Media and Communication Science (M.A.) – study online/digital

The online/digital mode of study can be started in winter semester 2022/23 (1st October 2022).   

 

The application deadline for applicants with certificates from foreign educational institutions (so-called G3 applicants) was 15th May 2022. The application deadline for applicants with certificates from German educational institutions (so-called G1 applicants) was 15th September 2022.

Degree requirements: Bachelor's degree in a similar field 

Language requirements:C1 CEFR English (where English is not the mother tongue)

Technical requirements:
1. Up-to-date operating system (at least Windows 10 Professional Build 21H2) with current antivirus software (e.g. Sophos, Avast).

PC/laptop with at least Intel i7 or comparable processor and at least 8 GB RAM is required for participation in all digital courses. Social Virtual Reality is used in some digital courses and a current graphics card with at least 4 GB VRAM is also mandatory for these courses.

2. Up-to-date Office program (Office 2019/2021 or Office 365) with ability to use PDF files (Adobe Reader).

3. Stable internet connection with a bandwidth of at least 15 Mbit/s for interference-free communication (video and audio stream).

4. Up-to-date web browser available on the market in the currently offered version, e.g. Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Google Chrome.

5. Video camera with a minimum resolution of 720 pixels, ensuring interference-free image and video transmission.

6. Audio system that ensures sufficient speech intelligibility: On-ear or over-ear headsets with two earpieces and microphone are recommended.

7. Usability of a VPN connection. The installation of an appropriate VPN software is necessary, e.g. Cisco AnyConnect, VPN software specific to the operating system (MAC).

8. Access and availability of the university approved video conferencing system: Cisco-Webex.
Important Note: An overview of the software you will need for your studies, including which is provided by the university, is available here. The university is bound to licensing and embargo regulations. It is your obligation to check if you are allowed to use the necessary software in your country of residence according to licensing and embargo laws. The overview is updated regularly.

The 4-semester Master's program leads to the degree Master of Arts.

English

There are no tuition fees. There is a small semester contribution which all students of Technische Universität Ilmenau have to pay. 

Other minor fees may be incurred as part of the student administration process (e.g., a late registration fee for the following semester)

It is permitted once during your master studies to switch from the online/digital mode of study to the on-site mode of study (if desired).

In order to switch to the on-site mode of study, you must submit an application by email to studierendensekretariat@tu-ilmenau.de before the end of the re-registration period with effect from the following semester. Your application must state your name, matriculation number and that you would like to switch your mode of study from online/digital to on-site. The dates for the re-registration period for each semester are announced in the semester key points.

For example, if you study online in a winter semester and want to start studying on-site in the following summer semester, you have to submit an application to switch at the latest in January of the winter semester, before the re-registration period for the summer semester closes.

It is not possible to apply for a study visa for Germany if the degree program is studied entirely in the online/digital mode of study. This also applies to applicants who are already in Germany and who would need a study visa for their further stay in Germany or who would need to extend an existing visa. 

If you switch to the on-site mode of study, you must apply for your study visa well in advance (if a visa is required).

Students enrolled in the online/digital mode of study who are resident in Germany can have their BAföG entitlement checked in the same way as students enrolled in the on-site mode of study (Please note, information given as part of the above link is currently only available in German).

If the former does not apply to you, we recommend you explore any potential funding opportunities at your place of residence, for example for financing your living costs (as previously mentioned, there are no tuition fees).

There are further funding opportunities available from the start of the third semester if in on-site education.

In order to be able to study a master's degree program at a German university, you are legally obligated until completion of age 30 to request a German statutory health insurance provider to report your health insurance status to the university prior to enrollment (via the electronic reporting procedure of the health insurance providers), even if you are residing abroad.

A new electronic report may be required during your studies (e.g. when changing from the online/digital study mode to the on-site study mode). If you enter Germany after having switched to the on-site study mode, the health insurance obligation comes into effect, which usually requires health insurance contributions. You can find detailed information about the registration procedure here

IPdigital statutes (German version)

IPdigital statutes (English version)

The online/digital mode of study is structured in the same way as the on-site mode of study.

Students in the online/digital mode of study are in contact with the lecturers of the respective modules and can reach them at any time by email and arrange video consultations. Additionally, Technische Universität Ilmenau offers targeted support for students of the online/digital mode of study through program coordinators.

The main communication channel for all modules is the Moodle teaching platform. Classes take place via video conferencing (Webex), which enables direct communication between teachers and students. Outside of classes, teachers can be reached by email, and virtual consultations can also be arranged.

The online/digital mode of study (like the on-site mode of study) requires full-time attendance. The schedule is announced at the beginning of each semester. It is therefore not recommended to pursue other full-time activities during your studies.  Semester key points

As part of the study and socio-cultural program, there are synchronous, asynchronous and hybrid classes/events. We always inform you in advance which formats are planned and whether there are different formats for participation, e.g. to accommodate for different time zones.

A social virtual reality application is part of the study program. The VR application further acts as a virtual meeting and experience space for students and is therefore also part of the socio-cultural program that we offer.

The courses of the Master's program are completed through so-called "alternative examinations". This means that you will work on a question/a specific task scientifically and will document it individually or in groups, over a longer period of time. This explicitly includes empirical scientific work with qualitative and quantitative methods of communication science.

The documentation takes place, for example, in the form of presentations, essays, term papers, research essays, etc. In individual cases, also oral exams might take place.

Students have access to the University Library as part of their enrolment. The University Libary has a variety of licences and grants access to digital specialist literature, journals and databases.

Praxis as part of the Master's degree program MCS means above all research praxis. All of the required projects can be realised and exchanged using ordinary computer and mobile phone equipment. Sometimes industry partners give guest lectures to which students are connected virtually.

While conducting the Master's thesis, regular colloquia with students and supervisors take place on a monthly basis. If colloquia take place on-site, students from the online/digital mode of study are connected with their fellow students and supervisors virtually. Students will also be required to defend their Master's thesis virtually.

As a student of Technische Universität Ilmenau, you can expect a wide range of extra-curricular events. Our we4you student service is hereby your first point of contact. Our team puts together a catalogue with socio-cultural events that are tailored to the needs of students who study online/digitally. We invite you to take part in these events in addition to your modules. Our socio-cultural event program offers the opportunity to get in touch with fellow students and to get to know Germany as a world-renowned higher education and research location, as well as to gain intercultural experiences and to actively participate in student networks - all aimed at strengthening your own personal and career development. 

Furthermore, you have the opportunity to take advantage of our Go Out student services and to explore possibilities of a stay abroad during your studies (Note: visa processing times may apply).

Since classes take place in small groups and group work is common practice, students are actively engaged in community-building as part of the teaching and learning process. In addition, there are various opportunities to get in touch with fellow students of the University, such as via our student service we4you, which focuses on socio-cultural activities for international students.

Grades and ECTS can be accessed online. The degree certificate is issued by the faculty examination office. TU Ilmenau covers the shipment costs for online/digital students who cannot collect their certificate in person.

For students participating in the online/digital mode of study who require a residence permit for Germany, a residence permit for job seeking in Germany can be granted upon application according to § 20 para. 2 AufenthG after successful completion of their studies for the duration of 6 months. 

For students participating in the online/digital mode of study who change to on-site study and stay at Technische Universität Ilmenau until graduation, a residence permit to search for a job in Germany after successful completion of their studies will be granted upon application for the duration of 18 months according to  § 20 para. 3 AufenthG

Visit our research and scientific career website to find out about  doctoral studies at Technische Universität Ilmenau and our Graduate Center.

• Study from anywhere in the world
• Study in English
• Experience the high quality standard of German university education and attain a German university degree
• Study without paying tuition fees
• Save on travel costs and living expenses
• Benefit from the many years of experience of Technische Universität Ilmenau teaching the program on-site
• Experience technical innovations and immersion

We offer support in answering all your questions concerning the online/digital mode of study prior to and during your studies. We are here for you! However, we expect you to have a basic understanding of self-organisation and self-motivation too.

You are further responsible for fulfilling the technical requirements for online/digital participation and for ensuring that these are met for the duration of your studies.

Online/digital studies cannot completely replace local experiences of student life and culture in Germany. Nonetheless, we offer you extensive opportunities for professional exchange with your teachers and fellow students, as well as for socio-cultural encounters, and understand this as an essential part of the online/digital mode of study!

Any unanswered questions? Contact us!