Universities of Passau and Budapest launch double master's programme for Governance and Public Policy

Following the successful introduction of a binational doctoral programme in October 2014, the international and cross-disciplinary double master's programme 'Multi-level Governance –International Relations/Governance and Public Policy ', open to students from Andrássy University Budapest and the University of Passau, is set to start in winter semester 2016–17. This gives students from the two universities the option of gaining two master's degrees in only four semesters.

Professor Hendrik Hansen, Vice Rector of Andrássy University Budapest and Professor Daniel Göler, Spokesperson for the Department of Governance and Historical Studies at the University of Passau present the partnership agreement.

The double master's programme touches upon the subjects of politics, business and law as it examines complex multi-level systems and the challenges of political decision-making processes beyond the context of intergovernmental relations. The international scope of this programme is intended to acquaint students with Europe's regional and national idiosyncrasies which are characteristic of European pluralism, while the cross-disciplinary nature of the programme enables students to analyse, from a number of different vantage points, political decisions taken in complex multi-level systems; this, moreover, enables them to think about new ways to promote citizens' participation in political processes. Students who complete the double-degree programme are awarded a Master of Arts in Governance and Public Policy from the University of Passau and a Master of Arts in International Relations from Andrássy University Budapest (AUB).

The double degree programme was initiated and is supervised jointly by the University of Passau's Jean Monnet Chair of European Politics, held by Professor Daniel Göler, and the Chair of International and European Politics at Andrássy University Budapest, held by Professor Hendrik Hansen. 'This joint programme combines the expertise in European politics of the University of Passau and Andrássy University Budapest while at the same time bringing to bear the special focus of AUB — the analysis of transformational processes in Central and Eastern Europe. For students, this programme opens up new opportunities to give their education a distinct profile and focus', said Professor Daniel Göler.

Students who wish to join the double master's programme can apply from their respective home university. The 'Multi-level Governance – International Relations/Governance and Public Policy’ programme will be launched in October 2016 at the start of the winter semester.

For more information on the application process, visit www.uni-passau.de/en/double-degree-governance.