The MBA Public Affairs & Leadership prepares you for the management of political communication. The participants acquire both comprehensive economic knowledge and a detailed insight into political processes and communications practices. You engage with the strategic representation of a whole spectrum of different interests. A contemporary approach to political management qualifies you to take on positions of responsibility in NGOs, political parties, corporations and agencies.
The field of public affairs encompasses the management of a wide range of advisory-based relationships between organisations and the world of politics. It comprises the articulation, legitimisation and assertion of interests on the basis of transparency and openness. The field requires skilled managers who can handle PR and communication issues just as professionally as they can manage the specifics of the political system and its processes. Additionally, a well-founded understanding of finance is indispensable for any successful public affairs manager. The MBA Public Affairs & Leadership programme unites all of these requirements into a densely-packed, targeted study programme.
The MBA Public Affairs & Leadership is an economics degree programme with an additional qualification in political science. The programme focuses on imparting knowledge of business administration, management, and leadership for future managers in the field of political communication for NGOs, political parties, corporations and agencies. Alongside administration, management and leadership, knowledge of the political system and communication elements is one of the programme’s focus points.
Typical careers for these professionals often lead from humanities and social sciences to consulting positions, traditionally within the communications field. However, many other career paths and job roles can also lead to the Public Affairs & Leadership programme. For example, the programme also targets employees of members of the German federal or state parliaments, as well as representatives of political parties.
The MBA programme qualifies you for management roles within the political communications sector of corporations and associations, as well as in public affairs. Graduates of the programme preside over varying departments and are responsible for communication with the legislative and executive branches. The MBA programme unites precise knowledge of the political system, political decision-making, of advocacy and legislative processes with an in-depth distribution of communication and management knowledge, as well as economic and managerial skills.
All degree programmes at Quadriga University of Applied Sciences Berlin are offered on a part-time basis. The degree courses consist of on-site classroom training and self-study. The classroom sessions mostly take place at the Quadriga campus in Berlin. Most knowledge segments are being acquired via guided independent study.
Attendance times mostly include seminars, tutorials and projects. All stated methods of knowledge transfer share a strong interactive element. One of Quadriga University’s central approaches focuses on learning about new topics and testing new theories by the means of group discussions and critical thinking. For participants to prepare for the course and to actively participate in class sessions is crucial for the success of the programme.
The on-campus sessions consist of different time slots. The regular classroom sessions are usually scheduled for long weekends, lasting from Thursday to Saturday, where students attend lectures in Berlin. Those segments take place approximately once a month.
Scheduled alongside these monthly teaching units are several extended classroom sessions of approximately five to seven days in Berlin. Summer School, the longest on-site segment, continues for about ten days. It provides students with a particularly wide variety regarding teachings, practice-oriented events and further joint activities. Furthermore, a one-week educational trip builds an integral part of each degree programme.
The Quadriga University Berlin places particular importance on guided self-study. This comprises of lesson preparation and follow-up work, as well as project and group work. The lesson materials are provided to the students in printed form in advance, while presentations and further study materials, such as case studies, are available on our intranet.
Quadriga University makes sure to shape its study model to also be well suited for young parents, thus allowing for an excellent opportunity to upgrade one’s education during parental leave.
The high portion of self-study allows for good compatibility between study and job.
The small number of students and the personal mentoring allows the faculty to individually address the specific needs of students with children.
The classroom training segments are announced months in advance, so as to make it easier for families with children to find childminding options.
Bundling the on-site segments into selected long weekends allows to organise childminding by the partner or other family members.
Quadriga University´s MBA degree programmes adhere to the European guidelines for MBA courses proposed by the European Quality Link (EQUAL), the association of national accreditation institutions.
The content of the MBA degree programmes follow the EQUAL criteria, which provides a strong focus across all business topics, such as principles of business economics, finance, marketing and strategic foundations (business policy and strategy). Core issues like these fall within the scope of the management and business economics department and are therefore taught by their lecturers.
Alongside specific business content, EQUAL requires the teaching of a broad set of management skills. Amongst these are – as well as leadership skills – human resources management, presentation and representation, and the art of negotiation.
The MBA Public Affairs & Leadership comprises eight modules and a final assignment (thesis).
This module familiarises you with the principles of economic thinking. The module teaches you the fundamentals of how the economy functions.
This module introduces students to communication management, giving an understanding of the processes and background knowledge involved. Through the Communication Circle, participants learn about social-psychological mechanisms and sharpen their communication skills.
This module prepares you for the management of a public affairs department or division. Participants gain insight into principles of leadership, organisation, management and human resources.
This module consists of detailed coverage of the foundations of legislation and the formal and informal processes associated with it. Students acquire professional skills to utilise in the political arena. At a European level, politics and advocacy conform to their own set of regulations. The module outlines the legislative processes, treaties and relevant actors within the European Union.
This module introduces students to the sensitive areas of corporations which communications operatives need to internalise in order to advance to corporate management: business law, accounting, investments and financing.
This module presents and examines a precise view of the relevant processes and actors involved in advocacy groups. Students learn about political parties and important political associations. The module thoroughly outlines the professional field of public affairs and further introduces its normative-ethical principles. Students become acquainted with instruments and methods of modern advocacy through a number of practical exercises.
Public affairs managers must act confidently within the many disciplines in their field. A comprehensive approach requires a practical grasp of corporate strategy and marketing, particularly political marketing.
Planning and successfully implementing communications strategies; In this module, participants learn about the strategic principles of successful campaign management and how to apply them.
Applicants must have earned at least 240 ECTS credits. Normally, the required credits have been earned with a magister, diploma or master’s degree.
Upon application (e.g. if you have a bachelor degree or comparable that does not provide the required credits), relevant work experience can serve as a substitute for part of the required academic credits. Please speak with the student advisors.
You may have spent the entire period in the same position, or changed your position.
Work experience should be calculated based on a full-time position. If you have held part-time positions, these will only count proportionately.
​Example: You worked half-time for one year – this would count for six months of professional experience.
Applicants to the MBA Leadership & Human Resources should bring along relevant professional experience in HR management or possess a sound knowledge of HR-relevant processes in different operational areas.
If you would like to do a different English test or prove your English skills another way, please contact the directors of studies at the University.
Quadriga University offers a number of scholarships to its students. If you would like to apply for a scholarship please contact the university’s directors of studies to receive information about our scholarship partners and to look at your chances of receiving a scholarship. Furthermore, MBA and M.A. students may be offered various means of funding.
There are a number of sponsorship models, which can provide employer-funded study at Quadriga University of Applied Sciences Berlin, for example a binding clause guaranteeing partial or total repayment binds the employee to their company for a certain period of time. In return, the employer completely or partially covers the tuition fees and additional study costs. Sponsorship offers an ideal opportunity for talent management within modern and innovative personnel management departments. Talents are purposefully and consistently promoted. Since Quadriga’s study programmes are part-time degree courses, the sponsored employee remains a full member of their company’s work force. This sponsorship model demonstrates an employer's confidence in their employees as well as honouríng their work done up to that point.
Students are provided with financial assistance in the form of education or student loans, which are granted by public or private sponsors. The main advantage of such loans over conventional bank loans is their lower interest rate. A student loan is usually granted without other collateral, as it is calculated based on expected future earnings after graduation.
Education funds are offered privately and are a form of educational funding that allows for maximum flexibility, independent from bank obligations. The financial support thereby covers cost of living, tuition fees and trips abroad. The repayment terms are individually negotiated and calculated based on expected future earnings. With education funds, interest and repayments do not apply and, therefore, the maximum amount of repayment is limited.
Studying at Quadriga University of Applied Sciences Berlin serves as a professional qualification in communications management and public affairs, and is therefore, by law, considered professional development. Therefore, tuition fees at Quadriga University as well as further additional costs, such as textbooks and periodicals, study materials and travel expenses, are deductible as business expenses in the annual tax return. However, binding information from a tax counselor or tax lawyer should be collected regarding country-specific distinctions.
In addition to the options listed above, you may also be offered an individual payment plan with the university. Here, distinct conditions for a payment period going beyond the duration of the study programme or special rates and repayments can be laid down. The directors of study will be happy to provide more information on possibilities.
Mentors play a key role regarding Quadriga’s teachings. Our mentors are experienced and renowned practitioners, foremost from the fields of communication management, media, politics and human resources management, amongst them also members of the university’s Board of Trustees.
To guarantee personal knowledge transfer and practical relevance, every student (mentee) is assigned a mentor. The mentor supports the mentee on questions regarding personal career management, gives practical insights, imparts relevant contacts as well as extended access to various networks.
The mentoring process spans throughout the entire course of studies. During this time frame, mentor and mentee meet on a regular basis by individual arrangement. For further information on Quadriga University’s mentoring programme, please contact our directors of study.
During the the MBA Public Affairs & Leadership programme, students will have one study block abroad.
The study abroad session takes place in the spring of 2019 in the European capital of Brussels. Participants will meet leading representatives from European policy and advocacy groups and get a chance to talk with them in a small group environment about trends and tools that are going to shape everyday work in European policy in the years to come.
In the past the itinerary has included background discussions and talks at the European Parliament, Coca Cola Europe and the Permanent Representation of Germany in Brussels.
The educational trip is organised by Quadriga University; the trip programme itself is included in the study fees.
It is of great importance to Quadriga University of Applied Sciences Berlin for the participants of the degree programmes to be qualified, motivated and goal-oriented. For this purpose, the University has a multistage application process. This helps ensure that all participants of Quadriga University Berlin's degree programmes share the necessary qualifications for an ideal and successful course of study. Furthermore, the university wants to lay the foundation for successful interpersonal learning within the study group.
The student counsellors at Quadriga University of Applied Sciences Berlin will be happy to assist you and to provide all information necessary about the application process. Please start your application process with a personal consultation with one of our student advisors, either by e-mail, phone, or in person at the university campus in Berlin.
Submit the necessary documents to the university. The application documents are available for download here. Consult the checklist and see if you have all of the required application documents.
Based on their application, applicants who qualify for a degree programme at Quadriga University of Applied Sciences Berlin will be invited for a personal interview. All other applicants will receive a letter of rejection.
The assessment usually takes place about two weeks after the application closing date, at Quadriga campus.
During the assessment, which will last approximately one hour, university representatives will conduct an intensive interview with you. This assessment is to ensure that the applicants fulfil the necessary criteria to complete the chosen degree programme. Therefore, the assessment evaluates both the applicant's professional expertise and their personal motivation to enrol for their chosen degree programme.
If we are convinced of your suitability and motivation, you will receive a written letter of acceptance from the University, together with a training contract for your selected degree programme.
As soon as you have mailed back your signed training contract and all other documents, you will be officially enrolled at Quadriga University of Applied Sciences Berlin, and then receive a certificate of enrolment. Your student identity card will be mailed to you within approx. four weeks.
In this section you will find an overview of all documents to be included in your application. This will assist you in compiling all of the required documents. Please download the checklist, which you can enclose with your application.
Please use the official application form to provide all necessary personal information as well as your past educational and professional experience.
Please give a brief outline of your key life stages (max. 1 page) and add a passport photo.
Please include an officially certified copy of the diploma/graduation certificate from your first academic degree in your application (in case you earned several degrees: officially certified copies of all academic degrees).
If you have acquired less than 240 ECTS credits during your academic training so far (especially bachelor degrees with 180 ECTS credits), your professional experience may count for up to 60 credits.
You need at least three years of professional experience in order to be accepted onto a degree programme at Quadriga University of Applied Sciences Berlin. Please include relevant certificates and reference letters in your application.
Please provide evidence of an adequate command of English through a successfully completed TOEFL (80 points, internet-based). On the day of the test, please provide the institution code for Quadriga University of Applied Sciences Berlin (6989) so that the results will be sent directly to the university.
Please include a motivational letter, approximately one page in length, explaining why you are interested in your chosen degree programme at Quadriga University of Applied Sciences Berlin. Please describe your future goals for when you have successfully completed your degree and how the programme’s focus aligns with your future career planning.
Please enclose a letter of reference from a superior or somebody in a comparable position who can evaluate your strengths and weaknesses from a professional perspective, and state how and why the successful completion of the degree programme will further your career planning (approx. one page).