afford your studies and life at ASH. This is why we ask all our applicants for a sufficient proof of financial ability. We highly encourage and support all candidates to apply for scholarships.

The Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences has a commitment to offer its students high quality courses at a fair price. As a non-consecutive Master's program students are currently required to pay tuition and registration fees. These non-profitmaking fees are charged to cover both classroom teaching as well as self-paced and online studies.

 

The fees for the full program consist of:

€ 300.00 administration fee

 2,640.00 tuition fee for 3 semesters, last 4th semester ( Thesis writing) 1250 Euro tuition fee

Living costs per month

€ 950 (approx.) on average for accommodation, food, health insurance, telephone etc.

€ 49 (approx.) for the public transportation ticket (Deutschlandticket)

Germany's Foreigner’s Registration Authorities expect visiting students to have around € 992 per month (€ 11.904 a year) to cover the cost of living. Depending on your nationality, the full amount for the duration of your stay in Germany must be deposited in a separate blocked bank account BEFORE a visa can be issued! You need further general information about proving your financial funds?

Supporting documents

The language of instruction is English. All applicants must demonstrate a sufficient level of proficiency in English language before being admitted to the Master program; unless one is a native or holds an undergraduate degree in English. The English language certificates should not be older than two years and shall indicate a high score.

ONE of the following tests is considered to be sufficient proof:

Cambridge Advanced Certificate (CAE):Test result should be 'GRADE B' or better.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Test result (from the internet-based test, iBT) should be 90 points or better.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)Test result should be 6.5 or better.

Duolingo: International Testing System: Test result should be 112 points or better (Link)

To prove financial ability, please send one of the following documents

  • statement of financial support and a confidential bank statement from yourself, a relative or personal sponsor (voucher guarantee) showing that sufficient funds are available to support your studies at the Alice Salomon University and life in Berlin
  • a sponsorship letter from a government agency, organization, institution or school etc.

If your country neither uses EURO nor US Dollar, please ensure that you also submit the value of your funds in either currency or the rate of exchange at the time of submitting the form.

Information for visa applicants

Click here to have an overview about the process.

Click here to see the list "documents to bring". 

FAQ

In recognition of the changes being experienced by many societies as a consequence of increasing global interdependence, the MA-ICM is a response to the challenges of conflict, cultural diversity, social inequality, violations of human rights and human exploitation.
These issues have heightened tensions for a growing number of individuals and groups on the local, national and international level. Thus there is an urgent need for professionals who can act effectively on issues of conflict management and social justice in multicultural contexts. Graduates will gain a solid understanding of these issues needed to achieve greater social justice through professional roles as field officers, managers, facilitators, advocates or researchers.

This four semester Masters of Arts (MA) comprises a total of 120 credits which are assigned according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). The ASH is a state-recognized University of Applied Sciences and the MA-ICM was reaccredited in 2018.

The MA-ICM is an inter-disciplinary, research oriented study program, combining human rights with selected social sciences. The program’s principal focus is the study of conflict, particularly with regard to contexts characterized by cultural diversity in which human rights are ascribed a central role. A secondary focus is on the development of methods of conflict intervention and transformation that take into account  the various issues of diversity. Particular elements of the curriculum will comprise units on transnationalism and community, democracy and social inequality, diversity and conflicts, human rights and socio-political action, cooperation and development, and conflict management.

This international program is taught in English and students together from various backgrounds and cultures to facilitate a cross-cultural learning experience. It is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to mediate conflicts, advance peace, and promote human rights based on social justice in a world characterized by increasing migratory movements and consequent cultural
diversity.

The MA-ICM is offered once a year, starting each winter semester.

It is a study program based on classroom teaching and seminars which also include periods of self-depended learning and e-facilitated study time as well as written assignments. It requires a full-time commitment from students. The standard period of study is 24 months to be completed over four semesters.

During the first three semesters, students will attend classes and seminars as well as dedicate themselves to the completion of project elaboration and essay writing. The final semester is dedicated to the research and writing of the MA thesis (30 weeks).

The orientation of the MA-ICM is suited to the requirements of the job market. Former graduates work free-lance, in international governmental, non-governmental and private sector organizations in professional roles such as field officers, program managers, facilitators, trainers, advocates or researchers.

The Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences (ASH) is Germany's
oldest and largest academic training institution in social work. It is
recognized as one of Germany's most research-intensive universities of
applied sciences in the social field and is committed to international
cooperation. The Alice Salomon University is located in Berlin, a
culturally vibrant, cosmopolitan city.

The Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences has a commitment to offer its students high quality courses at a fair price. The tuition fee is divided in an administrative fee of 300 EUR which covers admission and registration.

The total cost of the first three semesters is  7,920.00 Euros (2,640 Euros per semester).
Additionally, there is a fee of 1250 Euros for the (master thesis) last semester.
Further fees depend on the services you wish. For instance, the ticket of Berlin's public transport system (valid for 6 months) currently costs 193.80 Euros for MA-ICM students and is optional.

The costs for living - including rent, food, clothing, laundry, personal hygiene, travel, obligatory health insurance, telephone, leisure activities and other expenses - generally average between 700 Euros and 900 Euros per month.

Unfortunately, our university is not able to grant scholarships. However, there are many organizations where you can apply for funding. Attached you find an extensive list of scholarship opportunities. Keep in mind their application deadlines!

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions:

You are also warmly welcome to visit us during our Office Hours (Tuesday 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm) - just call for an appointment!