Overview
This English‑taught MA is designed for students who want rigorous analytical and quantitative training as a basis for research‑oriented careers in academia, public administration, and business. It is especially suitable for those coming from economics or philosophy, but also welcomes applicants with backgrounds in political science or business and management who wish to deepen normative reflection, extend subject‑specific knowledge from their bachelor’s studies, and expand methodological skills relevant to both fields.
Why this programme
The course treats economics and philosophy — and their combination — as complementary tools for examining allocation, distributive and institutional questions in a world facing complex governance problems. Teaching and coursework engage with contemporary, practical questions such as the dimensions of equality, the effects of globalisation on social solidarity, regulation of migration, the international organisation of labour and social justice, trade agreements and WTO challenges, fair allocation of voting power in the EU, the design of deliberative processes, responsibility for climate change, and corporate governance issues like executive pay and corporate social responsibility. The MA positions itself as a modern, interdisciplinary alternative to single‑discipline master’s programmes in economics, philosophy, political science or business.
Teaching, structure and academic profile
The programme has a clearly defined curriculum with core modules in both philosophy and economics, an integrative Philosophy & Economics seminar, and a broad selection of electives that let you specialise according to your interests. Teaching is research‑led: faculty who work on the topics they teach bring current research into the classroom and encourage close interaction with students in an intensive but collegial setting. The result is solid methodological grounding plus room to develop a distinct academic and professional profile suited to national and international policy analysis, public service, or responsible business practice.
Key features and entry profile
This MA is a demanding, graded programme that delivers a rigorous, internationally benchmarked graduate education across the core areas of philosophy and economics. Over the course you will be trained to think, argue and communicate fluently in both disciplines. The interdisciplinary design equips you to apply specialised methods and theoretical frameworks from philosophy and economics to shared, real-world problems.
The curriculum centres on a set of compulsory modules that combine normative and conceptual inquiry with advanced economic theory and empirical methods. Core teaching includes Ethics, Political Philosophy, Philosophy of the Social Sciences, Advanced Microeconomics, Advanced Macroeconomics and Advanced Empirical Economic Research, alongside an Integrative Seminar and Research Seminars that foster cross-disciplinary dialogue and research practice. By the end of the programme you will have developed strong analytical and methodological competence in both fields, the ability to design and carry out empirical and conceptual investigations, and the capacity to present and defend sustained, independent research in the form of a Master’s thesis.
You will also choose electives to shape your individual profile: take a concentrated route in philosophy, in economics, or create a tailored mix. There is an exclusive double degree option with Charles University (Prague) that allows study at both institutions and the award of two degrees within the standard MA duration (four semesters), giving added academic, social and cultural exposure. For full module descriptions and assessment rules, consult the Module Handbook.
Requirements (concise)
Admission overview
This master's programme requires a strong, relevant undergraduate background and sufficient language skills in both English and German. The standard entry route is a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Philosophy & Economics, or International Economics & Development from the University of Bayreuth with a final grade of 2.0 or better, or an equivalent degree from another institution. Equivalence and eligibility are assessed by the programme’s board of examiners during the application process, and are not finally determined until your application is reviewed.
If your final grade falls below the standard threshold, an aptitude assessment may be required. You may apply before finishing your Bachelor’s, but certain minimums must be met by the time of application. Conditional admission is not available for this programme. For questions about admission or program equivalence, contact pe-master@uni-bayreuth.de.
Key admission requirements
For admission questions and clarification about equivalence, contact: pe-master@uni-bayreuth.de.
Winter Semester (International)
15 July 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
31 August 2026
Graduates are prepared for research-based careers in academia, public service, and business, with particular suitability for roles such as public policy analyst, public servant, consultant, or researcher at think tanks and NGOs. The programme’s combination of normative reflection, advanced quantitative methods, and empirical techniques equips students to analyse allocation, distributive, and institutional problems and to contribute to policy design and evaluation.
The degree also provides a solid foundation for doctoral study in philosophy, economics, or interdisciplinary fields (e.g., public policy, political economy). Employers in government, international organisations, regulatory bodies, and private-sector firms seeking expertise in ethics, institutional design, and economic analysis will value the programme’s cross-disciplinary skill set.
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