This master's programme is carried out in English.

EMMIR provides state of the art education in theoretical concepts, empirical methods and transdisciplinary approaches to migration studies. Teaching and research in EMMIR will address issues that currently rank highly on the global agenda - and need expertise on transnational, transcultural and transdisciplinary level. Migration and mobility, flight, displacement and refuge - globally and (supra)nationally discussed primarily on a policy level - touch decisive dimensions in economic and social development, demography, international relations, political theory and cultural cooperation, to name some, not all of the key areas. Sustainable answers bridging the interests of nation states (incl. their welfare systems and labour markets) with human rights, democratic values and globality have yet to be found. Research on intercultural relations and intercultural communication is closely linked to these questions and frequently key to the understanding of problems and conflict.

The curriculum takes into account all forms of migration and displacement. Related issues to be addressed are intercultural conflict resolution mechanisms, multi cultural governance issues and global/regional integration.

Semester one will start in Oldenburg with a four weeks intensive phase focusing on overviews as well as exemplary approaches to key areas in migration studies and intercultural relations. The semester will continue with modules on transdisciplinary methods/methodology and theory. For semester two all students will move to Stavanger, they will contextualise their studies and furthermore concentrate on key areas and concepts. In their third semester students will work in thematic research teams as the frame and support structure for often individualised work in project based internships. Depending on their internship placement and/or the research focus module, students move on to another partner university: either in Europe, in Africa or in India. For the fourth semester, supervision groups will be formed that attend the research colloquium at their selected partner university. Students will dedicate the fourth semester entirely to writing their thesis.

EMMIR builds on face-to-face teaching and supervision and encourages students to engage in research. Academic interaction will be enriched by e-learning techniques and intensive phases and workshops. The cross-cutting aim of all learning outcomes in EMMIR is to impact problem solving skills and the ability of knowledge transfer.

Join EMMIR to be a student in the first African-European-Asian Erasmus Mundus Master Course in Migration Studies and is jointly run by three African, four European, and two Asian partners, facilitated by a wider network of associate partners.
EMMIR provides an outstanding framework for individual learning trajectories: The refinement of students’ profiles during their studies, which contributes to their academic excellence, is facilitated by means of individual and group counselling sessions evolving around their academic, work and personal experiences, their localisation in the programme’s thematic areas and foci which consists of: 

1. Questions of knowledge production, representation, and power relations;
2. Issues of gender, diversity and intersectionality;
3. Approaches to development, conflict and justice; and
4. Concepts of education and citizenship.

The joint degree will provide graduates with excellent chances for employment in national and international governmental and private sector organisations or in academia.

The language of instruction is English, but students will be encouraged to enhance bi- or multilingual language skills. EMMIR builds on and supports multilinguality by offering language courses and by its mobility path. Students are encouraged and supported to expose themselves to different cultural and economic settings in Europe, Africa, and India.

Language requirements

As EMMIR is research oriented on one hand and well rooted in the field by its numerous associates on the other hand it attracts students seeking to pursue an academic career and others looking for preparations to work in the field. In any case EMMIR is able to support and encourage students to professionalise.

Admission Requirements

• The program builds upon a first degree such as a Bachelor's 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 proven by certificates. You are expected to provide documentation of a final first degree by the deadline.
• 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.
• Language requirements: Applicants whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English must demonstrate proficiency in English by the application deadline. We kindly ask you to check our website: http://www.emmir.org for more information about relevant tests of English language.

Applicants whose native language is English must demonstrate proficiency in a second language relevant to migration studies by the application deadline at a level corresponding to the list above.


For more details see Foreign language skills on this page.

Selection Process
Following the application period, the EMMIR Consortium Committee Selection Board will select students based on relevance and level of academic qualification, relevance and level of research/professional experience, motivation and proficiency in second/third language.

Please check the EMMIR-Website for further information regarding the application process.

Winter semester 2026/27

EMMIR is not currently receiving applications. There will not be a new intake in 2026.

In order to train for a labour market demanding flexibility, self-motivation and problem-solving skills, the didactics of EMMIR are built around the idea that young professionals need state of the art, in-depth-knowledge in their field plus the tools to present and negotiate, to apply and to conceptualise, to cooperate, administrate and to manage. In cooperation with numerous actors and institutions in the field (associates and others) students will be exposed to specific labour market segments, they gather experience that can be actively linked to the study program and their specialization.
The cross-cutting aim is to promote problem solving skills and the ability of knowledge transfer. Graduates will be qualified to pursue doctoral studies or employment in national and international governmental and non-governmental institutions dealing with migration, intercultural competence and education, in particular intersecting with development issues and/or gender issues.

This course of studies is liable to fees

General questions:
Coordinator for Academics and Teaching: studienkoordination.fk3@uol.de and
EMMIR-Team emmir@uol.de

What is EMMIR? - vimeo.com
EMMIR in Oldenburg - emmir.org