European Studies (MA) Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg

The language of instruction will be English. Participants can choose to write the Master's thesis in German or English.

The European Studies – European Policy Analysis Master’s programme prepares students to analyse, evaluate, and influence the policy-making process of the European Union. It does so by combining insights from political science, sociology, cultural studies, and economics.

When applying for this degree, prospective students have to choose between one of two specialisations:

• European Social and Economic Policy Analysis (EPA)
• European Social and Cultural Policy Analysis (CPA)

By linking an interdisciplinary academic education with practice-centred teaching formats, students will learn to think critically about today's challenges and develop practical solutions based on sound knowledge. In addition to the core academic component of this course of study, students will gain skills in communication, teamwork, and knowledge transfer so that they will be ideally prepared for the job market.

We provide learning opportunities in small groups that cater to your personal interests and needs in an interactive, welcoming learning atmosphere, along with personal supervision from an engaged EUS team!

While the programme is generally designed to begin in the winter semester, we also welcome students who wish to enrol earlier, for example, in the summer semester, particularly if this supports their visa process or personal planning.

Application deadlines:

Winter semester: The application deadline for all applicants is 15 July.

Summer semester: The application deadline for all applicants is 15 January.

First semester: Disciplinary and methodological basics
The first semester is devoted to gain or brush up on essential academic knowledge relevant for European Studies. Students will enrol in thematic introductory lectures and seminars according to their specialisation and take modules on research methods.

Second semester: Introducing European policy analysis
In this semester, students study the core module introducing policy analysis. Pending on the selected focal point, students are introduced to economic policy analysis or intercultural communication. The core courses are complemented by elective courses based on the individual students' preferences.

Third semester: Transfer of academic approaches in practice and beyond Europe
In the second year, students take courses in which they apply their academic knowledge in a concrete policy context. In the transfer module, students apply the technical and methodical knowledge via a critical confrontation with practitioners in the field of EU policy making. Elective courses widen the analytical perspective to contexts beyond the EU and cover global politics, economics, and cultures.

Fourth semester: Independent policy analysis
In the last semester, students apply their theoretical and methodological knowledge in an interdisciplinary group project. The projects focus on specific, self-selected policy problems and will be presented in a student-organised conference. Each student concludes the programme with a Master's thesis.

Excursion to Brussels and Berlin

Lectures by experts from all over Europe

Optional international module that can be completed during a study abroad semester.

As part of the Master's programme, an internship / work placement is not obligatory, but it may be done voluntarily.

No tuition fees

Currently, the semester fee is 278.90 EUR. It covers services offered by the "Studentenwerk" (student union) and the student representatives. Enrolled students receive the "Deutschlandsemesterticket" for free use of public transport throughout Germany, along with student discounts in the campus cafeteria and more.

A minimum of 992 EUR per month must be budgeted for accommodation, cost of living, health insurance, books, and miscellaneous expenses. In comparison with many other towns and cities, the rental prices in Magdeburg are still relatively low. There are no tuition fees for the majority of programmes, and the semester fee already includes the cost of bus and tram travel within Magdeburg. The following link provides a fair picture of the cost of living in Magdeburg: Finance.

Proof of completion of a Bachelor's degree (180 CP - ECTS) in social sciences, economics, cultural or media studies, or a closely related field

For European Social and Economic Policy Analysis:

• Min. 15 CP in quantitative methods of social sciences or economics

For European Social and Cultural Policy Analysis:

• Min. 40 CP in political or social sciences, history, cultural studies, language, or media studies

For all applicants, English at the C1 level is required.

None of the tracks have a German language requirement.

Application deadlines:

Winter semester: The application deadline for all applicants is 15 July.

Summer semester: The application deadline for all applicants is 15 January.

The university provides a limited number of excellence scholarships. Eligible candidates are students in advanced semesters who clearly show above-average results. Scholarships cannot be provided for new students. 

Additionally, you may check the following overview:
Scholarships and funding opportunities for international students.

It is possible to find a part-time job as a research or student assistant at one of the faculties or in the university administration (maximum: 80 hours per month). Other opportunities are student jobs at different companies, restaurants, and shops. Information on how to find a job can be found on our website: Career Service.

The "Studentenwerk" (student union) in Magdeburg manages the on-campus halls of residence (mostly one- to four-room apartments). Currently, the monthly rent ranges from 174 EUR to 421 EUR per room (approx. 12 to 35 square meters), depending on the size and furnishing. Rooms in the halls of residence are limited in number. The accommodation application can be found on the website of the Studentenwerk.
The Studentenwerk assists all new students in finding adequate accommodation, either on or off campus. Private accommodation is available on the Magdeburg accommodation market. However, fully furnished units are in somewhat short supply.

Our International Office offers great support for incoming students – find more information here.

Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (OVGU) was founded in 1993 and is one of Germany's youngest universities. It was formed by a merger of the existing technical university, the teacher training college, and the medical school. The university now comprises nine faculties and about 12,600 students and is becoming increasingly more important as a centre for education and research. It plays an important role in the regional capital of Magdeburg, which is developing into a centre for business, scholarship, and culture. The university is a member of many organisations and committees. It is named after Otto von Guericke (1602 to 1686), Magdeburg's famous citizen, whose pioneering research into the vacuum brought him renown well beyond Germany's borders. The university aspires to teach and research in the tradition of this great scientist, philosopher, and engineer and to continue with his humanist work.

At the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, students can choose from more than 100 study programmes in various areas of study and specialisation. There are also many possibilities to combine different subjects across faculties. To open up to qualified students from all over the world, the Otto von Guericke University is vastly expanding its offers of programmes taught in English. The conditions for students are ideal, with modern laboratories, experimental workshops, and clinics equipped with high-performance computers and an excellent staff-student ratio. The offer of a sound, thorough education, combining a high level of theoretical expertise with practical experience, makes Magdeburg an attractive choice.

In recent years, research at the university has gone through a decisive change, from applied research to innovative, fundamental research. Among the many areas represented, the neurosciences, immunology, non-linear systems, new materials, processes and products, computational visualistics, social transformation, communication, and culture deserve a special mention. The university hopes to make a significant contribution to economic and social development in Magdeburg and the surrounding area through its research. Equally, disciplines such as humanities, economics, and management, which have been established more recently at the university, have already made their mark on our research profile. Special emphasis is placed on close cooperation between teaching staff and students.

The Otto von Guericke University is a proud member of the European University Alliance EU GREEN, which is aiming to be your gateway to sustainability. Together, we aim to be a broad European hub for education, research and innovation in sustainability that goes beyond the consortium borders and acts globally to provide solutions to local or regional challenges, which can be replicated at a global level.

Magdeburg also attracts students because it offers accommodation with either a single bed or twin beds in its halls of residence.

Take a virtual trip through our international campus!

As the capital of the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt, Magdeburg is the seat of the state parliament and administration. The town is more than 1,200 years old and has about 242,000 inhabitants. Its excellent location on the River Elbe and its proximity to Berlin, Hanover, and Leipzig have proven to be a significant asset to the city. In the 19th century, the town developed into an important industrial and trade centre. Nowadays, another quite distinctive feature of Magdeburg is its considerable research and innovation potential at the university, the Max Planck and Fraunhofer research institutes, and the university of applied sciences, which are all located in close proximity to each other. Magdeburg offers an extensive park and garden landscape, a rich cultural and sports life, and an ideal atmosphere for being a student. Please visit the website: www.magdeburg.de.