Double degree University of Bremen

The course "European Master in Labor Studies and Social Policy" is offered jointly by the University of Bremen (MA Social Policy) and the Università degli Studi di Milano (MA Global Politics and Society). The double degree emerged in the 2015/2016 winter semester from the successful cooperation between the two universities as part of the Master Européen en Sciences du Travail (MEST) network. The double degree students spend the first year of study in Bremen and the second year of study in Milan. After successful completion, the students receive two master's certificates. The language of instruction in both programs is English.

The courses in Bremen and Milan complement each other through their different focal points. While in Bremen there is a stronger focus on social policy, in Milan the focus lies more strongly on labour sociology and HRM. Both courses have in common the focus on welfare state institutions and industrial relations. Furthermore, both programs attach great importance to teaching empirical research methods and thus qualify for research-oriented activities in all areas of social policy and industrial relations, e.g. in international organizations such as ILO (International Labor Organization), Eurofound (European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions) or World Bank (World Bank), in ministries, trade unions, welfare organizations or NGOs. The content of the course focuses on the scientific consideration of work, employment relationships, social security systems and their complex interdependencies with the political, economic and social environment.

Course of study

All double degree students spend the first year of study at the University of Bremen.

In the first semester, the field of social policy and industrial relations is introduced and knowledge of social science methods is deepened. Among other things, the courses “International and European comparative social policy” and “Introduction to qualitative methods” are offered.

The focus of the second semester is on "European Labor Studies". In order to provide comprehensive insights into social policy and welfare state research, the modules "Governance and Control" and "Inequality and Justice" are also studied. The range of courses changes every year, but currently includes the courses "Transnational labor regulation" and "Inequalities in the labor markets - a comparative approach".

From the third semester, the double degree students continue their studies at the University of Milan. There, their knowledge of European labor studies and empirical methods will be deepened and supplemented by European labor law and business administration. Among other things, the courses “Economic and Social Regulation of Global Workforce”, “Welfare state and social innovation”, “Employment, inequalities and discrimination” and “Labor markets and globalization” are offered.

In the fourth semester, the students write their master's thesis at the University of Milan. This can be both empirical (comparative) and theoretical. The students register their master's thesis at the University of Milan, but each choose a supervisor from the University of Bremen and the University of Milan.