Act locally,
think globally
Improve international cooperation projects in the context of public administration with the Master’s degree programme “Public Management in International Cooperation”.
cooperative
Learn how administrative staff from different countries work together across continents and successfully manage international projects.
career-integrated
During the distance learning phases, you will work in small, internationally mixed groups on tasks to prepare for and follow up on during the four attendance phases in Europe and Africa.
cross-cultural
African and European students learn together across continental borders in face-to-face and distance learning phases – thus realistically simulating the realisation of international projects.
At a glance
Academic degree
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Type of degree
Career-integrated, 4 semesters, 90 ECTS
Next application period
12 January to 23 March 2026
Start of studies
Annually beginning of September
Language
English, partly with French-language options
Available study places
28 per year
The partner universities for the Master’s programme are
- Ethiopian Civil Service University (ECSU), Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
- School of Public Leadership, Stellenbosch University (SU), South Africa
- Centre Africain d’Etudes Supérieures au Gestion (CESAG), Dakar, Senegal
- Institut de la Gouvernance Territoriale (IGT) der Université Cheikh Anta Diop Dakar (UCAD), Dakar, Senegal
Latest news
The application platform will remain open until 23 March 2026.
“I always aspired to study abroad to understand international curricula, especially compared to the South African education system. This program allowed me to network with Public Service colleagues from various countries and deepened my understanding of global public administration and international relations. The PMIC offers a range of modules that are highly educational, providing valuable insights into how different countries are governed.”
“My professional focus is on driving sustainable policies and governance frameworks that facilitate meaningful change, both locally and globally. The PMIC stood out for its integration of theory with practical application, allowing me to directly apply my learning to my professional role. My choice of this programme was influenced by my professional experiences in governance that revealed the significant potential of cooperative and well-structured governance systems in achieving positive outcomes.”
Application
Prerequisites
- University degree with at least 180 ECTS credits or six semesters (preferred subjects: administrative, legal, social, political or economic sciences)
- at least two years of professional experience in international cooperation, public administration or in connection with one of the above-mentioned areas
- good command of English (at least level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
Target Group
The course is aimed at full-time and part-time administrative staff of governmental and non-governmental (NGO) institutions and organisations in Germany, African countries and other countries of the Global North and South, especially if they already have or aspire to a role in international cooperation of all kinds.
In particular, people who are already working in international cooperation administrations, as political partners or in the implementation of international cooperation projects are eligible. The programme is not limited to the countries of the partner universities but is open to all interested parties, especially from African and European countries.
Application documents
To apply please register via the Online application platform.
Please upload the following documents:
- Proof of university degree
- Can be proven by a university certificate and a transcript of records.
- Recognition if a degree program was studied outside the ECTS system is based on the ERASMUS tables.
- IMPORTANT: You must have your foreign degree certificate recognised by the Studienkolleg Konstanz. This can take up to 6 weeks. You can find more information on this in the Guide.
- Proof of two years of relevant professional experience
- Proof of English language proficiency level B2 by means of a certificate such as TOEFL or Cambridge Certificate. If your university degree is based on an English-language study programme, please submit proof of this from your university. In this case, you do not need a language certificate.
- Accompanying letter from your employer confirming your agreement and release from work for the attendance phases and, if applicable, financial support from your employer.
- Curriculum vitae
- Letter of motivation in English including the following questions: “Why do I want to apply to this study program?” & “Why is the program important in the overall perspective?”
Course of study
The two-year Master’s programme simulates work in an IC project. Students from West, East and South Africa as well as from Europe meet in four face-to-face phases at different locations in Europe and Africa. In the intervening distance learning phases, they work in small, internationally mixed groups on tasks that are set for them in the face-to-face phases.
Study fees
In the Master's programme "Public Management in International Cooperation", study fees amount to 6,500 Euro per semester, plus travel and accommodation costs (scholarships are available).
Study contents
Public Policies
Sustainable Development, Core Public Policy Fields like Social Security, Public Health, Education, Infrastructure etc.
Public Management
Management and Leadership, Organisational Management, Human Resource Management, IT and eGovernment
Governance
Constitutional Law Theory, Economic Systems, Political and societal Systems
Intercultural Competence
Interculturality, Conflict Transformation, Cooperation Strategies, Managing Diversity
Finances
Regional Competitiveness, Financial Management and Strategy, Financial Controlling, Risk Management
Development Cooperation
Global Challenges, Geopolitics, History
Objectives of the progamme
Target group
The programme is aimed at practitioners from African and European countries with at least two years of relevant professional experience who wish to improve international cooperation in the context of public administration.
Educational goal
The aim is to impart skills, knowledge and competences that will enable students to assume responsibility in professional fields of international cooperation independently, systematically and with scientific methodology.
Career opportunities
Management and leadership positions within international cooperation, e.g. in state administrations at all levels, NGO administrations, organisations of the United Nations, the African Union or the European Union, etc.
Take a look
Contact
Servicezentrum Studium & Lehre
