English 
Deutsch Who should apply, and what you need to bring
This Master’s suits you if you aim to connect rigorous thinking with real-world impact. Typical applicants include: early-career policy or NGO professionals wanting to sharpen their analytical toolkit for evidence-based decision-making; economics, politics or philosophy graduates seeking an interdisciplinary lens on global issues; and aspiring researchers interested in themes such as International Economics, International Politics, Philosophy and Society, or Development. If you plan to build a career in public policy, international organisations, think tanks or responsible business, the programme’s interdisciplinary PPE focus is a strong fit.
Admission requirements
To enrol in the Master of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (120 ECTS, 4 semesters, on campus in Witten), you typically need formal proof that you are academically prepared for graduate study and can follow the programme in the teaching language.
- First university degree: a completed Bachelor’s degree or equivalent that qualifies for Master’s-level study. Subject proximity to PPE is advantageous and may be assessed during selection.
- Admission with international qualifications: degrees and transcripts from outside Germany can be recognised if they are equivalent to a German first cycle degree; official translations may be required where documents are not in English or German.
- Language of instruction: English. You will need to provide suitable proof of English proficiency as defined by the university’s admissions policy.
- Admission without Abitur: not applicable for a Master’s programme. Secondary school certificates do not replace the required first degree.
Selection may also consider your academic motivation, a coherent CV and, where requested, a statement of purpose or interview. Provide a clear rationale for choosing PPE and how it supports your career goals.
Personal requirements
Success in an interdisciplinary Master’s hinges on strong self-management. Expect an overall workload of roughly 35–45 hours per week during teaching periods, combining seminars, reading, problem sets and writing. You should be comfortable switching between normative argument (philosophy), institutional analysis (politics) and data-driven reasoning (economics). Solid academic writing and citation skills are essential; basic quantitative literacy will help in methods and economics modules.
If you prepare or study from abroad before relocating, plan for time zone differences, stable internet and uninterrupted study slots. Build a weekly routine for lectures, readings and assignment milestones; break down term papers into drafts and checkpoints. Perseverance, realistic time planning and reliable communication habits matter—group work and seminars are interactive. Finally, ensure your English is sufficient for dense academic texts and class discussion; if you need a refresher, allocate time early for terminology and methods so you can keep pace from week one.
What will you study in the Master’s in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Witten/Herdecke University?
You study an interdisciplinary MA that connects advanced political science, economics and philosophy. Teaching is in English. Across four semesters (120 ECTS) you build theory depth, train analytical methods and complete an independent master’s thesis that demonstrates your ability to work across disciplines.
Political analysis and international relations: You engage with contemporary political theory and the dynamics of international politics. Typical themes include institutions and governance, conflict and cooperation, and policy design for open societies.
Economics and quantitative reasoning: The degree deepens your understanding of markets, macroeconomic environments and development challenges. You work with evidence-based approaches and learn to interpret data for policy and strategy decisions in public and private sectors.
Philosophy, ethics and society: You examine normative foundations of policy and economic action. Core questions cover justice, democracy, responsibility and the ethical assessment of policy trade-offs—skills that help you argue clearly in complex, value-laden debates.
Integration across PPE: Interdisciplinary formats bring political, economic and philosophical perspectives together on real-world issues (e.g. inequality, sustainability, technological change). You practise structured reasoning, clear writing and evidence-informed argumentation—transferable skills valued by employers.
Electives and specialisations: You can focus your profile through tracks such as International Economics, International Politics, Philosophy and Society, or Philosophy, Politics and Economics of Development. Electives allow you to tailor your studies to career goals in policy, development or business environments.
Academic framework and recognition: Witten/Herdecke University is a private, staatlich anerkannt (state-recognised) university. The MA follows the European Bologna framework with 120 ECTS credits. A master’s thesis completes the programme and qualifies you for PhD routes at universities that recognise Bologna-compliant degrees.
How does studying in the Master’s in Philosophy, Politics and Economics work?
The programme is classroom-based on campus in Witten. You learn in seminars and lectures, collaborate in groups and develop an individual specialisation. Assessments are set in the study and examination regulations and typically combine coursework and exams. The standard duration is four semesters full time (120 ECTS).
Teaching language: English throughout
The programme is taught entirely in English. You read academic literature, participate in seminars and submit assessments in English. Solid academic English is therefore essential for success in class and in your thesis work.
Study model and where you will live and learn
This is an on-campus degree in Witten, North Rhine-Westphalia, in Germany’s Ruhr region. Witten sits between Dortmund and Bochum, with frequent regional trains and urban amenities close by. The UW/H campus on Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße brings faculties together in a compact setting—short distances, quick access to libraries and student services.
Learning formats and academic support
Teaching combines lectures for core theory with seminar discussions, case analyses and independent reading. You build your profile through elective choices in the PPE fields. Academic advising and thesis supervision guide your specialisation and your research project.
Examinations and thesis
Assessment formats in PPE commonly include essays, policy briefs, oral presentations and written exams; the exact formats are defined in the programme’s examination regulations. The master’s thesis crowns the final semester and demonstrates your ability to conduct sustained, independent research.
What does the Master’s in Philosophy, Politics and Economics cost?
Tuition for the full 4-semester programme amounts to €23,496 in total. This is the regular tuition for the standard duration (120 ECTS). Clarify your individual payment plan and accepted payment methods if you pay from abroad; private German universities typically offer instalments over the study period.
Plan for non-tuition expenses as well. You will need budget for semester contributions (if applicable), learning materials and everyday living. For Witten and the surrounding Ruhr cities, a realistic monthly student budget often ranges between €850 and €1,100 for accommodation, food, public transport, health insurance and personal expenses—lower than major hubs like Munich or Berlin, but varying with lifestyle and housing choice.
Private universities in Germany may offer scholarships, tuition models or need-sensitive contributions. If such options are important to you, check the university’s current offers early and be mindful of application deadlines.
What careers and recognition does the Master’s in Philosophy, Politics and Economics offer?
Your degree is awarded by Witten/Herdecke University, a state-recognised private university in Germany. The MA follows the Bologna structure with 120 ECTS, which supports international comparability and mobility—useful for applications to PhD programmes and for employers in the EU and beyond who expect ECTS-based transcripts.
The PPE skillset—integrating economics, politics and philosophy—prepares you for roles that require rigorous analysis, clear reasoning and policy literacy. Typical career paths include:
- Policy analysis and public-sector consulting (ministries, regional authorities, think tanks)
- Economic and strategy roles in companies or consultancies (market analysis, public affairs, sustainability)
- International organisations and NGOs (development, governance, humanitarian policy)
- Research and academia, including PhD routes in political science, economics, philosophy or interdisciplinary social sciences
- Foundations, advocacy and civil-society organisations working on democracy, ethics and social innovation
Because the curriculum is interdisciplinary, you position yourself broadly for both public and private sector entry roles in Germany and the EU. Strong English and the ability to communicate across disciplines are practical assets for international teams.
Who is the Master’s in Philosophy, Politics and Economics right for – and who not?
This MA suits graduates who want to deepen their analytical toolkit across politics, economics and philosophy, and who value an English-taught, seminar-focused campus experience in Germany. It is a good fit if you aim to translate theory into argument, policy and strategy.
- You want a fully English-taught master’s in Germany with 120 ECTS over four semesters.
- You enjoy reading, writing and debating—and want to connect ethics, policy and economics in your work.
- You plan a career in policy, consulting, NGOs or international organisations, or you are considering a PhD.
- You prefer a compact campus environment with close contact to teaching staff and fellow students.
There are also clear cases where you should choose a different programme. These points help you avoid a mismatch early on.
- You need a programme taught in German—this MA is taught in English.
- You cannot relocate to Witten for on-campus study; this is not a distance-learning or hybrid degree.
- You seek a licence for a regulated profession (e.g. teacher training, clinical psychology, law admission); PPE does not grant such professional licensure.
- Your top priority is ultra-low tuition like at German public universities; as a private university, UW/H charges higher tuition.
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