Global Political Economy and Development (MA GPED) University of Kassel

PROGRAMME PROFILE

Our two-year Master’s programme is a research-oriented graduate programme that leads to the degree of Master of Arts in Global Political Economy and Development. It introduces students to the institutions, actors, and processes characterising globalised capitalism, North-South relations, and development cooperation. It focuses on the global level, but it also looks at regional and national settings from a comparative perspective. Our curriculum stands out because it approaches political economy from a North-South perspective that is informed by development theory and practice and postcolonial perspectives.

The programme is interdisciplinary 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 and covers both mainstream and critical perspectives. Moreover, there is a practical component to GPED: students are expected to complete a two-month internship at NGOs, international organisations, research centres, etc.

INTERNATIONAL SCOPE

The student body is truly international: about 75 percent of the students are from other countries than Germany. Guest lecturers from partner universities around the world regularly offer classes. MA finishing scholarships (six months) are available. For more information, please see the website of the Global Partnership Network (GPN).

RELEVANCE

The Master’s programme Global Political Economy and Development offers students a comprehensive perspective on the world economy as well as the political dynamics, institutions, and actors that shape it and the imaginaries of development and progress that permeate it. It investigates the forces of globalisation and its contestations and critically analyses contemporary forms of political and economic governance on the global level as well as actors and policies in international development.

A COMPETITIVE EDGE ON THE JOB MARKET

A critical understanding of the global political and economic dynamics, time spent abroad, and good language skills give graduates a competitive edge in the job market. Correspondingly, the Master’s programme aims at facilitating learning on how to interpret and analyse transnational economic and political processes and how to cooperate with peers from all over the world. In so doing, it prepares graduates for careers in areas concerned with globalisation and development, for example, in international organisations, NGOs, consultancies, journalism, and academia. Thanks to its focus on both theory and empirical research, it provides rigorous training for students who are interested in pursuing a PhD after graduation.

The following core courses are offered:

• Foundations of GPED (first semester)
• From Colonialism to Globalisation (first semester)
• Governance of the World Market: Institutions and Actors in Trade, Finance and Development (first semester)
• Theories of Global Political Economy and Development (second and third semesters)
• Research Methods (second and third semesters)
• Master's thesis plus colloquium (fourth semester)

Specialisation optional courses are offered in the following fields:

• Labour in the Global Economy
• Politics of Money, Debt and Finance
• Issues of Postcolonial Political Economy
• Gender and Race in Globalisation
• Global Governance and Development Cooperation
• Global Political Ecology and Environmental Politics
• European Integration and Migration Policy
• Urbanisation and Agrarian Studies
• Postcolonial, Decolonial and Post-Development Theory
• State, Civil Society and Social Struggles

An internship of at least eight weeks is to be completed during the summer breaks. Programme advisers will assist students in finding the appropriate internship.

• Bachelor's degree in social sciences, political science, economics, law or a related field with a study period of at least 6 semesters;
• Minimum cumulative grade of "good" or "upper second-class honours", or an equivalent to 2.5 on the German grading scale;
• The Bachelor's degree profiles must indicate good knowledge of political science or economics or social science;
• Knowledge of the English language equivalent to level C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages;
• One year of socio-political engagements or relevant volunteer/work experience (e.g. international organisations, political institutions, university politics, NGOs, etc);
• A motivation letter (two to three pages long) covering the following aspects:
  • relation between previous qualifications and prospective professional aims to the MA GPED
  • description of your socio-political commitments
  • explicit motivations for studying the MA GPED
  • discussion of one specific problem of the global political economy or "development"

The semester contribution (391.27 EUR for the 2026 summer semester) includes the "Deutschlandticket", which allows you to use all regional trains and local transport throughout Germany free of charge! You will also receive discounts on meals in the canteens and much more.

To cover their personal expenses while studying in Kassel or Witzenhausen, students are advised to budget between 950 and 1,100 EUR per month for accommodation, food, health insurance, books and other miscellaneous expenses.

Students can apply for various part-time jobs, including positions as a student assistant or tutor on campus. The University of Kassel's Career Service can help you find a part-time job.

GPED Students can apply for an intensive two-year German course to facilitate their transition into the German job market. 

The Career Service of University of Kassel offers individual support to facilitate a successful transition from academic to the professional world. Especially for international students aiming for a career in Germany, the Career Service provides workshops, reviewing application documents, networking with alumni and individual counselling. Learn more about the Career Service.

You can find useful information on accommodation, how to find a place to live, and the private housing market in Kassel and on the Witzenhausen campus on the University of Kassel website. More on accommodation in Kassel and Witzenhausen.
International students enrolled at the University of Kassel can choose to stay in a private accommodation or in a student hall of residence ("Wohnheim"). Around the campuses, there are about 1,000 rooms available in the student halls. Further information can be found at the Website of Studierendenwerk Kassel. Rent for a room varies from 260 to 545 EUR per month, depending on location and facilities. Students can choose between single apartments with en-suite facilities and shared flats with fellow students.