Courage to take responsibility: How Witten/Herdecke University trains leaders for the future

Customs conflicts, political upheavals and environmental crises - accompanied by megatrends such as digitalisation and demographics: in a time characterised by uncertainty, we need people who show attitude, provide orientation and take responsibility. This is why Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H) has placed its newly revised Master's programmes in Management (M. Sc.) and PPE - Philosophy, Politics & Economics (M. A.) under the common leitmotif of Leadership & Transformation. In the degree programmes, students acquire the necessary future skills to meet the current challenges facing companies, the economy and politics.

"Think. Act. Impact: this is the credo we want to use to train young people who not only develop smart ideas, but also act boldly - in business, politics and science," says Prof Dr Dirk Sauerland, Dean of the Faculty. "We create the right environment for this at the faculty."

Two paths, one goal: responsibility in business and society

The Master in Management (M. Sc.) is aimed at students who want to develop and manage companies and organisations - with a sound background in business management and a strong understanding of social contexts. Students can also set their own specialisations, e.g. in the areas of family business, strategic or organisational management.

The English-language and interdisciplinary Master's degree programme PPE - Philosophy, Politics & Economics (M. A.) offers an academic foundation for all those who want to address the major economic, political and ethical questions of our time: How can economic systems be designed for the benefit of people? What is just politics? And how can economic activity be organised in a socially responsible and sustainable way?

The new joint and interdisciplinary focus on Leadership & Transformation gives students of both degree programmes a sound insight into current research on leadership and transformation topics. They learn how to penetrate the complex interplay of individual disciplines, make responsible decisions and further develop organisations and associates. By choosing a personalised course of study, they can pave the way for their future career: For example, they either opt for the application-oriented path or the research-oriented research track, which specifically prepares them for doctoral studies at a later stage. Equipped with scientific methodological knowledge, students can pursue their own research ideas or work closely with existing research groups.

Next stage: doctoral studies

The Research Track is followed by the new doctoral programme, which will start in Witten in the winter semester 2025/26. With individual supervision, binding timetables and qualification programmes, internal and external doctoral students will receive a structured framework for their doctoral project. The UW/H supports them with both their publication strategy and career planning.

"Our aim is to offer doctoral candidates a supportive environment that combines academic quality with personal development," emphasises Prof. Dr Thomas Clauß, vice dean for research at the Faculty of Management, Economics and Society. "We want to train research personalities who make a real contribution to social challenges with their findings."

Further information:
Applications for the Master's degree programmes are possible all year round. The latest date to apply for the coming winter semester is 15 August of the same year. Prospective students who apply by 15 June for the coming winter semester benefit from the early bird advantage and do not pay an application fee. Anyone wishing to gain further academic qualifications after completing their Master's degree and advance research in their own department can find out more about the doctoral programme and receive individual advice on the UW/H website.