Transformation Studies – Master of Arts (M.A.)

In your first semester, you’ll explore a range of contemporary social-ecological crises and conflicts.

You’ll discuss theories and analyses of the status quo from different disciplinary perspectives and learn how crises are interconnected.

At the same time, you’ll gain practical research experience through your own project – you’ll learn how research works by doing it yourself. Your project will focus on social-ecological transformation processes in areas such as nutrition, housing, or mobility. Gaining your own research experience isn’t just rewarding – it also strengthens your profile for future applications in academia or industry.

In your second semester, you’ll continue your research project, but turn your focus to the past as today’s societies and their crises are the results of earlier transformation processes.

This historical knowledge will help you understand why we find ourselves in the current situation.

You’ll analyze local, regional, and global transformation processes over the past centuries, and deal in depth with systemic transformations.

You’ll learn how future workshops, real-world labs, and experiments work — and explore ways to involve stakeholders in transformation processes.

In your third semester, you’ll immerse yourself in research on possible societal futures and examine the solutions currently being debated in academia — such as alternative economic models, sufficiency policies, or changes in the legal system.

You’ll strengthen your organizational, decision-making, and communication skills by planning and holding a conference.

You’ll also develop your own project with real transformation potential, and in doing so learn methods for project design, planning, and creative idea generation.

In your fourth semester, the focus is on writing your master’s thesis.

An accompanying colloquium will support you in terms of content and methodology.

Outstanding master’s theses will be published in the Transformation Working Paper Series.

In the first three semesters, you have the freedom to choose four out of six possible seminars, offered from a range of disciplines. Innovative and reflective exam formats combine the content of the seminars.

• The M.A. Transformation Studies is a unique master’s program that equips you to engage in social-ecological transformation processes, and shape the future.
• If you care about the challenges we face today and want to make a difference, this program will provide you with the right skills – critical, practical, and interdisciplinary.
• With sustainability and transformation expertise in growing demand, the program opens up strong career opportunities.
• During the master’s program, your studies will be enriched by renowned teaching staff, sound academic perspectives, and independent creative projects.
• And if you want to study abroad, that option is available to you.

The M.A. Transformation Studies takes two years (four semesters).

• The M.A. Transformation Studies begins every year in the fall semester.
• You can find the relevant dates on the EUF website under Dates and Deadlines.

No, a semester abroad is optional. If you choose to do one, you can do so as part of the Erasmus+ program at one of nearly 90 partner universities, or independently as a free mover at a university of your choosing. An internship abroad is also possible. Spending time abroad helps boost your intercultural skills and international career opportunities.

The program has limited place – you need a good bachelor’s degree grade. In addition, your bachelor’s degree should be relevant to Transformation Studies and you must have a good command of German and English. You can find the exact admission requirements on the program’s application page.

You must provide proof of good German and English skills. The exact language requirements are listed on the program’s application page.

The Transformation Studies program opens up a wide range of career paths in research, media, business, education, administration, and politics. You could work in advisory roles, coordination, project management, or research. Typical workplaces include environmental or climate protection organizations, government agencies dealing with social-ecological issues, political parties, companies, and research institutes.

Your contacts for questions and problems are the Transformation Studies academic advisor, as well as the International Center, with Patrick Will being responsible for FIT@EUF, a project that supports the integration of international talent into EUF and the job market in Germany. He will be happy to answer any questions you may have about your studies.

EUF has a rating of 4 out of 5 stars on Studycheck. 93 percent of students would recommend EUF to others.

The M.A. Transformation Studies program has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars on Studycheck – slightly above the overall average for EUF. 100% of respondents would recommend it to others. The program is praised for its critical engagement with topics, dedicated lecturers, and the collaborative spirit among students.

The M.A. Transformation Studies program is organized by a research center at EUF – the Norbert Elias Center for Transformation Design & Research (NEC).

EUF is a small university in northern Germany, set on a green campus with a large international student community. Teaching and research focus on topics such as justice, sustainability, and diversity across education, business, society, culture, and the environment – perfectly matching Flensburg’s active cultural and political scene.

On campus, you’ll find free language courses, a sports center, a swimming pool, and various student initiatives (covering politics, environment, and religion). In the evenings, events such as movie and game nights, theater, or BBQs are on offer.

Public transport makes it easy to reach several beaches – Flensburg is located on the Flensburg Firth,  and the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and Denmark are close by. If you want to take the train to Hamburg, it’s just two hours away.

No, EUF doesn’t charge tuition fees, but a semester fee is payable each semester.