Public Policy
Degree Profile
The Willy Brandt School
The Willy Brandt School of Public Policy at the University of Erfurt was founded in 2002 as Germany’s first professional school of Public Policy. Since 2002, the Brandt School has grown to be a leading public policy institution in Germany.
The Master of Public Policy (MPP) program is a fully accredited, two-year interdisciplinary degree program taught in English, designed for academics and professionals who wish to pursue a career in public service, government agencies, international organizations and the nonprofit sector. The MPP bridges theory and practice and trains students to analyze complex problems, enabling them to make sound policy decisions.
Drawn from political science, economics, sociology, public administration and law, the MPP curriculum builds the skills and knowledge base required of a professional policy analyst. It includes courses in political and economic analysis, statistics, public management and ethics. Throughout the coursework, research and field experience, students develop their understanding of the policy process and the institutions and actors involved in that process.
Global, diverse and innovative
One of the Brandt School’s biggest assets is the diversity of its student body. Brandt School students come from around 50 countries from every region of the world, setting it apart from other public policy institutions. The leading teaching staff, made up of academics and practitioners, contribute to maintaining a global approach to public policy.
The MPP program strives to go beyond the traditional Western approach of public policy by exploring solutions to policy questions from a global, local and sustainable perspective.
The Master of Public Policy at the Brandt School
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Career Opportunities
Since 2004, more than 750 students from all over the world have graduated from the Brandt School. Our alumni have found high-ranking positions in various institutions around the world. MPP graduates tend to work in the public sector, in NGOs or in the private sector, on a communal, national or supranational level. The Brandt School strives to educate future leaders in government, civil society, and private enterprise, for example:
- The European Parliament
- The World Bank
- The United Nations
- The Foreign Ministry of the Ukraine
- The World Wildlife Found
- Kinship Foundation
Master of Public Policy
The MPP Curriculum in Detail
The MPP is a full-time, two-year, 120 credit-point (ECTS) program consisting of a core curriculum (focusing on policy analysis, methods, and public administration and management), an internship and an intensive policy project (practical training modules), elective courses taken from two out of four potential areas of specialization (specialization modules), and foreign language training. The medium of instruction is English.
8 Core Modules:
- Introduction to Public Policy
- Economic Policy Analysis
- Comparative and International Public Policy
- Public Administration and Finance
- Management and Leadership
- Ethics in the Public Sector
- Quantitative Methods
- Advanced Methods
2 Specialization Modules (choose 2 out of 4):
- Non-Profit Management and Social Entrepreneurship
- International and Global Public Policy
- Development and Socio-Economic Policies
- Conflict Studies and Management
2 Practical Training Modules:
- Practical Training Module I (Internship)
- Practical Training Module II (Project Group)
1 Language Module
Final (Graduation) Module (Master thesis)
Study Regulations
Video-Presentation Master of Public Policy
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Admission Requirements
- higher education entrance qualification (i.e., high school diploma)
- college or university degree (i.e., Bachelor, Master, Diploma, state exam, etc.) with a duration of at least six semesters
- above-average grades
- a minimum of one year of professional performance
- analytical talent and pronounced interest in political problems
Language Requirements
Applicants need to prove their excellent English language skills. The following documents are accepted:
- TOEFL iBT: minimum of 90 points
- IELTS: 6.5 points
- Sprachzertifikate: Cambridge English C1 Advanced (CAE) or Cambridge English C2 Proficiency (CPE) certificate
Test results should not be older than two years. We also accept native speakers and applicants who hold a university degree in a program where English has been the medium of instruction.
Our students & alumni
What our students say
Great place to study: I was originally an engineer, so public policy was something new for me. The lecturers are excellent and very guiding, now I can cope with the studies. The course materials are all very interesting because they are of high quality but also easy to understand. The library of the univ is so beautiful and comfortable.
Bewertung von Habibul auf Studycheck
Studying at the Brandt School offered me the valuable opportunity of interacting with students from all over the world, profiting from different points of view and learning in a diverse and motivating environment.
Ayanga Edubio, MPP-alumna from Nigeria
Alumni of Brandt School
Brandt School alumni work in international organizations, municipal, regional, and federal governments, think tanks or renowned enterprises in the private sector.
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10 Reasons for Starting the Master of Public Policy at Brandt School
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This is what our students say
The Willy Brandt School of Public Policy provided an exceptional educational experience, equipping me with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the field of public policy.
Rating of Newaz on Studycheck
The course provides an interested student a wide array of disciplines to choose from. Furthermore, the course is, in true sense, inter-disciplinary. The faculty engage with students and learning is omini-directional. Class discussions at Brandt School are rich in content owing to insights from students of more than 30 countries.
Rating of Rakshit on Studycheck
The Brandt School offers its students the opportunity to develop innovative and sustainable social projects.
Application
The application period for the student intake Ocober 2023 starts on December 1, 2022.
Deadlines are as follows:
- February 28, 2023: priority deadline for all applicants
- April 30, 2023: non priority deadline for all applications / final deadline for all applicants who require to apply for a student visa
- September 1, 2023: final deadline for EU + EFTA nationals, and for all applicants who do not require to apply for a student visa
We recommend applying as early as possible. For more details, please click here.
Consulting & Service
Student advisory service
Downloads
Flyer Welcome to the University of Erfurt in Englisch (.pdf)
DAAD Award goes to MPP student
In addition to Tak Yan Law's very good performance, the jury also recognized her social commitment. She volunteers for an NGO that promotes ethical consumer standards in Hong Kong.
Podcast: "Climate change and climate justice" (in German)
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