Political Economy – Master of Science
Please note that the Master's programme in Political Economy will be discontinued as of SS 2022. An application will then no longer be possible.
However the University of Konstanz is one of Germany's "Universities of Excellence" and we offer many different possibilities of excelling in your field of interest.
How about diving deeper into the application of economic theories and empirical methods to understand, model and evaluate real-world economic questions? If this sounds appealing to you see MSc Economics here.
Did you know that the Department of Politics and Public Administration in Konstanz ranks on position 36 worldwide and on position 1 on the national level? If you are interested in one of the fields "Comparative Politics and Policy Analysis", "Management and Public Administration", "International Relations and European Integration" or "International Administration and Conflict Management" the master's programme in Politics and Public Administration might be for you!
More information can be found here.
Please note: The department of Politics and Public Administration is currently developing a new field of specialisation that combines both the fields of international political economy and political inequality. This new specialisation will be open for students starting in 2022.
The Master's Programme Political Economy is a truly interdisciplinary endeavour of the Department of Economics and the Department of Politics and Public Administration. A unified approach to teaching political economy at the graduate level has become inescapable because economic research on political processes and advanced political science research have become virtually indistinguishable. This Master’s Programme provides students with a modern and comprehensive postgraduate education in economics and political science that will allow them to conduct high standard research in the fascinating field of political economy. This interdisciplinary education renders them highly competitive in the market for top quality jobs in academia, public administration, international organizations and multinational firms.
The program’s focus is on training in quantitative theoretical and empirical methods, and on the application of these methods in the analysis of challenging and topical issues in various policy fields, such as social policy, public finance, education policy, trade policy and security affairs.
Overview
| Degree | Master of Science |
|---|---|
| Programme start | Winter semester |
| Period of study | 4 semesters |
| Application period | 15.3. - 15.5. |
| Admission restrictions | yes |
| ECTS | 120 |
| Number of places | 8 |
Why study Political Economy in the University of Konstanz?
The University of Konstanz is one of only eleven universities nationwide with the formal status of “University of Excellence”. Founded in 1966 as a research university, it is a role model for the integration of research into teaching. Its first-rate infrastructure includes an excellent 24-hour library, state-of-the-art computer facilities, a language institute offering a wide variety of foreign language courses and superb sports facilities.
The Department of Economics enjoys an outstanding reputation in teaching and research. Its 26 full, junior and assistant professors from the fields of economics, business administration, econometrics, statistics, business and economics education as well as over 60 doctoral researchers and guest professors from reputable universities worldwide provide an intellectually stimulating and productive environment for study and research. The Department of Politics and Public Administration belongs to the top political science departments in Europe. Over 200 graduate students and 60 doctoral researchers currently profit from the research-oriented teaching that is typical for the Konstanz political science program. The Political Economy program brings together the expertise of these two outstanding departments and provides students with an excellent education.
Content
Prospects and opportunities
Career prospects
The acquired skills will enable the students to take on top quality jobs in academia, public administration, international organizations and multinational firms.
The acquired expertise in building theoretical models and empirical methods positions our graduates right at the interface between politics and business. Our recent graduates found employment at doctoral programmes as well as governmental and non-governmental organizations and international companies such as
- Toyota
- Samsung Electronic
- Roland Berger
- IFC - International Finance Corporation
You can find out more about career entry in the interview series #dreamjob - Starting a career. Alumni of the University of Konstanz report on their very personal career entry.
Programme structure
Programme start
Winter semester
Academic structure
The program consists of 5 modules:
- Module 1: advanced skills in empirical methods
- Module 2: foundational classes in Economics
- Module 3: foundational classes in Political Science
- Module 4: advanced seminars from Economics and Political Science
- Module 5: Colloquium and Master's thesis
For more information please see the website of the department.
Please check the Exam regulations (partly in German) for more information about the programme structure.
Internship and study abroad
Internships
An internship is recommendable.
Study abroad
A period of study abroad is highly recommended. Equivalent study and exam achievements acquired during your stay will be recognised. The university enables study abroad via Erasmus+ and numerous other offers.
Impressions from students and lecturers
Hear from students and lecturers
In our interview series, students talk about their subject, teachers explain the department's research and tell you what topics they cover in seminars and lectures.
Get an impression
Discover online lectures and websites with more information about your prospective subject.
Requirements
What interests and skills should I have?
The Master’s Program in Political Economy is open to graduates and pending graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics or Political Science.
Language skills
Foreign language skills
Proof of sufficient English language skills by one of the following means:
- Cambridge First Certificate: minimum grade C
- IELTS: minimum grade: 5.5
- TOEFL: minimum grade 87 Internet based points
- Evidence of five years continuous English classes at the level of a German secondary school with the minimum grade “befriedigend”
- Completion of at least four classes held in English in a previous relevant degree programme
Language(s) of instruction
Language of instruction is mostly English.
Admission requirements
- An above average Bachelor’s degree, at least corresponding to the German grade 2,5 (good) in Economics or Political Science. You are welcome to apply in your final year of your Bachelor’s programme. Please submit your current academic transcript as PDF (with an officially certified translation into English or German, if applicable).
- Evidence of knowledge in mathematics, statistics, economics, or political science during your undergraduate degree.
- Please include a curriculum vitae in English as well as a one-page statement of purpose written in English showing your suitability and motivation for pursuing the Master's programme.
- Proof of sufficient English language skills by one of the following means:
- Cambridge First Certificate: minimum grade C
- IELTS: minimum grade: 5.5
- TOEFL: minimum grade 87 Internet based points
- Evidence of five years continuous English classes at the level of a German secondary school with the minimum grade “befriedigend”
- Completion of at least four classes held in English in a previous relevant degree programme
- Two letters of recommendation from university teachers who are able to comment on your suitability and motivation for participating in the Master's programme.
- Although not mandatory, results of the GRE test are desirable if you did not complete your undergraduate degree in Germany.
For more information please see the website of the department.
Fees
All students enrolled at the University of Konstanz are charged a semester fee each semester, similar to all other German universities. Here you can find the current semester fee and its individual components.
Tuition fees for first degree studies for certain international students
Since winter semester 2017/18, the state of Baden-Württemberg has required some international students to pay tuition fees for their first degree studies. The following students are not required to pay tuition fees: citizens of a country within the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), doctoral students and certain “Bildungsinländer” (e.g. non-EU citizens with a German “Abitur”). More detailed information can be found here.
Each year, the University of Konstanz grants exemptions to a limited number of particularly gifted international degree-seeking students in accordance with the university’s “Begabtenbefreiungssatzung” (statutes governing the exemption of gifted students). More detailed information can be found here.
Tuition fees for second degree studies for all students
All students are required to pay tuition fees for their second degree studies. More detailed information can be found here.
Application and application documents
Admission to the Master's Programme is restricted.
Please note that the Master's programme in Political Economy will be discontinued as of SS 2022. An application will then no longer be possible.
An application is possible during the following period: 15.3. - 15.5. (winter semester). There may be other deadlines if you are applying for admission to a higher semester (for instance, if you are changing subjects or universities). For more information please consult the university website.
Application documents
To submit your online application you are required to upload the following supporting documents as PDF-files:
- Scanned PDF academic transcript outlining your grades obtained in mathematics, statistics, economics, or political science. Please specifically mark these modules. You may add official course descriptions. If the original document is not in English or German, provide an officially certified translation
- Degree certificate(s) (scanned PDF of originals and officially certified translations into English or German only)
- Scanned test sheet proving English proficiency as outlined above
- Full CV in English
- One-page statement of purpose in English
- Letters of recommendation from two lecturers at your institution, on letter-head paper and signed, emailed separately as PDF-files by the referees in English or German (to polecon.msc@uni-konstanz.de)
- If applicable, scanned PDF of original GRE score sheet
- Applicants from China, India and Vietnam: APS certificate (original) issued by the German Embassy of your home country
Important: Successful MSc Political Economy applicants will be required to submit all documents in original or as officially certified copies upon registration at the University of Konstanz.
