Economic Policy and Journalism TU Dortmund University

The Master's degree programme profile "Economic Policy and Journalism" is a combination of fundamental journalism training and a top-tier education in economics. It is designed for BA graduates in Economics or an equivalent major who wish to acquire professional journalistic skills.

The curriculum is situated at the intersection of economics and journalism. Students refine their academic understanding of economics through MA level economics classes, while simultaneously receiving hands-on journalistic practice.

Two integrated internships at renowned media organisations help refining journalistic skills. Graduates will be proficient in print, broadcast and digital media.  

Upon completion of the programme, graduates are able to analyse and communicate complex economic developments in a clear and comprehensible manner. Besides working as economic policy journalists, graduates have diverse career opportunities including positions in government ministries, economic research institutes and the banking and finance industry.

First semester: 

• Basic journalism training
• introduction to economic policy journalism
• research techniques, writing practice

Second semester:

• Advanced journalism training
• MA level economics courses
• first internship

Third semester:

• Advanced journalism training
• MA level economics courses
• second internship

Fourth semester:

• MA colloquium & thesis
• MA level economics courses

The integration of two internships at international media organisations is a key component of the programme. These full-time, hands-on internships (minimum duration: six weeks) take place over the course of the programme, ideally during the semester breaks.

The internships enable students to apply their university training in real-world media settings, refine their research and production skills and expand their expertise in areas such as video and audio editing as well as layout design. Students will also gain valuable experience working in professional teams, responding to feedback and meeting the fast-paced demands of the media industry.

Internships may be completed at renowned economic policy media organisations across Europe.

Applicants must have a BA degree in Economics or a similar degree. At least 10 ECTS in Mathematics/Statistics and at least 50 ECTS in Economics are mandatory.

Applicants must be proficient in English (level C1 or higher).

Applicants are required to submit a journalistic sample article of approx. 6,000 characters in English language on a current economic policy topic. The article must be submitted via e-mail to: studienberatung-wipojo.fk15@tu-dortmund.de prior to application. Short-listed candidates are invited to an interview (aptitude test) with the examination board. After successful completion of the interview, applicants will receive a document "confirmation of the aptitude test". This document as well as the sample article must be uploaded alongside all other documents during the application process.

321 EUR (as of April 2026)

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International students at TU Dortmund University have various options for finding accommodation in Dortmund and the surrounding area. The Housing Advisory Service of the International Office supports international students in their search for suitable accommodation.

A university with a unique profile:
Since its founding in 1968, TU Dort­mund Uni­ver­sity has developed a special profile encompassing 17 departments ranging from science and engineering to social sciences and cultural studies. The uni­ver­si­ty has around 29,500 students and more than 6,500 employees, in­clu­ding 340 professors. 6,400 of all students have an international background, which constitutes 19.5% of the total student body.

TU Dort­mund Uni­ver­sity has a strong focus on re­search. The uni­ver­si­ty’s departments – e.g. mechanical engineering (with its emphasis on production and logistics), physics, biochemical and chemical engineering, statistics and computer science, and education re­search – are well known for their outstanding re­search achievements both nationally and internationally.

Students at TU Dort­mund Uni­ver­sity can choose from classical subjects and in­no­va­ti­ve courses of study such as medical physics or degree programmes in spatial planning, statistics, and journalism. A particular focus is on teacher train­ing. TU Dort­mund Uni­ver­sity is one of only a few universities in Germany that offers professional teaching qualifications for all types of schools.

TU Dortmund University is part of the Uni­ver­sity Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr). Together with its partner universities, Ruhr University Bochum and the University of Duisburg-Essen, the UA Ruhr is one of the largest and most powerful university alliances in Germany. The alliance is strong in international research and offers students the opportunity to participate in courses offered by all three universities and earn credits with minimal bureaucratic effort.

With more than 6,500 employees, TU Dort­mund Uni­ver­sity is one of Dort­mund’s largest employers and has helped drive the transformation of the city and the Ruhr region from Europe’s largest coal mining and steel production area into a high-tech and service location as well as a cultural metropolis.

Dortmund is located in the heart of Europe. It is the largest city in the Ruhr region and is home to the Borussia Dortmund (BVB) soccer club. All of this contributes to the many advantages that will make studying in Dort­mund an unforgettable experience. Apart from destinations for football fans, there are many other places of interest to discover in Dort­mund and the Ruhr region.