University of Oldenburg (Co-ordinator)

EMMIR - European Master in Migration and Intercultural Relations (M.A.)

The European Master in Migration and Intercultural Relations (EMMIR) is two-year Erasmus Mundus migration studies course and is jointly run by three African, four European, and two Asian partners, facilitated by a wider network of associate partners.

EMMIR is a unique study programme focusing on migration through an intercultural approach. It equips students with profound theoretical and methodological skills in migration studies and allows them to conduct fieldwork primarily in Asian, African, and European contexts. It is designed as a multidisciplinary two-year master’s programme (120 ECTS) that addresses important contemporary issues in a still emerging field of study.

As an EMMIR student, you will become acquainted with different cultures and academic traditions and gain knowledge about migration issues in academic settings and in internships. You will gain profound skills and specialise in one of the programme foci, this will provide you with excellent chances for employment in national and international governmental and private sector organisations or in academia.


Admission Requirements

• The programme builds upon a first degree such as a Bachelor' degree (or an equivalent qualification) in a field related to migration studies: e.g. Social sciences, History, Cultural studies, Educational sciences, Law, Economics, Development Studies and Journalism.
• The final grade of the first degree must be a minimum (or equivalent) of C+ and proven by certificates. You are expected to provide documentation of a final first degree by the deadline (a transcript attesting that you took all exams necessary to finish the programme is accepted). This documentation must include your final grade.
• Applicants have to document knowledge of migration studies, intercultural relations and empirical methods. Modules completed at the undergraduate level, papers, essays and examination results are considered valid documentation. Preference will also be given to qualified applicants who, in addition, have relevant professional experience. To familiarise yourself with the topics covered in EMMIR, please see our Migration 101 page.
• Your last degree obtained should not be older than 5 years. If it is older, please make sure to explain in your statement of purpose why you chose to go back to university.
• EMMIR qualifies students for a masters degree. If you already hold one you should convincingly justify the reasons for wanting to pursue a new masters in a section of the application form.

Exchange partner schools

EMMIR is jointly run by a consortium of nine African, Asian, and European groups:

• Carl von Ossietzky University, Oldenburg, Germany (coordinating).
• Ahfad University for Women, Omdurman, Sudan.
• Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda.
• University of Nova Gorica, Slovenia.
• University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
• University of Stavanger, Norway.
• University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
• Mahanirban Calcutta Research Group in Kolkata, India.
• Rabindra Bharati University in Kolkata, India.

About EMMIR Student Mobility

EMMIR students lead exciting academic, professional, and personal lives over the two years of their degree programmes. Student mobility is one of the programme’s crucial features, meaning that students spend every semester on a different mobility path. EMMIR begins in Oldenburg, Germany, and in the second semester, all students move to Stavanger, Norway.

In the third semester, students attend the partner university of their choice, they complete courses and a project-based internship. Before the final semester, a joint proposal colloquium leads to the formation of supervision groups continuing in the fourth semester in order to support the research and thesis writing.

Learn more about what it's like to be an EMMIRian on our EMMIR Life page, read about what our alumni are up to after graduation here, and make sure to check out our blog posts to hear directly from previous students!