Master of Arts in European and East Asian Governance

Overview

Dealing with current issues of governance and government requires a deeper understanding of contemporary policy and governance challenges in different parts of the world. This Master's program covers two major world regions, the European Union and East Asia. Students will learn to analyze how these regions adapt to often disruptive and transformative economic and political changes. The European integration experience, EU decision-making, and key EU policies are analyzed and compared with institutions of regional cooperation in East and Southeast Asia as well as with East Asian approaches to key policy fields such as economic and security issues. Furthermore, contemporary issues of global governance and the roles of both the European Union and China in global governance will be analyzed by students.

This Master's program introduces students to a variety of theoretical perspectives, mainly from political science, and equips them with strong analytical skills. These will be applied to deal with real-life problems through decision-making simulations and policy-oriented case studies. In addition to political science approaches, students will gain a basic understanding of European law.

Our Master's program has a strong focus on practical policy issues. Students will go on field trips to European institutions and complete an internship. All of these features will prepare students for careers in the following areas: regional or national governments in Europe or East Asia, EU institutions or EU-related organizations, interest groups, and private companies or non-profit organizations dealing with topics of European and East Asian governance and policies.

This program's main foci are on European politics, governance, and law. These are then compared to East Asian - in particular Chinese - institutions, governance frameworks, and policies. A special emphasis is laid on comparative and international political economy, security, and environmental issues and policies.

Course organization

The Master's program "European and East Asian Governance" is a two-year, full-time program consisting of 10 modules.

In their first semester, students attend the following three modules: "European Politics and Governance", "East Asian Politics and Governance", and "Research Techniques and Methods".

In the second and third semesters, students attend the following modules: "European / East Asian Political Economy", "Global Governance", "Europe and East Asia in Global Governance", "European Law", "European Decision-Making: Eurosim", and "European Public Policies".

An optional internship module can replace one of the modules in the third semester.

In the fourth semester, students complete the program with their Master's theses.

Types of assessment

Written and oral exams, seminar presentations, written assignments

Students who have successfully participated in the modules receive 10 ECTS per module.

For the Master's thesis, students earn 30 ECTS.

The Master's degree is awarded based on the credit points acquired in the modules and the result of the Master's thesis.

A Diploma supplement will be issued

Yes

International elements

• International guest lecturers
• Study Trips
• Courses are led with foreign partners
• International comparisons and thematic reference to the international context
• Content-related regional focus
• Training in intercultural skills

Integrated internships

Students can decide to do an internship during the program. The optional internship module can replace one of the modules in the third semester.

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Semester contribution

Trier University does not charge tuition fees. Students only have to pay a social fee ("Semesterbeitrag") of approx. 270 EUR for the first semester and 255 EUR from the second to the fourth semester. This includes a semester ticket covering public transport in Trier and the region of Trier. This fee acts as a contribution that benefits Trier Student Services (Studierendenwerk Trier) and the student union. It also enables students to buy meals at reduced prices at the university's canteens.

Costs of living

Students should expect expenses of approx. 750-850 EUR per month. For instance, monthly housing costs vary between approx. 240-280 EUR (basic dorm room) and 350-500 EUR (single apartment on the private market). A meal in the student cafeteria costs approx. 3-5 EUR

Academic Admission Requirements

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in political science or in the social sciences (with at least 60 credits in political science) with a grade of at least 2.7 (German grading system)

Language requirements

Applicants must prove their language proficiency in English by meeting one of the following criteria (Tests should have been taken within the last three years.):

• TOEFL (TOEFL-code: 9208): Internet-based: at least 80 points, computer-based: at least 215 points, paper-based: at least 550 points
• Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English
• IELTS with at least 6.0 points
• Certificate of a degree from an English-speaking BA program (or equivalent) in an English- or German-speaking country

Proof of the following is considered equivalent to one of the aforementioned tests:

• Native speaker coming from Great Britain, North-Ireland, Ireland, Malta, Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand
• Two years of full time study in an English taught program, in an English speaking country like Great Britain, North-Ireland, Ireland, USA, Malta, Australia, New Zealand and undertaken within the past two years
• At least 5 school years of English in secondary education and at least 5 points in English at "Abitur" level (only Germany and Luxembourg)

Application deadline

International applicants (non-EU citizens):

31 May 2020 for the winter semester 2020/21

EU citizens:

15 July 2020 for the winter semester 2020/21

German citizens and applicants holding a German Abitur (Bildungsinländer):

15 September 2020 for the winter semester 2020/21

About Us

Trier University was founded in 1473 and reopened in 1970 as a modern campus university. Built on a high plateau overlooking the Moselle River and surrounded by luscious green nature, it is said to be one of Germany's most beautiful campuses. Faculty and departmental buildings are connected by bridges and grouped around the Forum and the Central Library.

Trier University has a strong focus on the humanities, social sciences, and economics, but it is also steadily strengthening its environmental sciences programs. There are six faculties that together cover more than 30 subject areas. Many research projects are interdisciplinary in nature and embedded in global networks.

With its roughly 1,200 employees and 13,000 students (including more than 11% international students), Trier University embraces contrast: young, yet true to tradition; internationally oriented and regionally rooted; on the geographic edge of Germany, but in the heart of Europe.

• 13,000 Total number of students
• 11 Percentage of international students

University Location

Trier is situated in the western part of the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate in the Moselle valley. As the oldest city of Germany, founded over 2000 years ago, Trier became a residence city of Roman Emperors, saw the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte, and is the birthplace of philosopher Karl Marx. Thanks to its historic landmarks, the Porta Nigra, the Trier cathedral and other significant architectural monuments, Germany’s oldest city is an UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

Today, Trier is anything but old, with the cityscape being a fusion of history and modern lifestyle, not least characterized by vibrant student life. With bars, cafés and a colourful range of cultural offerings and festivals, Trier is a tourist attraction with international appeal and a beautiful place for the city's 110,000 residents to live. Sports and outdoor activities are widely spread due to the staggering beauty of the surrounding rivers, nature preserves and national parks, and due to the numerous sports clubs and gyms.

While Trier is far in the west of Germany, it is in close proximity to France, Belgium and Luxembourg and thus not at all remote. The region has five international airports and high frequency connections via trains and busses. Trier University and seven other universities from the quadripoint constitute the University of the Greater Region, allowing students to visit courses abroad with guaranteed acceptance.

Major enterprises and many medium-sized businesses, the financial centres of Luxembourg and Frankfurt, and several EU institutions characterize the economy of the region, all with ties to Trier University.