Admission requirements

— University degree in economics, political science or law, or one with a concentration in these disciplines, or a qualification from an officially recognized vocational academy in Germany in the fields of International Policy, International Law or Economics
— English proficiency level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
— Proof of special aptitude according to the aptitude assessment regulations

Aptitude assessment as an application prerequisite

Applicants must have taken part in the aptitude assessment procedure prior to application submission. The aptitude assessment procedure is organized by the Center for International Studies (ZIS). You can find detailed information on participating in the aptitude assessment procedure on the ZIS homepage for
applicants who obtained their first university degree at a German university and
applicants who obtained their first university degree at a non-German university.

Application

Assuming you haven’t already, you can apply for the degree program via our online portal once your aptitude has been determined and you will be included in the numerus clausus (restricted admission) selection process.

Aptitude assessment and NC (numerus clausus) selection procedures

The participation in an aptitude assessment or selection procedure is a prerequisite for enrollment in this degree program. Please note that the deadline for submitting an application may be earlier than the application deadlines for the degree program (see above under application deadlines). The following links will provide you with information on all documents to be submitted within the specified deadline and on the relevant regulations.

• Information and documents to be submitted

All applicants undergo an aptitude assessment procedure in which their suitability for the Master's program is determined on the basis of the documents submitted along with an aptitude interview. Applicants who qualify will move on to the numerus clausus (restricted admission) selection process. Afterwards, successful applicants will receive a notice of admission, which is the prerequisite for enrollment at TU Dresden.

— Information on the valid Master’s Degree Admission Regulations (Mastervergabeordnung) at TU Dresden as well as on
— the Supplementary Selection Charter (ergänzende Auswahlsatzung) for the International Relations degree program and the necessary documentation can be found on the Center for International Studies’ website

You can find general information about the selection process for degree programs with restricted admission as well as the threshold values for previous admission cycles here.
General information about the selection process for degree programs with restricted admission as well as the threshold values for previous admission cycles can be found here.
A summary in English of the selection process for degree programs with restricted admission can be found here.

German language requirements

International applicants and German applicants with a foreign university entrance qualification are kindly advised to read the requirements for German-language courses.

Notes on the application process

If, at the time of application, proof of the first degree qualifying the applicant for a profession is not yet available, the application will be considered under the precondition that 80 % of the credit points attainable for the degree have already been achieved based on completed module examinations or the final thesis and the colloquium (if applicable). A certification from the awarding institute of higher education (examination office) serves as proof of the above-mentioned academic achievements. The certification should also contain a preliminary average grade calculated on the basis of completed graded academic work. You can find the appropriate form on the Admissions Office website.

General information about the degree program

© ZIS

This degree program is for all those who are interested in working in occupational fields with an international element and strive to achieve an education at a high level. As we move in a more international and global direction, the need for internationally qualified personnel in economy, policy and administration – in particular in multi-national and international organizations – also continues to rise. With this program, TU Dresden responds to this trend.

The Master’s degree program is a genuinely interdisciplinary program, comprising three core subjects – International Policy, International Law and International Economy.
Students select one of three tracks, which each comprise two of these core subjects.

The specialization tracks are:
— Global Political Economics, with core subjects International Policy and International Economy
— International Orders and Institutions with core subjects International Policy and International Law
— International Law and Economics, with core subjects International Law and International Economy

The special profile of the degree program is defined by
— interdisciplinary, research-oriented education in two of the specialization track disciplines (International Policy, International Economy and International Law)
— integrated opportunities to study abroad or complete an internship in Germany or abroad
— a motivational study atmosphere and a sense of cohesiveness thanks to small, dedicated cohorts of students
— examinations for which credits are awarded in accordance with the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) and the awarding of the internationally compatible Master of Arts (M.A.) degree.

Study contents

The Master’s degree program in International Relations is modular. In addition to core subject and elective courses within each specialization track, specialization-independent modules must be completed. These are the “Interdisciplinary Analysis of International Relations” module, a vocational internship and a research design module, which prepares students for their Master’s thesis. They comprise a total of 25 credits.

Students must complete modules within each of their core subjects comprising at least 25 credits. Furthermore, students can set a personal concentration by selecting other modules in the elective compulsory field or the supplementary qualifications as well as with their Master’s thesis.

The Master’s students also have the opportunity to take optional language courses to improve their foreign language skills during their studies.

The Master’s thesis is planned for the fourth semester. It comprises 25 credits.

By passing the module examinations, students earn a total of 120 ECTS credit points (i.e. an average of 30 ECTS credit points per semester) in this Master’s degree program.

Stay abroad

Students may choose to study abroad during the 3rd semester. They have the option to use the semester abroad to study at an officially recognized university in another country. University work completed abroad can be credited to the elective compulsory field of the core subjects or to the supplementary qualifications.

In addition to expanding knowledge of their core subjects, students enrolled in a voluntary stay abroad will also have the opportunity to improve their foreign language proficiency, make new contacts, get to know another culture and much more. Students can apply to one of the approximately 25 partner institutions of the ZIS, a partner university of TU Dresden as well as one of several faculties.
You can find further information on the International Office’s website.

Occupational fields

Graduates of the program will be able to
— analyze economic, legal, political and social structures and development trends in highly intertwined areas of action at an international level, independently acquire and process information and interpret this information based on the interdisciplinary knowledge attained, and
— integrate different interpretations and subject-specific perspectives and cooperate beyond the subject boundaries and national borders.

Study documents

The official announcements of TU Dresden include all published regulations . Please use the search bar to find the document you need: Official proclamation

The regulations are also available on each institution’s website.

Contacts

Admissions Office

Centre for International Studies

International Office

Additional information