Master's in European Culture and Economy (ECUE) Ruhr-Universität Bochum

MA ECUE English track: All courses and exams in the ECUE Master's programme are offered in English. 

MA ECUE (German / English): A maximum of 65% of the courses are conducted in English. Students can choose to write the Master's thesis in German or English. German and English language skills will be required.

The study programme is structured to provide for interdisciplinary studies; social, political science and cultural studies disciplines actively interface with economic disciplines. In this content, the study programme focuses on the international context, and in particular on the European context.
The lead faculty for the Master's 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

A specialisation in two of the above-mentioned fields takes place during the second year of study. 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 year of study.

• Beginning: every year on 1 October (winter semester)
• Duration: two years (four semesters)
• Mode of study: full-time on campus

For students with BA degree from a German university: 8 July for the following winter semester

For all other students: 15 July for the following winter semester

The programme is structured into:

• an introductory colloquium with intercultural training
• five basic modules and two modules 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). There are 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 especially for students of the ECUE Master's programme.
Furthermore, the teaching staff offers extra consultation hours and academic support.

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There is no compulsory study abroad during the study programme. However, an ERASMUS+ semester in various European countries can be integrated into the course of study. Achievements made in the study abroad will be credited after consultation with the study programme coordinator. Due to the variable design of the specialisation modules, it is recommended to carry out a study abroad in the third or fourth semester.

An internship of at least six weeks up to three months will be awarded with 10 ECTS within the "Practice Module". The internship is possible between the third and fourth semester.

No tuition fees

Students have to pay a social contribution fee of approx. 330 EUR per semester, including a semester ticket covering public transport in Germany (https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/re-registration-and-social-contribution).

Minimum of 950 EUR per month to cover personal and living expenses in Germany

• Bachelor's or equivalent degree (in disciplines like political science, social science, economics, international relations, cultural studies, literature and language studies, history, philosophy) with good results and grades (at least 2.3 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 20 credit points besides your major subject (see MA ECUE website).
• German and English language certificates for the MA ECUE
• English language certificate for the MA ECUE English track
• ECUE application form (see MA ECUE website)
• University diplomas (see MA ECUE website)
• Application essay (see MA ECUE website)

For ECUE English track:
Very good English language skills are required. Students must prove this through a minimum of one of the following: TOEFL (87 Internet-based, 227 computer-based), IELTS (5.5), Cambridge qualification FCE, CAE or CPE (grades A – C). Students whose native language is English from the USA, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Canada are exempt. Students who have completed a full BA programme in one of the mentioned countries are also exempt.

For MA ECUE (German / English):
Very good German language skills are required. 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).

Very good English language skills are required. Students must prove this through a minimum of one of the following: TOEFL (87 Internet-based, 227 computer-based), IELTS (5.5), Cambridge qualification FCE, CAE or CPE (grades A – C). A completed undergraduate degree in English, including study of the subject English, may also serve as confirmation of requisite skills. Students whose native language is English from the USA, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Canada are exempt.

For students with BA degree from a German university: 8 July for the following winter semester

For all other students: 15 July for the following winter semester

Students with outstanding academic performance who are involved in special social activities can receive 300 EUR per month for a year from the Ruhr-Universität Scholarship Fund “Deutschlandstipendium”: https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/deutschlandstipendium-information-students.

International students with good to very good academic performance who need financial support during the final phase of study can receive a graduation grant of 400 EUR per month for four months from the International Office at RUB: https://international.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/graduation-grant-international-students.

In the city of Bochum, you can find different types of accommodation. On average, students in Bochum pay approximately 350 to 600 EUR per month for a single apartment, which is below the average rent in Germany. A room in a shared apartment is usually less expensive.

About 5,000 students in Bochum live in multiple student halls close to the campus, which are run by the Akademisches Förderungswerk (AKAFÖ). In the halls, students have their own single room and share a kitchen and bathroom with other students, they rent an apartment with a private bathroom and kitchen, or they share an apartment with one or several flatmates. 

More information on the student halls can be found at https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/de/wohnen.

In addition, private and church-affiliated student halls accommodate up to 1,000 students: http://www.stuwo.de/wohnheim-region/bochum/.

The Career Service of the Ruhr-University Bochum supports students by providing information and advice, events and lectures, courses and workshops as well as personal coaching in order to help organise their studies in a praxis-oriented way, giving them the tools for a successful start in the world of employment.

https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/welcome-career-service

Once a year, the ECUE MA programme organises a career day with ECUE alumni. Our students can network with the alumni and learn about their work fields.