Programme Ethics — Economics, Law and Politics

The Bachelor's degree programme in Ethics – Economics, Law and Politics at Ruhr University Bochum offers students an interdisciplinary education designed to prepare them for engaging with the complex moral, legal, economic, and political issues that shape contemporary society. This programme combines foundational theories and practical applications across three interconnected disciplines, fostering critical thinking, analytical skills, and ethical reasoning. Students will explore fundamental questions such as the nature of justice, economic fairness, the role of law in safeguarding rights, and the principles underlying political institutions. The curriculum emphasizes the development of a nuanced understanding of how ethical considerations influence policy-making, economic practices, and legal frameworks.

Throughout the programme, students will be encouraged to examine real-world challenges from multiple perspectives, integrating philosophical ethics with legal analysis, economic modeling, and political theory. This interdisciplinary approach enables graduates to understand the intricate relationships between different societal domains and to contribute thoughtfully to debates on social justice, governance, economic development, and legal reform. The programme also emphasizes the importance of critical reflection, encouraging students to evaluate normative arguments and their implications for policy and practice.

Students will have the opportunity to engage in various research projects, participate in debates, and undertake internships that provide practical insights into professional environments. The programme prepares graduates for diverse career paths, including roles in public administration, non-governmental organizations, legal consultancy, economic advisory, political consultancy, or further academic research. The multilingual and multicultural environment of Ruhr University Bochum ensures a broad perspective and international orientation, equipping students with the skills necessary to operate effectively in global contexts.

Overall, the Ethics – Economics, Law and Politics Bachelor’s programme stands out as a comprehensive interdisciplinary course aimed at fostering socially responsible, ethically aware, and professionally competent individuals ready to address the moral dilemmas and societal challenges of today and tomorrow.

Educational organisation

The degree programme Ethics - Economics, Law and Politics (EELP) is regularly studied over a period of four semesters (two years of study). It is conceived as a project-oriented programme.

INTERDISCIPLINARY ORIENTATION OF THE PROGRAMME
The Master's programme Ethics - Economics, Politics and Law (EELP) offers a broad and interdisciplinary course of study: it combines knowledge and skills of normatively oriented, practical philosophy with those of empirically oriented social science. It focuses in particular on qualifying students for independent, normative reflection and rational analysis with regard to current normative problems.
This special qualification constitutes the attractive, core principal of combining ethics with economics, law and politics. The four main topics of the programme are decidedly interdisciplinary: Globalisation and Justice, Market and Morality, Administration and Responsibility, and Welfare and Human Dignity.

PROJECT-ORIENTED STUDIES
The first year of studies focuses on fundamental, specialised knowledge of ethics, politics, law and economics. In the second year, the individual interests of each student, in practical experience and research, are improved and expanded upon in their own projects. These projects are systematically directed towards the completion of a Master's thesis in the fourth semester.
Applied projects are combined with an internship in business or an area related to politics, which lasts for four to six months. For instance, the internship can be completed at one of our partner corporations and the Master's thesis can be written about the ethical deficiencies of corporate communications.
Research-oriented projects do not have to be combined with an internship. They are more closely related to research carried out by the EELP faculty. Research abroad is possible, for example, at the Centre for Ethics at the University of Zurich or at the Ethics Institute of Utrecht.

COURSE OF STUDIES
The programme offers nine modules; seven have to be completed by the students. Standard time to degree: four semesters; workload: overall 120 ECTS - 96 ECTS for certified modules, 20 ECTS for the Master's thesis, six ECTS for the oral Master's colloquium

MODULE "INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AND METHODOLOGY"
The module "Interdisciplinary Research and Methodology" is conducted over a period of two semesters as an integral part of the EELP programme. This module connects the other modules and lays the foundation for independent, interdisciplinary research. A basic feature of this module is that students with different Bachelor's degrees work in tandem. Additionally, the module is composed of two specific tutorials, an interdisciplinary lecture series, a colloquium and a summer school.

Study abroad unit(s)

It is possible to study abroad during the third semester. At the moment we have partnerships in the Netherlands and in Austria, but a research stay in other countries is also possible.

Internships

It is possible to do an internship during the third semester. Students are responsible to look for an internship on their own. Programme advisers can assist students in finding an internship.

Forms of assessment

In the course, examinations will normally be in the form of papers, essays, presentations and oral exams, as these kinds of examinations foster the skills required for future employment.

Course objectives

ACADEMIC CAREER OR LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN POLITICS AND THE ECONOMY
Degree holders will develop the abilities required for employment in research and beyond. The Master's degree allows for the pursuit of a PhD in one of the participating disciplines. Beyond research, degree holders are prepared for a wide range of responsible positions in management, organisations or political parties, as consultants to NGOs, in administration task forces and in the fields of organisational development and human resources development.
By improving their competences in normative reflection and rational thinking, holders of the EELP degree are able to understand complex environments, acquire new fields of knowledge quickly and take decisions with an understanding of their ethical consequences and implications.

GENERALISTS WITH UNIQUE FEATURES
On the one hand, the EELP Master's degree programme and the interdisciplinary mentoring of the Master's thesis offer ideal opportunities for early specialisation. Students can develop an individual profile with unique features. On the other hand, they are provided with general and fundamental skills and strategies for problem-solving. Thus, our degree holders are generalists who can work in different areas of operation. And because of the international orientation of the programme, they are well prepared for the international job market.

Language requirements

All applicants must provide proof of their English skills. This can be done in one of the following ways: TOEFL paper-based test 550, TOEFL computer-based test 230, TOEFL internet-based test 88, CPE (grades A-C), CAE (grades A-C), IELTS (bands 9-6), UNICERT II.

Academic requirements

For admission to the programme, a first degree (university or college of higher education, e.g. Bachelor's degree, licentiate degree, state examination) in philosophy, economics, law or political science is required. If the Bachelor's programme consisted of two subjects, 65 ECTS must have been acquired in one of the subjects relevant to the EELP programme.
If there are more applicants than available places in the programme, admissions will be assigned on the basis of the admission grades. These grades are based on the overall grade of the first professional qualification (51%) and the grade earned for the admission essay (49%), which candidates are asked to submit together with their application. Both grades have to be at least satisfactory; lots will be drawn in cases of equal grades. The admission essay should be four to five pages in length. The essay should show that the applicant can independently discuss one of the focus topics of the programme (globalisation and justice, market and morality, administration and responsibility, or welfare and human dignity). The essay serves to determine whether the applicant has a special aptitude for the EELP programme.

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Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Enrolment fees

Approx. 300 EUR per semester
The fee includes a semester ticket covering public transport in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Costs of living

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

Job opportunities

There are many different opportunities for jobs, as Bochum is in the centre of a metropolitan area with a population of more than five million.

Funding opportunities within the university

Students with an outstanding academic performance who are involved in special social activities can each receive 300 EUR per month for a year from the Ruhr-Universität Scholarship Fund.
International students with a good to very good academic performance who have demonstrated outstanding commitment in the RUB's international context can receive 300 EUR per month for six months from the RUB International Office.
International students with a good to very good academic performance who are reliant on financial support during their final phase of study can receive 400 EUR per month for four months from the RUB International Office.
(http://international.rub.de/rubiss/finanzielles/iostipendium.html.en)
http://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/bildungsfonds/info-studierende/index.html

Arrival support

Students are offered assistance by the programme coordinator, the managing director, and the EELP faculty. A consultation meeting will take place at the beginning of each winter semester.

Services and support for international students

The International Office at RUB offers services and support for international students.

Accommodation

Accommodation is available through the International Office or on the private market. There are plenty of possibilities for accommodation around the campus and the city of Bochum, starting at 200 EUR per month.