Master's in Public Policy and Social Change University of Tübingen

The language of teaching and examination in the MPPSC is English (100%).

Understanding the complexity of public policy in a fast-changing world is becoming ever more important for policymakers and analysts. The Master's in Public Policy and Social Change (MPPSC) is a first-class international Master's programme focusing on the analysis of public policies in the light of social changes and societal challenges at the national, regional and global level. It is a consecutive Master's programme for highly-motivated international BA graduates of political science, sociology and related social-science disciplines. MPPSC will enable graduates to become the policy analysts of tomorrow, for a world better governed.

The programme provides students with knowledge of the relevant sociological and political science theories and skills in quantitative and qualitative methods enabling them to analyse and critically assess policies and social change and communicate them to decision-makers.

A core element of the programme is its international comparative focus. Students will critically assess the performance of countries and effectiveness of policies in dealing with social change and societal and economic challenges. In addition to core obligatory courses, students can choose from various specialisation courses and interdisciplinary electives.

The core faculty members responsible for delivering teaching and supervision on the MPPSC programme are leading experts of political science, sociology and public policy with an international profile. In addition to their background and experience of the German university sector, the MPPSC team members have studied and worked in various excellent universities in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Hungary, India, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. Hence, they have the expertise and experience required to deliver a genuinely international experience to students in Tübingen.

The application deadline for applicants wishing to start our programme in the winter semester of 2026/2027 is 31 May 2026.

Approx. 1,500 EUR per semester for students from non-EU countries

1,500 EUR

Approx. 1,500 EUR per semester for students from non-EU countries

Enrolment fees at the University of Tübingen are currently about 200 EUR per semester. This includes use of local public transport free of charge from Monday to Friday in the evening, at the weekend and on public holidays. In addition, students may purchase a semester ticket for unlimited use of public transport in the city of Tübingen and the surrounding area (currently about 150 EUR).

Estimated basic student expenses are around 950 EUR per month according to the Tübingen Student Services organisation (“Studierendenwerk”), including rent for student accommodation. Rent for private accommodation will be more expensive.

Bachelor's degree in political science, sociology, economics, or related social science discipline (usually of 180 ECTS) with a final GPA of at least 2.0 based on the German grading system or equivalent

Proof of English Language Qualification (for all applicants whose first language is not English)

Level B2/C1 or equivalent according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), normally translated to:

• TOEFL iBT: 79
• TOEFL PBT: 550
• IELTS: 6.5 (overall band)
• Cambridge English Scale 176
• German "HZB", e.g. "Abiturzeugnis" or "Fachhochschulreife"
• Secondary school certificate and/or university degree from a programme in which the main language of instruction and examination was English

The application deadline for applicants wishing to start our programme in the winter semester of 2026/2027 is 31 May 2026.

A limited number of tuition fee waivers for non-EU students are available.

Accommodation is available through the Student Services organisation (“Studierendenwerk“) or on the private market. Rooms in student accommodation cost approx. 200 to 440 EUR per month. As Tübingen is a very attractive place to live, private accommodation is more expensive and can take some effort to find. To make sure you find a suitable place to live, you should start looking as early as possible.

We recommend you apply for student accommodation through the “Studierendenwerk” at the same time that you apply for admission to the Master's programme (https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/halls-of-residence-tuebingen/ and https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/faqs/) and send in a copy of your notification of admission as soon as you have received it (your application won’t be finally processed before the “Studierendenwerk” has received proof of your admission). For further information, check out the “Studierendenwerk” pages on housing in Tübingen (https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/housing-infos/).

The university has a career development service specifically designed for international students. Our Come to Stay programme is funded by the FIT programme of the DAAD that helps German universities support international prospective students and current students as they pursue academic degrees and enter the German job market.

The goal of the programme is to foster the integration of international students into both the German higher education system and the workforce.

The university offers a number of “onboarding” services for newly arriving international students. This includes:

• a help desk
• a buddy programme
• an advisory programme “How to Study at the University of Tübingen”
• a wide range of social activities offered by student groups

For further information, please refer to: https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/182071.