TOP 10

International Master's Degree Courses

Made in Germany Quality Label
The 10 Best International Master‘s Programmes
at Germany‘s Universities

2006 • 2008
Imprint

Published by
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
Kennedyallee 50
D-53175 Bonn
www.daad.de
Editors
Christiane Schmeken, DAAD
Anne Becker, DAAD
Translation
Guy Moore
Photos
DAAD, TOP 10 International Master‘s Degree Courses
Layout
axeptDESIGN
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Printed by
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DAAD, 2008 – 5,000
 Table of Contents
Welcoming Addresses
Dr. Arend Oetker, President of the Stifterverband . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Prof. Dr. Stefan Hormuth
President of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
President of Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Prof. Dr. Dieter Lenzen, HRK Vice-President for International Relations
President of Freie Universität Berlin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

The Competition
Members of the Jury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Call for Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
The Competition in Keywords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Portrait of the Stifterverband . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Portrait of the German Academic Exchange Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

The Prizewinners
Prizewinners 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Profiles of the Prizewinning Programmes in 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Prizewinners 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Profiles of the Prizewinning Programmes in 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

The Context
Press Release of 24 April 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
International Master‘s Degree Courses
From Globalisation to Tiny Neuron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
TOP 10 Programmes - the Students‘ Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
The Competition from the Prizewinners‘ Perspective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
The TOP 10 Quality Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
International Students in Germany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Further Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Welcoming Address
by the President of the
Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft
The past ten years have seen Germany es-
tablish itself in the international education
market as an attractive place to study and
research. Besides the United States and Brit-
ain, Germany is one of those countries that
are in particular demand among foreign
students. Nevertheless, the coming years will
see the internationalisation process continue
to present a central challenge to Germany’s
higher education institutions. In this global
competition, only those universities will be
able to record sustained success that offer
an attractive prospect to the world’s best
minds.
Although the proportion of international
students enrolled in Germany is at a com-
paratively high level, it has been stagnating
for the past three years. Given the looming
lack of professionals, specialists and experts,
above all in science and technology subjects,
and the emerging demographic develop-
ments, we will have to attract a great deal All the study programmes that competed for
more international students in the future. the Quality Label deserve respect and rec-
International degree programmes provide ognition for the contribution they made to
an outstanding instrument in this respect. the internationalisation process; my sincere
International student applicants can cur- congratulations go to the prizewinners. I am
rently choose from a broad and diverse range convinced that they will provide the interna-
of some 1,000 international degree pro- tionalisation and the international appeal of
grammes run by Germany’s higher education studies in Germany with further impetus and
institutions. will help us establish “Educated in Germany”
as a globally acclaimed and appreciated
The “TOP 10 International Master’s Degree Quality Seal.
Courses Made in Germany” competition that
we now held for the second time together
with the German Academic Exchange Service
provides important orientation aids, not only
Dr. rer. pol. Arend Oetker
for prospective students interested in study-
ing here, but also for employers and higher
education institutions. The goal that we set
ourselves was, not least, to create transpar-
ency in the diversity of available study op-
portunities and to develop quality standards
for international Master’s programmes.
2
Welcoming Address
by the President of the
German Academic Exchange Service
This is the second time that the Stifterverband
and the German Academic Exchange Service
(DAAD) have organised the “Quality Label
for the TOP 10 International Master‘s Degree
Courses Made in Germany” competition. I
would especially like to express my thanks to
the Stifterverband, without whose financial
support this competition could not have been
held. I would also, in particular, like to con-
gratulate the 2008 prizewinners whose con-
cepts stood out against the tough opposition
of almost 80 applicants.
The two rounds of the competition have given
me an opportunity to experience at first-hand
how the prizewinners are selected – in 2006
in my capacity as the HRK Vice-President for
International Relations and Chairman of the
Jury, while this year I am here in my capacity
as the newly-elected President of the German
Academic Exchange Service. So, I know from
personal experience that the jury attaches
the greatest of care to picking out those few
applications from the large number of good
entries that, in respect of their academic ex-
cellence and their successful internationalisa-
tion concept, can be called outstanding in the
truest sense of the word.
In our search for the TOP 10 Master‘s Pro-
grammes, we were led by the question of
which German degree programmes combine
high-class, innovative teaching with a consist-
ent commitment to internationality in such
a way that they are able to attract the very
brightest minds from all around the world.
This collection of profiles on the 20 prizewin-
ners from both selection rounds will give you
an impression of how exceptional the com-
petition was in meeting this ambitious goal.
From the DAAD‘s perspective, I can say
that it is especially pleasing to see that the
majority of prizewinning programmes are
„well known“ to us, since they were or still
are supported by one of the relevant DAAD
funding programmes – International Degree
Programmes, Master Plus, Postgraduate Pro-
grammes for Professionals, Double Degree
Programmes. With respect to the meanwhile
discontinued funding programmes, in par-
ticular, this result provides welcome proof of
how sustainable the impulses are that the
DAAD is able to contribute to raising the in-
ternationalisation and the competitiveness of
Germany‘s universities.
The diversity of programmes found among the
TOP 10 is also worth noting. The broad range
of prizewinners extends far beyond the pio-
neers who established the first international
degree programmes in economics, business
administration and engineering. Agricultural
sciences, psychology, regional studies and
even traditionally somewhat reform adverse
subjects, such as law and medicine, are also
represented. So, the competition confirms our
observations, namely that the 1,000 or so in-
ternational degree programmes currently of-
fered by Germany‘s universities have long left
the realm of a niche market and have firmly
established themselves in Germany‘s aca-
demic landscape as a particularly innovative
and professional market segment. The DAAD
is proud to have been able to make its modest
contribution to this process.
Prof. Dr. Stefan Hormuth
3
Welcoming Address
by the HRK Vice-President
for International Relations
The Quality Label “TOP 10 International Mas-
ter’s Degree Courses Made in Germany” was
first awarded in 2006 and again in 2008. The 20
prizewinners from the two competition rounds
are presented in this brochure together with
their profiles. These programmes stand out
through academic excellence, an innovative
curricular and didactic concept, a meticulous
student selection process coupled with profes-
sional support and advice services for students,
comprehensive quality assurance measures and
a consistent international focus. The diversity of
the disciplinary – and frequently cross-discipli-
nary – approaches is an impressive feature, as
is the programme‘s clear strategic positioning
in the ever more competitive race to recruit the
world‘s brightest minds.
I have been following this competition very
positively and with great interest since 2006,
and so was more than pleased to chair the Jury
to identify and select this year‘s “TOP 10 Inter-
national Master‘s Degree Courses Made in Ger-
many”. Above all, it is the greater international of the future. Seen from this perspective, too,
attention and the increased demand generated the prizewinners of 2006 and 2008 can, regard-
by the prize that makes this competition so at- less of their respective subject area, stand up
tractive for the applicants. Although the prize- and show what they have achieved. Over the
money of 20,000.- euros is certainly a welcome coming years, I wish you and all the German
element, the TOP 10 Label‘s promotional effect universities the courage to continue with your
will certainly be at least as valuable to the activities with fresh vigour and the drive to
prizewinners. achieve your international goals.
In my capacity as Vice-President of the Ger-
man Rectors‘ Conference, I am particular en-
gaged in and committed to the international
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dieter Lenzen
interests of Germany‘s universities. In an ever
more networked world, academic and scientific
excellence needs international dialogue and
exchange. International Master‘s programmes
represent an important factor in bringing new
ideas and impulses to our universities and in
securing a permanent place among the lead-
ing scientific nations. It is absolutely essential
that a country with so few natural resources as
we have, but with a high technological level,
plays an active role in the innovation processes
4
Jury Members

Prof. Dr. Andreas Feuerborn

University of Düsseldorf
Professor of Civil Law, Labour and
Employment Law, and Comparative Law
2008
Prof. Dr. Gerhard Kost
University of Marburg
Faculty of Biology

Prof. Dr. Rainer Künzel

Prof. Dr. Regina Moczadlo
University of Applied Sciences Pforzheim
Business School

Prof. Dr. Martin Poppe

Prof. Dr. Crister Garrett University of Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences Münster
University of Leipzig Faculty of Economics and Business Department of Electrical Engineering
Institute for American and International Studies Administration and Computer Science

Prof. Volker Gehmlich Prof. Dr.-Ing. Kyaw Lat Prof. Fred van Houten
University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences Cologne University of Twente
Faculty of Business Management Institute of Tropical Technology Department of Mechanical Engineering
and Social Sciences
Prof. Dr. Jean-Louis Leibenguth Prof. Dr. Albrecht Zwick
Norbert Hofstetter ECPM Strasbourg University of Applied Sciences Mannheim
Result Learning and Transfer GmbH & Co. KG School of Chemistry Faculty of Information Engineering
General Manager
Prof. Dr. Dieter Lenzen
FU Berlin
President

5
Call for Applications – October 2007 Quality Label for International Master‘s Degree Courses

The Stifterverband and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) invite Applications
from Candidates wishing to take part in the Second Round of the Competition
“Quality Label for the TOP 10 International Master’s Degree Courses Made in Germany”.

The selection criteria are

The prizes will be awarded to international Master‘s
degree programmes that possess an outstanding and
innovative Master Plan, a strong International Profile,
and, above all, an Excellent Curriculum.
The goal is to help programmes to become more attrac-
tive to German and foreign students and, thus, be able
to contest in the international market, thereby compet-
ing successfully with the best programmes offered by
universities from around the world.
The competition is open to Master‘s programmes in all
subjects. At the time of submitting their proposal, appli-
cants must demonstrate that at least one intake of stu-
dents has graduated from the programme. Programmes
are also at least required to have applied for accredita-
tion. Consecutive and postgraduate tuition-fee free
and tuition-fee charging programmes may enter ap-
plications. The curriculum may have a stronger research
focus or a more professional focus. Stays abroad and
double degrees may be integrated into the programme;
teaching may be delivered fully or partly in a foreign
language. Applications are open to state and private
universities, to universities of applied sciences, as well
as to colleges and universities of art and music.
The prizemoney of 20,000.- euros for each winner
may be used to continue the programme‘s conceptual
development and internationalisation, in particular
measures to improve the selection of international
students and the support and advice services that they
receive, as well as to extend the international coopera-
tion and to carry out marketing activities.
Besides the prize as such, the winning programmes
will receive the Quality Label for the „TOP 10 Inter-
national Master’s Degree Courses Made in Germany“
from the DAAD and the Stifterverband. Universities are
encouraged to use this Quality Label to market these
programmes.
In addition, GATE Germany will particularly highlight
the prizewinning programmes in its worldwide mar-
keting campaigns.
• the programme‘s concept (modularisation, ECTS,
Diploma Supplement, definition of learning
outcomes, foreign language-taught courses);
• the research or practice orientated quality of
teaching (academic excellence, content, profile,
monitoring of learning outcomes);
• internationalisation of the Master‘s programme
(integrating visiting lecturers, marketing activi-
ties, international cooperation, integrating stays
abroad into the programme, double degrees);
• quality assurance (accreditation, selection pro-
cess, evaluation of teaching);
• the support and advice services concept (cur-
ricular and extracurricular measures, for German
and foreign students);
• the graduation rate (quality and quantity, career
entry/destination survey, alumni activities).

6
The Competition in Keywords

Organisers Participants Prize

• Stifterverband
and
• German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
Objectives
• To provide incentives for raising the quality of interna-
tional Master’s programmes
• To raise the appeal of degree programmes in Germany
for German and international students
• To enhance Germany’s international competitiveness.
• Master’s programmes in all subjects
• both with a stronger research and/or a stronger profes-
sional focus
• free of tuition fees or with tuition fees
• public and private universities, universities of applied
sciences, and colleges and universities of art and music
• at least one round of students must have graduated
at the time of application (new element in the 2008
competition)
• accreditation of the degree programme completed
or application submitted (new element in the 2008
competition).
Criteria
• innovative design
• research or practice-orientated quality of teaching
• high degree of internationalisation
• comprehensive quality assurance measures
• professional student support and advice services
concept
• convincing graduation rate.
• Prizes are worth 20,000.- euros.
• The 2008 “Quality Label for the Top 10 International
Master’s Degree Courses Made in Germany”
is conferred by the DAAD and the Stifterverband.
• The prizewinning degree programmes are highlighted
in GATE’s worldwide marketing campaigns.
Dates and Deadlines
• Application Deadline: 15 January 2008
• Prizewinners Selection: 1 April 2008
by an independent panel of referees made up of
representatives from universities of applied sciences,
universities, foreign higher education institutions,
and companies
• Award Ceremony: 12 June 2008 at Seminaris
Kongresspark, Bad Honnef

7
Profile

The Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft The Stifterverband manages and counsels a con-
has been operating as business and industry‘s stantly growing number of private foundations,
joint campaign for higher education and research currently around 400 in number, with endow-
since 1920. ment assets amounting to 2 billion euros and
about 100 million euros of funding each year.
The Stifterverband develops funding programmes
and supports initiatives that contribute to solving
structural problems that arise in higher education
and science. For more information, please see:
www.stifterverband.de
The Stifterverband sees its role as a think tank
and motor of reform for the German science and
research system.

It brings together some 3000 companies, indus-

trial associations and individuals.

To run its programmes, the Stifterverband re-

ceives some 30 million euros of charitable dona-
tions each year.

8
Profile
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is
• an organisation of the institutions of higher education
and student bodies in the Federal Republic of Germany,
founded in 1925, refounded in 1950
• an institution for the promotion of international
academic exchange
• an intermediary for the implementation of foreign
cultural policy, national academic policy and for the
educational cooperation with developing countries
• National Agency for the EU ERASMUS programme,
information centre for ERASMUS Mundus, Europass,
TEMPUS / cooperation between EU and non-EU
countries and Bologna process
• the IAESTE National Committee for the exchange of
student trainees
• Secretariat of the Joint Initiative on “International
marketing to promote study, research and training in
Germany”
• Office of GATE-Germany
The DAAD provides information worldwide on
• the system of education and higher education
in the Federal Republic of Germany
• higher education and degree courses abroad
• funding programmes and scholarship
(information is available also in publications
produced by the DAAD and on the Internet:
http://www.daad.de)
The DAAD sponsors
• undergraduates, graduates
and doctoral students
• artists
• interns
• scientists and academics
from Germany and abroad
in over 200 programmes
The DAAD funds
• short and long-term individual
scholarships
• group study visits
• the exchange of academics,
guest lectureships, and the placement
of Lektors for German language and
German Studies at universities abroad
• project-linked academic cooperation
between institutions of higher educa-
tion in Germany and abroad
• internationalisation programmes of
German universities
• German-related degree programmes,
centres and universities abroad
9
Prizewinners 2008

Charité-Berlin
International Graduate Programme
in Medical Neurosciences
University of Hohenheim
2008
Master‘s Programme in Agricultural Sciences
in the Tropics and Subtropics (AgriTropics)
University of Applied Sciences Offenburg
Master‘s Programme
in Communication and Media Engineering (CME)

TU Dresden Leipzig Graduate School of Management Saarland University

Master‘s Programme Master of Business Administration Joint European Master‘s Programme
in Tropical Forestry and Management in International Management in Advanced Materials Science and Engineering (AMASE)

University of Hannover University of Leipzig University of Applied Sciences

Postgraduate Programme European Master‘s Programme Weihenstephan (Triesdorf)
in Legal Informatics (LL.M. IT-Law) in Global Studies - A European Perspective International Master‘s Programme
in Agricultural Management (MBA)
University of Munich
Elite Master of Science Programme
in Neuro-Cognitive Psychology

10
Master‘s programme • Medical Neurosciences • Charité-Berlin

The graduate programme has been running since nine others are doing their doctorates at other in-
2002 and is located at the interface between basic stitutions in Germany or abroad. The 80 and more
research and clinical application. Together with the applications received for 15 study places each year
university’s Cluster of Excellence – “NeuroCure” – clearly highlight the programme’s appeal for German
the programme is able to draw on a prizewinning and above all for foreign students from all around the
research environment. Hence, the academic support world. In addition, the
Programme Title
and advice services for students are exceptional, es- programme is taught
International Graduate Programme
in Medical Neurosciences pecially with the excellent student-teacher ratio. In exclusively in English.
fact, more than 60 neuroscientists are contributing to Participants are se-
Subject Area/Focus Neuroscience at the Interface between the training of 30 Master’s students. lected in a three-stage
Basic Research and Clinic process – a key quality
University Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin The goal is to train students from the natural sci- assurance element.
ences and medicine in a structured programme and
Contact Prof. Dr. U. Dirnagl so to give them the qualifications needed for doing The wide-ranging net-
Address Institut für Experimentelle Neurologie advanced research in the doctoral phase. Particularly works and cooperation
Charitéplatz 1 qualified candidates will be fast-tracked directly into agreements underline
10117 Berlin the second doctoral year to reduce the time from the programme’s in-
Telephone +49 (0)30 450560134 graduating with a BSc degree to gaining a doctorate ternational focus. The
from five to four years. The doctoral programme that Network of European
Email ulrich.dirnagl@charite.de builds on the Master’s programme was funded by the Neuroscience Schools (NENS) established in the win-
Website www.medical-neurosciences.de DAAD up to 2006 with its “Doctorates at Universities ter of 2003 collects information on the various neu-
in Germany” (PHD) instrument. rosciences programmes in Europe. Project CORTEX
Programme Length 4 semesters (Cooperation in Research and Training for European
Number of New Students 15 Interdisciplinarity lies at the heart of the training, Excellence in the Neurosciences) provides a platform
Enrolled Each Year with great importance also attached to delivering for close collaboration with neurosciences pro-
Language of Instruction English a knowledge of the key qualifications. The gradua- grammes in Bochum, Helsinki, London, Oslo, Prague,
tion rate shows that the programme has achieved its Stockholm und Zurich.
Tuition Fees for the none goal of training young scientists. Of the 38 students
Whole Programme
who have graduated, eleven are working on doctoral
Accreditation application submitted projects under the Charité’s PhD programme, while

11
Master‘s programme • Tropical Forestry and Management • TU Dresden
This non-consecutive, English-instructed Master’s The academic programme combines a high sci-
programme builds on more than 40 years of teach- entific-methodological level with a pronounced
ing and research experience in tropical forestry applied focus. Its development orientation and its
and wood management at the TU Dresden. The focus on the co-evolution of society, the forest or
programme is funded by the DAAD as a “Postgradu- landscape define the programme’s Unique Selling
ate Programme for Professionals” and is part of the Position within Europe. Completion of a three-
SUTROFOR Erasmus Mundus network with partner month primary data survey in a (sub-)tropical
Programme Title Tropical Forestry and Management universities in Denmark, France, United Kingdom, country for producing the Master’s thesis is obliga-
and Italy. Strong networks additionally exist with tory; a one-year stay abroad at one of the European
Subject Area/Focus Forestry/Management
partner universities in the tropics and subtropics. partner universities also opens up opportunities for
University Technische Universität Dresden gaining a double degree.
Contact Prof. Dr. Jürgen Pretzsch The programme was fundamentally revised in
Address Institut für Internationale Forst- und
2006 and accredited in 2007 with a development
Holzwirtschaft orientation and an international focus. It is open,
Pienner Str. 7 in particular, for students from the tropics and sub-
01737 Tharandt tropics. The participants to date have come from 13
Telephone +49 (0)35203 3831823 Asian, ten African, ten Latin American and two Eu-
ropean countries, as well as from Canada and Aus-
Email tropen@forst.tu.dresden.de
tralia. The programme aims to provide specialists,
Website http://tu-dresden.de/die_tu_dresden/fakultaeten/ professionals and executives with the qualifications
fakultaet_forst_geo_und_hydrowissenschaften/
needed for developing innovative and sustainable
fachrichtung_forstwissenschaften/institute/inter/
tropen/ausbildung/master cultivation concepts for woods, forest plantations
and other tree and shrub formations, agroforestry
Programme Length 4 semesters
systems and urban green spaces in the tropics and The graduates are in great demand in the la-
Number of New Students 35 subtropics and for monitoring the implementation bour market and can, generally, substantially
Enrolled Each Year of these concepts in a supervisory capacity. The core improve their career position by completing this
Language of Instruction English topics correspond with the international demand programme. Some 10% of the graduates, either
Tuition Fees for the none for experts for programmes and projects in reduc- directly or later, enter a doctoral programme at
Whole Programme ing deforestation, in revitalising forests, in manag- universities worldwide.
Accreditation
ing sustainable forest cultivation and in protecting
2007 by ASIIN
forests at various levels.
12
Master‘s programme • Legal Informatics • University of Hannover
This one-year postgraduate programme has been mentals of European law as well. For example, the
running since the winter semester 1999/2000 following courses were held in the winter semester
and primarily addresses German lawyers seeking 2007/2008: “European Regulation and Compara-
a professional orientation outside the traditional tive Legal Aspects in the Information Society”,
law professions. The programme leads to a Master “Security of Information Systems”, “Law of Con-
of Laws (LL.M.) degree and is also geared to meet tract in Information Technology” and “Computer-
the requirements for theoretical qualification as a
Programme Title Postgraduate Programme lawyer specialising in Information Technology Law.
in Legal Informatics (LL.M. IT-Law)
Subject Area/Focus Law/IT Law To qualify for admission to the programme, ap-
plicants must hold a first university degree in law
University Universität Hannover with professional qualification and must be suit-
ably proficient in English and German. The courses
Contact Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Forgó
at the University of Hannover are held equally in
Address Institut für Rechtsinformatik both languages.
Königsworther Platz 1
30167 Hannover The programme’s internationality is ensured
Telephone +49 (0)511 7628161 through an obligatory stay abroad at one of ten Eu- related Criminal Law”. Distinguished lecturers
Email info@iri.uni-hannover.de ropean partner universities associated within the from law offices and from business and industry
EULISP network (European Legal Informatics Study contribute to the teaching. This makes it possible
Website www.eulisp.de
Programme). An integrated degree programme to dovetail the academic training with practical
Programme Length 2 semesters has also been established with the University of elements, and so constantly fine-tune the teach-
Oslo that leads to a double degree and that is sup- ing to take account of current developments and
Number of New Students 20 ported by the DAAD in the form of scholarships. topical problem areas.
Enrolled Each Year During their stay abroad, the students not only
Language of Instruction German, English consolidate their academic qualifications, but also Of the 200 students who have graduated since the
get the opportunity to acquire soft skills that are programme began, around 45% found a position
Tuition Fees for the 1st semester: 750 € indispensable for IT lawyers, such as language skills as a lawyer within six months, a further 25% as
Whole Programme 2nd semester: 0 € to 2,500 €, depending on
the choice of partner university and international experience. On the one hand, the corporate lawyers, while the remaining candidates
degree programme teaches the central aspects of are currently completing their professional practi-
Accreditation 2006 by ZEvA IT law, while, on the other, integrating the funda- cal training.
13
Master‘s programme • Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics and Subtropics • University of Hohenheim
The entirely English-instructed programme is solve problems integratively. Interactive teach-
modular in structure and has been designed with ing methods enhance a capacity to implement
a standard time to degree of two academic years. the acquired knowledge in a solution-orientated
Its thematic focus targets applicants holding a BSc approach, synchronously to the general delivery
degree in the agricultural sciences, natural scienc- of knowledge. Besides relevant exercises in the
es, engineering, or with an economics, business subject-specific modules, these capacities are also
administration or social sciences background.
Programme Title Master's Programme in "Agricultural
Sciences in the Tropics and Subtropics" The programme was developed in cooperation
(AgriTropics) with international research and education insti-
Subject Area/Focus Rural Development Economics,
tutions in the agricultural sector in order, as far as
Natural Resources Management, possible, to meet the requirement profile of spe-
Plant and Animal Production cialists and professionals needed in this field.
University Universität Hohenheim
The Master’s programme has been running since
Contact Prof. Dr. Joachim Müller 1999 and aims to give qualified graduates an
Address Fakultät Agrarwissenschaften international level training that prepares them schooled through the strong focus on interdisci-
Agrartechnik 440e for the dynamically developing career field of plinary project work. This develops key qualifica-
Garbenstraße 9, 70599 Stuttgart agricultural food and natural resources produc- tions like communication, presentation, project
Telephone +49 (0)711 45922490 tion as well as resource conservation. Given the management and team skills. These learning
rapidly growing knowledge base of agricultural scenarios aim to encourage an appropriate pro-
Email joachim.mueller@uni-hohenheim.de
science, the goal is to enable students to con- fessional attitude in the intercultural context.
Website www.uni-hohenheim.de/agritropics-msc.html tinue advancing their competencies through self-
Programme Length 4 semesters directed studies so that even after graduating The internationality of the University of Hohen-
they can still enhance their knowledge by means heim and its degree programme stands out through
Number of New Students 40
Enrolled Each Year of personal studies to keep pace with the latest its wide-ranging network of contacts around the
developments and research findings. world. These include cooperation agreements
Language of Instruction English with more than 90 universities and international
Tuition Fees for the 2,000 € The training is interdisciplinary and aims to research institutions abroad. Foreign visiting lec-
Whole Programme deliver an understanding of the complex inter- turers and numerous projects abroad additionally
Accreditation 2005 by AQUIN actions and to promote the student’s ability to contribute to the programme’s international focus.

14
Master‘s programme • MBA in International Management • Leipzig Graduate School of Management
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) tice and into the future trends of corporate topics
programme that has been running at the Leipzig in a global context. The programme’s international
Graduate School of Management since 2000 in- networking is expressed by the numerous coopera-
volves 15 months of studies that are divided into tion agreements concluded with foreign universi-
a total of five stages. Students follow a highly- ties. The Leipzig Graduate School of Management
professional, purely English-instructed degree has more than 90 partner universities abroad,
programme with content and structures that fit
Programme Title Master of Business Administration (MBA) in perfectly with the current requirements for
executive professionals in business and industry.
The teaching is provided by proven experts from
Subject Area/Focus International Management Germany and around the world. A particular qual-
University Handelshochschule Leipzig ity feature is also to be seen in the programme’s
recognition by AACSB, the world’s leading accredi-
Contact Petra Spanka
tation agency for business administration and ac-
Address MBA Department counting degree programmes. ranging from Australia to Uruguay. Students have
Jahnallee 59 the option of gaining a double degree with 15 part-
04109 Leipzig The Master’s programme delivers a broad and ner universities.
Telephone +49 (0)341 9851730
comprehensive range of specialist knowledge in
the field of economics and business administra- A particular highlight is to be seen in the intensive
Email petra.spanka@hhl.de tion. The courses offered within the various mod- and professional support and advice services for
ules have an interdisciplinary design and interlink students, ranging from initial contacts through to
Website www.hhl.de/mba
with each other. The individual modules are based the alumni network. A Career Service accompanies
Programme Length 2 semesters (5 terms) on concrete topic areas, such as “managing inves- students from the day they are admitted to the
tors” and “managing society”. This interdisciplinary programme through to their successful job ap-
Number of New Students 30 to 35
Enrolled Each Year
approach efficiently prepares students for future plication. The placement rate in highly-qualified
management positions in multinational compa- positions lies at 100% for German participants
Language of Instruction English nies. The programme’s practical focus and the inter- and at 95% for foreign students. Long before they
Tuition Fees for the
nationality of the training are secured by an obliga- have completed their studies, many students will
22,500 €
Whole Programme tory study stay and internship abroad. In addition, already have received a job offer from companies
speakers from world-renowned companies provide like Johnson&Johnson, Lufthansa, Google or the
Accreditation 2004 by AACSB
students with insights into current industrial prac- Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
15
Master‘s programme • Global Studies - A European Perspective • University of Leipzig
The European Master’s programme in “Global Stud- Dalhousie University in Halifax, the University of
ies - A European Perspective” is the first of its kind Stellenbosch or the University of California at Santa
in Europe and combines approaches from the field Barbara. The alternating studies at two or three of
of historical, socio-scientific, cultural and area stud- the network universities enables the students to
ies globalisation research. The non-consecutive gain a double degree. Hence the programme’s cur-
Master’s programme is funded under the Euro- riculum also reflects its internationality.
pean Union’s Erasmus Mundus programme and is
run by a consortium of four European universities:
Programme Title European Master's programme in Global
London School of Economics and Political Sciences,
Studies - A European Perspective
University of Vienna, University of Wroclaw and the
Subject Area/Focus Social Sciences/Cultural Studies/ University of Leipzig, in its role as the coordinating
History/Area Studies institution. By combining the research capacities of
the four participating institutions, the programme
University Universität Leipzig offers the mainly non-European participants a
Contact Prof. Dr. Matthias Middell unique, pluralistic European perspective of the glo-
balisation processes.
Address Zentrum für Höhere Studien
Emil-Fuchs-Str. 1
The programme stands out with its exceptionally
04105 Leipzig
international academic culture. This is also reflect- By offering a range of interdisciplinary and interna-
Telephone +49 (0)341 9730232 ed in the composition of the student body; students tional courses, the Global Studies programme aims
Email middell@uni-leipzig.de from 38 countries have taken the programme so to qualify excellent students for executive manage-
far. The integration of foreign visiting lecturers is ment positions in the globally-networked world of
Website www.uni-leipzig.de/zhs/emgs an integral component of the programme. Courses business and industry, politics, civil society, culture,
Programme Length
are taught in English and German. Integrated lan- and science. The broad, cross-disciplinary approach
4 semesters
guage courses and workshops on scientific writing is complemented by specialisation in two of the
Number of New Students 25 to 30 help students to master the programme’s multilin- world regions and the opportunity to consolidate
Enrolled Each Year gual environment. the knowledge by doing research internships and
Language of Instruction German, English field studies.
A one-year stay at a European partner university
Tuition Fees for the 10,000 €
Whole Programme is obligatory. The European participants addition-
ally have the option of completing a three-month
Accreditation 2006 by ZEvA study stay at the Macquarie University Sydney, the
16
Master‘s programme • Neuro-Cognitive Psychology • University of Munich
The four-semester graduate degree programme is opportunity to produce a Master’s thesis at a partner
one of the elite programmes funded by the State of university abroad, and the students’ integration into
Bavaria and is a research-orientated study opportu- international research projects deserve mention, as
nity located at the interface between psychology and do the large number of visiting lecturers from abroad
the neurosciences. The programme’s Unique Selling and the systematic monitoring of the degree pro-
Point lies in its experimental-psychological focus in gramme by an International Advisory Board.
the neurosciences. The wide-ranging and diverse
integration into national and international research
Programme Title Elite Master of Science Programme
projects and networks and the structured doctoral
in Neuro-Cognitive Psychology
programme that builds on the Master’s programme
Subject Area/Focus General and Experimental Psychology guarantee the participants a professional training at
University Universität München the very highest academic level.
Contact Prof. Dr. Hermann Müller
The interdisciplinary Master’s programme aims to
Address Department Psychologie train international students in the methods and con-
Leopoldstraße 13 cepts of brain research. The first academic year serves
80802 München as an introduction to the programme’s thematic
Telephone +49 (0)89 21805327 / 5212 content. The second academic year gives students
the opportunity to specialise in one of the three core
Email hmueller@psy.lmu.de areas: research, clinic and applied science. Besides
Website
teaching the scientific principles, the curriculum does
www.psy.uni-muenchen.de/ncp
not overlook the applied focus. In the pre-sessional The quality assurance measures are comprehensive
Programme Length 4 semesters phases (recess), students work on two several- and innovative, and include regular internal and
week long research projects within the scope of external evaluations. A further plus point lies in
externally-funded projects. the intensive academic student support and advice
Number of New Students 20
Enrolled Each Year services, including a personal mentoring programme
Internationality is a key feature of the exclusively and a Buddy-System for the extracurricular support
Language of Instruction English English-instructed programme, whereby the bal- of the international students.
anced mix of roughly equal proportions of German
Tuition Fees for the 2,000 €
Whole Programme
and foreign students stands out. The wide-ranging
origins of the foreign students, extending from Can-
Accreditation joint accreditation in preparation ada to China and from South Africa to Norway, the
17
Master‘s programme • Communication and Media Engineering • University of Applied Sciences Offenburg
The four-semester, postgraduate Master’s in the third semester through to the Master’s
programme in Communication and Media thesis in the final semester, thereby introducing
Engineering (CME) was launched in the win- the students ever more closely to independent
ter semester 1998/1999 and was, in its initial research work. The purposeful transition from
years, funded by the DAAD as a Master Plus theory to application is an outstanding feature of
programme, making it one of the first Master’s CME programme. As from the second semester,
courses to have been offered in Germany.
Programme Title Master's programme in Communication
and Media Engineering (CME) The programme’s overriding goal is to deliver
a detailed research and application-focused
Subject Area/Focus Engineering / knowledge of the key areas of communication
Communication and Media Engineering and media engineering. Modern communications
University Hochschule Offenburg technology enables engineers and researchers in
India, China and Germany to work together on
Contact Prof. Dr. Lothar Schüssele a project. So, internationality is logically a core
Address Graduate School factor in the programme’s profile. This interna- students contribute to research and develop-
Badstr. 24 tionality is reflected in a high and homogenously ment projects. Around one quarter of the gradu-
77652 Offenburg distributed proportion of foreign students. 25 of ates aspire to a doctorate.
the students who started their studies in the win-
Telephone +49 (0)781 205296
ter semester 2007/2008 came from 17 different The degree programme stands out with its com-
Email l.schuessele@fh-offenburg.de countries. The acquisition of cultural competence prehensive range of marketing measures and a
by interacting with various cultures and numer- sophisticated selection process. The student sup-
Website http://fh-offenburg.de/graduate-school
ous foreign cooperation partners in teaching and port and advice services are exemplary.
Programme Length 4 semesters research is also one of the CME’s key features. The
Number of New Students 24 Graduate School additionally aims to establish Parallel to their English-instructed studies, the
Enrolled Each Year double degree programmes with universities in international students also acquire an adequate
Language of Instruction English Chile and Mexico. knowledge of the German language so that
they can master the requirements of everyday
Tuition Fees for the 2,000 €
Whole Programme The curriculum takes the students from purely life. Conversely, the German students attend a
theory-oriented teaching in the first two semes- “Presentation in English” course to improve their
Accreditation 2002 and 2008 by ASIIN ters, via lab work, seminars and project work language skills for a semester abroad.
18
Master‘s programme • Advanced Materials Science and Engineering • Saarland University
This Master’s programme has been funded un- the greatest possible intercultural competence.
der the European Union’s Erasmus Mundus Pro- The programme’s special language concept con-
gramme since the winter semester 2005/2006 tributes to its European added value. Besides the
and is an integrated European degree programme use of English as a lingua franca, all students also
of worldwide appeal. It is run by four partner uni- study in the respective local language together
versities in Germany, France, Sweden and Spain, with the local students. This intensive form of lan-
with the Saarland University taking on the role
Programme Title Joint European Master's programme of lead institution. Each university introduces
in Advanced Materials Science its own core research areas into the consortium.
and Engineering (AMASE) Hence, the programme offers a much greater
Subject Area/Focus
diversity of specialisation than could be offered
Materials Science
by a national programme. The curriculum speci-
University Universität des Saarlandes fies that each student must study at two of the
Contact Prof. Dr.-Ing. Frank Mücklich
consortium universities and that a double Mas-
ter’s degree is conferred by the two participating
Address Institut für Funktionswerkstoffe institutions.
Campus, C6.3, 7. Etage
661213 Saarbrücken The worldwide commitment of high-ranking guage training creates a basis for developing last-
Telephone +49 (0)681 3022048 scientists who have been appointed as country ing ties between the programme’s international
coordinators by the Alexander von Humboldt students and Germany, in its capacity as a science
Email muecke@matsci.uni-sb.de Foundation network ensures that students of and industry leader.
Website www.amase-master.net excellent quality are selected. Hence, close con-
tacts have been established in just a few years A meticulous student selection process, good
Programme Length 4 semesters
with many renowned partner universities on all curricular and extracurricular support and advice
Number of New Students 30 continents that select their best students for the services, plus numerous quality assurance meas-
Enrolled Each Year programme. ures round off the concept of an excellent study
Language of Instruction German, English programme with a demanding academic and
One of the programme’s key features is that stu- intercultural objective. Hence, it comes as no sur-
Tuition Fees for the 8,000 € for non-EU students,
Whole Programme 2,000 € for students from EU countries dents not only pursue their academic studies as prise that more than half the graduates of the first
such, but also become closely acquainted with student intake have been accepted into a doctoral
Accreditation application submitted one or two different European cultures to acquire programme.
19
Master‘s programme • Agricultural Management • University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan (Triesdorf)
With practically 20 years of experience as a ally offered in their home countries. The inter-
postgraduate programme and as a Master’s national Master’s programme has met with a
programme since 2000, this study opportu- high degree of acceptance, and especially so in
nity aims to give foreign specialists and profes- the countries of Eastern and South Eastern Eu-
sionals an academic training in Germany that rope, as well as in Central Asia. Students from
delivers the applied qualifications needed for around 45 universities in more than 30 coun-
supporting the establishment of correspond-
Programme Title Internationaler Masterstudiengang
International Master's programme ing study programmes in partner countries,
in Agricultural
„Molecular Management (MBA)
Biology” thus contributing to promoting efficient and
Subject Area/Focus Applied Agricultural Management/ sustainable production systems in agriculture
Subject Area/Focus Molekulare
Efficient andBiowissenschaften,
Organic Sustainable Biochemie, and to developing rural areas.
Agricultural Production
Strukturbiologie, Genetik, Zellbiologie,
University Mikrobiologie,
FachhochschuleEntwicklungsbiologie
Weihenstephan (Triesdorf) In accordance with the programme’s development
University
Contact Universität Göttingen
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Herbert Ströbel policy objectives, foreign partner universities are
Contact Prof. Dr. IvoTriesdorf
Feußner intensively integrated into the student selection
Address Abteilung
Steingruberstr. 2 process and into the programme’s running. The tries have completed the programme so far.
Address Göttinger Zentrum für
91746 Weidenbach curriculum is so appropriate that the Master’s A pre-sessional, one-semester internship is a
Molekulare Biowissenschaften,
Telephone +49 (0)9826 6 54205 programme has developed into a real export hit. firm part of the applications-focused curricu-
Justus-von-Liebig Weg 11, 37077 Göttingen
Twelve international universities have established lum. It is completed in specially-selected train-
Email
Telephone stroebel@fh-weihenstephan.de
+49 (0) 551 39 5743 the programme, with three universities deliver- ing companies and is complemented by four
Website
Email www.fh-weihenstephan.de/info/master/ ing all of the teaching in German. Agreements one-week academic and language courses of-
ifeussn@uni-goettingen.de
ma.html
Website
are increasingly enabling students to engage in fered at the university as well as by working on
Programme Length www.uni-goettingen.de/de/sh/20932.html
3 semesters, or 4 semesters if a practical exchange with other universities and thereby to study packs. This internship gives the students
Programme Length 3study semester of at least 18 weeks was not
Semester gain double degrees. the opportunity to get to know the agricultural
previously completed.
Number of New Students 20 company, while also gaining their first insight
Number of New Students practical study semester: 100
Enrolled
Enrolled Each
Each Year
Year 2nd semester: 55 The academic programme stands out with its into how plant production, livestock farming,
Language extensive practical focus coupled with its in- environmental aspects, product quality and
Language of
of Instruction
Instruction Englisch
German, English
tensive personal study load for students. The marketing, as well as corporate success inter-
Tuition
Tuition Fees for
Fees for the
the 500
1,500Euro
€ / Sem. ab WS 06/07 combination of theory and practice is highly link. Almost half of the students return to their
Whole Programme
appreciated by the foreign students, especially home institutions after completing the intern-
Accreditation 2003 durch
2004 by ZEvA
AQUIN in view of the rather theoretical training gener- ship in order to continue their studies there.
20
Prizewinners 2006

Programme Title

Subject Area/Focus
Internationaler Masterstudiengang
„Molecular Biology”
FU Berlin
Molekulare
Master ofBiowissenschaften, Biochemie,
Arts in International
Mikrobiologie,
together with HU Berlin
Entwicklungsbiologie
and University of Potsdam
Relations
Strukturbiologie, Genetik, Zellbiologie,
2006
University of Freiburg
Master of Arts in Social Sciences
(Global Studies Programme)
University of Applied Sciences Mannheim
Master of Science
in Information Engineering

University Universität Göttingen

University of Göttingen University of Applied Sciences Pforzheim
Contact Prof. Dr. Ivo Feußner
FU Berlin International Master‘s Programmes Master of Business Administration
Address Göttinger Zentrum für
East European Studies Online in Molecular Biology and Neurosciences in International Management
Molekulare Biowissenschaften,
Justus-von-Liebig Weg 11, 37077 Göttingen
Telephone University
+49 (0) 551of39Bonn
5743 University of Jena University of Weimar
Email ifeussn@uni-goettingen.de
Agricultural Sciences and Resource Management International Master‘s Programme Public Art and New Artistic Strategies
Website
in the Tropics and Subtropics (ARTS) in German as Foreign Language (DaF)
www.uni-goettingen.de/de/sh/20932.html
Programme Length 3 Semester
Number of New Students TU
20
Dortmund
Enrolled Each Year Spatial Planning for Regions
Language of Instruction in Growing Economies (SPRING)
Englisch
Tuition Fees for the 500 Euro / Sem. ab WS 06/07
Whole Programme
Accreditation 2003 durch ZEvA

21
Master‘s programme • International Relations • FU Berlin

The Master’s programme in International Re- The demanding curriculum offers an ideal com-
lations was launched in the winter semester bination of research and practical application.
2003/2004 and has taken on around 180 stu- Students acquire key competencies and also com-
dents since its foundation, of which around one plete a three-month internship. They additionally
third come from abroad. These graduate from benefit from Berlin’s role as the German capital,
an excellent programme that convincingly com-
Programme Title
bines the strengths of the three participating
Master of Arts in International Relations
universities – FU Berlin, HU Berlin and University
Subject Area/Focus Political Science / International Relations of Potsdam – and is hence an exemplary model
University Freie Universität Berlin for future collaborative degree programmes of-
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin fered by Germany’s universities.
Universität Potsdam
Contact Prof. Dr. Thomas Risse The programme’s appeal is additionally in-
Address c/o Otto-Suhr-Institut creased by its outstanding international net-
für Politikwissenschaften working. For example, the programme main-
Ihnestr. 21 tains close contacts with renowned universities
14195 Berlin in Paris, Moscow and Washington D.C. A semes- from the numerous cooperation agreements with
Telephone +49 (0) 30 838 53091 ter abroad naturally complements the studies; non-university institutions and think-tanks, as
in addition, students also get the option to gain well as political institutions, like the Federal For-
Email masterib@zedat.fu-berlin.de
a double degree. eign Office.
Website www.masterib.de
Programme Length 4 semesters That the advantages of the degree programme The programme has set itself the goal of qualify-
are also appreciated by potential students is ing students for a broad range of professional ac-
Number of New Students 30 (programme only starts in the winter shown by the impressively high number of ap- tivities in fields like public administration, political
Enrolled Each Year semester) plicants for such a new programme. Its well- advice and consultancy, as well as academia and
Language of Instruction
organised and informative website certainly research. The destination survey on the graduates
German, English
contributes to raising the students’ awareness of of the first two cohorts shows that it has met its
Tuition Fees for the none the programme and its popularity. For example, objective – former students of the Master’s pro-
Whole Programme
only one-in-ten applicants were accepted in the gramme meanwhile hold positions in all four of
Accreditation 2005 by ZEvA 2007/2008 selection round. the above-mentioned fields.

22
Master‘s programme • East European Studies Online • FU Berlin
Online degree programmes are a growth market
that Germany’s universities are only gradually
discovering. So, it is all the more pleasing that the
FU Berlin has been able, with its Master of “East
European Studies Online” programme launched in
2003, to establish itself so quickly as a provider of
a multidisciplinary, high-quality distance studies
Programme Title East European Studies Online programme in this field.
design of all modules. Foreign university teachers
contribute decisively to producing and teaching the
modules. The degree programme is supported in its
work by an external Advisory Board, and by other
public figures and partners, as well as by business
and industry.

It is the only programme of its kind in the world and

Subject Area/Focus Multidisciplinary / East Europe from 2002 received three years of start-up funding
University FU Berlin from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research
under its “New Media in Education“ instrument. So
Contact Prof. Dr. Klaus Segbers far, the degree programme has attracted around
Address Osteuropa-Institut 20 participants per year, of whom around one third
Garystr. 55 come from Germany and two thirds from abroad. In
14195 Berlin accordance with the programme’s multidisciplinary
profile, these students graduated with their first
Telephone +49 (0)30 83854970
degree in a range of different subject areas, such as The e-learning concept is technically mature and the
Email ees@fu-berlin.de law, arts and humanities, economics and business internet-based student support and advice services
administration, natural sciences, and engineering. are exemplary. The studies are rounded off with two
Website www.ees-online.org one-week attendance phases of student centred
Programme Length 4 semesters The programme delivers a wide range of multidisci- teaching each year. One of the particular plus points
plinary qualifications in respect of the region of East of distance studies is the fact that it enables working
Number of New Students ca. 20 Europe and prepares graduates for positions in busi- professionals to take part in the programme in a ca-
Enrolled Each Year
ness and industry, in administration and authorities, reer-integrated format, an opportunity that is often
Language of Instruction English in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and in taken. The experience gained with the graduate co-
associations, as well as for careers in academia and horts so far indicates that the degree benefits most
Tuition Fees for the 8,900 €
Whole Programme
science. The combination of theory and practice participants in their professional development. This
plus the interdisciplinarity are particularly success- assessment has also been confirmed by representa-
Accreditation 2005 by ZEvA ful features. Both aspects were considered in the tives from fields of practice.
23
Master‘s programme • Agricultural Sciences and Resource Management in the Tropics and Subtropics •
University of Bonn
The Master of Agricultural Sciences and Resource evaluations, including graduate experience,
Management in the Tropics and Subtropics which is used to advance and improve the cur-
(ARTS) programme funded by the DAAD under riculum. A wide range of programme-supporting
its “Postgraduate Programmes for Profession- measures facilitate close contacts with students,
als” measure has been running since 2002 and is especially through the excellent teacher-student
primarily intended for applicants from research ratio. An internet platform provides a forum in
institutions, universities, non-governmental or-
Programme Title Agricultural Sciences ganisations (NGOs) and ministries in developing
and Resource Management countries.
in the Tropics and Subtropics – (ARTS)
Subject Area/Focus International Agriculture / The ARTS programme aims to provide qualified
Agricultural Research specialists and executives with a holistic under-
standing of structure and usage, of the interac-
University Universität Bonn tions taking place between the resources and the
Contact Prof. Dr. Mathias Becker economic, political and social setting, as well as
Address Landwirtschaftliche Fakultät of the risks and the relevant protective measures.
Meckenheimer Allee 194 Under the heading “From knowledge to action”,
53115 Bonn the Bonn-based research and development or-
ganisations are being strongly integrated into which the participants can exchange ideas and
Telephone +49 (0)228 734001 the teaching. Further exceptional criteria of the information with each other. An alumni network
Email arts@uni-bonn.de ARTS programme include its strong research ori- is being established.
Website www.arts.uni-bonn.de entation and its intensive range of support and
advice services. The programme’s clear profile with its focus on
Programme Length 4 semesters
resource management, generalist knowledge
Number of New Students 20 The field research phase is of a high scientific lev- and career-relevant competencies is worth it:
Enrolled Each Year el and involves an up to six-month stay in a (sub) 50% of the graduates have succeeded in taking
Language of Instruction English tropical country, carried out in cooperation with up their career as a professional in institutions in
Tuition Fees for the 2,600 € partner universities abroad. The programme’s in- their home countries. More than 20% have been
Whole Programme ternational focus is enhanced by professors from encouraged to study for a doctorate.
Accreditation
distinguished universities holding visiting lec-
2005 by ASIIN
tureships. The teaching is subjected to thorough
24
Master‘s programme • Spatial Planning for Regions in Growing Economies • TU Dortmund
The TU Dortmund’s SPRING programme has
been running for almost 20 years and has seen
just under 500 students graduate successfully,
including one German, making it by far the most
experienced prizewinning degree programme in
2006.
Latin America to conduct collaborative research
and to act as an adviser to international organi-
sations. Numerous projects involving contract
research prove SPRING’s outstanding role as a
“Centre of Excellence for Teaching and Research”,
as do more than 20 completed doctorates. The

Programme Title Spatial Planning for Regions The Master’s programme that was funded by the
in Growing Economies - SPRING DAAD as a “Postgraduate Programme for Profes-
sionals” trains regional planners. The course
Subject Area/Focus Regional Development Planning contents are specifically tailored to meet the
and Management needs and requirements of students from Africa,
University TU Dortmund Asia and Latin America. The training prepares
Contact Dr. Anne Weber
students for tasks of planning and implement-
ing problem and action-orientated regional
Address Fakultät Raumplanung, SPRING development activities.
August-Schmidt- Straße 6
44227 Dortmund
The first year is completed in Dortmund, the sec- research findings are analysed and edited, and
Telephone +49 (0) 231 755-2543 ond, in one of the other SPRING Centres located are then distributed through the programme’s
Email spring@tu-dortmund.de in Ghana (Kumasi), Chile (Valdivia), the Philip- own publication series of meanwhile more than
pines (Manila) and Tanzania (Dar es Salaam). 70 titles.
Website www.raumplanung.uni-dortmund.de/
The year in Dortmund has a stronger theoretical
geo/spring
and methodological focus. In the second year, A strong feeling of belonging and togetherness
Programme Length 4 semesters for which the respective partner university is has developed among the alumni and has de-
Number of New Students max. 30 completely responsible, the students concen- veloped into active cooperation. Conferences,
Enrolled Each Year trate on addressing concrete planning problems continuing and postgraduate training courses,
Language of Instruction English in the host country. The final degree certificates lobbying, and joint consultancy projects testify
are jointly conferred by the two participating to the extensive dynamics of the SPRING Com-
Tuition Fees for the 2,500 € to 5,000 €, depending on the choice
Whole Programme of second academic year
universities, which also jointly select and ex- munity. The graduates are in great demand in
amine the participants. SPRING has used the the employment market: 56% work in senior or
Accreditation 2007 cooperation with universities in Africa, Asia and middle management positions.
25
Master‘s programme • Global Studies • University of Freiburg with Buenos Aires, Durban and New Delhi
The Master of Arts in Social Sciences is jointly mesters are held in Freiburg, while the students
offered in the Global Studies Programme by the spend the second semester in Buenos Aires or
University of Freiburg, the University of KwaZulu- Durban, and the third in Delhi (or Bangkok in
Natal (Durban) and the Jawaharlal Nehru Uni- the future). So far, Freiburg and Durban jointly
versity (Delhi). FLACSO Argentina (Buenos Aires) confer the final degree.
joined as a new partner in 2008, and the Chu-
lalongkorn University (Bangkok) will take part as
Programme Title Master of Arts in Social Sciences (Global from 2009.
Studies Programme)
Subject Area/Focus Sociology, International Politics, Since the programme’s launch in 2002 over 200
Cultural Anthropology and Geography students from more than 60 countries have
enrolled. The Global Studies Programme was
University University of Freiburg
with Buenos Aires, Delhi, Durban funded by the DAAD as an “International Degree
Programme” between 2001 and 2004 and aims to
Contact Prof. Dr. H. Schwengel; PD Dr. B. Rehbein qualify the participants as social sciences experts
(Prog. Dir.)
for the globalised world of the 21st century, espe-
Address Global Studies Programme cially in respect of the rise of the Global South. The
Rempartstr. 15 intercultural experience gained within the group
79085 Freiburg
is complemented by intercontinental perspectives
Telephone +49 (0)761 2039391 of the phenomena of globalisation. An advisory board of representatives of academia
Email info@global-studies.de and research, politics, business and industry
Website
The programme subjects globalisation to an advise the programme academically and the
www.global-studies.de
interdisciplinary examination. Sociology, po- students in respect of the choice of career. Career
Programme Length 4 semesters litical science, ethnology and geography work entry is facilitated by a ten-week international in-
Number of New Students 32 together on designing the curriculum. The four ternship completed during the studies and by the
Enrolled Each Year course modules “globalisation”, “global govern- extensive alumni network. In addition, graduates
Language of Instruction English ance”, “cultural change” and “methodology” are have also had the opportunity to gain a PhD in
studied at the participating universities over the programme since 2008. In 2004, the “Global
Tuition Fees for the 1,600 € to 2,000 €, depending on the choice
Whole Programme of partner university the whole length of the programme from the Studies Programme” received the “BMW Group
respective regional perspective and in the re- Award” for intercultural learning in recognition of
Accreditation 2006 by ACQUIN spective academic culture. The first and last se- its commitment and dedication.
26
Master‘s programme • Molecular Biology • University of Göttingen
The two Master’s programmes from Göttingen, renowned researchers, including Nobel laureate Er-
one in molecular biology and the other in neuro- win Neher, plus a number of Leibniz prizewinners.
sciences, are largely identical in their organisational The international cooperation agreements that
structure. They pursue the same teaching and sup- have been signed include one with the Weizmann
port concept and collaborate on raising external Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel. Given all the
funds. This also resulted in them being funded academic excellence, great importance is also at-
by the DAAD under its “International Degree Pro- tached to teaching key qualifications.
grammes” measure from 2000 to 2003. The two
Programme Title International Master's programme in
Molecular Biology programmes also cooperate closely in the fields of An extensive package of measures has been cre-
marketing, student selection and quality assurance. ated to recruit students. The number of applica-
Subject Area/Focus Molecular Biosciences, Biochemistry, This is why the jury jointly awarded the prize. tions exceeds the number of available places by
Structural Biology, Genetics, Cell Biology, almost 30 times over. The three-stage selection
Microbiology, Development Biology
A Unique Selling Point of these research-orientated procedure is an exemplary model. The care given
University Universität Göttingen intensive programmes lies in the fact that they are
Contact Prof. Dr. Ivo Feußner offered as integrated Master’s and doctoral pro-
grammes. Students with above-average achieve-
Address Göttinger Zentrum
für Molekulare Biowissenschaften
ments in the Master of Science section are exempt-
Justus-von-Liebig Weg 11 ed from the requirement to produce a Master’s
37077 Göttingen thesis and are fast-tracked into the doctoral pro-
gramme. This profile of a pre-doctoral “Turbo Mas-
Telephone +49 (0)551 395743
ter’s” corresponds with the fact that the good 130
Email ifeussn@uni-goettingen.de students who have graduated in molecular biology
Website www.gpmolbio.uni-goettingen.de have, almost without exception, been admitted to
the doctoral programme. The particular interdis- to the selection coupled with an extensive range
Programme Length 3 semesters
ciplinarity of the molecular biology programme of student support and advice services, for which
Number of New Students 20 is expressed in the participation of four faculties: both programmes received the 2004 Support Prize
Enrolled Each Year biology, medicine, chemistry, agricultural sciences. conferred by the Federal Foreign Offi ce, is worth it.
Language of Instruction English Biology and medicine each account for around 30% The demanding programme’s graduation rate is
of the teaching, while a further 30% is provided by gratifyingly high at 98%.
Tuition Fees for the 1,500 €
Whole Programme the two Max Planck Institutes and the German Pri-
mate Centre. The programme’s high academic level
Accreditation 2003 by ZEvA is confirmed by the participation of internationally
27
Master‘s programme • Neurosciences • University of Göttingen
The two Master’s programmes from Göttingen, by the participation of internationally renowned
one in neurosciences and the other in molecular researchers, including Nobel laureate Erwin Neher
biology, are largely identical in their organisational and other prizewinners. The international coopera-
structure. They pursue the same teaching and sup- tion agreements that have been signed include one
port concept and collaborate on raising external with the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot,
funds. This also resulted in them being funded Israel: students can complete their Master’s thesis at
by the DAAD under its “International Degree Pro- the Weizmann Institute.
grammes” measure from 2000 to 2003. The two An extensive package of measures has been cre-
Programme Title International Master's Programme in
Neurosciences programmes also cooperate closely in the fields ated to recruit students. The number of applica-
of marketing, student selection and quality assur- tions exceeds the number of available places by a
Subject Area/Focus Molecular and Cellular Neurophysiology, ance. This is why the jury jointly awarded the prize. factor of ten. The three-stage selection process is
Neurobiophysics, Neuroanatomy, Development
Neurobiology, Neuroendocrinology, an exemplary model. The comprehensive student
Neuropharmacology, Clinical Neurosciences, A Unique Selling Point of these research-orien- support and advice services led to both degree
Behavioural Sciences, Theoretical Neurosciences
tated intensive programmes lies in the fact that
University Universität Göttingen they are offered as integrated Master’s and doc-
Contact Prof. Dr. Dr. Detlev Schild toral programmes. Students with above-average
achievements in the Master of Science section are
Address Zentrum für Physiologie
exempted from the requirement to produce a Mas-
Humboldtallee 23
37073 Göttingen ter’s thesis and are fast-tracked into the doctoral
programme. This profile of a pre-doctoral “Turbo
Telephone +49 (0)551 395915 Master’s” corresponds with the fact that the good
Email dschild@gwdg.de 100 graduates of the neurosciences programme
Website www.gpneuro.uni-goettingen.de have, almost without exception, been admitted
to the doctoral programme. The particular inter-
Programme Length 3 semesters disciplinarity of the neurosciences programme is programmes winning the 2004 Support Prize con-
Number of New Students 20 expressed in the participation of three faculties: ferred by the Federal Foreign Offi ce. Support and
Enrolled Each Year biology, medicine, physics. Cooperation agreements advice begins before the studies start, via Internet
Language of Instruction English also exist with a large number of research institu- and information letters. The care given to selecting
tions in and around Göttingen, including three and supporting the participants has proven itself
Tuition Fees for the 1,500 €
Whole Programme Max Planck Institutes, the European Neuroscience worthwhile. The demanding programme’s gradu-
Institute (ENI) and the German Primate Centre. ation rate is gratifyingly high at 95%.
Accreditation 2003 by ZEvA The programme’s high academic level is confirmed
28
Master‘s programme • German as a Foreign Language • University of Jena
The international Master’s programme in Ger- and seminars. Another key aspect involves the
man as a Foreign Language (Deutsch als Fremd- prepared and scientifically monitored participa-
sprache) was launched in 2002 and is the first tion by students at scientific conferences. The
accredited degree programme in this subject programme’s thoroughly consistent focus on the
in Germany. Around 155 students, mostly from acquisition of core competencies and skills lead-
abroad, are currently enrolled in it, and more than ing to a German as a foreign language teaching
75 students have graduated successfully.
Programme Title International Master's Programme in
German as a Foreign Language (DaF) The programme provides a broad introduction
Subject Area/Focus German as a Foreign or Second Language, to teaching and learning German as a foreign
German Studies Abroad language. The curriculum covers areas like the
University Universität Jena theory and empirical knowledge of foreign lan-
guage acquisition research, language teaching
Contact Prof. Dr. H. Funk and learning research, as well as language in-
Address Institut für Auslandsgermanistik / struction in combination with the methodologi-
Deutsch als Fremd- und Zweitsprache cal and didactic practice of teaching languages. qualification and equally promoting the students’
Ernst-Abbe-Platz 8
07743 Jena The basic knowledge acquired during the first research competence also stands out as an in-
degree course in the reference subjects of German novative and exemplary model for comparable
Telephone +49 (0)3641 944350 linguistics and literary studies are consolidated programmes.
Email daf.daz@uni-jena.de and consequently complemented by a theory of
Website www.master-daf.de foreign languages perspective. In addition, the The programme’s international orientation is
programme delivers knowledge related to the expressed by its networking with the Master’s
Programme Length 4 semesters
foreign language teaching-learning process, such programmes at the Aristotle University of Thes-
Number of New Students 55 to 65 as in psychology, media and cultural studies, and saloniki and the Eötvös Loránd University in Bu-
Enrolled Each Year
sociology. The acquisition of career-relevant skills dapest. Students can choose to complete part of
Language of Instruction German as well as research competence lies at the heart of their studies at one of the partner universities and
Tuition Fees for the none the programme. For example, students learn how so gain a joint degree awarded by both universi-
Whole Programme to use and work with the new media, not only in ties. The extensive support and advice services,
Accreditation 2003 by AQAS, reaccredited in 2008 by ACQUIN theory but also in respect of how these are later along with intercultural learning, are significant
as an "International Master's Programme in German Studies Abroad / put to use in the foreign language classroom. and are, not least, guaranteed by having students
German as a Foreign Language / German as a Second Language.
Media are also applied actively in all courses from more than 30 countries on the course.
29
Master‘s programme • Information Engineering • University of Applied Sciences Mannheim
This degree programme has been running since The German participants use a worldwide net-
2000 and is taught in German – a somewhat un- work of international cooperation agreements,
usual choice of language for an internationally- with a focus primarily on the Spanish-Portuguese
orientated engineering programme. This may be speaking areas to complete stays abroad . In turn,
one of the reasons why the 350 or so participants this network provides the Master’s programme
to date are more or less equally divided between with a large number of quality applications from
German and foreign students. the partner universities. Students from these
Programme Title Master of Science countries account for around 70% of the foreign
in Information Engineering A particular feature of this Master’s programme students on the programme.
lies in its clear orientation towards the key skills
Subject Area/Focus 1) Electronics and competencies needed in the career field cov-
2) Computational Engineering ered by electronics, communications and telecom-
University Hochschule Mannheim munications engineering. To give the students
the best possible preparation for the diversity of
Contact Prof. A. Zwick professional demands that they will meet in their
Address Fakultät für Informationstechnik career, the courses focus particular attention on
Paul Wittsackstr. 10 teaching “soft skills”. Parallel to their academic
68163 Mannheim studies, students who do not speak German will
Telephone +49 (0)621 2926338 be offered German-language courses throughout
the programme; students have to prove that they The extensive range of support and advice services
Email a.zwick@hs-mannheim.de have acquired the necessary language skills by include assistance in the search for contacts with
Website www.hs-mannheim.de/master-inftech passing the DSH language exam or by presenting business and industry for students seeking an in-
another relevant language certificate. ternship, a Master’s thesis topic, or a career entry
Programme Length 3 semesters path. 75% of all the graduates work in German
Number of New Students around 20 per semester, 40 per year The programme delivers a profound theoreti- companies, of which most are in research and de-
Enrolled Each Year cal knowledge and, through relevant labora- velopment. Foreign graduates have also been able
Language of Instruction German tory activities, introduces students to the field to position themselves very successfully in the Ger-
Tuition Fees for the 1,500 €
of research. 40% of the participants write their man employment market. A destination survey of
Whole Programme Master’s thesis within the scope of R&D projects graduates shows that the German language skills
based at the university, while 10% follow up the acquired during their studies helped them greatly
Accreditation 2005 by ASIIN
programme with a doctorate. in their search for a job.
30
Master‘s programme • MBA in International Management • University of Applied Sciences Pforzheim
Programme Title Master of Business Administration
in International Management
The MBA programme has been running since
1995 with more than 250 participants so far, of
which two thirds come from abroad, and stands
out with its rounded, balanced concept. The pro-
gramme builds on 30 years of experience in offer-
ing postgraduate economics and business admin-
istration courses and was the first ever officially
recognized MBA degree programme to be offered
by a German university.
The programme’s internationality is strengthened
by a worldwide network of cooperation agree-
ments. A semester abroad at one of the partner
universities is obligatory for students who gained
their first degree in Germany. Half the interna-
tional students also decide to take this oppor-

Subject Area/Focus International Management, European The programme is open to applicants of all sub-
Integration, Corporate Social Responsibility ject areas who hold a first degree and have at
University Hochschule Pforzheim least two years of career experience.
Contact Prof. Dr. Dirk Wentzel
The students are systematically prepared for tak-
Address Jean Monnet Chair in European Integration
Tiefenbronner Str. 65 ing on executive management positions in inter-
75175 Pforzheim national sectors. The programme not only deliv- tunity. Double degrees can be gained at several
ers competencies in management know-how and partner universities, largely in Europe, but also in
Telephone +49 (0)7231 28 6595/ 28 6105 methodology, but also team skills and leadership Singapore and the United States.
Email dirk.wentzel@hs-pforzheim.de qualities. The second semester offers specific
sascha.eichelkraut@hs-pforzheim.de electives in European integration and corporate The high demand for study places, the profes-
Website www.hs-pforzheim.de/mba social responsibility (CSR). sional student selection process, and the numer-
ous quality assurance measures present a picture
Programme Length 3 semesters
Courses are taught in small groups; interactive of a degree programme that is built on a sound
Number of New Students 20 courses, work on case studies, and a sense of foundation of international experience and
Enrolled Each Year responsibility are all key elements of the pro- that, at the same time, moves forward dynami-
Language of Instruction English gramme. The assignment of contract lecturers cally, most recently by adding the new and much
Tuition Fees for the 1,500 € from companies strengthens the programme’s sought-after focuses on Europe and corporate
Whole Programme practical focus and creates contacts with poten- social responsibility. 200 participants have gained
Accreditation 2004 by ZEvA; by AQAS in preparation
tial employers. 100% of the programme’s gradu- an MBA degree since the programme’s launch and
ates have been taken on by companies. have joined a lively alumni network.
31
Master‘s programme • Public Art and New Artistic Strategies • University of Weimar

This Master of Fine Arts programme was estab- carried out within a thematic context, while
lished in 2001 and is unique in Germany with parallel to this, interdisciplinary discussions are
its thematic combination of Art in Public Spaces held on the theoretical topic. The projects are re-
and New Artistic Strategies, along with its inter- alised with regional and international partners.
national orientation. Hence, it was also funded
from 2001 to 2004 as a pilot project under The students acquire technical skills and organi-
Programme Title Public Art and New Artistic Strategies the DAAD’s “International Degree Programmes” sational and management competencies that
scheme. prepare them for a career as practising artists.
Subject Area/Focus Art and Remembrance, Integration of Art The 85 or so students, of which two thirds come
and Architecture, New Artistic Strategies,
from abroad, experience an academically de-
Temporary Interventions in Public Spaces
manding, practice orientated training combined
University Bauhaus-Universität Weimar with a multilingual environment and the en-
Contact Prof. Liz Bachhuber
hancement of their intercultural competencies.
The German students extend these by spending
Address Fakultät Gestaltung a semester abroad. The international networks
Geschwister-Scholl-Str. 7 that then develop between the participants
99421 Weimar
have an impact all around the world and over
Telephone +49 (0)36343 583200 many years. The programme’s internationality
Email Liz.Bachhuber@gestaltung.uni-weimar.de is enhanced by the “Ré Soupault” international Hence, the participation in real-life competitive
visiting professorship that will be funded by the calls for entries helps students learn how to de-
Website www.uni-weimar.de/mfa DAAD up to 2010. velop contentually demanding artistic concepts
Programme Length 4 semesters in respect of architecture. The collaborative con-
Number of New Students ca. 15 The core study areas that prepare students for ception and realisation of projects and exhibitions
Enrolled Each Year the particular situation of practising art in pub- enables students to gain experience in dealing
Language of Instruction English lic spaces include: the integration of art and with clients and contractors, with cultural and
architecture; art and remembrance; temporary political institutions, with curators, as well as
Tuition Fees for the none interventions in public spaces; new artistic with other representatives of the art world and
Whole Programme
strategies. Following the Weimar Model, each industry. They learn to conceive and realise their
Accreditation 2003 by ACQUIN semester sees an exemplary real art project own projects in the public space.

32
Joint Press Release by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Stifterverband
24 April 2008
The TOP 10 International Master‘s Degree Courses Made in Germany
Stifterverband and DAAD to present
prizes to innovative international de-
gree programmes for the second time.
Bonn, 24 April 2008. The Stifterverband and the German
Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) will present prizes to
the “TOP 10 International Master‘s Degree Courses Made
in Germany” for the second time in 2008, after holding the
first round in 2006. The prizewinning programmes include
the Charité-Berlin, the TU Dresden, the Universities of Han-
nover, Hohenheim, Leipzig, and Munich and the Saarland
University, as well as the University of Applied Sciences Of-
fenburg, the Leipzig Graduate School of Management and
the University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan. Each of
the TOP 10 programmes receives a prize of 20,000.- euros
and the „Quality Label for the TOP 10 International Mas-
ter’s Degree Courses Made in Germany“.
The prizewinning programmes all share the following
features: a particularly innovative master plan, high
quality teaching, and an outstanding international pro-
file. The prizewinners were selected from a total of 76 ap-
plications from 63 higher education institutions located
in 13 federal states. The award ceremony will be held at
the Seminaris Kongresspark in Bad Honnef on 12 June
2008, where the project directors of the DAAD-funded
International Study and Training Partnerships (ISAP) are
holding a conference.
„It has become clear that a broad range of international degree
programmes has developed in Germany in recent years,“ re-
marked Dr. Andreas Schlüter, Secretary General of the Stifterver-
band. „Economics, business and engineering disciplines no
longer lead the way. Rather, programmes from other subject ar-
eas have been able to compete successfully in the international
race to recruit the best minds.“ The 13 Jury Members who repre-
sent universities of applied sciences, traditional universities and
foreign higher education institutions as well as business and
industry convened for a meeting that was chaired by Prof. Dr.
Dieter Lenzen, HRK Vice-President for International Relations
and President of the FU Berlin. The Jury Members were im-
pressed by the quality, academic scope and the conceptional
diversity of the applications.
„Almost all the prizewinning programmes are or were once
supported by one of our funding programmes,“ commented
Dr. Christian Bode, DAAD Secretary General. „The competition
reflects general higher education trends, such as the creation of
English-speaking networks coupled with an opportunity to gain
a double degree, the establishment of postgraduate Master‘s
programmes, some of which charge substantial tuition fees, and
increasingly professional programme marketing and manage-
ment activities.“
33
International Master‘s Degree Courses • From Globalisation to Tiny Neuron •
The DAAD and the Stifterverband have awarded prizes
for the “TOP 10 International Master‘s Degree Courses
Made in Germany” twice, once in 2006 and again this
year. A glance at the prizewinning programmes clearly
shows that Germany‘s science and research landscape
is making ground in the race to attract and recruit the
world‘s best young researchers with its innovative and
creative strategies.
„All the participants are very proud to be among Ger-
many‘s best international Master‘s students and lectur-
ers,“ says Ulrich Dirnagl with pleasure. Commenting on
the award for the „Medical Neurosciences“ programme,
the professor from the Institute of Experimental Neu-
rology at the Charité-Berlin says: „We‘re getting con-
gratulations from colleagues throughout Germany.“
This year, the Stifterverband and the DAAD presented
prizes to 10 International Master‘s Degree Courses
Made in Germany. They all share an innovative master
plan, high-quality teaching, and a high degree of inter-
nationalisation.
Building bridges between lab and sickbed
„Medical Neurosciences“ provides a good example.
Researchers have made major advances with great
success in the field of neuroscientific basic research
in recent years. However, the picture is not quite so
pleasing when the goal is to transfer the knowledge
and findings to effective therapies for neurodegenera-
tive diseases. „In apoplectic strokes, for example, we
know a great deal about the mechanisms that lead to
this disease,“ says Dirnagl. „But we only have relatively
little to offer our patients in terms of therapy or treat-
ment.“
The Master‘s programme covers the whole spectrum of
the neurosciences, while it also attaches great impor-
tance to the disease‘s mechanisms. In the early stages
of new research projects, students already learn to
consider the clinical relevance and vice versa. Hence,
the programme bridges the gap between lab bench
and treatment.
Unconventional reception for engineers
The Master‘s programme in Communication and Me-
dia Engineering at the University of Applied Sciences
Offenburg bridges another gap. One example involves
the Mobile Learning research project that deals trans-
mitting course contents to mobile devices. The work
calls for a knowledge of communication engineering
and creative design methods in order to prepare and
edit the multimedia contents. This programme deliv-
ers know-how in both fields.
Offenburg is particularly proud that it has been able
to create lasting bonds between its international stu-
dents – currently 25 from 17 countries – and Germany.
„Many of our graduates have remained in Germany,
and some represent German companies abroad,“ says
Lothar Schüssele, the degree programme‘s director.
Perhaps this is due to the fact that the young engi-
neers begin the first semester together in a cosy hut
in the Black Forest, where they can discard any inter-
cultural difficulties and get together in a relaxed and
friendly atmosphere.
Europe investigates globalisation
The „Global Studies – A European Perspective“ pro-
gramme at the University of Leipzig can point to similar
successes. The graduates – largely from Africa and Asia
– are in great demand among companies, government
organisations and NGOs. „There is meanwhile substantial
demand for globalisation specialists,“ says Matthias Mid-
dell, professor at the Centre for Advanced Study, Univer-
sity of Leipzig.
This programme is unique in Europe. It builds on the
idea that globalisation not only needs to be understood
in economic and political terms, but also covers a whole
range of other topic areas, such as historical, socio-sci-
entific, and regional studies fields. „We‘ve joined forces
with the London School of Economics and Political Sci-
ences and with the Universities of Vienna and Wroclaw,
and have combined our competencies in these areas,“
say Matthias Middell. The four institutions additionally
represent different generations of EU Member States,
each with its own cultural experience. With its European
perspective, the „Global Studies“ programme also serves
to strengthen the development of a European identity in
a globalised world.
Boris Hänßler (DAAD-magazin, 9 May 2008)
34
TOP 10 Programmes • The Students‘ Experience •
• „Doing my MBA at HHL was among the most signifi-
cant and rewarding accomplishments in my life. Ex-
cellent academic staff, small interactive classes, great
career services, but most important, classmates from
15 countries made the MBA an amazing experience.
As a cherry on top of the cake, you have the opportu-
nity to spend a semester abroad. Make sure you do not
miss any of these! I spent my semester abroad at the
Nanyang Business School in Kuala Lumpur.“
Jan Kadlec (Slovakia)
• „For me the graduate program East European Studies
Online offered a unique opportunity to get access to
complex knowledge about a fascinating region on an
academic level without having to give up my job.“
Jan Leonhardt (Germany)
• „East European Studies Online - A challenging experi-
ence, requiring full time dedication, but a lot of fun
as well in acquiring new knowledge in a multicultural
environment.“
Monika Bixho & Elona Wenk (Albania)
• „I strongly believe I was chosen for my new job firstly
thanks to my Master in East European studies and then
because of my international experience, etc. This job is
so cool and I use so much of the acquired knowledge:
Project Management (I work as team member or project
manager on different projects), Intercultural communi-
cation (my colleagues are located all over Europe, the
Middle East and Africa), Globalization and working in
virtual teams (HP being an IT company with worldwide
locations), Society (helps me understand how people‘s
social identity has changed, information that I use to
get to know and improve internal processes related to
Human Resources), Economy (helps understanding &
striving to get competitive advantage).“
Cristina Marin (Romania)
• „At HHL the MBA program is designed in a way that
• „At HHL I had the opportunity to participate in the highly encourages entrepreneurship spirit. After my
field project with The Boston Consulting Group, which studies I felt absolutely ready to run my own business
helped me to get my current job as a consultant. I en- thanks to lifelike experiences that HHL offered me. In
joyed the work environment, meeting students from the business life everyday I face various situations that
other countries, and the outstanding HHL faculty and I already faced during the projects and group works at
staff.“, MBA class M6 HHL.“
Angela Varilias Garcia (Peru) Umut Alacam (Turkey)
35
The Competition from the Prizewinners‘ Perspective

The prizewinners saw the 2006 competition as an absolute success. They were able to finance a whole range of measures. The TOP 10 Label additionally enabled them to recruit
many new potential students, above all from abroad, and so intensify their contacts with international cooperation partners by visiting them on-site and by jointly organising
workshops. The award additionally raised awareness for these international programmes. This year‘s prizewinners are also delighted to have received this distinction from the DAAD
and the Stifterverband. In fact, some already have concrete plans on how they would like to use the 20,000.- euros of prizemoney.

• “Since December 2006, we have been proud bearers
of the quality label awarded by the Stifterverband
and the German Academic Exchange Service. As one
of Germany’s TOP 10 international Master’s degree
courses, we have been able to continuously provide
highly qualified students access to expert trainers
from all over the world. Thanks to the financial grant,
we have been able to accelerate our e-learning strat-
egy by applying further state-of-the-art multimedia
tools to our online modules. We have developed an
online application system and have already been able
to offer two scholarships. We appreciate the contest as
being a very helpful instrument for both students and
other interested parties when looking to identify the
best international Master’s programs currently exist-
ing in Germany.”
Prof. Dr. Klaus Segbers
FU Berlin
East European Studies Online
2006 Prizewinner
• “Specifically, the prizemoney enabled us to carry out
a series of quality assurance measures and to improve
the student advice and support services we offer.
Without this money and in view of the financial situ-
ation of public universities in Germany, we would not
have been able to carry out these measures. Hence,
the prizemoney firstly enabled us to commission a
software program specifically for our programme’s
application process. This ensures that our selection of
students is better and more objective, while, secondly,
the software greatly simplifies and democratises the
application process for the candidates as well as for
the programme coordinators and staff at the MAIB.”
Prof. Dr. Thomas Risse
FU Berlin
International Relations
2006 Prizewinner
• “The prizemoney was essentially used for a whole
range of different purposes. On the one hand, we
extended the degree programme geographically
to include two new regions, namely Latin America
and Southeast Asia, and so it now covers the ‘Glo-
bal South’. The two new partners, FLACSO in Buenos
Aires and the Chulalongkorn University in Bang-
kok, are regional leaders. On the other hand, we
complemented the teaching by carrying out a joint
research project together with the participating
university teachers. We also used the prizemoney
the support the establishment of a PhD programme
to be launched in 2008. Our fourth ‘cost’ was to sup-
port strongly disadvantaged students by providing
these with student assistant contracts. Besides this
financial support, the measures also serve to inte-
grate the students, especially those from poorer coun-
tries, into the everyday running of the programme.”
Prof. Dr. Hermann Schwengel
University of Freiburg
Global Studies Programme
2006 Prizewinner

36
The Competition from the Prizewinners‘ Perspective
• “We primarily used the money for our marketing ac-
tivities. We were able to produce new brochures and
flyers. The TOP 10 Logo was used as the logo for the
degree programme, and we also used it on our com-
pletely updated website to promote our programme
and its activities. In turn, this significantly stimulated
interest among potential applicants. So we saw a
substantial increase in inquiries. All in all, the award
was a great gain for our programme, not only in fi-
nancial terms, but also in terms of making our pro-
gramme more visible, of increasing the recognition
our students’ curricular and extracurricular achieve-
ments, as well as of the degree programme itself.”
Prof. Dr. Regina Moczadlo
University of Applied Sciences Pforzheim
MBA in International Management
2006 Prizewinner
• “This Quality Label confirmed our innovative concept
of offering high-quality teaching and studies coupled
with a convincing international focus. The money we
received along with the prize also gave us an oppor-
tunity, among other aspects, to expand our marketing
measures for the programme. In addition, some of the
prizemoney was used during the 2007 Art Summer in
Germany to finance an excursion to the Documenta
XII in Kassel and to the Sculpture Projects in Münster.”
Prof. Liz Bachhuber
University of Weimar
Public Art and New Artistic Strategies
2006 Prizewinner
• “This prize proves that we are on the right path with
our international degree programmes. The University
of Applied Sciences Offenburg has been playing a pio-
neering role in the field of internationalisation for many
years. This summer, we get the opportunity to celebrate
the 10th anniversary of the CME programme. And we
could not have wished for a more welcome ‘birthday
present’ than winning the award as one of Germa-
ny’s TOP 10 International Master’s Degree Courses.”
Prof. Dr. Lothar Schüssele
University of Applied Sciences Offenburg
Communication and Media Engineering (CME)
2008 Prizewinner
37
The TOP 10 Label

The „Quality Label for the TOP 10 International Master’s service under the DAAD heading „Information for Foreign-
Degree Courses Made in Germany“ that the DAAD and ers“. The high hit rate on the database clearly shows how
the Stifterverband award to the prizewinners from the attractive international degree programmes in Germany
two selection rounds held in 2006 and 2008 also provides are for students from home and abroad.
these prizewinning universities with an opportunity to
market their programmes on the internet and in the print
media. In addition, these outstanding programmes will be
particularly highlighted by GATE Germany in its worldwide
marketing campaigns.

The „International Programmes in Germany 2007/2008“

database located on the DAAD website provides an
overview of the international Bachelor‘s, Master‘s and
structured doctoral programmes offered in Germany. An
infobox on the database‘s start page refers users to the
Call for Applications on the „TOP 10 International Master‘s
Degree Courses Made in Germany“ competition and to the
prizewinning programmes in 2006 and 2008. Programme
profiles additionally serve to promote the award-winning
Master‘s programmes with the TOP 10 Label. Since its
launch in October 2007, the database has recorded an av-
erage of around 10,000 hits per day. Besides the „Scholar-
ship Database“, this means that the „International Degree
Programmes“ are currently the most popular information

38
International Students in Germany

The number of foreign students has risen by two thirds over 250,000
the course of 10 years (1997 - 2007). Just under 250,000 Bildungsinländer
international students are currently studying at German
higher education institutions. On the one hand, the rapid 200,000 Bildungsausländer
growth in students from abroad can be explained by the in-
ternational marketing activities undertaken by Germany‘s
higher education institutions and by the DAAD within the 150,000
GATE Germany scheme. On the other hand, recent years
have seen many mostly English-instructed degree pro-
grammes developed in Germany that have explicitly been 100,000
designed for foreign students, and especially those from
less-developed parts of the world. Germany currently of-
fers more than 400 English-taught degree programmes. 50,000

The Netherlands is the only European country to offer

more exclusively English-taught degree programmes. The
0
number of international programmes actually lies much /99

/04
/01

/06
/00

/03
/97

/02
/98

/07
higher at around 1,000 programmes, of which more than

/05
98

03
00

05
99

02
96

01
97

06
04
19

20
20

20
19

20
19

20
19

20
20
half are Master‘s programmes.
WS

WS
WS

WS
WS

WS
WS

WS
WS

Around 70% of the just under 250,000 foreign students who
are currently enrolled in Germany are Bildungsausländer,
i.e. students who gained their higher education entrance
qualification outside Germany. The preferred subject groups
WS
WS
Fig. 1: Development in the number of international students (1997 - 2007), Source: DAAD
for foreign students are Law, Economics and Business Ad- ness Administration that attract the greatest interest. How-
ministration, and Social Sciences, as well as Languages and ever, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mechani-
Cultural Studies. Of all subject areas, it is Economics and Busi- cal Engineering have also increased in importance recently.

39
International Students in Germany

China
Bulgaria
50,000 Poland
WS 2006/07 Russian Federatio
Turkey
Morocco
WS 2001/02 Ukraine
The past five years have seen a particularly strong 40,000 Cameroon
increase in student numbers from Asia, particularly France
Austria
China, and Eastern Europe. While the academic year WS 1996/97
30,000
1997 still saw Turkey, Iran and France account for the
largest groups of students, China has topped the league
table by quite a margin for several years now, followed
20,000
by the Eastern European countries of Bulgaria, Poland
and Russia.
10,000
The great majority of Bildungsausländer (71%) are
enrolled in first-degree programmes. Diplom, Magister
and Staatsexamen are still the prevailing degrees here, 0
although the trend towards the Bachelor‘s degree is

ia
nce
ina

ne
key

co
d
ria

tio

roo

str
lan

roc

rai
Ch

lga

era

Fra
Tur

Au
me
Po

Uk
clearly recognisable (4% of graduates in 2004 versus

Ma
Bu

Fed

Ca
an
9% in 2007). The Master‘s is meanwhile the predomi- ssi
Ru

nant degree in (post)graduate studies. At universities
of applied sciences, nine out of ten graduates gained a
Master‘s degree through (post)graduate studies, while
at universities only one in two do so. The interest in
doctoral studies has increased significantly, not least as
a result of the creation of meanwhile some 400 struc-
tured doctoral programmes at German universities.
Fig. 2: Development in the number of students from the 10 most • English-Taught Programmes in
important countries of origin in 2007 (1997 - 2007), Source: DAAD European Higher Education: The Picture in 2007
• DAAD - International Programmes
• HRK - Hochschulkompass
All figures and statistical data have been taken from • Wissenschaft weltoffen 2007: Daten und Fakten zur
the following sources; for further information, please Internationalität von Studium und Forschung
consult the bibliography on the next page. in Deutschland

40
Further Reading
German Academic Exchange Service (ed.):
Die internationale Hochschule. Ein Handbuch
für Politik und Praxis.
Bielefeld: Bertelsmann 2003/2004 (Series, 10 Volumes).
German Academic Exchange Service (ed.):
Wissenschaft weltoffen 2007: Daten und Fakten zur Inter-
nationalität von Studium und Forschung in Deutschland.
Bielefeld: Bertelsmann 2007.
Heinen, Nicolaus/Horndasch, Sebastian:
Master nach Plan. Strategien für Auswahl, Bewerbung
und Finanzierung des Masterstudiums.
Bielefeld: Bertelsmann 2007.
Heublein, Ulrich/Hutzsch, Christopher/Schreiber, Jochen:
Internationale Mobilität im Studium. Studienbezogene
Aufenthalte deutscher Studierender in anderen Ländern.
DAAD, German Academic Exchange Service [Publisher of
the Dok & Mat Series: Dokumentationen & Materialien:
DAAD, German Academic Exchange Service („Information
about Study and Research Abroad, Publications“)].
Volume 60 - Bonn, 2007.
Heublein, Ulrich/Özkilic, Murat/Sommer, Dieter: Wächter, Bernd/Maiworm, Friedhelm:
Aspekte der Internationalität deutscher Hochschulen. English-Taught Programmes in European Higher Educa-
Internationale Erfahrungen deutscher Studierender an tion: The Picture in 2007.
ihren heimischen Hochschulen. Bonn: Lemmens Medien GmbH 2008 (ACA Papers on
DAAD, German Academic Exchange Service [Publisher International Cooperation in Education).
of the Series Dok & Mat Series: Dokumentationen &
Materialien: DAAD, German Academic Exchange Service
(„Information about Study and Research Abroad,
Publications“)].
Volume 63 - Bonn, 2007.
Websites
Hochschulrektorenkonferenz Service-Stelle Bologna (ed.):
Bologna-Reader II. Neue Texte und Hilfestellungen www.daad.de/international-programmes
zur Umsetzung der Ziele des Bologna-Prozesses an
deutschen Hochschulen. Beiträge zur Hochschulpolitik www.campus-germany.de
5/2007.
www.funding-guide.de
Bonn, 2007.
www.hochschulkompass.de
www.internationale-studierende.de
www.study-in-germany.de
www.uni-assist.de
41
TOP 10
International Master's Degree Courses
Made in Germany