Public Management & Governance is essentially concerned with the management and administration of public organisations with a focus on efficiency, effectiveness and legitimacy. It is about how public organisations can be managed in such a way that they respond effectively to the needs of citizens, implement laws and other regulations efficiently and make optimal use of resources. Management methods and governance strategies play a central role in adapting the public sector to modern challenges.
A degree in Public Management & Governance opens up a wide range of career opportunities in the public sector. You can work in management positions in local or state administration, take on management functions in public organisations or work in consulting for politics and administration. Other fields of activity include the management of non-profit organisations, the development of administrative strategies and the implementation of reform projects in public administration.
| Study programme | Info |
|---|---|
| Short description: | PMG |
| Academic degree: | Master of Arts (M.A.) |
| Standard period of study / scope of services: | 3 semesters / 90 ECTS credits i |
| Teaching language: | German |
| Study format: | Presence, full-time |
| Study start: | either for the summer semester or the winter semester |
| Pre-internship: | not required |
| Application period Start of the winter semester: | 1 April - 31 August |
| Application period Start of the summer semester: | 1 October - 24 March |
| Admission restriction: | none |
| Admission requirements: | A successfully completed first professionally qualifying degree at a state or state-recognised university. A good final grade (minimum overall grade 2.5 or ECTS grade "C") is a further requirement. |
| Tuition fees: | none |
The Master's degree programme in Public Management & Governance at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences prepares you comprehensively for demanding positions in public administration and other organisations that perform public tasks. In just three semesters, you will acquire the in-depth knowledge and application-oriented skills you need to organise administrations efficiently and in a citizen-oriented manner and to perform management and advisory tasks in the public sector.
The degree programme combines sound theory with practical application modules that will help you to master the challenges of modern public administration. With a clear focus on teaching management and governance skills, you will be optimally prepared for a career in the public sector, where you can make a decisive contribution to shaping and developing public institutions.
The degree programme includes administrative, economic, legal and social science content in particular - it is offered in two variants with partly differing course content in order to enable an optimal qualification structure depending on the previous first degree.
More about the programme content
The Master's degree programme is aimed at Bachelor's graduates who aspire to demanding management activities or a leadership role in the public sector. The programme is also suitable for those who wish to continue their career in the public sector and qualify for higher positions.
It doesn't matter what you have studied before. We offer the programme in two versions: one for graduates with a first degree in administration, economics, law or social sciences and one for graduates with another first degree. Everyone is welcome to join us and learn what they need for their future career in addition to their first degree.
A Master's degree in Public Management & Governance opens up a wide range of career opportunities in the public sector and beyond. The skills and knowledge you acquire will qualify you for challenging management tasks and leadership positions in various areas of state or municipal administration and other organisations that perform public tasks.
Typical occupational fields and employment opportunities:
To apply, you will need a scan of your Bachelor's certificate in pdf format and - if it is not recognisable or not completely recognisable - a list of all modules completed with grades and ECTS credit points.
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Public Management & Governance. The degree programme is accredited by the Accreditation, Certification and Quality Assurance Institute (ACQUIN). The degree opens up access to the higher civil service.
The regulations for your degree programme, published in the Official announcements of the HSN:
Note:
Semester details apply to first-time enrolments from this date (e.g. valid for first-time enrolment from winter semester 2020/2021)
A career in the public sector offers numerous advantages and opportunities that are often not available in other sectors. The public sector is characterised by a high level of job security, as positions in state and municipal institutions are less affected by economic fluctuations. You also benefit from transparent and fair entry and promotion opportunities, which are supported by clearly defined career paths and further training programmes.
Another major advantage is the work-life balance: flexible working hours and the option to work part-time or from home help you to achieve a good work-life balance. As a public sector employee, you also enjoy attractive social benefits, such as a company pension scheme and extensive health programmes.
In addition to these practical benefits, working in the public sector also offers the opportunity to make a positive contribution to society. You work on projects that promote the common good, for example in the areas of education, the environment, social affairs or urban development. This gives your work a special meaning and fulfils you with the knowledge that you are actively helping to shape our society.
Practice-orientated learning: Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences attaches great importance to practical training. The Public Management & Governance degree programme is designed in such a way that you not only acquire theoretical knowledge, but can also apply it directly in projects and case studies.
Individual support and small study groups: With us, you benefit from a personal learning atmosphere characterised by small study groups and direct contact with professors and other teaching staff. This individual support enables you to organise your studies according to your personal interests and strengths and to receive intensive support. The close collaboration with experienced teaching staff helps you to develop your skills in a targeted manner.
Modern equipment and innovative teaching methods: Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences has modern facilities and excellent technical equipment to provide you with optimal conditions for your studies. HSN relies on innovative teaching methods such as blended learning, which allows you to study flexibly.
Strong regional and international networking: HSN is not only excellently networked in the Thuringia region, but also internationally. You benefit from co-operations with public institutions, companies and universities, which offer you a wide range of opportunities for internships, project work and exchange. This network opens doors to exciting career prospects both in Germany and internationally.
Highly recognised and accredited: The Public Management & Governance degree programme at HSN is accredited by the renowned accreditation, certification and quality assurance institute ACQUIN. This accreditation confirms the high quality of the degree programme and the recognition of the degrees both nationally and internationally. This gives you the certainty that you are receiving a high-quality education that offers you the best opportunities on the labour market.
Sustainability and social responsibility: Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences is known for its commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. The Public Management & Governance degree programme prepares you to take into account not only economic organisational requirements, but also social and ecological aspects in your future career. This value-orientation of HSN runs through the course content and makes you a manager who is committed to the sustainable development of society.
Attractive study conditions: In addition to an excellent academic education, HSN also offers you attractive study conditions. These include low semester fees, a lively campus culture and a high quality of life in the region. The familiar atmosphere of the university and its proximity to nature make Nordhausen an ideal place for your studies.
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More Information
Below you will find a summary of some of the questions about the Master's degree programme in Public Management & Governance that are frequently asked by the student advisory service. If you have any further questions, we will of course be happy to answer them.
A consecutive Master's degree programme builds on the content of a professionally qualifying degree programme and serves to continue and/or expand it in an interdisciplinary manner.
Yes, for admission to the Master's degree programme in Public Management & Governance, the name of the academic degree from the first degree programme is irrelevant.
No. As this is a consecutive Master's degree programme, there are no tuition fees. However, if you exceed the total standard period of study for the first degree programme and the consecutive Master's degree programme, you will have to pay multiple fees. Further details and special regulations can be found in the Thuringian Higher Education Fees and Charges Act (ThürHGEG). You will also have to pay fees of 85.00 euros/semester for the student union, 5.00 euros/semester for the student body and 176.40 euros/semester for the Deutschlandticket, i.e. a total of 266.40 euros/semester (as of summer semester 2025). For the first semester, there is an additional one-off charge of 20.00 euros for the Thuringian Student Union Card Thoska, unless you already have one from your previous studies.
Please apply online. Submit the required documents to the Study Service Centre at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences. This is possible until 28 February (if you are starting in the summer semester) and until 31 August (if you are starting in the winter semester). If you fulfil the admission requirements, you will then receive a letter of admission authorising you to enrol as soon as you have paid the fees for the first semester. If you have to complete bridging modules, this will be indicated on the letter of admission.
Yes, this is possible. If you are expected to fulfil the admission requirements, you will receive a letter of admission subject to the fulfilment of the admission requirements. You can then enrol as soon as you have paid the fees for the first semester, but must then prove that you have met the admission requirements by 31 December (for enrolment for the winter semester) or 30 June (for enrolment for the summer semester). If you are enrolled at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences, you may already attend the courses of the Master's degree programme.
In accordance with international requirements, 300 ECTS points are required for a Master's degree, including the previous degree programme. These are usually acquired through a combination of degree programmes with standard study periods totalling ten semesters (30 ECTS credits/semester). The Master's degree programme in Public Management & Governance comprises a study volume of 90 ECTS credits. If you have earned fewer than 210 ECTS credits through your first professional degree - this usually applies to degree programmes with a standard period of study of six semesters - the missing ECTS credits must be earned through bridging modules. If you have already earned 210 ECTS credits, bridging modules may still be required to enable you to continue your first professionally qualifying degree programme consecutively (qualification adjustment).
As a rule, you can choose the bridging modules from the wide range of our degree programmes according to your interests. It is only not possible to choose modules as bridging modules that are already covered by your previous degree programme.
If you are studying according to the study option for graduates of a first degree in administration, economics, law or social sciences and have earned fewer than 10 ECTS credits in business administration content from the fields of human resources, organisation, investment, financing, accounting, controlling and/or management, you can be admitted on condition that you make up the corresponding modules as part of the bridging modules or as part of the supplementary modules of the Master's degree programme.
If you are studying according to the study option for graduates of a first degree programme in administration, economics, law or social sciences and have earned fewer than 10 ECTS credits in the field of public law, you can be admitted on condition that you make up the corresponding modules as part of the bridging modules or as part of the supplementary modules of the Master's degree programme.
You will be enrolled on the Master's degree programme when you start your studies at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences. You can already complete modules on the Master's degree programme from the first semester. You complete the bridge modules until you register for the Master's thesis. If you have to catch up on bridging modules worth 30 ECTS credits (especially if you only gained 180 ECTS credits in your first professionally qualifying degree programme), you will generally need four semesters to complete the Master's degree programme. Individual bridging modules can usually be completed "on the side" without extending the duration of your studies (with "overtime", of course).
The Master's degree programme opens up access to the higher civil service and is therefore also equivalent to Master's degree programmes at universities in this respect. However, "access to the higher civil service" should not be confused with a "career qualification", as can be obtained, for example, as a result of completing our Bachelor's degree programme in Public Business Administration/Public Management for the higher non-technical administrative service. While the two practical semesters in the Bachelor's degree programme correspond to the preparatory service and the Bachelor's examination can replace the career examination for the higher non-technical administrative service, a preparatory service (administrative traineeship) and a career examination would have to be added to the Master's degree programme in order to obtain the "career qualification for the higher service". However, after completing the Master's degree programme, employment as an employee in a pay grade corresponding to the higher civil service (EG 13 TVöD/TV-L) is possible, as well as subsequent appointment as a civil servant. The federal and state governments have made different regulations for their respective areas of responsibility. It is usually possible to become a civil servant after two and a half or three years of employment at the higher civil service level.
Your Study Service Centre (SSZ) is there for you!
It's easy to secure your place on your desired degree programme online!
Our Campus Management System HISinOne makes it possible:
Simply upload all your application documents in PDF format to the relevant fields in the online portal.
And if you still need to submit something, that is No problem! You can easily send missing documents by e-mail to our Study Service Centre:
Simply contact us at .
We know that student budgets are often tight. That's why we want to reassure you right away: At our university there are No tuition fees!
To support you in financing your studies, we provide you with the following information at BAföG helpful tips on how to apply and ensure that your application is complete. You will also find important contacts there.
We want to support and encourage particularly talented and motivated students.
Under Scholarships you will find information on various scholarship programmes. There are also other funding options, such as the 'StudiumThüringenPlus' study start-up grant, parental funding, child benefit and the opportunity to earn your own money through a student job.
Unlike at a university, you will receive more support in your learning process at our university. We provide learning objective control questions, enable you to deepen your knowledge through exercises and also facilitate a great deal of interaction in lectures and seminars. These are big differences to courses with >300 students.
Study Service Centre
+49 3631 420-222
House 18, Level 1, Room 18.0105