International Political Economy (double degree)

Programme Description
The Master of Science in International Political Economy is an international and interdisciplinary two-year Master's programme designed to combine the analytical strength of economics with global insights from political science. The programme provides training in quantitative as well as qualitative research methods. The Master of Science in International Political Economy is jointly offered by the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of Marburg. Successful students will receive a degree from both universities (through this double or dual degree programme). Students are required to spend one year of study at each university. The Master of Science in International Political Economy is targeted at students who have already earned a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent in (i) economics or a related field or (ii) political science or a related field. Admission of the former group is handled in Marburg; admission of the latter group in Dallas.
Programme participants will develop an up-to-date understanding of the subject of study (i.e., an awareness of leading theories, criticisms, and limitations, as well as recent advances in research). In addition, they will be taught how to use this acquired knowledge to analyse real-world circumstances within an economic paradigm and discover appropriate and feasible solutions.

Programme Structure
Students with an economics background start the MSc in International Political Economy programme at Marburg and move to Dallas after two semesters, whereas students with a political science background start in Dallas and move to Marburg after two semesters. During the course of their studies, students earn a total of 120 credit points in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). Credits acquired at Dallas will be converted into ECTS and vice versa. Courses are structured in modules, some of which are required and some of which are electives. Most modules contain various courses from which students can choose those in which they are most interested (subject to availability; not all courses are offered in all semesters). Most courses deal with general or specific aspects of economics or politics, but some courses emphasise research methods. The Master's thesis is written over a period of 14 weeks, during which the student works independently on an academic research topic under the supervision of an experienced professor.
The following list is an example of module choice across all four semesters. The specific courses offered within each module might vary from year to year, but the main qualifications acquired in each module are the same.

Students starting at University of Marburg
Semester 1 & 2: Marburg

• Research Methods
• International Economics
• Economics Electives

Semester 3 & 4: Dallas

• Research Methods
• International Politics
• Political Science Electives
• Master's Thesis

Students starting at University of Texas at Dallas
Semester 1 & 2: Dallas

• Research Methods and Economics
• International Politics
• Political Science Electives

Semester 3 & 4: Marburg

• Research Methods
• International Economics
• Economics Electives
• Master's Thesis

Educational organisation

Following the Bologna guidelines on European university education, the course is structured so that 30 credit points (ECTS) should be achieved every semester. The different modules in the Master's programme add up to 120 ECTS. The following section gives an overview of the programme structure and its modules.

• Research Methods (22 ECTS points)

To accommodate the increasing demand for economists equipped with methodological skills, students are trained in a variety of analytical tools. This module will also help to prepare students to write their Master's theses and academic essays in general.

• International Politics (20 ECTS points)
• International Economics (12 ECTS points)
• Economics Electives (36 ECTS points)
• Political Science Electives (10 ECTS points)
• Master's Thesis (20 ECTS points)

The final phase of the course is the Master's thesis, which provides students with the opportunity to apply the skills acquired during the taught part of the programme. Students may choose a research topic in economics or political science, within which they will undertake theory or public policy-oriented research using a multitude of possible methods under the guidance of an experienced professor.

Study abroad unit(s)

Admission of students with an undergraduate degree in economics or related fields is handled at the University of Marburg; admission of students with an undergraduate degree in political science or related fields is handled at the University of Texas at Dallas. Participants are admitted to the programme simultaneously at the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of Marburg. Students study for one year at the university where they were admitted and then move on to the other university for their second year of study.

Forms of assessment

Written/oral exams, oral presentations, term/seminar papers, Master's thesis

Course objectives

The Master of Science double degree programme in International Political Economy provides students with comprehensive training, enabling them to pursue a career as international experts on questions related to both economics and politics. Given the programme's focus on academic knowledge as well as on research projects on international political economy issues, the programme also provides a good basis for an academic career.

Programme participants will develop an up-to-date understanding of the subject of study (i.e., an awareness of leading theories, criticisms, and limitations, as well as recent advances in research). In addition, they will be taught how to use this acquired knowledge to analyse real-world circumstances within an economic paradigm and discover appropriate and feasible solutions.

After finishing their MSc, graduates can apply to a wide variety of national and international organisations or corporations for a career in economic analysis or business. Typical private-sector jobs are related to risk analysis, imports and exports, or multinational corporations. Work in the national government sector can include a variety of jobs - for instance, at various ministries, e.g., foreign affairs, economics, or development. Graduates can also apply to international organisations (e.g., the United Nations, the World Bank, etc.) or non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Additionally, they can pursue an academic career by working towards a PhD.

Language requirements

A precondition for successful application is a confident command of the English language (European language classification scheme C1 or better, which is roughly equivalent to IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL (Internet-based): 110 points, TOEIC: 945 points).

Academic requirements

Bachelor's degree or its equivalent in economics or a related field or in political science or a related field

Enrolment fees

The university charges a registration fee of 50 EUR and student union fees. State law requires all students to be members of the student union. These fees entitle students to subsidised accommodation as well as meals and automatically include a free travel pass for public transport in most of the state of Hesse. In summer 2016, the student union dues amounted to approx. 313 EUR.
For further information, see: http://www.uni-marburg.de/studium/studsek/studienformalitaeten/dues-administrative-fee.

Costs of living

Living costs depend on individual lifestyles and on regional prices. The Marburg foreigners' registration office ("Ausländerbehörde") requires international students to prove that they have at least 600-700 EUR per month at their disposal in order to cover their living costs.
For further information, see: http://www.uni-marburg.de/studium-en/zas-en/finanzierung/index_html.

Job opportunities

Within certain legal limits, job opportunities are available for international students. Fluent German is required for most jobs. Employment for international students must be approved by the foreigners' registration office. There are hardly any legal restrictions on taking academic assistant jobs at the university.
For further information on job opportunities and university career services, see: http://www.uni-marburg.de/studium-en/zas-en/finanzierung/Jobs.

Arrival support

Marburg is located 100 km north of Frankfurt and can easily be reached by plane, public transport, or by car. For detailed descriptions of the different routes to Marburg and to find one's way around the town, see: http://www.uni-marburg.de/studium-en/zas-en/arrivemr.

Services and support for international students

Philipps-Universität Marburg offers an intensive one-week welcome and orientation programme for all new international students. It includes a variety of services such as practical help with authorities, setting up health insurance, and opening a bank account. It also includes cultural and social events and the opportunity to make initial contacts with fellow students. The second week is usually dedicated to orientation programmes organised by the faculties.
Special services for doctoral candidates are provided by Marburg University Research Academy (MARA).

For further information, see:
http://www.uni-marburg.de/international-en/incoming?language_sync=1
http://www.uni-marburg.de/international-en/incoming/stud/prac/orient/index_html?set_language=en

Accommodation

The situation on the accommodation market in Marburg is not easy. However, the university assists international students in finding suitable and affordable accommodation.
The Studentenwerk Marburg maintains 20 student residence halls with a total of 2,049 units. Apart from single rooms, there are 129 flats with two to three rooms for married couples. Only students registered at Philipps-Universität Marburg are entitled to a place in a residence hall. The Konrad Biesalski House, in which handicapped and non-handicapped students live together, offers round-the-clock assistance. There is a bus service and other services such as physiotherapeutic exercises and massage baths.
Many students live in private accommodation or shared flats. The supply of flats in the centre of Marburg is limited, especially in the Oberstadt, but the situation on the outskirts of Marburg and in the immediate vicinity is better. There are good bus connections (bus timetables are available in the Customer Centres of the Municipal Department of Works on Rudolphsplatz). Experience shows that demand is highest on the accommodation market at the beginning of each semester (April, October), so you should start looking for accommodation around the end of the previous semester (February, July) if possible.
For further information, see: http://www.uni-marburg.de/studium-en/zas-en/livinginmr/accommodation.