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Economic Geography and Spatial Development Policy (M.Sc.)

Taught in German

Overview

Overview

Overview

The Master's programme economic geography, mobility and spatial development policy combines the field of economic geography (especially knowledge-based regional development and innovation research) with questions on new forms of mobility and interaction and consistently places this in the context of the policy fields regarding regional development. This ensures the teaching of job-related skills.
The programme is aimed at bachelor's graduates of economic geography who wish to deepen their theoretical knowledge on the topic of regional economic development and prepare themselves for the related professional fields. However, the course is also a useful specialisation for graduates of spatial planning who wish to expand their basic knowledge of the causes of spatial development and thus improve their ability to connect with other spatial policy fields outside of spatial planning (e.g. economic development, transport policy). Finally, the programme is aimed at bachelor's graduates of mobility or transport science disciplines who wish to expand their technical knowledge of socio-economic issues relating to new forms of mobility and social trends that affect spatial development.


During your studies you will acquire theoretical knowledge in the subject areas:

  • Regional disparities,
  • Innovation research,
  • Mobility research,
  • Policy field research and
  • Planning theory.

You will combine two of the three pillars - economic geography, mobility, spatial development policy - to form your personal study focus:

  • Economy and Mobility or
  • Economy and Spatial Development Policy or
  • Mobility and Spatial Development Policy.


Depending on your study focus, the basic courses and a total of three study projects will deal with the current issues of economic geography, mobility topics and policy fields such as spatial planning, regional economic development, transport policy and innovation policy. This always takes into account practical challenges for which integrative solutions are developed. You will acquire methodological skills in the field of modern research methods and instruments (e.g. in-depth qualitative and quantitative methods, mixed methods, evaluation methods). In addition, you will learn methods that prepare you for non-university employment (e.g. moderation techniques, project management, development of new business models or new approaches to regional management). Evaluation methods build a bridge between research and practice.

The course of study is consistently internationally oriented (including semesters abroad) and systematically integrates institutions and lecturers from practice into teaching.

Further information can be found on the website of the department of geography

Duration of studies 4 Semester 120 Credit Points (CP)

Duration of Studies

4 Semesters - 120 Credit Points (CP)

Composition of the Study Programme

Duration of studies 4 Semester 120 Credit Points (CP)

Duration of Studies

4 Semesters - 120 Credit Points (CP)

Composition of the Study Programme

Composition of the Study Programme

The Master's programme consists of a total of 18 modules, 15 of which are devoted to economic geography and spatial development policy. The definition, crediting and allocation of credit points (CP) is based on the ECTS system.

 

Modules

1. SemesterCP2. SemesterCP
Introduction-Module Economic Geography 6 Project 1: Economic Geography 6
Introduction-Module Spatial Development Policy 6 Project 2: Spatial Development Policy/Planning 6
Methods of Innovation- and Evaluation-Research and Regional-Management 3 Project 3: Interdisciplinary Project Geomarketing 6
Supplement Module Methods of Geography 6 General Skills: Theory and Methodology of Science 3
General Skills: Positioning in the Job Market and Moderation Skills 3 Reference Module 6
Reference Module 6
3. SemesterCP4. SemesterCP
General Skills: Stay Abroad Preparatory Course 3 Thesis 30
Independent Studies 9
Master Dissertation: Preparatory Seminar 3
General Skills: elective module 3
Internship 9
Reference Module 6

 

 

Ben Kahl/JLU

 

At least 12 CP must be acquired abroad.

In addition, a total of 18 CP in subsidiary subjects must be acquired in the course of the semesters (reference module). Weitere Information on the reference module can be found here Anlage 4 der Speziellen Ordnung (in German)

 

 

Further Information

A description of the core- and specialisation modules can be found in the special regulations with module descriptions and module plans (in German)

More on this... ("Spezielle Ordnung")

 

Courses offered in the course catalogue

Application

Application: Entrance requirements

Commencement of studies

Winter semester, admission for the summer semester is possible after consultation with the chairperson of the Examination Board.

 

Entrance requirements

A Bachelor’s degree in Geography from a German university is considered to meet the admission requirements.

The  Examination Board can recognise further (also foreign) courses of study as equivalent after examination on a case-by-case basis, e.g. with a focus on spatial planning, political science and economics, and, if necessary, bind admission to the Master's programme to conditions.

Application not limited

Application for admission and registration

  • The intake capacity of this degree programme is not limited internally by the university.
  • Applications must be received by the JLU Student Secretariat by 15th January for the summer semester and 15th July for the winter semester. More on this...
  • Special regulations apply to foreign applicants or those who gained their university-entrance qualifications abroad. Read more...

Career Options

Career options

Career options

The main sources of employment are, on the one hand, the various levels of the civil service and, on the other hand, a broad range of different private business companies (see overview). In addition, numerous geographers work independently in one of the areas listed below. 

Typical professional fields and areas of work in the civil service

Geographers work in the private sector or as freelancers in the following fields
Land use planning Atlas / educational publishing
District planning Vocational training
Federal state planning Consulting
Regional planning Waste management business
Urban planning Retail trade / location planning
Traffic planning Large companies (all sectors)
Logistics Specialist publishing

Real estate management

Nature conservation		 Tourism
Environmental research / environmental protection Remote sensing
Environmental impact assessment Independent planning offices
Spatial planning Environmental impact assessment
Business promotion Chambers of industry and commerce / trade and professional associations
Development research Dictionary / encyclopaedia publishing
Location research Market research
Development planning Marketing / logistics
Tourism Oil business
Databanks, etc. PR work
Libraries and archives Planning and consulting enterprises
Adult education Press
Supply and waste management Databanks
Landscape planning
PR Work

Detailed information about professional fields as well as graduate career opportunities can be obtained, for example, from the German Association for Applied Geography (DVAG). 

 

Doctoral Studies at JLU

Doctorate possible with a Master's degree

 

International

International: incomings

Stays abroad in Giessen for international students (outgoings)

Contact persons in the faculty 07

 

Information and advice

 

  • International Office

     Counseling and Information on Studying Abroad and on Training Periods (for JLU Students)

     Goethestr. 58, room 22

     35390 Giessen

Contact details and office hours

 

Stays abroad in Giessen for international students (incomings)

Contact persons in the faculty 07

 

Information and advice


  • International Office

    General Counseling of International Students
    Goethestr. 58, room 38
    35390 Giessen

Contact details and office hours



Further Information

Further Information: Documents

PDF documents for the courses of study

Examination- and study regulations

 

Courses offered in the course catalogue

Links

Master's Degree Programmes of Faculty 07

International pages

Please have a look at our International Pages for more information in English.

Any Questions

Any Questions?

Information- and advisory services of JLU can be found under the category “contact” on this page!

Contact

Subject Advisor

Subject advisor

Prof. Dr. Stefan Hennemann
Department of geography
Schlossgasse 7, 1. OG
35390 Giessen

Tel.: 0641 - 99 36222

Links

Links

Central Study Advisor

Beate Pitzler

Beate Pitzler (Dipl. Päd.) 

Central Student Services

Directions and welcome desk