Consumer Affairs

Consumer Affairs is a world-wide rising field in research and higher education. It analyzes consumers in their economic, social and ecological environment.

The study “The Need for Postgraduate Education in Consumer Affairs in the European Union” underlines the demand from corporate and governmental sectors as well as consumer organisations for higher education graduates in this field. Furthermore, it is shown a clear gap between demand and provision of high education graduates in Consumer Affairs. Based on these results the European Commission supports the development of Master’s Programmes in the EU. Following the idea to improve the supply of highly educated and qualified employees in the field of Consumer Affairs, the Aarhus University (Denmark), Technische Universität München (Germany), Wageningen University (Netherlands) and Warsaw University of Life Science (Poland) have established a consortium with the aim of developing the European Master’s Programme in Consumer Affairs EURECA) which is funded by the European Commission, Directorate General for Health and Consumers. The programme is coordinated by the Department of Marketing and Consumer Research at the Technische Universität München (Germany) and will start in September/ October 2009. The language of instruction is English. The basic requirement is a Bachelor’s degree in a subject related to Consumer Affairs, so the target group for the Master’s Programme are students with a socioeconomic Bachelor's degree or a another subject related to Consumer Affairs (for details read the conditions of admission of each participating university). EURECA starts every year in September/ October and runs over four semesters (120 ECTS). Beside the Basics of Consumer Affairs (30 ECTS), students are required to choose two out of the following seven specialisations:

• Consumer Affairs Management (Aarhus)
• Consumer Studies (Wageningen)
• Consumer, Technology and Innovation (Munich)
• Food Policy and Management (Warsaw)
• Marketing (Aarhus)
• Marketing Management (Wageningen)
• Sustainable Consumption (Munich)

Students are encouraged to take part in the exchange programme for one semester at one of the three other universities (Host Universities) which might be supported by a generous grant amounting to 500 EUR/ month! Rules for awarding 20 grants per EURECA-University and year will be formulated due to the requirements of the European Commission until March 2009. The Master’s Thesis will be written in the 4th semester of the programme. It is possible to write the thesis at the home and host university to get a double degree (additional rules for double degree may apply) or during an internship. A Master’s degree in Consumer Affairs offers excellent career prospects in companies, governmental as well as non-governmental institutions and in research.

Why choose Consumer Affairs?

During the Master’s Programme you will gain factual knowledge about the Basics of Consumer Affairs in general and in connection with business and government,especially with regard to European consumer issues.
Skills in applied consumer research and communication are signicant parts of the programme. Since the focus is on EU consumer issues and the language of instruction is English, the Master’s Programme in Consumer Affairs prepares you for the modern international job market.Additionally, MCA and EURECA offer you the great chance to share experiences with students and lecturers at other EURECA-Universities. The opportunity of interaction with other cultures and exposure to different ways of thinking
allow you to develop and improve yourself.

Double Degree

With EURECA you have the great opportunity to receive two Master of Science degrees (double degree) of leading European universities within four semesters. Every student who meets not only the admission criteria at TUM Business School but also at the chosen partner university has the
chance to graduate with a double degree.

Exchange Possibilities

You are encouraged to take part in the exchange programme for one semester and to study at one of the three partner universities.It is also possible to get a generous grant supported by the European Commission amounting to 500 €/month for the time spent at a partner university! TUM Business School can award 20 student grants per year.

Career Opportunities

After graduation, you will be an academically trained consumer expert primarily in the elds of your specialisations.You will be able to seek employment with a wide variety of employers, including companies and their federations,government agencies, consumer associations, research
institutes and consultancies. With MCA and EURECA you have best chances in companies and institutions with a European and international orientation, especially after participating in an exchange programme or graduating with a double degree.

Duration: 4 semesters

Language of instruction: English

Eignungsfeststellungsverfahren/ Eignungsverfahren

ja

Bewerbungsschluss

31.05

Zulassungsbescheid

August/ Anfang September

Studienbeginn

nur zum Wintersemester

...Admission Criteria

Additionally, you must have good English profciency (TOEFL or equivalent). As part of the application procedure you will be invited by the TUM Business
School for an aptitude test which determines your university admission.