Transnational German Studies is a 120-ECTS joint Master of Arts delivered by the universities of Porto, Luxembourg, Mainz and Palermo. Students move to a different partner university each semester to study German literature and culture in a wider European context.
The full-time programme lasts 24 months and begins in September each year. The fall 2026 application cycle is closed.
Benefits & funding
- Students complete four semesters in Porto, Luxembourg, Mainz and Palermo, in that order.
- Graduates receive a joint MA diploma from all four partner universities.
- The programme includes individual mentoring and career-oriented workshops.
- The downloads page provides agreements for full scholarships in the first phase and partial scholarships in other phases, but the programme says updated scholarship amounts and other funding details will not be available until summer 2027.
Eligibility
- Hold a 180-ECTS Bachelor’s degree in the Humanities or an equivalent recognized degree, including at least 50 ECTS or equivalent in German Studies.
- Demonstrate German at CEFR B2 and English at CEFR B1 using accepted evidence; language tests must be no more than three years old when applying.
- Applicants still completing their Bachelor’s degree may receive conditional admission if they can prove completion before the master’s programme begins.
- The published requirements state no nationality, residency, age, gender or work-experience restriction.
Can you apply?
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Education required
Bachelor
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Application process
- 1Confirm that the degree-credit and language requirements are met.
- 2Prepare authenticated degree and transcript copies, language certificates, passport or EU ID, CV, a German motivation letter and a German Studies academic recommendation.
- 3Create or use a University of Porto applicant account and submit the online application during an announced phase.
- 4Upload any additional documents requested by the faculty; incomplete files at the deadline are excluded from selection.
- 5Await the Admissions Committee’s ranked decision and, if requested, an interview.
Program timeline
First application phase opened.
Jan 2, 2026
First application phase closed.
Feb 6, 2026
Second application phase closed.
Apr 2, 2026
Third and final published application phase closed.
Jul 22, 2026
Programme begins.
September 2026
Updated scholarship and funding information is expected.
Summer 2027