Double Degree PELP
On October 1, 2017, the PELP Master's curriculum was expanded to include an optional double degree with restricted admission. It is now possible to study the PELP Master's degree as part of the double degree at the Universities of Graz and Bochum. However, it is still possible to enrol and study the Master's PELP as before without having to complete the program as a double degree.
![Double Degree PELP ©Uni Graz/Kanizaj Students sit at a desk in a seminar room at the University of Graz ©Uni Graz/Kanizaj](https://static.uni-graz.at/fileadmin/_processed_/7/5/csm_349_indoor_hoersaal_menschen_kompr_a4f3a90510.jpg)
Double Degree
A double degree program is a study program in which two national diplomas or certificates are issued, provided that the student has completed at least 30 ECTS credits at the respective partner university in a study program of up to 120 ECTS credits. The two diplomas state that they are a jointly awarded academic degree and that the two certificates are only valid together. The graduate has thus acquired the exclusive right to use one academic degree. A double degree therefore does not mean that you receive two titles, but one title from two universities.
Why Bochum?
Ruhr-Universität Bochum is the first and largest university in the Ruhr region. There are 3,300 international students studying in Bochum. Of these, around 630 are studying for a doctorate. In addition, there are around 500 incoming exchange students (including participants in the double degree program).
As part of the double degree, participants in Bochum can focus on the Market & Morality module. In this module, students deal with economic theory, which views the market as a morality-free system, whereby moral aspects play at most a superordinate role, for example in legal regulations. In doing so, students deal with various questions:
- Is this model even suitable as a description of current markets?
- Should morality be seen as a social resource within markets?
- Which actors in markets are moral actors and which moral norms apply to them?
Market & Morality is one of four specializations in the degree course"Ethics - Economics, Law and Politics" (EELP) at Ruhr-Universität Bochum. Further information about the course and the university can be found in the link.
Requirements for completing the Double Degree PELP
- In order to obtain the double degree PELP, the Master's program must be studied exclusively in English. This includes the courses as well as the Master's thesis and Master's examination. The only exceptions are free electives. Students wishing to complete the Double Degree PELP must therefore be aware at the beginning of the PELP program that they can only have English-language courses credited for the Double Degree PELP.
- A prerequisite for the Double Degree PELP degree is a semester abroad at Bochum University. During this semester abroad, at least 30 ECTS credits must be completed at the University of Bochum, of which at least 10 ECTS credits must be used for the Master's thesis. The second supervisor of the Master's thesis must issue a confirmation of this.
- During the course of study at the partner university, the work specified in Module 7 must be completed in consultation with the second supervisor based at the respective partner university.
- The Master's thesis must be written at the University of Graz
- The Master's thesis must be written in English
- The Master's thesis is supervised by two supervisors, with the first supervisor being provided by the University of Graz and the second supervisor being provided by the partner university.
- The topic for the Master's thesis should be chosen during the studies abroad, i.e. generally in the third semester, and should reflect the focus chosen as part of the Double Degree PELP.
Procedure and application
The following steps should be considered for participation in the Double Degree PELP:
- Initial planning: In order to avoid bureaucratic detours, students should ideally decide on the Double Degree PELP at the beginning of their PELP studies and enrol for it accordingly. A later change is possible, but involves a lot of effort (new admission, recognition of courses). The deadlines of the Study and Examination Office apply to enrolment in the Double Degree PELP.For admission to the Double Degree PELP, sufficient knowledge of English must be demonstrated in accordance with the current regulations of the Rectorate (see: Language of Instruction English - International Students). All curriculum points, with the exception of the free electives, of the PELP double degree program must be completed in English.
- Change of degree program: If the applicant is already enrolled in the PELP degree program and wishes to change his/her major to the double degree PELP, he/she must contact the Study and Examination Office. The deadlines of the Study and Examination Department also apply here and sufficient English language skills must be demonstrated in accordance with the applicable Rectorate regulation.
- Application for a mobility scholarship: Students can apply for a mobility scholarship (ERASMUS) for the obligatory stay abroad at the partner university in Bochum. Please note the deadlines of the International Relations Office.
- Stay abroad: The third semester is recommended for the stay abroad at the partner university.
- Degree: The Master's thesis is written at the University of Graz
If you need advice or information about the Double Degree PELP, please contact the coordinators of the Double Degree PELP, Prof. Dr. Lukas Meyer(lukas.meyer(at)uni-graz.at) and Ass. Prof. Dr. Pranay Sanklecha(pranay.sanklecha(at)uni-graz.at).
Master's thesis and examination
Authorized examiners of the Master's thesis
As a rule, the supervisor of the Master's thesis must be habilitated and belong to the Institute of Philosophy. In exceptional cases, the supervisor may also be a non-habilitated person with a doctorate from another institute. The Dean of Studies of the Faculty of Humanities will decide on this in the final instance. A form for the corresponding application can be found here on the second page.
Regular supervisors of Master's theses are the following professors:
- Univ.-Prof. Dr. Christine Abbt (Institute of Philosophy, Department of Political Philosophy)
- Ao.Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr.iur. Christian Hiebaum (Institute of Legal Studies, Department of Philosophy of Law)
- Univ.-Prof. Dr. Matthias Klatt (Institute for Legal Foundations, Department of Legal Philosophy)
- Univ.-Prof. Dr. Lukas Meyer (Institute of Philosophy, Department of Practical Philosophy)
- Univ.-Prof. Dr. Ursula Renz (Institute of Philosophy, Department of History of Philosophy)
- Prof. Dr. Sonja Rinofner (Institute of Philosophy, Department of Classical Phenomenology)
In exceptional cases, the following persons may be considered as supervisors for the Master's thesis:
- Dr.phil BA MA Elias Moser (Institute of Philosophy, Department of Practical Philosophy)
- Dr.phil. Norbert Paulo (Institute of Philosophy, Department of Practical Philosophy)
- Dr. Adriana Placani (Institute of Philosophy, Department of Political Philosophy)
- Mag.phil. Dr.phil MA Thomas Pölzler (Institute of Philosophy, Department of Practical Philosophy)
- Dr. phil Barbara Reiter (Department of Philosophy)
- Ass.-Prof. Dr.phil. MA Pranay Sanklecha (Institute of Philosophy, Department of Practical Philosophy)
- PD MMag. Dr.phil. habil. Harald Stelzer (Research Manager of the Profile Area Climate Change Graz)
Authorized examiners for the Master's examination
All members of the examination board must be habilitated in relevant subjects, unless you have made an exception with the vice dean mentioned above. As a rule, the committee consists of three members:
- The supervisor of the Master's thesis as first examiner
- A second examiner (in the case of the double degree, this must be the second supervisor of the Master's thesis from Bochum University). The second examiner must be habilitated in the examination subject.
- An examination chairperson who acts as the minute taker. In exceptional cases, the chairperson may be a person who does not hold a doctorate, but only if the other two members of the examination committee are habilitated. This is also decided by the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Humanities.