Democracy and Economy
Degree Profile
The master's programme Democracy and Economy combines two disciplines of Economics, Law and Social Sciences:
- social sciences (political science, sociology)
- economics.
In the master's programme Democracy and Economy, you will learn to independently analyse democratic and economic systems and their interactions.
You will combine political science and economics approaches and consider various actors, organisations and institutions. You will analyse their modes of action, influence and structures and take historical, cultural and current contexts into account.
The research-oriented master's programme in Democracy and Economy teaches you specialist and interdisciplinary methods, theories and knowledge – as well as their practical application. It prepares you for a doctorate in political science or economics as well as for demanding, particularly science-related appointments at the interfaces of politics and economics.
Special features of the Master's programme "Democracy and Economics" in distinction to similar interdisciplinary programmes and also the Erfurt Master's programme "Economics, Law and Social Sciences" are:
Entry areas in the other subject
For students who have obtained a disciplinary Bachelor's degree exclusively in political science or economics, entry-level areas are integrated into the study programme in which they catch up on the fundamentals of the respective other subject relevant for the Master's degree within the first semester.
Interdisciplinary modules
The topic modules always consist of a political science and an economics sub-module and are consistently structured in an interdisciplinary manner.
Training in quantitative and qualitative methods as well as "fast track" doctorate
The research orientation is reflected, among other things, in the compulsory training in quantitative and qualitative methods, the two to three written papers with a high workload (12 LP/ECTS each) and the "Fast Track" programme for the doctorate, in which outstanding students write a Master's thesis that prepares them for a subsequent doctorate under the supervision of a professor.
Thanks to the interdisciplinary orientation, as a graduate you will have a broad, theoretically and methodologically founded perspective in the two political sciences of economics and social sciences. On the other hand, the individual options of the interdisciplinary topic modules open up the possibility for you to specialise according to your interests.
The thematic focus on the interfaces between politics and economics creates attractive and increasingly demanded professional fields, especially in the areas of:
- Economic and political consulting in NGOs,
- public administration,
- government staffs,
- companies and
- associations.
The Master's programme "Democracy and Economics" also prepares students for jobs in academia (with an interdisciplinary profile) and research-related professions at the interface of politics and economy.
To facilitate a seamless transition into professional life, the Master's thesis can be written in cooperation with a research institution or a practice partner.
Details of the degree programme
Structure of the Master's programme in Democracy and Economy
Duration of the Master's programme
The master's programme "Democracy and Economy" generally lasts four semesters (two academic years).
Structure of the study programme
The four-semester standard period of study for the master's programme "Democracy and Economy" comprises a three-semester study phase (90 LP/ECTS) and one semester for the master's thesis (30 LP/ECTS). The Master's programme can only be started in the winter semester.
The degree programme is divided into
- disciplinary introductory modules,
- disciplinary core modules,
- interdisciplinary thematic modules,
- the final module with research colloquium and master's thesis.
The six core modules of the three core areas:
- Empirical Methods,
- Ideas and Institutions of Democracy and
- Management and Organisational Leadership
totalling 36 CP/ECTS must be completed as compulsory modules.
Students commencing the programme after completing an interdisciplinary Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences and Economics:
- must take three of the five subject modules, each totalling 18 LP/ECTS, as compulsory elective modules.
Students who start the programme after a disciplinary Bachelor's degree:
- must take the three introductory modules specified in the letter of admission in their 1st year of study (for a disciplinary BA degree in Social Sciences: the three introductory modules in Economics, for a disciplinary BA degree in Economics: the three introductory modules in Political Science) totalling 18 LP/ECTS. You must also take two of the five thematic modules, each worth 18 CP/ECTS, as compulsory elective modules.
"Fast track" to doctorate
Particularly qualified students can apply for admission to a fast-track doctorate programme as part of their Master's degree from the 3rd semester onwards . The application must be submitted to the responsible Master's programme officer by 15 July or 30 January of each year and will first be decided on by the Master's examination board and, in the event of a positive vote, by the doctoral committee of the Faculty of Economics, Law and Social Sciences no later than four weeks before the start of lectures. The documents to be attached to the application are listed in the examination regulations.
In the 4th semester, students admitted to the "Fast Track" programme complete a Master's thesis that justifies acceptance as a doctoral candidate with a topic based on the content of the Master's thesis. The Doctoral Committee of the Faculty of Economics, Law and Social Sciences decides whether the Master's degree programme can also be accepted as a doctoral candidate on the basis of the Faculty's doctorate-degree regulations.
Open Day
Open Day
Numerous information and counselling services offer you the opportunity to see the study and living conditions in Erfurt for yourself at the Open Day. Get to know the green campus and the beautiful old town centre on guided tours. Information about the programme: Open Day
Order or download information material
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Admission requirements
Admission requirements for the Master's in Democracy and Economy
Language requirements Master Democracy and Economy
Experience reports and evaluations of the master's programme Democracy and Economy
New Master's programme with a unique selling point: The Master's programme has very interesting content and can be strongly adapted to your own interests and thus also to possible future professional fields. The university lecturers are very helpful and competent in their specialisation. The programme is interdisciplinary and therefore suitable for both social sciences and economics.
Take your chance and apply for the master's programme Democracy and Economy!
The recommended application period for the master's programme Democracy and Economy is for the winter semester from 1 January to 15 July.*
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