Criminal Justice, Governance and Police Science

The study programme is structured to provide for interdisciplinary studies; social, political science and cultural studies disciplines actively interface with economic disciplines. In its content, the study programme focuses on the international context and in particular on the European context.
The lead faculty for the Master's studies programme is the Faculty of Social Science. The programme also involves the Faculties of Economics, History, Philology and the Faculty of Philosophy and Education. This approach guarantees a wide-ranging selection of courses and course contents.
The study focus encompasses both interdisciplinary and disciplinary courses.
The programme offers basic modules (first study year) in:

• Philosophy and European Law
• European Economic History
• Culture and Language
• European Economics
• European Policy and European Society
• Empirical Research Methods

and a specialisation in two of the above-mentioned fields (second study year). In addition, a special research seminar is offered in combination with a four-day excursion to Brussels.
It is possible to integrate a two- to three-month internship during the second study year.

Educational organisation

The programme is structured into

• an introductory colloquium with intercultural training
• five basic modules and a module on research methods
• two specialisation modules (or one specialisation module + internship) and a module on research analysis + four-day excursion to Brussels
• a final colloquium and Master's thesis

Each module consists of two study components (e.g. seminars or lectures); 20 in total. In the specialisation modules the courses can be chosen freely. Each module will be completed with an examination.
The interdisciplinary interconnection and the preparation for the Master's thesis will be discussed in the final colloquium.
The Master's exam (Master's thesis) takes place in the fourth study semester.
The ECUE Office offers individual academic guidance and counselling as well as non-academic support with formalities, buddy-programme, etc.
Seminars and tutoring sessions in small groups are organised specially for students of the ECUE Master's programme.
Furthermore, the teaching staff offers extra consultation hours and academic support.

Study abroad unit(s)

Students have the option to spend one semester abroad at one of the partner universities.

Forms of assessment

Nine of the ten modules in this Master's studies programme will conclude with an examination and subsequent awarding of relevant credit points (CP). 1 CP equals a study workload of 30 hours. The modules comprise the following workload:

• introductory colloquium = 3 CP
• basic modules and specialisation modules = 10 CP each
• module on research methods = 12 CP
• module on research analysis + study excursion + final colloquium = 15 CP

Full assessment of a module requires a student to demonstrate regular, active engagement within the study component, and a comprehensive, personal effort in e.g. written tests (90 min.), research papers (approx. 20 pages), oral test (20-25 min).

Course objectives

During the Master's programme, students will have the opportunity to study social, political, cultural, and economic contexts on an equal footing.
Based on this disciplinary breadth, the aim is to discuss, reflect, and analyse the development, structures and processes of a European space in a comparative way. The students learn how to explain, classify and evaluate Europe-related questions and topics in a scientific manner.
Qualified as specialist generalists, graduates will be able to build on their Master's qualifications, opening up new directions in their career choices within international companies, institutions and organisations, including research.

Language requirements

Good German language skills: International students should have successfully completed standard German language competency testing at the time of application (e.g. Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang, DSH). Alternatives to the DSH qualification include the TestDaF (minimum standard required is 4 x TDN 4 in 4 subtests) and the following tests conducted by the Goethe Institute abroad: Goethe Zertifikat C2, Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung (ZOP), Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom (KDS) or Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom (GDS). On request, a completed German Studies major may also be recognised as an equivalent standard.
Good English language skills, at least: TOEFL (89 internet-based/569 points paper-based), IELTS (5.5), Cambridge qualification FCE, or English level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). A completed undergraduate degree in English, including study of the subject English, may also serve as confirmation of requisite skills. Alternatively: proof of a stay abroad (high school, college, internship, work) in an English-speaking country (minimum six months)

Required DSH / TestDaF

Yes

Academic requirements

• Bachelor's or equivalent degree (in disciplines like social science, economics, cultural studies, literature and language studies, history, philosophy) with excellent results and grades (at least 1.9 according to the German grading system)
• The contents of your BA (or equivalent first) studies should serve as a profound basis for the ECUE Master's programme. You must prove at least 30 credit points besides your major subject (see ECUE website).
• German, English certificates
• ECUE application form (see ECUE website)
• University diplomas (see ECUE website)
• Application essay (see ECUE website)

Enrolment fees

Social fee of approx. 300 EUR per semester (including a semester ticket covering public transport in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia)

Costs of living

Minimum of 670 EUR per month to cover personal and living expenses

Funding opportunities within the university

Scholarship Fund of the Ruhr University (recipients receive approx. 300 EUR per month)
For international students:

• Who already studied at least one semester at RUB by the time of application; shown a good to very good performance during their studies and demonstrated outstanding commitment in the RUB's international context: Recipients receive approx. 300 EUR per month for a period of six months.
• Who are close to their final degree; have shown a good to very good performance during their studies, and are reliant on financial support during their final phase of study: Recipients receive approx. 400 EUR per month for a period of four months.

See: http://www.international.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/rubiss/finanzielles/iostipendium.html.en
http://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/bildungsfonds/info-studierende/en/index_en.html

Arrival support

Advice/assistance in visa affairs, help with registration at the foreigners' authority, buddy programme
Orientation week each semester to acquaint international students with the Ruhr University, the city of Bochum, the Ruhr area and life in Germany.

Services and support for international students

The ECUE study programme's office offers intensive assistance and guidance for the duration of the study period, which starts well before arrival in Bochum.
We offer support to students experiencing visa problems etc. Once students have arrived in Bochum, the office helps with formalities (registering as a resident, health insurance coverage, opening a bank account, etc.) and in particular with developing study plans.
Of particular assistance to international students is the ECUE buddy programme, instigated to provide student-to-student mentoring during the initial semester of study in the areas of practical living skills and study-related queries. This has contributed to an integration of various generations of students attending the programme at any one time.

Accommodation

The ECUE study programme's office assists international students with referrals for securing rental accommodation in university-affiliated student residences.