Master programme Public Policy
Master programme

Degree Profile

Begin of study
winter semester
Duration
4 semester
Academic degree
Master of Public Policy (M. P. P.)
Structure
full time
Faculty
Faculty of Economics, Law and Social Sciences, Willy Brandt School of Public Policy
Tuition fee
1800
Admission restriction
no restricted admission
Teaching language
English
ECTS
120

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

Thumbnail Video Public Policy

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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-Studierende Public Policy
Studierende auf dem Campus Uni Erfurt
Studierende in der Stadt Erfurt

Master of Public Policy

The MPP Curriculum in Detail

Download MPP Curriculum (pdf)

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)

Video-Presentation Master of Public Policy

Vorschaubild Video 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

Absolventin Public Policy
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.

more Alumni-Features

Similar courses of study

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

Commitment Award

The Brandt School offers its students the opportunity to develop innovative and sustainable social projects.

The winners of the Commitment Award!

Application

Apply now!

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.

Admission for the Master of Public Policy

Consulting & Service

Student advisory service

Student Recruitment Manager
(Willy Brandt School of Public Policy)
Weltbeziehungen / C19.02.01
Office hours
Please book an appointment via e-mail for an individual phone call, a web chat or a video call!
Profile page
MPP Program and Student Inquiries
(Willy Brandt School of Public Policy)
C19.02.40
Office hours
Please book an appointment via e-mail for an individual phone call, a web chat or a video call.
Profile page


Alumna Laura Public Policy

Just right! I studied that too.

Laura studied Public Policy.

Learn more about (in German)


DAAD Preis 2022 Willy Brandt School

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.

DAAD Award goes to Tak Yan Law


Podcast: "Climate change and climate justice" (in German)

Vorschaubild Andreas Goldthau

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