International Programmes 2023/2024

Master of Arts Programme in Ethics – Economics, Law and Politics MA Programme in Ethics – Economics, Law and Politics

Ruhr-Universität Bochum • Bochum

Degree
Master of Arts
Teaching language
  • English
Languages

It is possible to study and to complete the EELP programme by attending only classes taught in English. In the selectable Law module, courses offered in English are limited. Some courses are offered in German.

Full-time / part-time
  • full-time
Programme duration
4 semesters
Beginning
Winter semester
Additional information on beginning, duration and mode of study

Beginning of studies: first week of October

Application deadline

15 July for the following winter semester

Tuition fees per semester in EUR
None
Combined Master's degree / PhD programme
No
Joint degree / double degree programme
Yes
Description/content

The Master's programme in Ethics – Economics, Law and Politics (EELP) is an interdisciplinary and research-focused degree programme. In the style of very successful similar study courses in the English-speaking world, four faculties carry out the programme: philosophy, law, economics and social science. The theoretical and empirical insights of the three socio-scientific disciplines is combined with the explicitly normative orientation of philosophy.

The content of the programme consists of six main topics, each with a normative and a descriptive and/or analytic emphasis (for details, see EELP programme website):

  • Globalisation and Justice
  • Markets and Morality
  • Climate Change and Responsibility
  • Welfare and Dignity
  • Migration and Rights
  • Digitalisation and Self-Determination

A competent approach to these topics demands knowledge about the frameworks of law and political circumstances as well as economic expertise and competence for normative reflection. Students are able to comprehend the full extent of current economic challenges, such as the financial crisis, global poverty, migration, climate change, etc.

The programme is aimed at excellent Bachelor's degree holders and young professionals who wish to tackle major issues in politics or the economy as well as those who aspire to an outstanding and future-oriented research activity.

In the first year of their studies, students acquire basic knowledge, and in the second year, they develop their own projects. Applied projects can be combined with an internship abroad, while research-oriented projects can be carried out at our international partner institutes:

  • University of Graz/Austria (double degree with MA Political, Legal and Economic Philosophy)
  • ERASMUS + (University of Bari Aldo Moro/Italy; University of Catania/Italy; University of Zagreb/Croatia)
Course organisation

The degree programme Ethics – Economics, Law and Politics (EELP) is regularly studied over a period of four semesters (two years of study). It is conceived as a project-oriented programme.

INTERDISCIPLINARY ORIENTATION OF THE PROGRAMME
The Master's programme Ethics - Economics, Politics and Law (EELP) offers a broad and interdisciplinary course of study: it combines knowledge and skills of normatively oriented, practical philosophy with those of empirically oriented social science. It focuses in particular on qualifying students for independent, normative reflection and rational analysis with regard to current normative problems.
This special qualification constitutes the attractive, core principal of combining ethics with economics, law and politics. The six main topics of the programme are decidedly interdisciplinary: Globalisation and Justice, Market and Morality, Climate Change and Responsibility, Welfare and Dignity, Migration and Rights and Digitalisation and Self-Determination.

PROJECT-ORIENTED STUDIES
The first year of studies focuses on fundamental, specialised knowledge of ethics, politics, law and economics. In the second year, the individual interests of each student, in practical experience and research, are improved and expanded upon in their own projects. These projects are systematically directed towards the completion of a Master's thesis in the fourth semester.
Applied projects are combined with an internship in business or an area related to politics, which lasts for four to six months. For instance, the internship can be completed at one of our partner corporations and the Master's thesis can be written about the ethical deficiencies of corporate communications.
Research-oriented projects do not have to be combined with an internship. They are more closely related to research carried out by the EELP faculty. Research and studying abroad is possible, for example, at the University of Graz/Austria (double degree programme with MA Political, Legal and Economic Philosophy).

COURSE OF STUDIES
The programme offers nine modules; seven have to be completed by the students. Standard time to degree: four semesters; workload: overall 96 ECTS - 120 ECTS for certified modules, 20 ECTS for the Master's thesis, six ECTS for the oral Master's colloquium

MODULES

EELP I: Interdisciplinary Research and Methodology (20 ECTS); EELP II: Practical Philosophy (10 ECTS); EELP III: Applied Ethics (10 ECTS); EELP IVa Economics, EELP IVb Law, EELP IVc Political Science (each with 10 ECTS, two of them have to be studied); EELP Va or b Research or Practical Project (30 ECTS); EELP VI Final Module (30 ECTS)

A Diploma supplement will be issued
Yes
International elements
  • International guest lecturers
  • Integrated study abroad unit(s)
  • Specialist literature in other languages
  • International comparisons and thematic reference to the international context
  • Courses are led with foreign partners
  • Projects with partners in Germany and abroad
Integrated study abroad unit(s)

It is possible to study abroad during the third semester. We have partnerships in Austria (double degree with the MA programme Political, Legal and Economic Philosophy at the University of Graz) and ERASMUS+ partners in Italy (University of Bari Aldo Moro, University of Catania) and Croatia (University of Zagreb). A research stay in other countries is also possible.

Integrated internships

It is possible to do an internship during the third semester. Students are responsible to look for an internship on their own. Programme advisers can assist students in finding an internship. The internship of approximately four months has to be related to one of the focus topics of the study programme. It can be done with an international company, international institution or organisation, an NGO, a political party, a foundation, etc.

Special promotion / funding of the programme
  • ERASMUS+
Course-specific, integrated German language courses
No
Course-specific, integrated English language courses
No
Tuition fees per semester in EUR
None
Semester contribution

Students have to pay a social contribution fee of approx. 350 EUR per semester, including a semester ticket covering public transport in the entire state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Costs of living

Minimum of 950 EUR per month to cover personal and living expenses

Funding opportunities within the university
Yes
Description of the above-mentioned funding opportunities within the university

Students with outstanding academic performance who are involved in special social activities can receive 300 EUR per month for a year from the RUB Scholarship Fund “Deutschlandstipendium”: http://www.rub.de/bildungsfonds/info-studierende/en/index_en.html. International students with outstanding academic performance who need financial support during the final phase of study can receive a graduation grant of 400 EUR per month for four months from the International Office/ RUB: https://international.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/graduation-grant-international-students.

More information: https://international.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/financing-international-degree-seeking-students

Academic admission requirements

For admission to the programme, a first degree (university or college of higher education, e.g. Bachelor's degree, licentiate degree, state examination) in philosophy, economics, law or political science is required. If the Bachelor's programme consisted of two subjects, 65 ECTS must have been acquired in one of the subjects relevant to the EELP programme.

Additionally, an admission essay is required. The admission essay should be four to five pages in length. The essay should show that the applicant can independently discuss one of the focus topics of the programme (globalisation and justice, market and morality, climate change and responsibility, welfare and dignity, migration and rights, digitalisation and self-determination). The essay serves to determine whether the applicant has a special aptitude for the EELP programme.

Language requirements

All applicants (only exception: native speakers from USA, UK or Australia) must provide proof of their English skills. This can be done in one of the following ways: TOEFL internet-based test 88, TOEFL computer-based test 230, FCE, CPE, CAE (grades A-C), IELTS (bands 9-6).

Alternative: completed studies (at least two years) in the USA, UK or Australia

Application deadline

15 July for the following winter semester

Submit application to

All international applicants have to apply online:

https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/application-masters-degree

Accommodation

In the city of Bochum, you can find a variety of affordable and pleasant accommodations. On average, students in Bochum pay approximately 350 to 400 EUR per month for a single apartment, which is below the average rent in Germany. A room in a shared apartment is available from around 270 EUR. 

About 5,000 students in Bochum live in 18 student halls close to the campus, which are run by the Akademisches Förderungswerk (AKAFÖ). In the halls, each student has his or her own single room and shares a kitchen and bathroom with other students, or alternatively, a student can rent an apartment with a private bathroom and kitchen or share an apartment with one or several flatmates.

More information on the student halls can be found at http://www.akafoe.de and https://studium.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/de/wohnen.

In addition, eight private and church-affiliated student halls accommodate up to 1,000 students: http://www.stuwo.de/wohnheim-region/bochum/.

Support for international students and doctoral candidates
  • Welcome event
  • Specialist counselling
  • Visa matters

Ruhr-Universität Bochum

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