In the first semester, students acquire fundamental knowledge on the macro-economics of money and trade in Europe, the politics of multilevel governance of the European Union, historical, political and sociological dimensions of European Social Models and current ecological issues such as nature protection, sustainability and energy security.
In the second semester, students are offered a wide range of elective courses, such as politics of social cohesion, regional economics, recent development in European law, the role of Europe in a multipolar world, feminist and ecological economics, or political economy of modern capitalism. Additionally, more practice oriented courses from other Master's programmes at HWR Berlin are on offer.
In the third semester, students have the option to go abroad to another university or do an internship. Students apply their analytical skills by writing their Master's theses on current topics relevant to the political economy of Europe, with support of professors in individual counselling and peer-commenting in small workshops.
Students who have completed a Bachelor's degree with only 180 credit points (generally corresponding to a three-year Bachelor's programme) will be required to complete a work experience placement in the third semester, which is worth 30 credit points. Students with a Bachelor's degree worth 210 credit points who have already done supervised work experience during an undergraduate programme may also take a placement in the third semester if they wish.