MASTER PROGRAMME: BERLIN UNIVERSITY FOR PROFESSIONAL STUDIES (GERMANY)

The Berlin University offers a Master Programme, titled European Public Affairs - Advocacy, Lobbying, and Networking. The Master Programme lasts two years and prepares professionals to be acquainted in excellence with the work of the European institutions and to be able to draft strategies for professional advocacy and lobbying on various public and private organizations at European level.

Tuition is conducted in six major modules: The first module is Principles of the European Union and International Communication. Basic knowledge of public affairs, lobbying, public communication and advocacy is provided. The second module is titled: Institutions and Processes of the European Union. It offers in depth knowledge of the EU institutions and the legal framework they operate within, respectively the European decisions taking procedures with the inclusion (participation) of stakeholders, legal framework, legislative procedures and advocacy interventions methods in the European political process. Knowledge on how to identify the relevant European institutions and officials to whom to address the requests accordingly (of relevant stakeholders) is available. The third module is titled Public Affairs in the European Union. Students study political competition in the European public sphere, get familiar with advocacy practices at European level, public affairs strategies development – lobbying strategies for the benefit of business players, public institutions or NGOs. The fourth module is called General Management.It provides knowledge and skills in management, corporate lobbying, project management, marketing research. The fifth module is dedicated to Personal Skills and emphasizes the broadening and deepening of personal abilities to work within a multi-cultural environment. The sixth module covers the draft of the Master’s thesis.

The Master’s Degree programme is designed for persons who have an undergraduate degree and at least 2 years’ experience, and are interested specifically in taking on assignments in the area of European Public Affairs. This program of study is particularly advantageous for those who:

• Are already working in advocacy and want to earn additional professional and personal qualifications;
• Aspire to a position in European advocacy and communication in a company, an organization or public institution, or a consulting agency;
• Are increasingly confronted with European Union issues in their day-to-day work, and hence want to acquire a thorough knowledge of European structures and processes, and of the tactics, methods and instruments of advocacy

Graduates of the Master’s Degree Programme in European Public Affairs, are able to take on middle management positions in businesses and organizations in the public or private sector, whatever their business field and location, that are involved in European decision-making processes. They are equally qualified to perform advocacy and communication work for associations, political parties and non-governmental organizations, or to take on a position in public administration, in a large or small business, or in an independent consulting agency.