A holistic, interdisciplinary study program with a strong focus on employability:

The IRPH program provides students with the foundations for a variety of careers. By equipping them with an in-depth understanding of international relations and history, from both empirical and theoretical perspectives, they gain the knowledge and the analytical tools required for fields like politics and diplomacy, public policy and administration, communications, and journalism.

Best prepared for successful career positions in various fields:

Our students have thus secured internships and career positions in both governmental and non-governmental organizations, including the European Parliament, the UN, the World Bank, Doctors Without Borders, the German Development Agency and Foreign Ministry, Amnesty International, the Nobel Institute, Forbes as well as a variety of government ministries, think tanks, and foundations. Because our students gain highly transferable abilities, such as critical thinking, research, analysis, writing, and presentation skills, they also can attain positions in the business and management sectors. Our students have thus landed in management consulting, banking and finance, and logistics and project management. Specific employers include PriceWaterhouseCoopers, KPMG, CapGemini, Accenture, Citigroup, Google, EON, and Daimler.

Excellent academic standards prepare for acceptance at top universities:

Our students also acquire the academic training that enables them to continue in graduate and postgraduate research and IPRH has a solid track record of placing students at top-flight graduate schools around the world. To name just a few, our graduates have gained acceptance to Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, King’s College, Imperial College London, Harvard, Columbia, Berkeley, John Hopkins, Georgetown, Duke, WHU School of Management, Cass Business School, ETH Zurich, College of Europe, Graduate Institute of Geneva, and Sciences Po.

The Career Services Center (CSC) as well as the Constructor Alumni Office help students in their career development. The CSC provides students with high-quality training and coaching in CV creation, cover letter formulation, interview preparation, effective presenting, business etiquette and employer research as well as in many other aspects, thus helping students identify and follow up rewarding careers after their time at Constructor University. Furthermore, the Alumni Office helps students establish a long-lasting and worldwide network which comes in handy when exploring job options in academia, industry, and elsewhere.

Career opportunities

Career services center

Today’s business world requires disciplinary knowledge from graduates as well as the ability to apply this knowledge. Career-related services at Constructor University provide information, counseling and training, networks, and events. Constructor University’s students participate in training on project management, business communication, job interview skills, and more. Digital job and internship portfolios help students to prepare for their careers.

Alumni association

Studying at Constructor University gives you connections – often for your whole life.

The Alumni Association E.V. was founded in 2004 by the first generation of graduates. Since then, around 4,500 students have obtained their degrees from this University.

The undergraduate program at Constructor University is a three-year, 180-credit-point program designed to prepare students for a wide range of career paths.

Throughout this 3-year full-time program taught in English, students will learn how to analyze and interpret large data sets, design, and develop software applications, and solve complex problems using data-driven approaches. Students will also gain a strong foundation in computer science, programming, and related disciplines such as mathematics and statistics.

The “4C Model” is the program's backbone, with disciplinary content grouped into three themes according to study years: CHOICE-CORE-CAREER. Additionally, the “CONSTRUCTOR Track”, an integral part of the program, runs parallel throughout the program. It provides students with multidisciplinary content and essential skills such as argumentation, data visualization, societal engagement, and communication.

The curriculum allows students to tailor their education to their goals and to explore different fields of study, with the flexibility to change their major within the first year. Moreover, the programs include a mandatory internship and a study-abroad opportunity in the fifth semester to provide students with hands-on experience and a global perspective.

Study program structure

Year 1

The first study year is designed to build on and enhance the students' prior knowledge and qualifications. The program offers a wide range of introductory modules from which IRPH students can choose a total of 45 credit points from various study programs, with 15 credits designated for their chosen major.

Students can switch to a different major at the beginning of the second year of studies if they have taken the corresponding modules of the study program in the first year of studies.

IRPH students take the following discipline-specific CHOICE Modules in their first year of study:

• CHOICE Module: Introduction to International Relations (7.5 credit points)
• CHOICE Module: Introduction to Modern European History (7.5 credit points)

While students have the option to switch to a different major at the start of their second year, the IRPH program requires students to complete two discipline-specific modules in their first year: "Introduction to International Relations" and "Introduction to Modern European History." These modules provide students with a comprehensive overview of international relations and European history. The "Introduction to International Relations" module delves into the fundamental theories of international relations, cooperation, and collective security through examining texts by noted scholars and hands-on activities. The "Introduction to Modern European History" module focuses on European political, socio-economic, and cultural developments over the past two centuries. It provides students with opportunities to analyze scholarship and primary sources. Both modules aim to sharpen students' argumentation and academic writing skills.

Year 2

The second year of study offers IRPH students the opportunity to delve deeper into their chosen major through 45 credit points worth of CORE modules. These modules are designed to enhance the student's critical understanding of their major's fundamental theories, principles, and methodologies.

IRPH students take 30 credit points from the following CORE modules:

• CORE Module: Understanding International Political Economy (7.5 credit points)
• CORE Module: Advanced International Relations Theory (7.5 credit points)
• CORE Module: Empires and Nation States (5 credit points)
• CORE Module: History of Globalization (5 credit points)
• CORE Module: International Law (5 credit points)
• CORE Module: Regional Integration (5 credit points)
• CORE Module: International Resource Politics (5 credit points)
• CORE Module: Diplomacy and Foreign Policy (5 credit points)

In addition, students can select 15 credit points worth of CORE modules to align with their interests or to pursue a minor in a secondary field of study.

The module “Understanding International Political Economy” focuses on the relationship between international relations and economics, particularly emphasizing the rise of China and East Asia since the 1970s.

The “Advanced International Relations Theory” module provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the past 60 years of theorizing about world politics, including opportunities for developing debate skills.

The “Empires and Nation States” module examines the events, ideas, and processes that have shaped modern politics and societies.

The “History of Globalization” module explores the interconnectedness of social, economic, political, and cultural spheres and its roots and evolution.

In the module "International Law," students are introduced to public international law and how it governs the international conduct of states and non-state actors.

The module "Regional Integration" examines states' efforts to overcome their boundaries and forge economic, political, and strategic integration on a regional level.

The module "International Resource Politics" investigates the intersection of politics, economics, and resources, particularly energy, and examines the geopolitical conflicts that have arisen over resources since the late 19th century.

Finally, the “Diplomacy and Foreign Policy” module teaches students about the concepts and tools used in foreign policy and the practical skills employed by diplomats, foreign policy experts, and international civil servants.

Year 3

In their third year, IRPH students take the opportunity to prepare for their post-graduation career by completing a mandatory summer internship to gain professional experience and explore their interests.

This year also includes the option of studying abroad during the 5th semester, providing a unique opportunity for students to broaden their cultural horizons. In the 6th semester, students are fully immersed in research focusing on completing an extended Bachelor's thesis project.

To deepen their understanding of their chosen major, IRPH students can select four major-specific and major-related advanced Specialization modules. These modules are designed to provide the students with up-to-date knowledge on various areas within the IRPH field. The following are the approved Specialization Modules:

IRPH students can choose four of the following Specialization Modules:

• Specialization: Political Philosophy (5 credit points)
• Specialization: China: Politics, Economy, and Society (5 credit points)
• Specialization: Oppression, Conformity, and Resistance under Dictatorships (5 credit points)
• Specialization: A New Cold War? EU-Russian Relations (5 credit points)

In the "Political Philosophy" module, students delve into the political ideas that shape society and their impact through philosophical tools and analysis. The "China: Politics, Economy and Society" module focuses on current topics such as the transformation of the Chinese party-state and socio-economic challenges. The "Oppression, Conformity and Resistance under Dictatorships" module provides an in-depth look at everyday life under a dictatorship, focusing on European 20th-century regimes.

For students who wish to expand their knowledge beyond IRPH, they have the option to take approved Specialization modules from other programs. With IRPH SPC approval and prerequisite requirements, these modules can be selected from the SMP study program. The following modules are approved without further approval:

• CORE Module: Systems of Democratic Governance (5 credit points)
• CORE Module: The Sociology of Conflict and Crisis (5 credit points)
• Specialization: A New Cold War? EU-Russian Relations (5 credit points)

Internship / Start-up and career skills module

At Constructor University, students are given a unique opportunity to boost their employability through a mandatory two-month internship worth 15 credits. This opportunity usually takes place during the summer between the second and third year of study, providing students with the chance to gain practical experience in a professional setting. Through this internship, students can apply the knowledge and understanding they have gained from their major to real-world contexts, evaluate the significance of their major in the employment sector and society, reflect on their role in employment and society, and make informed career decisions. For students interested in starting their own company, an alternative to the full-time internship is offered as a start-up option, which allows them to focus on developing their business plan.

Constructor University Track

The Constructor University Track, an important feature of Constructor University’s educational concept, runs parallel to the disciplinary modules across all study years and is an integral part of the study program. It reflects a university-wide commitment to in-depth training in scientific methods, fosters an interdisciplinary approach, raises awareness of global challenges and societal responsibility, enhances employability, and equips students with extra skills desirable in the general field of study. Additionally, it integrates (German) language and culture modules.

Methods and Skills modules

Methods and skills such as mathematics, statistics, programming, data handling, presentation skills, academic writing, and scientific and experimental skills are offered to all students as part of the Methods and Skills area modules. Students are required to take 20 credit points in the Methods/Skills area.

IRPH students take the following Methods modules:

• Methods Module: Academic Writing and Academic Skills (5 credit points)
• Methods Module: Data Collection and Empirical Research Methodologies (5 credit points)
• Methods Module: Qualitative Research Methods (5 credit points)

For the remaining 5 credit points, IRPH students can choose between the following two Methods modules:

• Methods Module: Applied Statistics with R (5 credit points)
• Methods Module: Applied Statistics with SPSS (5 credit points)

Big Questions modules

The modules of the Big Questions area intend to broaden the students’ horizons with applied problem-solving between and beyond the disciplines. The offerings comprise problem-solving-oriented modules that tackle global challenges from the perspectives of different disciplinary backgrounds and that allow, in particular, a reflection of the acquired disciplinary knowledge in economic, societal, technological, and/or ecological contexts.

IRPH students take 2-4 courses from a broad portfolio of Big Questions modules.

Community Impact Project

In their 5th semester, students must take a 5 credit points Community Impact Project (CIP) module. Students engage in on-campus or off-campus activities that challenge their social responsibility, i.e., they typically work on major-related projects that make a difference in the community life on campus, in its neighborhood, in Bremen, or on a cross-regional level.

Language modules

Constructor University supports its students in acquiring and improving these skills by offering a variety of language modules at all proficiency levels. Emphasis is put on fostering the German language skills of international students as they are an essential prerequisite for non-native-speaking students to learn about, explore, and eventually integrate into their host country and its professional environment.

All students take four language courses in the first and second years.