Frequently Asked Questions
Can you give me some general information about the Master’s
Degree Program?
Can I apply for the program?
How do I apply?
When is the closing date for applications?
Can I apply if I will graduate or receive my degree certificate after the deadline?
What is the language of instruction?
Does the University of Kassel offer a PhD program?
When can I expect a final decision?
When does the program start?
What to do upon arrival in Kassel?
Is there student housing available?
What about language courses?
What about the costs?
Does the University of Kassel offer any scholarships?
What is the institutional TOEFL/TOE code for the University of Kassel?
Dear applicants,
We apologize for the inconvenience but our admission procedure for the 2010 intake will be modified at the
end of November at the latest. Please wait with your application until
the new regulations are published on the website.
Thank you!
Can you give me some general information about the Master’s Degree Program?
Since the Winter Semester 2003/2004 the University of Kassel offers a
theory-oriented graduate program in Global Political Economy. The two-years
program results in the degree “Master of Arts (M.A.) in Global Political
Economy”.
The curriculum is oriented on the “International/Global Political
Economy” program taught at American, British, and a few Northern
European universities. According to the International Studies Association,
this is one of the fastest growing branches of political science. Kassel University is the first to cover this dynamic field in Germany.
The Master’s program in Global Political Economy aims to help students
to develop a critical understanding of the numerous theoretical approaches
and practical issues as well as the wide spectrum of institutions, actors
and processes in the Global Political Economy. It should also enable the
students to apply this knowledge in practice.
The Master’s degree program is interdisciplinary in design; the
faculties of Social Sciences (Politics and Sociology) and Economics play
a pivotal role.
The program has an international module that encourages students to participate
in work-study programs abroad. Kassel collaborates with
the following universities: Universidad Estadual De Campinas (Sao Paolo),
Paris X (Nanterre), Rutgers University
(Newark, NJ, U.S.A.), University of the Witwatersrand (Johannesburg) and
York University (Toronto). Lecturers from these partner programs periodically
offer seminars at Kassel.
For international students, the Kassel curriculum may be of special interest
as it goes beyond the standard International Political Economy programs
by elaborating on the EU as an important region
in the world economy. International students may also take courses at the Language
Center (e.g. German, English, French, Spanish, German for Economists, Political Scientists and Sociologists)
to facilitate their studies. During their stay in Germany, international students
can learn German in a four-week intensive course before the program starts
as well as four hours weekly during the semester (unfortunately, language
courses are not free of charge).
Can I apply for the program?
The graduate program targets German and international candidates with a Bachelor’s
or Baccalaureus degree in political science, sociology or economics, who
have completed at least six semesters of full-time study and earned a
cumulative grade of “good” or better; or who studied at a
foreign university of equal status and obtained at least a B.A. and “upper
second” class honors; or who have an equivalent
or higher degree.
Proficiency in English is necessary for program participation (e.g. TOEFL,
with a minimum of 550 PBT/ 80 IBT, IELTS 6.5, or an equivalent
qualification).
How do I apply?
STEP 1: For a complete application we require the following documents from you:
- Application form (completely filled out)
- Officially authenticated copies (photocopies) of your certificates (degree and transcripts) in English or German language and documents which outline the standards of certificates
- TOEFL or IELTS scores (this is not required from English native speakers or students with a continuous English education)
- A complete Statement of Objectives
STEP 2: Registration (online)
When is the closing date for applications?
The application deadlines for the next round of our program are:
- for all students who will need a visa to study at Kassel: the 15th of April of every year
- for all other students: the 15th of June
Please send us your complete application form together
with all up-to-date documents before the deadline. Due to the number of
applications we can not consider any applications or materials after this
date.
Authenticated degrees will be considered which were awarded up to the
deadline application date. If you will graduate after the application deadline please send a transcript and a letter stating that you are expected to graduate soon from your university.
Can I apply if I will graduate or receive my degree certificate after the deadline?
Yes, you can. Please include a note with your postal application stating that a certified copy of your degree certificate will follow later and a letter or transcript from your current university stating:
- the name and address of the university and department,
- your full name,
- that you are expected to graduate this summer,
- a transcript of your grades so far, and
- the exact title of your degree in English or German, e.g. "B.A. Social Studies".
What is the language of instruction?
All core courses will be taught in English. The special options courses will be taught in English or German. Course work for special option courses may be written in either English or German. To improve language competence, students are encouraged to take full advantage of the courses offered by the University of Kassel’s Language Center (language courses are not free of charge, approx. 20 € -125 €).
Does the University of Kassel offer a PhD program?
Yes, it does. Students who have completed the M.A. program with at least the grade 2 (B) may be accepted as PhD students, if they find a professor within the faculties of the Departments of Social Sciences or Economics willing to supervise their thesis.
The department of social sciences offers special courses for PhD students in its Kassel International Graduate Centre of the Social Sciences (KIGG).
One group of resident PhD students form a thematic unit: Global Social Policies & Governance.
When can I expect a final decision?
The admission process consists of two steps:
- The Board of Examiners selects, out of a couple of hundred applications,
20 people (plus 10 for the waiting list) according to the following
criteria:
- fulfilment of formal requirements (BA, area of study, English competency)
- grades, reputation of your BA program
- language capabilities
- knowledge and skill level in the field of international political economy
- gender & regional balance - The administration of Kassel University checks the 30 selected applications for the authenticity of the documents (i.e. it looks for forged degrees etc.)
Thus the final decision rests with the administration and can be expected:
for international students (who need a visa): end of May
for EU and domestic students: beginning of July
Please, do not try to contact us before these dates!
When does the program start?
The Program starts every winter semester, i.e. every October.
We are sorry but there is no opportunity to start in the summer semester!
What to do upon arrival in Kassel?
There will be an informative orientation meeting (the welcome workshop)
before the official start of the semester. It is important that all students
attend. At the orientation meeting you will have an opportunity to meet
some of the professors involved in the program as well as your fellow
students, both new and returning. We recommend to you that you arrive
before the beginning of the semester so that you are able to organise
housing and acclimatise yourself to the new environment before the program
begins.
Advanced English language training is offered from the middle of
September.
For further information relating to what you should do after your arrival
please click the link: first steps after your
arrival in Kassel
Is there student housing available?
Although the student service of the university (see link below) provides some accomodation for students, the department does not offer or guarantee student housing. Most students at the university live in privately run apartment buildings near the university, and there are usually apartments available. It is difficult but not impossible to find housing before you arrive, however it is fairly easy once you are here. We will try our best to assist you in finding a nice and cheap place for you in Kassel. Here are some helpful links, phone numbers and addresses:
Our local student service, "Studentenwerk", manages student
housing: Website
Or Frau Schmid; office hours: Mo. - Th. from 10.30 - 15.30 and Fr. from
9.30 - 12.30
Telephone: 0049 561 8042552
If you will receive a DAAD scholarship then please contact Sabine Knopp or Sarah Schmelzer.
Another option for your first few days in Kassel is a special youth hostel
for students and international travellers.
The address is: Jugendherberge Kassel, Schenkendorfstrasse 18, in Kassel
the phone number is: 0049 561 776465
email: jueka_wolfgmol@t-online.de
The official website of our city http://www.kassel.de
can also be useful in the search for accommodation,
where you will find tourist information and some helpful links.
Telephone: 0049 561 34054
Email: info@kassel.de
Another oportunity is the "Mitwohnzentralle", a private office
which offers housing in appartments where the owner leaves for some time
and looks for temporary tenants (the advantage is that the appartments
are usually furnished).
Telephone: 0049 561 774951
You are also encouraged to search for a room in our local media and newspapers,
such as http://www.hna.de,
which feature special links and lists for rooms and housing.
... more links
What about the language courses?
The language courses offered by the language centre begin at the start of the semester. There will be
a one semester English course (with a 3 week supplementary course before
the semester) and an introductory German course offered just before the
semester begins. Semester long German courses are offered through the
university's Language Center. Unfortunately, due to budget constraints
of the university the MA GPE program cannot offer language courses free
of charge. The courses cost 80 € for the English course that begins
before the semester, 120 € for the course during the semester, and
20 € for the introductory German course.
The course fees can be paid once you are here but it is important that
you tell us which language course you would like to take, if any, as soon
as possible to reserve a place on the course.
Exemption of these fees is possible only for students who can demonstrate
a great need, or very difficult financial circumstances.
What about the costs?
The University of Kassel is a state funded institution which does not charge any tuition. Students have to pay only a registration fee of 210 Euros per semester which covers free public transport within the region of Kassel, a free email account / library account, a discount in the university restaurants and reduced prices for most of the sport programs offered by the university. Living costs in Kassel for students are roughly 180-300 Euros for housing and 300-500 Euros for living expenses.
Does the University of Kassel offer any scholarships?
The department doesn't offer financial support or funding.
The following institutions do offer scholarships and can be contacted prior to your arrival in Kassel:
DAAD
(DeutschAkademischerAustauschDienst)
Friedrich Ebert
Stiftung
Hans
Böckler Stiftung
Heinrich
Böll Stiftung
Rosa Luxemburg
Stiftung
Konrad
Adenauer Stiftung
Friedrich
Naumann Stiftung
Cusanuswerk
Evangelisches Studienwerk e.V.
What is the institutional TOEFL/TOE code for the University of Kassel?
The TOEFL codes relevant for the MA GPE program are:
University of Kassel: 9609
Department code: 89 (political science)
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