BA Economic Policy Journalism

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Technical University of Dortmund

Program Overview

The BA in Economic Policy Journalism at TU Dortmund University is a dynamic 8-semester program perfect for students passionate about how economics drives political and social change, blending rigorous economic training with hands-on multimedia journalism skills. It's ideal for those with a curiosity for real-world policy impacts who want to communicate complex ideas clearly, requiring just 6 weeks of internship proof upon admission to kickstart your practical edge.

Curriculum Structure
Years 1-2 (Semesters 1-4): You'll build a strong foundation in economics and journalism basics through the program's 18 interconnected modules, diving into core economic principles and introductory reporting techniques. Key modules like Economic Fundamentals and Journalism Basics teach you how markets and policies shape society, while Multimedia Teaching Editorial Office sessions let you practice writing and digital storytelling right away, making abstract concepts tangible from day one.

Years 3 (Semesters 5-6): Here, the focus sharpens on applying economics to current events, with modules such as Economic Policy Analysis and Multimedia Journalism pushing you to analyze policy debates and produce video, audio, and online content. You'll work in the Institute of Journalism’s teaching editorial department, honing skills in TV, podcasts, and social media to craft stories that bridge data and public understanding.

Years 4 (Semesters 7-8): The program culminates in a full-year volunteer traineeship with accompanying seminars, integrating everything through modules like Advanced Economic Journalism and practical internships. This real-world immersion at media outlets builds your portfolio, preparing you to report on economic policy with confidence and depth.

Focus Areas: Economic policy analysis, multimedia journalism (video, audio, digital, writing), data-based media analysis via DoCMA, and interdisciplinary economics from TU Dortmund and Ruhr-University Bochum.

Learning Outcomes: Graduates gain deep economic knowledge, professional journalistic skills to communicate policy to diverse audiences, and expertise in Big Data for economic discourse—ready for media, PR, or policy roles.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): Offered by the Department of Cultural Studies, with no restricted admission and enrollment open winter/summer semesters; tailored for economics grads entering journalism.

Reputation (Employability): TU Dortmund's journalism programs emphasize practical training and research ties, like DoCMA collaborations, leading to roles in international media—strong employability boosted by partnerships with Ruhr-University Bochum.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BA Economic Policy Journalism program at TU Dortmund stands out because it doesn't just teach theory—it immerses you in real-world journalism practice from day one. Over 8 semesters, you'll develop practical multimedia skills while gaining deep knowledge of how economics shapes society and politics. This isn't a desk-bound degree; it's designed for anyone who wants to understand complex economic issues and communicate them clearly to audiences that actually care.

The program combines rigorous academic study with intensive practical training through a state-of-the-art multimedia teaching editorial office where you'll work with professional-grade equipment and real publishing workflows. The last two semesters are structured as a dedicated traineeship, meaning you're not just studying journalism—you're practicing it in a working newsroom environment. Here's what you'll have access to:

- Multimedia teaching editorial office – hands-on training in video production (TV, online, social media), audio production (radio and podcasts), digital platforms (online and social media), and professional writing across all formats
- Institute of Journalism – one of Germany's leading journalism schools with around 500 students across four specialized tracks, including yours
- Dortmund Center for data-based Media Analysis (DoCMA) – collaborate on research projects that use Big Data methods to analyze economic policy discourse, giving you cutting-edge skills in data journalism
- One-year volunteer internship with accompanying seminars – built into your curriculum to ensure you develop professional competency alongside your studies
- Collaborative learning structure – the program is divided into 18 interconnected modules where course content builds thematically, so you're constantly connecting theory to practice
- Partnerships with international institutions – access to exchange and internship opportunities abroad that strengthen your global perspective on economic journalism
- Access to TU Dortmund's broader resources – as a student, you'll benefit from the university's full library system, research facilities, and the expertise across the Department of Cultural Studies and the wider academic community

The degree is specifically designed for students who want to gain deeper understanding of economics while building professional media skills—which means every facility and resource you encounter is selected because it directly supports that dual mission.

Progression & Future Opportunities

At TU Dortmund University, the BA in Economic Policy Journalism dives right into hands-on training from day one, blending real-world journalism practice with deep economic policy insights through dedicated facilities like the Institute of Journalism's teaching editorial department. You'll build practical skills in video (TV, online, social media), audio (radio, podcast), digital (online, social media), and writing (print, online, social media), all while tapping into collaborations with Ruhr University Bochum for a well-rounded economics education. This setup ensures you're not just learning theory—you're producing content and analyzing economic discourse like a pro, with opportunities to join research at the Dortmund Center for Data-based Media Analysis (DoCMA) using Big Data methods.

Here's how our program equips you with the tools and experiences to launch your career:
- Two integrated internships at international media outlets, plus a required 6-week pre-enrollment internship and a major traineeship in the final semesters of related BA Journalism tracks, giving you direct industry exposure and connections.
- Multimedia teaching editorial department at the Institute of Journalism, where you'll create professional video, audio, podcasts, and digital content tailored to economic policy topics.
- Dortmund Center for Data-based Media Analysis (DoCMA) for group projects and research using Big Data to analyze economic policy discourse—perfect for collaborative, cutting-edge work.
- Access to wide-ranging economics courses from TU Dortmund's Department of Business and Economics and Ruhr University Bochum, including labs and interdisciplinary projects in economic policy.
- Journalistic article submission as part of the application process, letting you showcase and refine your skills early.