History of Global Markets (MA) University of Göttingen

Why study the history of businesses and economies from a global perspective? Today's economy is organised around globally integrated markets. Capital, labour, knowledge: these factors of production are increasingly allocated competitively and across national borders. Firms and consumers find themselves interlinked through a growing network of global markets. Where did these developments originate, and how can they be understood?

The "History of Global Markets" Master's degree programme is devoted to exploring these questions through historical methods. This history-focused degree programme imparts the analytical skills of economic and social history, and it combines these skills with building a profile either in economics, business studies, or the social sciences and history. This is not a typical business or economics degree. Our focus is on the historical development of the global economy as well as business history and the history of consumption.

The degree programme is open to those who have successfully completed a Bachelor’s degree programme in economic and social history, modern history, or an adjacent subject with a substantial background in both history and economics. You can commence the programme in the summer or the winter semester.

For students interested in a more present-day and interdisciplinary approach, the degree programme includes the "Global Markets, Local Creativities" (GLOCAL) option, which is part of an Erasmus Mundus Master's programme. This degree option is jointly offered by the universities of Glasgow, Barcelona, Uppsala, Rotterdam, Kyoto, Los Andes, and Göttingen, and you can apply for this degree option and EU scholarships directly: http://globallocal-erasmusmundus.eu/how-to-apply/

To draw insights from the past, our Master’s programme brings together economics and historical research, social and political sciences. In terms of methods, it goes beyond economic models and also uses qualitative and empirical methods. This multifaceted approach allows you to gain deep insights into the dynamic interactions between markets and societies. This gives you skills that prepare you for a wide range of careers – such as research, education, journalism, cultural management, consulting, politics and more.

Total number of credits: 120

1. Compulsory part of the programme in the history of global markets (30 credits)

• One of the following two modules totalling 12 credits must be successfully completed:
  • M.WIWI-HGM.0001: Economic Business and Social History I, 12 CP
  • M.WIWI-HGM.1001: History of Global Markets I, 12 CP
• One of the following two modules totalling 12 credits must be successfully completed:
  • M.WIWI-HGM.0002: Economic Business and Social History II, 12 CP
  • M.WIWI-HGM.1002: History of Global Markets II, 12 CP
• The following module totalling 6 credits should be successfully completed:
  • M.WIWI-HGM.0003: Doing Research in the History of Global Markets, 6 CP

2. Convergence area (18 credits)

Convergence modules totalling at least 18 credits as per the following provisions have to be successfully completed. The following modules are offered:

• History
• Economics

Apart from the modules listed, all English language modules with the code B.WIWI.xxxx can be selected.

3. Optional required area history of global markets (12 credits)

At least two of the following modules totalling at least 12 credits must be successfully completed:

• M.WIWI-HGM.0004: History of Global Markets: Perspectives, 6 CP
• M.WIWI-HGM.0005: History of Global Markets: Periods, 6 CP
• M.WIWI-HGM.0006: History of Global Markets: Places, 6 CP

4. Profile area (30 credits)

• In the profile areas of Economy & Institutions, Business & Management, Society & Culture, and Globalisation, modules totalling 24 credits as per the following provisions have to be successfully completed, provided that the prerequisites for the respective modules have been fulfilled.
• If the “Economy & Institutions” profile was selected, modules with the code M.WIWI-VWL have to be selected.
• If the “Business & Management” profile was selected, modules with the code M.WIWI-BWL have to be selected.
• If the “Society & Culture” profile was selected, modules with the code M.Gesch. or M.Soz. have to be selected.
• If the “Globalisation” profile was selected, the student can participate in a specified set of courses.

Further, additional modules totalling at least six credits have to be successfully completed.

5. Master's thesis (30 credits)

For successful completion of the Master's thesis, 30 credit points are awarded.

Multiple degree option GLOCAL (separate application process): Cooperation with institutions in Glasgow (UK), Barcelona (Spain), Rotterdam (the Netherlands), Uppsala (Sweden), Bogotá (Columbia) and Kyoto (Japan)

Under certain conditions, students have the possibility to receive credit for a voluntary internship in the elective area of their studies.

Berlin Time Zone: UTC+2 / UTC+1

• 1 April to 15 May; 23:59 UTC+2 to commence studies in the winter semester (October)
• 1 October to 15 November; 23:59 UTC+1 to commence studies in the summer semester (April)

Please note that all necessary application documents have to be uploaded via the upload portal by their respective deadlines (15 May and 15 November). Subsequent submission of documents after the deadline is not possible.

Proof of relevance of previous studies

• Academic admission requirements include a minimum of six semesters of study culminating in a Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent course of study with a minimum of 180 ECTS credits in one of the following study programmes: "Economic and Social History", "Contemporary History", "Economics", "Business Administration", "Sociology", "Political Science", or a closely related subject.
• Applicants must have completed at least 150 of the 180 ECTS credits at the time of application. Unfortunately, we cannot consider applications that do not meet this requirement.
• Applicants must have completed 60 ECTS credits and coursework in Economic and Social History, Contemporary History, Business Administration, Economics, Sociology or Political Science including 30 ECTS credits in History of Companies, History of Industrialisation, History of Globalisation, History of Consumerism, Economic and Social History or General History of the 19th and 20th centuries, Contemporary Concepts and Methods of History, History of Economic Thought, Organisational Theory and Management, Institutional Economics, Evolutionary Economics, International Trade Theory, Development Economics, Economic Policy, Economic Activity and Growth Theory, Price and Market Theory, Quantitative Methods, Economic Sociology, Economic Migration, Cultural Sciences, Political Economics or Globalisation Studies. A minimum of 18 ECTS credits from these modules must be from coursework that is of intermediate or advanced levels.

The fees are around 460 EUR per semester. This usually includes a prepaid semester ticket, which entitles students to use regional trains in Germany free of charge as well as buses. University of Göttingen students also receive discounts or free entry to many cultural events in the city. Meals are available at reduced prices at university canteens.

The average cost of living in Göttingen is modest compared to other major university cities in Germany. Currently, expenses for accommodation, food, health insurance and books are about 800 to 1,000 EUR per month. Please note that fees for health insurance may vary according to age. International students should note that it is not possible to study in Germany without sufficient financing.

The university supports students in finding part-time jobs in local industries and businesses. A number of student jobs are also available at the university. They are announced on the following website: www.stellenwerk-goettingen.de
Please note that restrictions may apply with your scholarship or visa.

Some proficiency in German may be indispensable to find a job. Non-EU students are permitted to work a maximum of 120 full days (240 half days) per year.

Germany scholarship Deutschlandstipendium
Lower Saxony scholarship Niedersachsenstipendium

The Career Service of the university offers individual support for job entry. Especially for international students aiming for a career entry in Germany, the Career Service provides topic-specific workshops, online learning modules, and a qualification programme.

If you are interested in the topic of founding a company, start-up support is offered! The university supports you with advice, funding, qualification formats and network contacts.
Start-up support

The Accommodation Service of the International Office supports international students who are enrolled at the University of Göttingen in finding accommodation and serves as a point of contact for related queries.

The Accommodation Service also publishes suitable offers from private landlords in Göttingen and collaborates with the Student Services ("Studierendenwerk"). As the number of available accommodation options in Göttingen is limited, it is highly recommended to contact the Accommodation Service as early as possible.