About

PROGRAMME PROFILE The two-year Masterâ€™s programme "Global Political Economy and Development" is a research-oriented graduate programme that leads to the degree of "Master of Arts in Global Political Economy and Development". It introduces students to the institutions, actors, and processes characterising globalised capitalism, North-South relations, and development cooperation. It focuses on the global level, but it also looks at regional and national settings from a comparative perspective. The Kassel curriculum stands out because it approaches political economy from a North-South perspective that is informed by development theory and practice and postcolonial perspectives. The programme is interdisciplinary in character and is taught by scholars with a variety of disciplinary backgrounds, among them political science, sociology, and economics. The curriculum is based on a pluralist understanding of political economy and covers both mainstream and critical perspectives. It stresses the importance of an integrated approach to research, which links empirical analysis with methodological and theoretical considerations. Moreover, there is a practical component to GPED: students are expected to complete a two-month internship at NGOs, international organisations, research centres, etc. INTERNATIONAL SCOPE The student body is truly international: up to 75 percent of the students come from around the world, from Albania to Vietnam. Lecturers from partner universities (for example, the Universidad Estadual de Campinas in Brazil, the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in India, and the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa) regularly offer classes. Field research in preparation of the MA thesis can be supported by a limited number of research grants. RELEVANCE Globalisation has challenged conventional thinking still heavily attached to the nation state and has called into question the traditional separation between the economy and the political sphere. Reflecting this, the Masterâ€™s programme "Global Political Economy and Development" offers students a comprehensive perspective on the world economy as well as the political dynamics, institutions, and actors that shape it and the imaginaries of development and progress that permeate it. It investigates the forces of globalisation and its contestations, and critically analyses contemporary forms of political and economic governance on the global level as well as actors and policies in international development. A COMPETITIVE EDGE ON THE JOB MARKET In the wake of globalisation, a critical understanding of the global political and economic dynamics, time spent abroad, and good language skills give graduates a competitive edge on the job market. Correspondingly, the Masterâ€™s programme aims at facilitating learning on how to interpret and analyse transnational economic and political process and how to cooperate with peers from all over the world in the process. In so doing, it prepares graduates for careers in areas concerned with globalisation and development, for example, in international organisations, NGOs, consultancies, journalism, and academia. Thanks to its focus on both theory and empirical research, it provides rigorous training for students who are interested in pursuing a PhD after graduation.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Bachelor's degree in social sciences, political science, economics, law, or a related field At least six semesters of full-time study Minimum cumulative grade of "good" or "upper second-class honours", or an equivalent to 2.5 on the German grading scale The BA degree profiles must indicate the following: good knowledge of political science or economics basic knowledge of sociology, political science, and economics Knowledge of the English language equivalent to level C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages At least one year of volunteer and/or work experience in the social sciences (e.g., politics, university policy, policy-oriented civil society organisations) A motivation letter (maximum three pages long) covering the following aspects: Relation between previous qualifications and prospective professional aims to the MA GPE Description of your social-political commitment Discuss one specific problem of the global political economy Admission requirements should be evidenced by transcripts from the applicant's first degree and the motivation letter (socio-political experience).

Fee Information

How to Apply

Applicants with a degree earned in Germany must send applicationsÂ directly to the University of Kassel. Please see: https://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/studium/fahrplan-ins-studium/bewerbung/ Applicants with a degree earned outside of Germany must send applicationsÂ to uni-assist. Visit: http://uni-assist.de

Global Political Economy and Development (MA GPED)