The Economics of Global Challenges University of Bremen

The programme is completely taught in English. Courses in German can be taken in modules that provide a choice at course level.

Who is addressed:

As a consecutive study programme, the Master's degree programme The Economics of Global Challenges follows a completed Bachelor's degree (or comparable first degree) in one of the following subjects:

• Economics
• Political Science
• Sociology
• Business Studies
• Law
• Business Informatics
• Industrial Engineering
• (or similar)

What to expect:

The study programme is interdisciplinary and internationally oriented. It is closely oriented towards current economic research, enables students to look at the most challenging economic problems and crises of global societies from different perspectives and to penetrate them analytically. The language of instruction is English.

What to achieve:

After the completion of the Master's programme, students can enter a profession directly or deepen their economics knowledge within a doctoral programme.

How to get there:

Economics graduates who wish to address the world’s most pressing challenges and who are able to analyse these challenges from different angles, need a  wide range of economic and interdisciplinary skills. This extensive range of skills is taught in the course of dealing with specific areas of application – the “global challenges”. The United Nations described these global challenges in its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the goals for socially, ecologically and economically sustainable development and a just future. In order to gain a deeper understanding of these challenges, insights from other disciplines such as anthropology, psychology, sociology and evolutionary biology are also drawn upon.

Studies for first semester students begin in the winter semester. The standard duration of study is four semesters. The actual duration of studies depends on individual study behaviour.

The lecture period in the winter semester is usually from mid-October to mid-February, and the lecture period in the summer semester is usually from the beginning of April to the beginning of July.

The degree programme is designed as a face-to-face programme. Some modules include digital components, such as hybrid models.

Application period for the following winter semester:
1 April to 31 May

Only advanced students can also apply for the summer semester. The application period is 1 December to 15 January.

As a public university, the University of Bremen works with very limited capacities. For this reason, it is not possible to offer pre-checks of application documents or detailed pre-application advice. We appreciate your understanding.

Applicants are required to check themselves if their achievements align with the requirements for admission. The FAQ list on the programme webpage contains answers to the most common requests.

During the first year (first and second semesters), the students deepen their previous knowledge and the insights into microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics. Moreover, they get to know major impacts of the environment, like development and behaviour issues. The modules of the first year of study include:

• The Economics of Innovation (12 CP)
• Economic Policy (12 CP)
• Advanced Economics (6 CP)
• Advanced Econometrics (12 CP)
• The Economics of Growth and Development (6 | 12 CP)
• Understand Human (Economic) Behaviour (6 | 12 CP)

The course of study then focuses on the application of theoretical concepts on real-life concerns. In the third semester, the perspective shifts to trends, digitalisation and sustainability. Courses focus on current topics and the future. The application of knowledge in project work and the implementation of independent research projects in group and individual work round off the degree programme during the second year of study:

• The Economics of Digitisation (6 CP)
• Sustainability and the Economy of the Future (6 CP)
• Pluralist Economics (6 CP)
• Research Project (12 CP)
• Master’s Thesis (30 CP)

Teaching regularly takes place in the form of seminars. In contrast to a lecture, seminars are geared more towards student participation. In the research project, students apply the knowledge they have already acquired, e.g. in solving case studies and subject-specific problems.

A semester abroad is not mandatory – however, it is recommended, and the faculty supports and advises students in these cases. The Faculty of Business Studies and Economics maintains more than 80 co-operations with partner universities in the ERASMUS area and worldwide (Africa, Asia, South and North America). In this context, the faculty offers various scholarship opportunities.

The recognition of credits earned abroad is regulated via Learning Agreements. Before the stay abroad, the student and the Office of International Affairs at the faculty agree on a list of courses to be taken abroad and fix this in the Learning Agreement. The Office of International Affairs has compiled further information on their website:

https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/wiwi/international-affairs

Internships can be completed during the seminar-free months. The Office for Praxis and Transfer at the Faculty of Business Studies and Economics provides support and has a few tips and tricks for you to consider when applying for a job.

No tuition fees

The semester fees are around 350 EUR.

For a normal student life in Germany, about 1,000 EUR are needed per month. This includes housing, living expenses and study costs.

Students who are not EU citizens have to prove their finances for the entry visa or to receive the residence permit.

More information on formalities when becoming a student in Bremen:

https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/studies/starting-your-studies/formalitaeten/formalities-for-international-students

The admission requirements include:

1. Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 180 ECTS from a degree programme of

• Economics
• Political Science
• Sociology
• Business Studies
• Law
• Business Informatics
• Industrial Engineering
• or similar

2. a minimum grade of 2.7 (German grading system) as the overall grade of the previous degree

3. knowledge of economics amounting to at least 12 CP from a prior degree programme

4. knowledge of statistical / econometric methods amounting to at least 9 CP from a prior degree programme

5. proof of English language proficiency

English language proficiency 

• at the time of application: English level B2
• at the time of enrolment: English level C1

of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

No knowledge of German language required.

German classes are offered by the language centre at the university. International students can take one German course free of charge.

Application period for the following winter semester:
1 April to 31 May

Only advanced students can also apply for the summer semester. The application period is 1 December to 15 January.

No

The German "Studierendenwerk" (students' social services) compiled some information on working in Germany for international students:

https://www.studierendenwerke.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Jobs_internationale_Studierende_eng_bf.pdf

The university's career centre provides more information on internships and jobs for students:

https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/career-center

The University of Bremen does not provide accommodation for their students. Information on finding a place to stay is published here:

https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/university/campus/housing

Please contact the International Office if you have questions on the housing options and if you received dubious offers.

The university's career centre provides advice on working in Germany:

https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/career-center/counselling

The International Office at the University of Bremen runs a programme named "kompass" that carries out international and intercultural projects. The programmes and events of "kompass" bring foreign and German students together. The team members provide orientation, broaden horizons, highlight points in common, and build bridges for the students' future:

https://www.uni-bremen.de/kompass