Master of Public Policy

This course introduces students to the policy process with a governance perspective. It analyses the capacity of political actors to design instruments to influence particular outcomes in different fields. Focusing on governance, rather than governments, students gain a broad perspective in the range of relevant actors involved in the policy process. The course provides students with a thorough understanding of the policy process, as well as the perspective to achieve their own targets as future policy actors. The course is taught as a seminar with about 25 participants. It is offered with different foci such as social policy, energy policy or the policy process in the EU.

For course examples, explore the course catalogue:
The policy process: Energy policy
The policy process: Development
The policy process: Social policy
The policy process: Climate policy

This course deals with the design and operation of organisations that matter for public policy. It provides an understanding how these organisations 'tick' internally, how they shape the design and implementation of public policies and how they can be 'governed'. Critical thinking about solutions offered in debates related to public management issues will be encouraged. The course is taught as a seminar with about 25 participants.

For more information, have a look at the course catalogue:
Public management

This course provides students with an introduction to micro- and macroeconomics. It is suitable for students without an economics background, though students who have received prior training will also benefit from the course. It focuses on the core topics such as supply and demand analysis, market and price analysis, competition, market failure, asymmetric information, externalities and government intervention, game theory and uncertainty, macroeconomic equilibrium, money market and the role of central banks, labor market, aggregate demand and supply, government and fiscal policies. The course is taught as a lecture with about 80 participants. The lecture is complemented by a lab session with approximately 16 participants in which students have the chance to discuss and further elaborate on the topics covered in the lecture. For students with a strong economics background, waivers are available.

For more information, have a look at the course catalogue:
Economics I: Applied economic analysis

This course offers an introduction to quantitative research methods for policymakers. Students will become acquainted with quantitative methods conducive to empirical policy research. No prior knowledge of statistics is assumed and concepts will be addressed both empirically and theoretically. The course is taught as a lecture with about 80 participants. The lecture is complemented by a weekly lab session with approximately 16 participants in which concepts will be reinforced through hands-on application using STATA. For students with a strong quantitative methods background, waivers are available.

For more information, have a look at the course catalogue:
Statistics I

This course elucidates the relationship in modern societies between law and governance i.e. between legal structures and rules and decision-making. It is divided into three main parts: foundational legal techniques and sources, such as legal interpretation and argumentation; the relationship between law and policymaking; and the trans-nationalisation of modern law, and the impact of such trans-nationalisation on the law’s form, structures and substance. By examining primary legal materials and their interaction with contemporary public policy issues and dilemmas, students gain competences in reading and applying legal sources, as well as in understanding the impact of law on decision-making at different levels of governance. The course is taught as a seminar with approximately 25 participants.

For more information, have a look at the course catalogue:
Law and Governance

The course builds on the foundations laid in Economics I during the first semester. Students deepen their knowledge and acquire analytical competences in this course depending on their field of interest. They can choose between three variations of the course: Open Economy and Exchange Rates, Public Sector Economics, or Growth and Trade. Each course is  taught as a lecture with about 80 participants. The lecture is complemented by a lab session (with about 16 participants) in which students have the chance to discuss and further elaborate on the topics covered in the lecture.

For some course examples, explore the course catalogue:
Economics II: Economics of Growth and Climate Change
Economics II: International Economics
Economics II: Public sector economics

During the first semester, students decide on their concentration and either attend the Statistics II course (for students with the Policy Analysis concentration) or the Management and Leadership course (for students with the Management and Organisation concentration).

For more information, have a look at the course catalogue:
Statistics II (Policy Analysis concentration)
Management and Leadership (Management and Organisation concentration)

This practice course is usually taught in cooperation with a public policy institution. It gives students the opportunity to tackle the demands of a real-world policy project, test the practical relevance of what they have been studying in other courses, and employ and refine professional skills. Students work in teams on a real-world policy project. Each course has approximately 20 participants.

For some course examples, explore the course catalogue.

In order for students to refine and deepen their quantitative analysis or management skills, they attend at least two concentration-based electives either from the Policy Analysis concentration or the Management and Organisation concentration in their third or fourth semester.

For some course examples, explore the course catalogue:
Policy Analysis
Management and Organisation

Students deepen their knowledge and elaborate their policy and competence portfolio by combining three electives from the following portfolio categories:

• European and Global Governance
• Economics and Finance
• Welfare and Sustainability
• Innovation and Regulation
• Democracy and Ethics.

Elective courses are taught as seminars with up to 22 participants.

For some course examples, explore the course catalogue.

In order for students to refine and deepen their quantitative analysis or management skills, they attend at least two concentration-based electives either from the Policy Analysis concentration or the Management and Organisation concentration in their third or fourth semester.

For some course examples, explore the course catalogue:
Policy Analysis
Management and Organisation

Students deepen their knowledge and elaborate their policy and competence portfolio by combining four electives from the following portfolio categories:

• European and Global Governance
• Economics and Finance
• Welfare and Sustainability
• Innovation and Regulation
• Democracy and Ethics.

Elective courses are taught as seminars with up to 22 participants.

For some course examples, explore the course catalogue.