This interdisciplinary Master's centers on understanding how individuals and groups make decisions, examined through the lenses of political science, economics and philosophy. You will learn to draw on theoretical and methodological tools from all three fields to analyse and address decision problems that arise in areas such as public policy, corporate governance and international relations.
The degree is research-oriented and provides rigorous training in contemporary theories and methods across the three disciplines. The course is designed both for students planning to continue to doctoral studies with an interdisciplinary focus, and for those aiming for professional careers in the public sector, private businesses or national and international organisations where complex decision-making and policy analysis are central.
Requirements / who should apply
This two-year (four-semester) master's is built around a mix of disciplinary and interdisciplinary teaching. In the first three semesters you take core and advanced courses within each of the three constituent disciplines — political science, economics and philosophy — while also participating in seminars that explicitly link these fields. The final (fourth) semester is reserved for completing an independent Master’s thesis that integrates the programme’s interdisciplinary perspectives.
Through the disciplinary modules and interdisciplinary seminars you will develop the ability to analyse public-policy and social questions from multiple theoretical and methodological angles. Key learning outcomes include mastering foundational and advanced concepts in political science, economics and philosophy; applying interdisciplinary tools to complex problems; and conducting independent research that synthesises insights across the three fields. These skills prepare graduates for research-oriented careers, policy work, or further doctoral study.
Programme structure and requirements (concise)
Applicants must hold a first university degree (for example a Bachelor's or an equivalent) of at least 180 ECTS, with the majority of study concentrated in political science, economics, or philosophy. Specifically, at least 60% of your first degree — equivalent to 108 ECTS out of 180 — must be in one (or more) of those three subject areas. If your prior degree is a combined programme like PPE (or similar), check the programme FAQs for guidance on how those studies are assessed.
In addition to the subject-area share, there are course-specific minimums depending on your background. If you have not yet received your final degree certificate when you apply, you must provide it by the end of the MSc programme’s first semester. International applicants whose institutions use different credit systems should ensure their transcripts clearly indicate ECTS equivalence or provide an explanation of credit conversion.
Admission requirements (bullet points)
Tip for international applicants: if your university uses a different credit or grading system, include a transcript or an official note that clarifies how your credits translate to ECTS to help the admissions team assess your qualification.
Winter Semester (International)
31 March 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
31 March 2026
Graduates are prepared for academic research (PhD programmes) and for professional roles that require interdisciplinary analytical skills, such as policy analysis, research positions, consulting, and advisory roles in government, NGOs, international organisations and the private sector. The programme’s emphasis on decision analysis, formal methods and empirical techniques equips students to work on issues in politics, corporate governance and international relations.
Those aiming for non-academic careers can expect to apply their training in quantitative and conceptual analysis to roles in public administration, think tanks, regulatory agencies, international institutions, and firms requiring policy and strategy expertise. The MSc also provides a strong foundation for further specialization in doctoral studies across the three disciplines.
Trier University of Applied Sciences — Birkenfeld
Technische Universität Braunschweig — Braunschweig
Furtwangen University — Villingen-Schwenningen
University of Siegen — Siegen