Double Degrees

Policy, Governance and Communication

In an era of rapid technological change, misinformation, and complex societal challenges, the Master’s program of Policy, Governance and Communication equips future professionals with the expertise to navigate today’s dynamic public sphere. This double degree master’s program integrates governance, policy-making, and communication science, preparing students to address issues such as crisis management in technological domains, global public policy, and legitimacy in governance. Courses like The Post-Truth Society and The Public Discourse explore the shifting landscape of democracy and media. Meanwhile, Data-Driven Design for Strategic Communication and Power and Participation in Digital Life provide tools to develop impactful policies and communication strategies. This double degree program, with a duration of 1.5 years, ends with one combined master thesis and fosters critical thinking and innovative solutions for the future of governance and public communication. 

This double degree combines the master of Public Administration and the master of Communication Science. You learn how to deal with issues like crisis management, global policy, and trust in government. During the programme, you explore how democracy and media are changing. And how these two influence each other. You gain practical tools to create strong policies and communication strategies.  The 1.5 year programme ends with one joint master’s thesis. It encourages critical thinking and fresh ideas for the future of governance and public communication. 

Study Programme September intake

Semester 1





Prog1

Mandatory 



202500002

Critical reflections on Communication Science

5 EC

1A

COM

202100089

Crisis management in technological domains

5 EC

1A

PA

202200090

Policy-making for complex systems

5 EC

1A

PA

202200092

Global Public Policy

5 EC

1B

PA

Elective


202500007

The post-truth society 

5 EC

1B

COM

202500006

Positive organizing and leadership

5 EC

1B

COM

202500005

Data-driven design for strategic communication

5 EC

1B

COM


UT-Elective (to be approved by COM/PA study advisor)

5 EC

1B

COM

Semester 2






Mandatory




202500001

Societal Challenges

10 EC

2A-2B

COM

194111240

Public governance and policy networks

5 EC

2A

PA

194101070

Public governance and legitimacy

5 EC

2A

PA

201500145

Academic research

5 EC

2B

Both

Elective


202500012

Digital life unpacked

5 EC

2B

COM

202500011

The future of work

5 EC

2B

COM

Semester 3






Mandatory


202500004

The public discourse

5 EC

1A

Both

TBA

MSc Thesis COM/PA

25 EC

1A-1B

Both

Course counts towards this diploma.

Study Programme February intake

Semester 1

Prog1

Mandatory




2020500002

Critical reflections on Communication Science

5 EC

2A

COM

194101070

Public governance and legitimacy

5 EC

2A

PA

194111240

Public governance and policy networks

5 EC

2A

PA

202500011

The future of work

5 EC

2B

COM

202500012

Digital life unpacked

5 EC

2B

COM

Elective


UT-Elective (to be approved by COM/PA study advisor)

5 EC

2B

COM

Semester 2 






Mandatory





202500001

Societal Challenges

10 EC

1A-1B

COM

202100089

Crisis management in technological domains

5 EC

1A

PA

202200090

Policy-making for complex systems

5 EC

1A

PA

202200092

Global Public Policy

5 EC

1B

PA

201500145

Academic research

5 EC

1B

Both

Semester 3






Mandatory


202500009

Behaviour and Technology

5 EC

2A

Both

TBA

MSc Thesis COM/PA

25 EC

2A-2B

Both

Course counts towards this diploma.

Public Administration and Philosophy

Expand your knowledge and skills in Philosophy of Science, Technology & Society with a philosophical reflection on the domain of Public Administration. More information

Study Programme 1st Year

Semester 1




202500447

Philiosophical Methods and Skills

5 EC

1A

201200064

Science and Technology Studies

5 EC

1A

201200063

Philosophy of Technology

5 EC

1A

202300302

Ethics and Technology

5 EC

1B

201400574

History of Science and Technology 

5 EC

1B

201400573

Philosophy of Science in Practice(*)

5 EC

1B

Semester 2




202000252

Technolab

5 EC

2A

191622510

Technology and Social Order

5 EC

2A

194101070

Public Governance and Legitimacy(*)

5 EC

2A

202400551

Research Methods

5 EC

2B

191612560

Society, Politics and Technology

5 EC

2B

202300264

Ethics and Technology II

5 EC

2B

202200273

8 attended colloquia

During year 1

Study Programme 2nd Year

Course code

Name

EC

Period

202200090

Policy-making for Complex Systems(*)


5 EC

1A

202500263

OR

201100077

Sustainability and Decolonisation


Policy Analysis in Public and Technological Domains


5 EC


1A

202100089

Crisis Management in Technological Domains(*)

5 EC

1A

202500290

Anticipation and the Ethics and Politics of Futures

5 EC

1B

201500145

OR

202000254

PA Academic research(*)


PSTS Masterlab(*)


5 EC

1B


1A-1B*

Semester 4




201200039

Smart Rules and Regimes(*)

5 EC

2A

194111240

Public Governance and Policy Networks(*)

5 EC

2A

201900179 and 194128030

Combined Final Thesis Project(*)

25 EC

1B-2A-2B


(*) Course also counts towards Public Administration diploma.