Erasmus Mundus Global Studies

The Program of the EMGS

The EMGS Study program in Vienna consists of mandatory courses  crafted to provide you with foundational skills for your academic journey and elective courses  allowing you to shape your own interdisciplinary research focus within Global Studies. Each semester, we offer a diverse array of elective courses spanning both Global Studies and Global History. Furthermore, we encourage you to explore supplementary courses independently. This approach empowers you to personalize your academic journey and match it with your interests. Below, you will find an overview of your study plan, based on whether you are in your first or second year at the University of Vienna (VO-lecture, SE-Seminar, UE-exercise).

Guiding principals of your studies.

Within one academic year you need to collect 60 ECTS credits. Within each module, your target is to secure between 8 and 12 ECTS credits, with the exact number contingent upon your chosen courses. For further details see the curriculum (pdf).

In each year, some courses are mandatory while others can be choosen freely.

Franz Pfluegl

First Year - Mandatories

Mandatory courses for first year students: 

  • Module 1: VO Introduction to Global History
  • Module 2: VO Theory and Methods of Global History Global Studies
  • Module 3: UE Working Skills in Global History
  • Module 3: UE Methodology in Global History and Global Studies
  • Module 6: Winter and Summer School

Second Year - Mandatories

Mandatory courses for second year students: 

  • Module 8: UE Graduate College I
  • Module 8: UE Graduate College II
  • Module 9 or 10: Research seminar (at least 9 ECTS)
  • Module 11: Master's Thesis  

Selection of courses

FIRST STEP: Review your study plan

Review your EMGS study plan to identify mandatory courses and elective options. Keep in mind that certain mandatory courses may only be available during the winter or summer term.

SECOND STEP: Select electives

Plan out your semester schedule by prioritizing your mandatory courses and then selecting your electives: 

Which elective courses can you choose? 
Refer to the course list (WiSe 2026/27), provided by our coordinator, Sebastian Messer, before the semester begins. Note that this list is not exhaustive; you are encouraged to explore additional options in the general course directory (u:find) based on your interests. If selecting freely from the general directory, please consider the following:

  • 1. Ensure that the chosen course aligns with one of the EMGS modules (e.g. "Thematic Aspects of Global History")
  • 2. Seek approval from the EMGS-Team for any courses chosen outside of the provided list.
  • 3. Contact the course supervisor to confirm availability.

THIRD STEP: Register for your courses

  • You are eligible to take almost all the courses of the University of Vienna via your u:space account.
  • Look at the general guidelines how to register for your courses
  • Registration period:
    • September (for winter term)
    • February (for summer term)
    • Be sure to check the deadlines for the specific courses you're interested in, as they can differ from one course to another.
  • If you face any difficulties, please inform the EMGS-Team We will try to handle your problems as fast as possible.

     

Winter & Summer School

One of the highlights of the EMGS program is our jointly organized winter and summer schools, which are mandatory for all first-year EMGS students. These events not only bring together students and lecturers from Vienna but also from the other universities of the EMGS consortium: Ghent, Leipzig, Roskilde, and Wrocław. Here, students have the invaluable opportunity to attend lectures by representatives of the consortium and build connections within the entire student cohort.

  • Winter School

    The winter school, usually scheduled for December, marks the first gathering of the entire student cohort from all five EMGS universities and their representatives. It is designed to share experiences and expectations, nurturing a sense of shared identity right from the start. Through vibrant discussions, it cultivates a collaborative and enriching atmosphere for all involved.

    The next winter school will be held in Klagenfurt, from 03.-07.12.2026

  • Summer School

    During the summer school, which usually takes place in July, students present initial proposals for their master's theses and prepare for their upcoming study location. Similar to the winter school, these sessions are co-taught by professors from the five universities of the EMGS Consortium. It also offers a platform for students to evaluate the EMGS program alongside representatives. 

    The next summer school (2027) will take place from 08.-11.07.2027. 

Sholarships

There are various sholarships EMGS students can apply for during their time in Vienna. 

The three most important ones are listed below:

EMGS Master Thesis Travel Grant

 If scientific work (e.g. field studies, research in archives, libraries, academic collections etc.) is necessary within the scope of your EMGS master thesis, you can apply for a short-term grant abroad (EMGS Master Thesis Travel Grant). 

  • Grant Details

    The scholarship amount is 250 EUR/month + a travel allowance of 200–800 EUR depending on the destination of travel.

    Requirements for application:

    • You are a 2nd year master student of the Erasmus Mundus “Global History and Global Studies”, writing your master thesis at the University of Vienna.
    • You have signed and submitted the form for the master thesis supervision agreement.
    • The subject of your master thesis has already been approved by the administrative body responsible for study matters (“Studienpräses”) or by the directorate of studies.

    Duration:

    • 1 week minimum; 4 weeks max.
    • Grants can only be awarded for one stay during the 2nd year EMGS at the University of Vienna.
    • Research visits can, of course, be extended at the applicant’s own expense. The applicant is free to make use of any other financial assistance that may be available to him/her. Please note however: Parallel funding by the University of Vienna is not permitted! 

    Report:

    • No later than one month after the termination of the stay abroad, a report of 1-2 pages on the research progress and personal experiences must be submitted to Sebastian Messer or Emma Rabe together with a confirmation of stay signed by the host institution(s).

  • Restrictions

    • The EMGS Master Thesis Travel Grant is not possible if similar funding for a visit abroad is available to you through other programmes or if you already received funding or a grant for the same research visit abroad from another body of the University of Vienna.
    • Double funding within the University of Vienna is not permitted as a matter of principle (this also applies to travel grants).
    • The EMGS Master Thesis Travel Grant will not be awarded to study visits (e.g., seminars/lectures/courses or summer/winter schools) or internships.
    • Visits to conferences or congresses will not be funded.
    • The EMGS directorate of studies reserves the right to block grants, at short notice if necessary, for regions which are deemend high-risk (level 3 or higher). This may occur even after the deadline for applications has passed. 

  • Application Process

    You need:

    • Curriculum Vitae
    • Detailed description of the research project
    • Topic, methodology, information concerning preparation already carried out and justification of the need to carry out the proposed research abroad (max. 3 A4 pages)
    • Task- und time schedule (max. 1 A4 page)
    • Bibliography (max. 1 A4 page)
    • Questionnaire for interviews or surveys, where applicable
    • Academic records to date: transcript of records (“Sammelzeugnis”) from the University of Vienna and certificates of study from other universities as appropriate
    • Proof of acceptance of the proposed subject and supervision of master thesis (signed)
    • Please use the “Subject and supervision of diploma/master’s thesis” form (“Thema und Betreuung der Diplomarbeit/Masterarbeit”) of the University of Vienna.
    • Written confirmation from the foreign institution or from the person responsible for supervision abroad concerning supervision and/or feasibility; if interviews need to be conducted, proof of consent from the proposed interviewees
    • Letter of recommendation from your academic supervisor at the University of Vienna

     Deadline: 18.12.2026

    Applications must be sent to Sebastian Messer and Emma Rabe (emgs.wiso@univie.ac.at)

Short-term grants abroad

  • Eligibility criteria

    Target group:
    Master's students at the University of Vienna writing their thesis and requiring academic work abroad (e.g., field studies, lab work, or research in archives, libraries, etc.)

    Duration of field trip:
    2 weeks minimum and 3 months max 

    Selection criteria:
    – Necessity of a stay abroad in view of the degree course taken at the University of Vienna.
    – Nature and aims of the proposed research visit abroad (detailed research proposal and timetable).
    – Proof of the practicability of the planned activities abroad and preliminary work performed (see the relevant item under Application Documents)
    – Very good academic achievements to date (duration and grades)
    – Scientific qualification of the candidates

    Application deadlines:
    15.02 / 15.05 / 15.10

  • Application Documents

    Electronically 

    • Online application form
    • CV including a list of publications
    • Detailed description of the research project (please use this template and see also the checklist):
    • Academic records to date: transcript of records (“Sammelzeugnis”) from the University of Vienna and certificates of study from other universities as appropriate
    • Proof of acceptance of the proposed subject and supervision of diploma/master/doctoral thesis (stamped and signed)
    • Written confirmation from the foreign institution or from the person responsible for supervision abroad concerning supervision and/or feasibility; if interviews need to be conducted, proof of consent from the proposed interviewees

    All uploads must be uploaded as pdf documents. 

    Hard copy or e-mail:

    • Letter of recommendation from your academic supervisor at the University of Vienna. The letter of recommendation should be signed and e-mailed directly to kwa(at)univie.ac.at by the supervisor.

ÖH Uni Vienna Fund for Support of Feminist /Queer /Antiracist Final Theses

Optional: Non-European Mobility or Internship

Non-European Mobility Track (3rd Semester)
Once enrolled in the EMGS program, you have the opportunity to spend your third term at a partner university outside Europe instead of your European destination. Partner universities include:

→ If you are interested, please note that the application process usually begins at the end of the first semester and is coordinated by the University of Leipzig. For further details, please reach out to them and see here. 

Internship (5 ECTS)
Instead of choosing an elective course, you may arrange an internship, which should be aligned with the field of Global Studies. Please note: It is strongly recommended to pursue internships during semester breaks to keep your study plan on target. Prior approval for internships is required from our administrative coordinator, Sebastian Messer and the head of studies, Juliane Schiel. For further details and approval, please reach out to them directly.