Individual Research Master

• Degrees awarded: Master of Science (M.Sc.)
• Possible subsequent doctoral degrees: Dr. rer pol., Dr. phil., Dr. rer. nat.
• Application deadline: EU degree: 1 June / Non-EU degrees: 1 May
• Highlights: Targeted research pre­paration; flexible, indivi­dualised content design; intensive super­vision; high pro­portion of practical re­search ex­pe­rience
• Is aimed at: Tomorrow's scientists from all disciplines
• Type of programme: con­secutive, re­stricted ad­mission
• Start date: 1 October
• Extent: 120 CP according to ECTS
• Standard duration of study: 4 semesters
• Language of instruction: English
• Semester contribution: approx. 450 EUR

The Individual Research Master (M.Sc.) study programme focuses on a research-intensive project developed by the student, which is geared towards a docto­rate from the out­set. A key feature is the close and continuous super­vision of students by a mentor of their choice from the Leuphana faculty. Students co­ordinate their curricu­lum with this mentor and develop an individual study pro­gramme that optimally pre­pares them for their own research question and future aca­demic work.   

This study model is open to all disci­plines, including cultural studies, psychology, computer science, edu­cational research, political science and sustain­ability science. Content is flexibly composed of trans­disciplinary research and methodo­logical ele­ments, modules from existing master's pro­grammes and docto­ral compo­nents. This is supple­mented by research forums that pro­mote ex­change and critical reflec­tion.

This unique programme is aimed at ambitious indi­viduals with a Bachelor's degree who want to further their aca­demic develop­ment with­out discipli­nary bounda­ries but with a clear scienti­fic profile. 

The Master's programme comprises three closely related areas: individual research, scientific and methodo­logical speciali­sation, and inter­discipli­nary ex­change.

Students focus on their own re­search project, which they develop systemati­cally from the out­set and which is super­vised through­out all semesters. Students develop their own research questions and design an indivi­dual curricu­lum with a pro­fessor they have specifi­cally chosen at Leuphana. This close mento­ring relation­ship forms the back­bone of the pro­gramme, ideally with the ulti­mate goal of pur­suing a docto­rate with the same super­visor. If appli­cants have not already found a suit­able person, the pro­gramme coordi­nators will help them find a mentor. Accom­panying courses focus on inter­discipli­nary and trans­discipli­nary work, providing an oppor­tunity to reflect on and further develop the methodo­logical basis and concep­tual orien­tation of the re­search pro­ject.

Specialisation is achieved through the selec­tion of indivi­dual modules from existing Master's pro­grammes at Leuphana Graduate School. The selec­tion is delibe­rately inter­discipli­nary and tailored to the needs and goals of the respec­tive re­search pro­ject, whether from the social sciences, cultural studies, edu­cation, or tech­nical sciences. This flexi­bility enables aca­demic profiling that transcends tradi­tional sub­ject bounda­ries while ad­hering to the highest aca­demic standards.

The programme is accom­panied by regular re­search forums in which students present their re­search for inter­discipli­nary dis­cussion, receive feed­back and refine their aca­demic argu­ments. These forums provide a collegial space for reflec­tion and develop­ment. At the same time, students take modules from the doctoral pro­gramme, thereby acquiring methodo­logical and struc­tural know­ledge of scientific work at a high level. These modules do not need to be taken again in a sub­sequent docto­ral pro­gramme. 

Inter­national mobility is given special atten­tion: research stays, summer schools and study periods abroad are expressly en­couraged. Mentors actively support this process by ad­vising on suitable pro­grammes and helping students inte­grate into their course. In this way, the Master's pro­gramme offers excellent pre­paration for an aca­demic career and the free­dom to think globally about re­search from the out­set. 

The following link provides access to documents which set out the general conditions for examinations, an overview of the curriculum, as well as detailed and legally binding regulations.

General Assessment Regulations and the Subject-Specific Schedules

Students of this Master's programme have the opportunity to spend a semester of their studies abroad. For that, we recommend the third semester.

For any questions or to apply, please contact the Inter­national Center. The Inter­national Center will provide all further information on Erasmus+ funding, and on preparing for and organising your semester abroad.

The Individual Research Master (M.Sc.) degree pro­gramme is aimed at indivi­duals with a passion for re­search who wish to pursue a career in science or pre­pare for research-related pro­fessions. Graduates have solid know­ledge of scientific work, inter­discipli­nary thinking and the prac­tical implemen­tation of re­search. They have learned to inde­pendent­ly explore com­plex topics, approach them in a struc­tured manner and con­sider them within broader social con­texts — skills that are in de­mand far be­yond aca­demia.   

As well as quali­fying for a docto­rate, the degree also qualifies graduates for posi­tions in non-uni­versity re­search insti­tutions, think tanks, innova­tion labora­tories, and evi­dence-based policy con­sulting. Other potential career paths include roles in strategic planning, re­search and develop­ment, science manage­ment, science and data journa­lism, and data- and re­search-based cor­porate manage­ment. 

By setting their own priorities, students can address specific indus­tries or social issues, such as artifi­cial intelli­gence, demo­cratic re­search, cultural media­tion or edu­cation policy. The soft skills acquired during the pro­gramme, such as self-manage­ment, project manage­ment, aca­demic writing and inter­discipli­nary collabo­ration, are just as impor­tant as the ability to navi­gate the inter­national aca­demic arena with analy­tical confi­dence.

The aim is to produce graduates who can not only re­produce research, but also contri­bute to its develop­ment. They can set their own re­search topics, work metho­dically and con­tribute criti­cally and reflec­tively to our current know­ledge base, whether in aca­demia or science-related pro­fessional fields. 

On the Leuphana Career Service website, you will find numerous job offers for student jobs, internships, career entry, or topics for your thesis from companies, research institutions, and non-profit organizations that are specifically aimed at Leuphana students and graduates. In addition, you will find job offers and student jobs within Leuphana University.

You can find all information about the ad­mission and require­ments, the appli­cation and the selec­tion proce­dure on our "Ad­mission and Require­ments" page soon.

Before applying, interested students should look for potential mentors at Leuphana University of Lüne­burg and get in touch with them. An informal confir­mation from the potential mentor stating their willing­ness to super­vise must be included with the appli­cation. If you need help finding a mentor, please contact the pro­gramme co­ordinators by email!

The study programme matches your interests? Then you will find further information for prospective inter­national students on residence and social matters, such as visa, residence permit, health in­surance or finding accommo­dation, on the following pages.

Please note that the information for incoming exchange students and inter­national degree-seeking students differs slightly.

Information for in­coming ex­change students

Information for inter­national degree-seeking students