Ibero-American Studies: Master's Program 'Communication and Society in Ibero-America'Application
Admission to the master’s program Communication and Society in Ibero-America at the HCIAS is access-restricted, which means that you have to fulfill certain requirements in order to be eligible for the program. In order for your application to be considered, the application requirements listed on this page must be fulfilled and all documents must be submitted on time. The four-semester program starts in the winter term (October) only.

The application process, deadlines, and documentation differ depending on your profile:
- International applicants with a previous degree from a non-German university
- German applicants/international applicants with a previous degree from a German university
All applicants must submit the application documents specifically required for the master's program 'Communication and Society in Ibero-America' as described on this site and send them via email to the study coordinator. International applicants with a previous degree from a non-German university have to additionally submit general documents required by Heidelberg University and send all of the documents to the University's International Relations Office.
This website details all the steps required to apply for the master's program. Please read the information thoroughly, paying special attention to the applicant profile which applies to you. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the program coordinator.
Application Checklist for International Applicants with a non-German University Degree
Application Checklist for Applicants with German University Degree
Application period
- For international applicants: May 1st – June 15th, 2023
- German applicants and international applicants with a previous degree from a German university: February 1st – September 30th, 2023
Application Requirements
- An above-average undergraduate degree in the humanities or social sciences. As a rule, 50% of the classes (or 74 ECTS) of your undergraduate degree should correspond to subjects from the humanities or social sciences. The degree program should have a study duration of at least three years.
- Proficiency in English (C1 CEFRL)
- Proficiency in Spanish (B2 CEFRL)
Application Documents for the Master's Program
The following documents are required for the master’s program and must be submitted by all applicants:
- University degree certificates and transcript of records
- Letter of motivation
The letter of motivation (in English or Spanish; max. 2 pages, Arial 10, line spacing 1,5) must explain the applicant’s specific motivation in applying for the master’s program Communication and Society in Ibero-America, referring to the applicant’s thematic and regional areas of interest. It should answer the following questions:- Why do you want to participate in this master's program and what interests you especially about the program?
- What is your educational/scientific background and how does it relate to the master's program?
- What do you expect from the master’s program?
- Proof of proficiency in English
Applicants need proof of proficiency in English with at least level C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). The following certificates are admissible as proof of proficiency:- University entrance qualification or University degree from an English-speaking country or an English-language university degree
- An undergraduate university degree with at least 50% of English philology (or related subjects)
- A minimum score of 90 in the internet-based TOEFL
- A minimum score of 7.0 in the IELTS
- Certificate of a C1 level from the Heidelberg University's Language Centre
- Other certificate (if you have a certificate that is not listed above, please contact us at study(at)hcias.uni-heidelberg.de)
- Proof of proficiency in Spanish
Applicants need proof of proficiency in Spanish with at least level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). The following certificates are admissible as proof of proficiency:- University entrance qualification or University degree from a Spanish-speaking country or a Spanish-language university degree
- An undergraduate university degree with at least 25% of Spanish philology (or related subjects)
- DELE from the Instituto Cervantes certifying a B2 Nivel Avanzado
- A certificate of a B2 level from the Heidelberg University's Language Centre
- Other certificate (If you have a certificate that is not listed above, please contact us at study(at)hcias.uni-heidelberg.de)
- Statement about ongoing examinations
A statement as to whether the applicant has definitively failed an examination in this master's program or in related programs with essentially the same content or whether the applicant is no longer entitled to participate in the examinations for other reasons, or whether the applicant is in an ongoing examination process for a similar program. This form can be found in the download center.
Additional application documents for international applicants
International applicants with a previous degree from a non-German university must submit additional general documents required by Heidelberg University.
Application Procedure
German applicants and international applicants with previous degrees from a German university:
- To apply for the master’s program, applicants must send the application documents by email to the HCIAS program coordinator at study(at)hcias.uni-heidelberg.de.
- After a positive evaluation of the application documents, applicants will receive a letter of admission from the HCIAS.
International applicants with previous degrees from a non-German university
- To apply for the master’s program, applicants must send the application documents specifically required for the master’s program as well as the general documents required by Heidelberg University via email to the HCIAS program coordinator at study(at)hcias.uni-heidelberg.de and additionally in print by regular mail to the University’s International Relations Office:
Universität Heidelberg
Dezernat Internationale Beziehungen
Zulassungsstelle Masterprogramme
Seminarstraße 2
D-69117 Heidelberg.
Contact and Support
HCIAS STUDY COORDINATOR
Martha Rudka, M.A.
Heidelberg Center for Ibero-American Studies - HCIAS
Brunnengasse 1 69117, Heidelberg
Tel.: +49 (0)6221 54-19334
E-Mail: martha.rudka(at)uni-heidelberg.de
OFFICE HOURS
- Online or at the HCIAS (Brunnengasse 1), room 105
- Advice in English, Spanish, or German
- Please register via email: martha.rudka(at)hcias.uni-heidelberg.de