Overview
This English-language Master’s programme trains students to understand and help shape the large economic and political changes taking place in transition and emerging economies. These transformations often involve rapid shifts from state-managed to market-based systems and from autocratic to democratic governance, occurring at higher income and technology levels than in many developing countries. The regional focus includes successor states of the former Soviet Union, countries of Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, and Asian transition economies such as China and Vietnam, with additional comparative insight into emerging economies in Latin America and Africa.
Structure and teaching approach
The degree is interdisciplinary and was created jointly by five faculties, with leadership from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Nutritional Sciences and Environmental Management (Faculty 09). The Centre for International Development and Environmental Research (ZEU) contributes specialized modules tailored to the programme. Teaching combines theoretical frameworks with practical methods and strategies, and places strong emphasis on teamwork in international, interdisciplinary groups—helping students develop both technical skills and soft skills needed for complex, real-world challenges.
Learning outcomes and career paths
Graduates will be able to analyse the multifaceted aspects of transition processes—economic, legal, political, social, agricultural and environmental—and to design and implement strategies that support those processes. The programme prepares students for senior roles in private and public sector management, public administration, academia, and international technical and economic cooperation. For detailed information on admission criteria, course duration, fees and application deadlines, consult the university’s official programme page.
Key facts & entry considerations
The programme is organised into modular courses, each worth four semester hours per week and completed with a final examination as described in the module descriptions. Your overall degree grade is calculated from the individual module grades. The curriculum comprises eight mandatory core modules, a selection of profile modules (six plus a work placement, or eight profile modules instead of placement), a work placement option, and a Master's thesis. A recommended programme schedule is available as a PDF.
The eight core modules give a robust scientific foundation and prepare you to specialise in particular research or applied areas. By choosing profile modules from a broad catalogue, you can build a personalised competence profile that matches your interests—ranging from policy and market analysis to biotechnological or ecological perspectives. Learning outcomes include research design and empirical methods, policy and legal understanding of transitions, quantitative and qualitative analysis skills, sectoral management and sustainability competencies, and practical experience via placement or thesis work.
Key academic requirements and components
If you need the recommended semester-by-semester plan, consult the programme PDF for a suggested schedule.
You are eligible to apply if you hold a Bachelor's-level degree (or equivalent) of at least three years' duration (minimum 180 credit points) completed in a closely related scientific field. Typical related disciplines include agricultural and nutritional sciences, environmental studies, economics, law, and social or political sciences. Applications with degrees from other fields or from abroad will be assessed on an individual basis.
For this programme you must also demonstrate substantive prior knowledge in economics, law and/or the social sciences — specifically at least 60 credit points (CP) in one of these areas. A specialist admissions committee at JLU makes the final decision on admission. The university cannot provide any statement on acceptance status before the formal application has been completed.
For full step-by-step instructions on how to apply, see: https://www.uni-giessen.de/en/faculties/f09/studies/general
Winter Semester (International)
15 June 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 June 2026
Graduates are prepared for senior and specialist roles in the private and public sectors, public administration, research and academia, and international technical and economic cooperation. Common professional pathways include policy analysis and advisory roles, management positions within agribusiness and food industries, positions in international organisations and NGOs, and research posts in development and transition studies.
The programme's interdisciplinary training and practical placement opportunities help students build transferable skills—empirical analysis, legal and economic assessment, project management and cross-cultural teamwork—valued by employers in international development, governmental institutions, consultancy and corporate sustainability departments.