The formal entrance requirements for the master’s degree program in “Political Economy and International Relations” are:

• Proof of a bachelor’s degree with at least 60 completed credit points in the subject of political science, or an equivalent degree
• Proof of knowledge of statistics and methods of empirical social research/ empirical political research that amount to at least 6 credit points

Good to know: The legally binding basis for selection, admission and enrollment is the text of the entrance requirements as specified in Section 2 of the currently valid examination regulations and, where applicable, in the appendix.

Here you can refer to the examination regulations.

A degree in Political Economy and International Relations is interesting for anyone who enjoys thinking outside the box. In this program of study, you will address complex correlations in an interdisciplinary manner.

Questions such as “Who is leading and who is following in the context of international interactions of politics and economics?” compel one to reflect upon the closely related discipline of political science in order to consider the answers that specialists from the areas of microeconomics, international law, American studies, philosophy, sociology, and publishing can offer.

If you are excited about describing and dissecting current issues in the realm of politics and economics under the conditions of globalization, developing academically supported explanations and valid predictions, and engaging in discussions with fellow students, then the MA program of study in Political Economy and International Relations is perfect for you.

The program of study in Political Economy and International Relations at JGU is divided into seven specialized modules, in total. Each of these modules is dedicated to a different thematic focus so that you are able to address the diverse aspects of international political economies in an all-encompassing and in-depth manner:

• Political science research methods
  You will learn to apply multiple methods for analyzing, explaining, and evaluating correlations between politics and economics, both here in Germany and abroad. Beyond this, you will learn the fundamentals of scientific theory regarding these methods as well as the requirements for an appropriate research design.
• Political institutions and processes
  You will reflect upon theories and empirical findings regarding the emergence, development, function, and performance of democracies and autocracies, both in European and non-European countries as well as in the form of international comparisons. Particular attention is paid to the emergence and development of institutions, especially in the tense relationship between politics and economics.
• Normative and positive political theory
  You will delve into critical reflection of the theoretical fundamentals of Political Economy and International Relations. You will deal with the social-theoretical fundamentals of political science, for example, regarding theories of decision-making and action, public choice, and the logic of collective action. Additionally, you will address theories of political philosophy, such as issues within (international) distributive justice.
• Political Economy and the Welfare State
• How can politics regulate economic and social developments? What limits arise regarding how polices are shaped? How do laws come into being in key policy areas including economics, society, health, and finance? In particular: How do welfare states develop and shift in international comparison? International politics and European integration
  International relations in general and the relations between members of the European Union in particular appear to be undergoing an epochal transition. The analysis and examination for this development requires in-depth reflection on the central research approaches, theories, and findings of international politics and European integration.
• In-depth content with interdisciplinary orientation
  In order to analyze the tense relationship between politics and economics within the national and international context, one must think outside the box. For this reason, you will be able to deepen the understanding that you will have acquired from a seminar at our institute by auditing a lecture from a related subject area, i.e. economics or law, sociology or communication studies, American studies or philosophy.
• Practical module
  The choice is yours: You may either complete a nine-week long internship in a political field OR you may attend courses – also outside of the realm of political science – OR you may combine both options.
  You have the option of attending interesting courses beyond political science, e.g. in the context of studium generale, the Center for Data Processing or our International Preparatory and Language Center.

The final module will complete your studies: You will attend at least one colloquium in order to discuss ideas for your master’s thesis with fellow students and advisors; you will also address methodological and content-related issues that may arise while writing. You will have four months to complete your thesis. After which you will present your key findings in the form of a 45-minute long oral examination and answer questions on two further topics from two content modules of the M.A. upon consultation with your advisor. Political Economics and International Relations

Stays abroad

Would you like to live abroad for a semester or a year? Do you want to learn another language and get to know a new culture? Or gain a different perspective on your particular subject? A stay abroad provides you with the perfect opportunity to achieve this and is possible with every degree program – either self-organized or by taking advantage of one of the popular exchange programs. This is made possible by various cooperation agreements and partnerships with foreign universities.

For more information on this topic, please visit our websites on studying abroad. Visit our student exchange platform for an overview of cooperating universities in your field.

This program of study does not require you to spend time abroad, but you nevertheless have the opportunity to do so.

Internships

This program of study does not include a mandatory internship. However, voluntary internships are a great way to gain insight into a professional field.

An internship allows you to discover whether everyday life in a particular occupation suits your career expectations and interests. You can gain qualifications for a professional field and acquire important professional and personal skills to start a career. An internship helps you both shape your career path, and mold the remainder of your course sequence – in particular by selecting specializations that suit your practical experience.

You can find further information and relevant internships on the Career Service website.

You will acquire a wide variety of skills during your studies, such as:

• teamwork,
• knowledge of developing and testing theory-driven and method-based hypotheses,
• how to present your findings well.

As a graduate of the master’s degree program, you will have a vast array of options regarding your field of activity upon graduation thanks to the combination of the above mentioned skills and your subject-specific skills in the area of Political Economy and International Relations. You could, for instance, take up a job

• as a academic staff member in political parties, parliamentary groups, in parliament, ministries, government agencies, international organizations and NGOs,
• in politically-related areas, such as political foundations, in political journalism or in general political consulting,
• in marketing and attitude research,
• in public relations work,
• in corporate consulting.

As a graduate of the master’s degree in Political Economy and International Relations, it is also possible to pursue an academic career.

Not sure what to do after graduation? Don’t worry!

A university degree generally does not prepare you for a single profession but qualifies you for a wide range of career paths – for example, in research, in a typical profession related to your field of study, or in one of many other academic fields.

This is why career orientation is also part of your studies. Gaining practical experience is key, and you can do so through internships, working student positions, part-time jobs or voluntary work, for example.

JGU’s Career Service will support you throughout the entire process with information, advice, workshops and numerous events – from career orientation and working on your profile and skills to finding your dream job and successfully applying for it.