National and International Administration and Policy (MANIA)

This English-taught master’s programme offers a rare opportunity in Germany to study public administration and public policy through an explicitly international and comparative lens. Based at a university with a strong reputation in political and administrative sciences, the course places you in an appealing academic setting close to national, regional and local government institutions — a location that supports applied learning, research collaborations and networking with practitioners. The programme’s interdisciplinary design lets you approach political and administrative questions drawing on perspectives from political science, law, sociology and economics.

Coursework combines theoretical grounding with hands-on empirical work: you will engage with core topics in political and administrative research, focusing on administration, public policy, management and governance. Training emphasizes both qualitative and quantitative methods, enabling you to design and carry out empirical projects while critically reflecting on theoretical frameworks and research designs. The curriculum deepens understanding of governance modes, public administration, the development and structures of contemporary political systems, and the role of civil society and interest groups at national, international and supranational levels — including the relevant legal frameworks.

Elective modules let you tailor your studies toward specific interests such as administrative modernisation and reform, digitalisation of public administration, global crisis management, policy-field analysis and democracy research. The programme balances academic and professional aims: it prepares students for practice-oriented careers in public administration and policy as well as for further academic work. A Fast Track Doctoral Stream is available for students who wish to transition directly to doctoral research. The methodological training is closely linked to active faculty research, ensuring that what you learn reflects current scholarly debates and empirical practice.

Requirements & key facts

• Language of instruction: English (programme is explicitly English-language)
• Academic field: Political Science / Public Administration and Public Policy
• Location: University campus near government and administrative institutions in Potsdam (Bergholz-Rehbrücke)
• Orientation: Interdisciplinary (political science, law, sociology, economics) with both academic and professional focuses
• Research & methods: Strong emphasis on qualitative and quantitative social-science methods, empirical projects, and faculty-led research
• Specialisation options: Administrative reform, digitalisation, crisis management, policy analysis, democracy research, etc.
• Doctoral path: Fast Track Doctoral Stream available for students aiming for a PhD
• Admissions note: Specific entry requirements, application procedures and deadlines are not included here — please consult the university’s official programme page for details.

The programme’s complete course organisation and detailed programme structure are available in the linked PDF (see “Download”). That document is the authoritative source for the curriculum: it lists the modules, how they are grouped across semesters, credit (ECTS) allocations, assessment formats and the formal requirements for completing the Master’s degree.

Within that downloadable curriculum you will also find the programme’s key modules and their stated learning outcomes. The module descriptions typically explain the intended knowledge and skills students will acquire (for example, conceptual foundations, methodological training, policy analysis competencies and research abilities), and show how core courses, electives and the final thesis or project fit together to meet the overall degree objectives.

Practical notes for international applicants: consult the PDF closely to confirm language of instruction, semester timing, workload in ECTS, and any practical components (internship or field project). If anything in the document is unclear, use the contact details provided there to ask the programme coordinator about recognition of prior study, course sequencing, or assessment rules.

What to look for in the curriculum PDF (and where to find programme requirements)

• Official module catalogue and semester-by-semester structure (core vs elective modules)
• Learning outcomes for each module and for the programme as a whole
• ECTS credit allocation and expected student workload per module
• Examination and assessment methods (written exams, papers, presentations, etc.)
• Requirements for the Master’s thesis/project and any formal research-methods courses
• Details on practical components (internships, practica) if included
• Language of instruction and any language requirements or certification needed
• Admission prerequisites, credit transfer/recognition rules and contact information for programme administration

Graduates are prepared for professional careers in public administration and public policy at local, national and supranational levels, including roles in civil service, public sector management, policy analysis, programme evaluation, and administrative reform. The programme’s international and comparative focus also suits positions in international organisations, NGOs, think tanks, and policy consultancy.

The programme’s strong empirical methods training and the Fast Track Doctoral Stream additionally provide a solid foundation for research careers and doctoral studies in political and administrative science, as well as for roles requiring policy research, monitoring and evaluation expertise in both public and private sectors.