Master of Public Administration in European Studies

Energy, Climate and Digital Transformation – Global Topics and Smart Technologies shaping Europe

Qualify for the future

Understanding European policy and its economical and societal impact on global topics

European Policy strongly influences a wide range of topics. This is why there is a need for specialists in energy, transport, climate and digitization from both a political and a technological point of view.

The Faculty of Arts and Humanities of RWTH Aachen University and the RWTH International Academy offer a Master’s degree program at this exact intersection: the Master of Public Administration in European Studies. It combines the excellence of RWTH in engineering and technology with the current political and economic agenda of the EU.

Qualify for leadership positions in the private or public sector by studying at RWTH Aachen University.

Benefits

Learn about the EU, its policies and institutions and specialize in cutting-edge technologies in the fields of
energy and climate or digital transformation.

Benefit from:

a degree from one of Germany’s leading universities in engineering and technology

first-hand knowledge from internationally experienced RWTH lecturers and practitioners from the European Court of Justice, the European Committee of Regions, lobby associations and NGOs

the hub location: close to EU hot spot Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg, federal state capital Düsseldorf and the trade fair city Cologne

three European countries on the doorstep

integrated work experience, networking and career events

Quick Facts

Degree: Master of Public Administration (awarded by RWTH Aachen University)
Duration: 1,5 years
Credit Points: 90 CP (study start in winter semester)

English taught
Apply by: 1st March as a Non-EU national, 15th July as an EU national
Course Fees: 5.350 € per semester (early bird rates available)

Keeping your professional development continuous

Your future career environment keeps changing. Master new challenges.

Faculty

Leading RWTH researchers and EU experts working in varied European fields as lecturers

Learn about state of the art, research results and future concepts in energy, climate and digitization from renowned academics and benefit from the expertise of EU practitioners. You experience first-hand knowledge transfer and exchange between RWTH Aachen University, diverse industries and the society as a whole. By implementing application-oriented and interactive teaching and learning methods you gain in depth EU and technology knowledge, skills and competences. The interdisciplinary know-how prepares you for the demands of an international employment market.

Soft Skills

A Master’s program strengthening excellent competences

Specially designed courses enable you to develop a critical and responsible mindset by fostering your personal skills, such as independent and analytical thinking, negotiation competence, strategic action and personal commitment. You learn how to manage international projects successfully, how to draft policy papers, how to design and plan a campaign and how to develop political scenarios.

Work Experience

A compulsory period of work experience as an integral part of the program

Complete an internship or realize a study related work project with your current employer. If needed, we can support you in finding a suitable internship position. With the help of our career services team, you discover tools to fulfil European career application standards.

Qualification Profiles

Successful graduates of the MPA European Studies are

specialists in European Union decision- and policy-making and its impact
analytical minds with an understanding of current and evolving technologies in energy, climate and digital transformation combined with EU expertise in these fields
interdisciplinary thinkers and strategists equipped for international projects
team players being flexible in multicultural contexts
active networkers experienced in the EU arena

Career Prospects

Various options instead of one job title

The interdisciplinary, forward-looking nature of the European Studies Master’s program addresses the need for graduates who are able to work at the interface of politics and technology thus needing a profound knowledge of both. The program prepares you for high-level positions in the private or public sector, for example in EU or national government institutions, areas of public administration, NGOs, international companies or the media. Regardless of which technology specialization you choose in the second semester, the program equips you for a multitude of positions in a variety of bodies, institutions and companies.

Cooperation Credits

Curriculum

1st Semester

I Compulsory Courses: European Studies Essentials

History of European Integration
EU Law
European Policy and Governance
Lobbying and Transparency
European Economics
Global Challenges and the Future of the EU

30 CP (6 modules á 5 CP)

2nd Semester

II Elective Courses: Technical Specializations including EU policy and social impacts

Energy and Climate Track

Sustainable Energy Economics and Policy
Electric Mobility and Transport
Sustainable Climate Policy

Digital Transformation Track

Priniciples of Digitalization and Transformation
eGovernment and Digital Administration
Data Security and Privacy

15 CP (3 modules à 5 CP from one track)

III Elective Courses: Soft skills

Professional Negotiation Skills and Management of Conflicts
International Project Management
Strategic Decision Making

5 CP (1 out of 3 modules)

IV Elective Courses

Internship
Project Work

10 CP (internship oder project work)

3rd Semester

V Compulsory Course

Master Thesis

30 CP

Download Curriculum

Helpful information

How you study

The European Studies Program is a further education Master’s degree program and includes

monthly attendance blocks of 6 to 8 days in Aachen (Germany) for one year
excursions with unique networking opportunities to the EU institutions and lobby organizations in Brussels and Berlin
guest lectures and field visits integrated into the study blocks
simulation games, policy papers, role plays, case studies and exercises
module-specific webinars
online platform for study materials
modern university library with online access and software portal

Admission requirements

first academic degree
a minimum of 1 year work experience
fluency in English

Funding

Student loans

KfW – student loan
The KfW student loan is available to German citizens or EU citizens who have been lawfully residing in Germany for at least three years. They must be enrolled at a state-recognised institution of higher education in Germany. The KfW student loan offers monthly disbursement between EUR 100 and 650 as well as flexible and moderate repayment.
Learn more or ask your bank counsellor at Sparkasse Aachen.

Studying without financial burden – Study first, pay later:
The Generation Contract (UGV) is an innovative model to finance your education. With this model every master’s applicant can study at his/her preferred partner university and pay the tuition fees later on.

Scholarship databases

DAAD The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) offers a scholarship database with a broad variety of scholarship programs for international students on its website. Please visit their website to find more information.
RWTH Database RWTH Aachen University also offers a Scholarship Database.

Student services

Get yourself easily organized and feel comfortable with the help of useful information about your studies as well as personal support.

accommodation guidance
welcome and networking events
internship and career services
information on necessary insurances
information concerning bank accounts (e.g. at Sparkasse Aachen – Learn more or ask your bank counsellor)