The programme requires two years of full-time study. The language of instruction is English.

The first year takes place at Georg-August-Universität Göttingen and at Missionsseminar Hermannsburg. The distance between the two locations is about 180 kilometers. During the first and the second semester students usually live and work together at the campus in Hermannsburg and travel to Göttingen for Blockseminars or weekly. The classes convey basic concepts and techniques in various fields of study. Furthermore, students obtain skills in intercultural communication, are supposed to learn basic German, and get the opportunity to learn relevant languages (e.g. Arabic, Greek); additional optional classes are also offered.

In the second year, students spend the first semester at one of the partner institutions in India, Ethiopia, Korea, Japan, Ghana, Lebanon, Armenia, Estonia, Indonesia or Tanzania. There they attend classes within the regular curriculum in order to study "Theology in Context" and deepen their intercultural competence. In addition, students conduct project work that focuses on current topics in their respective country. For example, projects may deal with problems of economic cooperation and development or interreligious communication.

The final semester is spent back in Germany. There students evaluate their time abroad and their project work. Based on their research and field work conducted during the previous semester, students complete their master thesis.

Finally, they are awarded the title "Master of Arts in Intercultural Theology".



Educational Organisation

Students have to attend at least 14 courses and to write the Master´s thesis in order to meet the 120 Credits requirement (ECTS). The following courses are offered:

1. Winter semester

• M.IntTheol.01: Processes of Translation, Inculturation, and Intercultural Communication


• M.IntTheol.02: Christianity in an Intercultural Perspective


• M.IntTheol.03: Cross-Culture I


• M.IntTheol.04: Language Instruction Course German


Elective Courses (offered at Faculty of Theology in Göttingen in the first and second semester)


• M.IntTheol.14: Theories of Religions (14.01), Concepts of Healing and Salvation in Ancient Religions (Paganism, Judaism, Christianity) (14.02), The early Christians in a World Full of God: Cultural Encounter and Religious Debate (14.03), Paradigmen, Themen und Traditionen deutschsprachiger protestantischer Theologie (14.04), Ethical Expertise in the Horizon of Religion (14.05), Literacy and Education in Religion (14.06), Concepts and Theories of Religious Counselling (14.07), Importance of Law and Legislation in Religions (14.08)


Optional courses (offered in the semester break)


• M.IntTheol.06: Introduction into Arabic Language (6.01), Biblical Hebrew (6.02), New Testament Greek (6.03) or Latin (6.04)

2. Summer semester

• M.IntTheol.05: Religions, Churches and Theology in Europe and the Western World


• M.IntTheol.07: Religions, Churches and Theology in Africa


• M.IntTheol.08: Religions, Churches and Theology in India and the Near East


• M.IntTheol.09: Cross-Culture II

3. Winter semester (exchange semester abroad)

• M.IntTheol.10: Theology in Context


• M.IntTheol.11: Cross-Culture III


• M.IntTheol.12: Implementation and Presentation of the Intercultural Project

4. Summer semester

• M.IntTheol.13: Intercultural Project: Project Analysis and Evaluation

Forms of Assessment

• Written and oral examinations


• Reports and presentations


• Master's thesis