Global Political Economy and Development

international course, part time, full time

Master of Arts

Master
Degree

4 semesters

Standard period of study (amount)

Kassel

Location

September 2025 (Germans and inhabitants)

May 2025 (EU), May 2025 (Non-EU)
Please enquire

Overview and admission

Study Type

graduate

Admission semester

Winter Semester only

Area of study

  • Political Science
  • Economic Sciences, Economics

Target group

Graduates Political Science, Social Science or Economics degree courses

Annotation

The Master's degree programme in Global Political Economy and Development (GPED) 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, players and processes in the Global Political Economy. The course also seeks to enable students to apply this knowledge in practice. The different seminars introduce students to the institutions, actors, structures and processes characterizing globalised capitalism, North-South relations and development cooperation. It focuses on the global level, but also looks at regional and national settings from a comparative perspective. The programme is interdisciplinary in character and is taught by scholars with a variety of disciplinary backgrounds, among them political science, sociology and economics. The curriculum is based on a pluralist understanding of political economy as well as development and covers both mainstream and critical perspectives. It stresses the importance of an integrated approach to research, which left empirical analysis with methodological and theoretical considerations. Moreover, there is a practical component to GPED: Students are expected to complete a two-month internship that is relevant to the programme topics. These internships can be undertaken at NGOs, international organisations, research centres, etc. The programme includes an international module that encourages students to participate in work/study programmes abroad. The Kassel course cooperates with the Universidade Estadual De Campinas (Sao Paolo), Paris X (Nanterre), Rutgers University (Newark, NJ, U.S.A.), the University of the Witwatersrand (Johannesburg) and York University (Toronto). Seminars are periodically led by lecturers from these partner institutions. Besides the courses offered specifically for the GPED, students are free to take courses from related Master Programmes such as the Master in Political Science or Economic Behaviour & Governance. Students also have the opportunity of taking courses at the Language Centre in a variety of languages and specialist areas including German, English, French, Spanish, and German for economists, political scientists and sociologists. International students are also invited to participate in a four-week intensive German course before the programme begins. Part-time study is quite possible due to the course of study in this degree programme. Upon request, you can register for part-time studies in accordance with Section 19 (2) Hesse Higher Education Act (HessHG). The specific provisions for part-time studies will then apply. Counselling by the subject-specific student advice service is recommended.

Admission modus

Without admission restriction

Admission requirements (Link)

Admission requirements

Bachelor's degree with a standard period of study of at least 6 semesters and a minimum grade of 2.5\; practical experience in social science\; language knowledge

Lecture period

  • 14.10.2023 - 14.02.2025
  • 15.04.2024 - 19.07.2024

Application deadlines

Winter semester (2024/2025)
  • Deadlines for International Students from the European Union

    01.12.2024 - 01.05.2025

    Please note the current (possibly shortened/extended) deadlines on the respective study programme page of the University of Kassel.

  • Deadlines for international students from countries that are not members of the European Union

    01.12.2024 - 01.05.2025

    Please note the current (possibly shortened/extended) deadlines on the respective study programme page of the University of Kassel.

  • Application deadline for Germans and inhabitants

    01.06.2025 - 01.09.2025

    Please note the current (possibly shortened/extended) deadlines on the respective study programme page of the University of Kassel.

  • Enrollment deadline for Germans and foreign students

    01.06.2025 - 01.09.2025

    Please note the current (possibly shortened/extended) deadlines on the respective study programme page of the University of Kassel.

Languages of instruction

Main language

English