General Questions
Is the MIEPP practice-oriented?
We have designed the structure of the program to provide students with the practical and theoretical knowledge that is needed to take up interesting positions in the private sector and in public institutions. Moreover, we encourage them to do an internship during the semester breaks. At the same time, the MIEPP can also serve as a starting point for an academic career.
Is the MIEPP accredited?
The Master's program in International Economics and Public Policy (MIEPP) is accredited according to ACQUIN. The accreditation of the program was received via system accreditation of the Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz (JGU) which was awarded by ACQUIN in March 2011.
Is it possible to start the program in summer term?
We recommend starting the program in the winter term (October), because important key concepts are introduced in the core courses in the winter term. However, it is also possible to start the program in summer (April).
Does the MIEPP have a part-time study program?
Due to the course structure a part time study is not possible.
Are there any partnerships with other universities?
Johannes Gutenberg University has numerous partnerships with foreign universities. In addition, faculty members are part of numerous international networks and can thus support students’ aim to spend a semester abroad. In addition, interested students may consider to participate in the Master Double Degree Program with our partner university SGH Warsaw or Université Clermont Auvergne.
Application Questions
Is it possible to apply for the MIEPP with a Bachelor degree achieved in a two-year (4 semester) program?
No, the MIEPP requires a bachelor level degree with at least three years (6 semesters) of study.
I have not majored in economics. Is it nevertheless possible to successfully attend the MIEPP?
Yes. While the MIEPP’s main audience will be students with a degree in business and/or economics, we also encourage students from related disciplines (mathematics, political science etc.) to apply. Note, however, that it is highly desirable to master the quantitative techniques and methods which are usually taught in undergraduate business/economics programs. We recommend to have a look at the excellent textbook by Knut Sydsaeter and Peter Hammond (“Essential Mathematics for Economic Analysis”) to check whether you meet this requirement.
I have majored in business/economics, but the program I completed does not have a strong quantitative focus. Is it nevertheless possible to successfully attend the MIEPP?
Yes. While the MIEPP aims at introducing students to advanced methods and concepts, we want to help students in catching up during the first two semesters. However, a certain interest in quantitative methods is required.
Is the GRE currently part of the admission requirements?
No, it is not.
Is it possible for students who are enrolled in the diploma programs to attend classes of the MIEPP?
Yes, interested students are - given the approval of the respective lecturer - welcome to attend MIEPP classes.
I did not obtain my bachelor degree in Germany. Can I still apply for the MIEPP?
Yes. International applicants are highly welcome. Please note that your foreign school leaving certificate or study degree needs to be recognized by the University of Mainz before you can engage in the application process. Information on the recognition of foreign certificates and diplomas can be found here: https://www.studying.uni-mainz.de/certification-of-recognition-validation-of-foreign-certificates/
I don’t have German language skills. Can I still become a student in the MIEPP program?
You can study in the MIEPP program without German language skills. All of our core modules, as well as a variety of elective modules, are taught in English. You may choose elective modules which are taught in German, but this is not a must. If you decide to do this, you should be aware that any assessments or examinations will be held in German.
I have studied a similar subject at another university. Can I apply for a higher semester of the program?
If you have already completed courses at a higher education institution in Germany that can be recognized, you should obtain a notification of your semester classification (Fachsemestereinstufungsbescheid) before applying. The semester classification depends on the amount of recognition to be carried out. General information on the application process is provided by the central student counselling department, ZSB (zsb@uni-mainz.de). The recognition of academic achievements is checked by the Study office (anerkennungen-wiwi@uni-mainz.de).
English Proof
How good do my English skills have to be at the beginning of the program?
The admission requirements set certain minimum standards in terms of English language test results. Moreover, you should enjoy reading and writing in English and you should be willing to express your arguments in English in presentations and classroom discussions.
Where can I pass the TOEFL/ IELTS/ FCE?
Information on the TOEFL/IELTS/FCE tests is provided here.
Is it possible to apply before taking the TOEFL/ IELTS/ FCE?
Yes. The results of the TOEFL/ IELTS/ FCE have to be handed in by the end of your first semester.
Finance and Living
Where can I turn for financial support?
Information on financial support for German students, for example through BAföG, a student loan or scholarships can be found here.
International students find more information and respective scholarships at the DAAD website and its scholarship database.
Is it possible to find accomodation in a students' residence?
Yes, application forms and further information for accommodation in a students' residence may be obtained from the Mainz Student Union (Studierendenwerk). They are processed and considered in the order in which they are received. The closing dates for application are 15th January for the summer term and 15th July for the winter term.
Are there special payment transferring ways, e.g. SWIFT code or IBAN, made for international students who are still abroad?
International students who do not come from a euro-area country, are not recommended to transfer money from abroad due to very expensive bank charges. As a consequence, often the final amount that will be available here is incomplete. However, as the registration rarely takes place one or two days after the student's arrival to Germany, there usually will be sufficient time for international students to make the transfer in Germany.
Examination Regulations
What is a module exam and what does it take to pass it?
The aim of a module exam is to assess your understanding of the contents and methods covered within the module as well as your ability to apply the skills you have learnt.
A module exam can be conducted as a “Final module exam” (“Modulabschlussprüfung”) or as a sequence of “Module part-exams” (“Modulteilprüfungen”). In the case of a “Final module exam”, you will be examined about all courses of a module in one exam. You will therefore have to register for all courses in the module, before you can take this exam.
You will be awarded the credits for successfully completing a “Final module exam” if you receive a “pass” or a grade of at least “sufficient / 4,0”.
How do I know about the type of exam for each module?
The type of module exam for each module is stated in the module handbook.
How does a written module exam work?
During a written exam you are expected to complete one or several tasks set by the examiner. In order to complete these tasks, you will need to use methods that are common in the subject area, normally with limited resources. You will be given a limited amount of time to complete the tasks and you will be under the supervision of an examiner. Exam durations are usually stated in the module handbook.
Your exam could also be conducted using a computer, a so-called e-exam.
If the written exam takes the form of a term paper, you will be expected to complete a written piece of work on a subject area set by the examiner using methods common to the subject area and within a limited amount of time
How does an oral module exam look work?
You will either take your oral exam alone or as part of a group, with a maximum of four candidates. Each candidate’s exam will last between a minimum of 15 minutes and a maximum of 30 minutes.
I am sick and cannot write the exam, what should I do?
You can find the guidelines regarding illness and the form in the Study Office's Download Center.
If I didn’t pass an exam, is it obligatory to register for the repeat exam directly or is it also possible to retake it in another semester?
It is highly recommended to directly register for the repeat exam, but it is not obligatory to do that. After a failed attempt you have 18 months to register for a retry. Therefore, you could wait until the course is offered again to attend to the respective classes and take the exam by the end of the particular semester. The only risk when waiting could be for example that you might have to deal with a new topic.
I didn’t succeed in passing an elective module’s exam. Can I choose another elective module?
In case of not passing selective modules exams, students can change selective modules twice (with the use of a so-called Joker) during the entire MIEPP program, after the first, second or third (and final) trial. The Joker cannot be used for core modules.
I passed an exam but I am not satisfied with the grade. Can I repeat this exam to improve my grade?
No, the repetition of an exam with the aim of getting additional ECTS or improving the grade is not possible.
How is my final grade made up?
Your final grade for the Master’s degree will be made of your grades from the three following components:
- The modules which you will take throughout the course of the program
- The written Master’s thesis
- The research colloquium
How does the grading system work?
German universities use the following system to grade exams and any other pieces of work. (Here you should note that in Germany the comma is used instead of the decimal point so 1,3 is the same as 1.3 in English)
1,0; 1,3 = Very good = An outstanding performance
1,7; 2,0; 2,3 = Good = Performance lies significantly above the average requirements
2,7; 3,0; 3,3 = Satisfactory = Performance corresponds to average requirements
3,7; 4,0 = Sufficient = Despite deficiencies, performance still meets requirements
5,0 = Not sufficient = Due to presence of too many deficiencies, performance
You have successfully passed an exam or piece of coursework if you receive a “sufficient / 4,0” or above.
Can earn more than 120 ECTS in the program?
No. You need 120 ECTS to complete the program. Once you have reached this number, your studies are finished.
Re-Registeration for the Coming Semester
All important information regarding re-enrollment, such as deadlines and the semester fee can be found on the JGU’s study organization page.
Good to know: If you complete all your academic requirements by the end of the current semester (September 30/March 31), you do not need to re-enroll for the following semester. Grading, grade entry, and certificate issuance can be processed outside the enrollment period.
If your final exam is postponed to the new semester or if you fail an exam and have not re-enrolled, re-enrollment is still possible during the ongoing semester. Submit an informal application for re-enrollment to the Student Services (Studierendenservice) no later than six weeks after notification from the Examination Office. Be sure to include confirmation from the relevant academic office or Examination Office. Applications can be submitted via email to studsek@uni-mainz.de. Enrollment will then be processed for the entire semester.
Switching Elective Modules - "Joker"
Students can switch elective modules twice during their degree after failing the elective module
examination for the first, second or final time. The student receives another three attempts to
pass the new elective module examination. It is not possible to switch back. Only entire modules can be canceled, not partial module exams!
In total, a maximum of two "Jokers" can be used during the Master's program. The cancellation is done by submitting the "Joker" form to the Student Office. You can find the form in the Download Center of the Student Office.
Master Thesis
When do I have to register for the Master’s thesis?
Once you and your supervisor have agreed upon a subject, you have to register for the Master’s thesis at the Study Office, using the registration form provided in the Study Office’s download center.
If you want to follow the proposed study plan, you should work on your Master’s thesis in the fourth semester. You can register for your thesis at any time during your studies, provided that you have already successfully completed 60 credit points.
You must register your thesis by the end of your 6th semester (Fachsemester) the latest. Otherwise, the first attempt will be graded with 5.0
How do I find a supervisor for the Master’s thesis?
First and foremost, it is the student's responsibility to find a supervisor for his or her Master's thesis. It is best to approach chairs in the Department of Business and Economics (FB 03) whose research interests match yours. Some chairs have deadlines for master's thesis applicants. Please refer to the respective chair's website for details about these deadlines. If, despite your best efforts, you are unable to find a supervisor, you may contact the Study Office. You are then entitled to have a topic assigned to you in a timely manner.
How long does it take to write the Master Thesis?
The thesis takes four months. The submission date is set at the time of registration of the thesis.
Will I work alone? Does my subject need to be approved first?
You will complete your thesis under the guidance of a supervisor. Before starting your Master’s thesis, you must first agree with your supervisor upon the subject you will address.
If your supervisor agrees, you may also complete your Master’s thesis in the form of a group work. Your own individual part of the group work must be clearly marked so that it can be assessed.
Can I change the subject of my thesis once I have registered?
The subject of your thesis can only be changed once, and if so, this must be within the first two weeks after your registration with the Study Office. You and your supervisor must then agree upon a new subject as quickly as possible; within a maximum four weeks.
How can I hand in my master thesis?
Your MIEPP master thesis must be handed in electronically by sending via an e-mail from your students account to studienbuero-fb03@uni-mainz.de.The thesis has to be in PDF format. Furthermore, the statutory declaration has to still be signed personally. Thus, you can either scan or photograph (has to be readable) the signed statutory declaration and add it to the e-mail. The statutory declaration and the thesis have to be attached to the same e-mail.
The hand-in date is the date the e-mail is received. Once you sent the email, the hand-in is complete. There is no way you can change your thesis anymore (i.e. if you find a mistake after handing it in, you cannot send a new version on the same day).
The registrar’s office will not ask for further printed versions.