The joint Bachelor’s in Public Governance across Borders is a three-year programme. In your first year, you will study at the Universität Münster in Germany, where you will build a strong foundation in political science (Politikwissenschaften) and public law. This year is taught in German. In the second and third years, you will continue your studies at the University of Twente in Enschede, just across the German-Dutch border, where the programme is taught in English.
Upon graduation, you will earn the title Bachelor of Science. With this degree, you can pursue a master’s at UT, Münster, or another university, or step directly into the job market..
- Year 1
- Courses at the Universität Münster in Germany
The language during this year is German and the educational approach is also typically German, centring on a combination of centralised lectures and self-study. The main courses in this year are:
- Public Governance across Borders
- European and Global Governance
- Political Systems in Comparative Perspective
- Public Law
- Methods
- Year 2
- Module 5 | Public Management
In your second year, you will move to the University of Twente in the Netherlands. At UT, bachelor’s programmes are structured into modules.
In this module, you shift from the macro perspective of political science to the micro perspective of public organisations. Since much of your professional life will take place within these organisations, they will be the setting where you pursue your ambitions and ideals. You will explore what makes public organisations effective and how they operate.
- Module 6 | Public Governance across countries
In this module you shift back to the macro-perspective of public administration and political science. You will learn to compare policies in different countries as well as their effects in a systematic way, using statistical analysis.
- Module 7 & 8 | Elective space
In the second semester at UT you get to choose one of two tracks, each with two modules:
Track 1: Public Administration
Module 7: Policy-making & Planning
Module 8: Governance in Action TechnologiesYou will gain expertise in executive and frontline processes in public administrations. Module 7 focuses on complex collective decision-making. You will learn to use rational choice models to forecast the outcomes of complex collective decision-making involving many stakeholders. You will also learn how to influence these outcomes. Module 8 focuses on the ’frontlines’ of public organizations. You will study how the collaboration between professionals and citizens affects the quality of public services.
Track 2: Global & European Studies
Module 7: Europe in crisis?
Module 8: Europe & the worldIn this specialisation, you will focus on the international and European dimensions of today’s societal challenges. In module 7, you will delve into current European crises, such as the Brexit issue. In module 8, you will study the position of Europe in the world. You learn how the European Union operates as one international institution among the big powers in the world, such as China and the United States.
- Year 3
- Modules 9 & 10 | Electives
Half of the third year consists of elective space, giving you several options:
- Study abroad
You have the opportunity to make use of the rich portfolio of Erasmus exchange partners of the University of Twente and the Universität Münsterr to do an exchange programme abroad – in a subfield of your interest. If you like, you could even engage in an exchange programme with a university beyond Europe; for example in Asia, Australia, or (Latin) America. You can study abroad for three months or even half a year.
- (Inter)national internship
You can also use your elective space to do an internship at an external organization – in Germany, The Netherlands, in Europe or even beyond. You can do an internship for three months or half a year. If you choose the latter, you will do a brief research study for the external organization. You are supervised within the organization and by University of Twente teachers.
- Additional modules
You can also take additional modules at the University of Twente or another university. These can be modules from a completely different academic discipline, for example, Psychology, or Communication Science. Our aim is to encourage you to further develop your academic skills and learn to think ‘out of the box’. This option will also give you the chance to communicate with professionals from different backgrounds, obtaining a broader view of the full range of academic endeavour by exploring a completely new field of specialization.
- High Tech Human Touch modules
Are you eager to connect politics and technology? If you are, the High Tech Human Touch modules offered at the UT may be just up your street! Some examples: From Prototype to Society, Cybercrime & Cybersecurity, Governance of Innovation and Socio-Technical Change.
- Module 12 | Bachelor’s thesis
The final semester of your third year is divided into three parts. First, you will receive additional training in research methods and academic skills. Next, you’ll prepare for the job market by learning how to write a strong résumé and succeed in a job interview. Finally, you will write your thesis and conduct the research it is based on.
You will work individually on your Bachelor’s thesis, but with the benefit of expert supervision. The topic of your thesis will be linked to ongoing faculty research, with a wide range of subjects for you to choose from.
After successfully completing your Bachelor’s thesis, you will be awarded your degree and the title Bachelor of Science in Public Governance across Borders. You can then choose to enter the job market or pursue your studies at the next level by taking a Master’s programme.