International MA in Economy, State and Society (IMESS)
The Faculty of Economics at Corvinus University of Budapest offers students the opportunity to participate in the International MA in Economy, State and Society (IMESS) with Reference to Central and Eastern Europe Programme. The highly competitive IMESS is a two- year, English-language master’s programme, in which students spend the first year at University College London, UK and continue their studies at Corvinus University of Budapest. Upon successful completion, students are awarded a double-degree from both institutions.
Besides our university, students have the option to spend the second year of the programme and gain a degree at the following IMESS partner institutions:
Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
University- Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia
University of Helsinki, Finland
University of Tartu, Estonia
IMESS is an MA programme recognized by the European Union’s Erasmus Mundus Programme, therefore, EU funded scholarships are available for applicants from both EU and non-EU countries. Scholarships cover the tuition fee and also contribute to the accommodation and living expenses.
What is the aim of IMESS and who is the programme designed for?
IMESS wishes to attract the brightest international students who would like to gain an in-depth understanding of the economies, states and societies of the expanding European region. Besides giving students the chance to develop cultural and linguistic knowledge about the wider European region, the main objective of the program is to provide students a combination of discipline-based area studies and rigorous research methodology training. One of the great advantages of the programme is that it not only guarantees high-quality tuition but it also gives students the rare opportunity to gain first-hand experience both in Western and in Central or Eastern Europe. Although the programme specifically focuses on the Central and Eastern European region, the discipline-based skills it helps to acquire are generic. Therefore, IMESS gives students a global skill set suitable for entering a career in the private or public sector or for developing a research career in the academia.
If you would like to learn about the experiences of the current and former IMESS students, please click here.
The structure of IMESS: University College London + Corvinus University of Budapest
In the first year, students study at University College London. They take two courses in area research methodology and a number of specialist electives in their preferred study track. As a preparation for their studies at Corvinus University, students are further provided with intensive language training in Hungarian. Students are required to choose their dissertation topic and, with the help of a supervisor from University College London, produce a preliminary proposal by the end of the spring semester. For more information about the courses, please click here.
IMESS offers three distinct interdisciplinary study tracks students have to choose from already upon application:
1. Economics and Business;
2. Politics and Security;
3. Nation, History and Society;
Each track combines specialist electives (in economics, politics, society or history) and research methodology training (in social sciences or humanities). Students are required to earn 120 ECTS in each track over the two years of the programme.
IMESS at Corvinus University
In the second year at Corvinus University, students continue to have special electives in their preferred study track, take courses in area research methodology, and participate in Hungarian language classes.
Hungarian class 2010 Spring term
Emphasis in the second year is especially on producing the MA dissertation. Besides the supervisor from University College London, students are assigned an adviser from Corvinus University as well. Students have regular consultation sessions with their adviser at the mandatory dissertation seminars. Students complete their dissertation by the end of the spring term. The programme-closing comprehensive exam and the defense of the thesis work happen in front of a committee of professors from Corvinus University.
Students can choose from the following compulsory and special elective courses in the three study tracks at our institution. If you are interested in a course, please, click on the name to get a detailed description.
IMESS students at Corvinus University
If you would like to learn about the experiences of the current and former IMESS students at Corvinus University, please click here.
General admission requirements
IMESS welcomes the application of students from all countries. The requirements each applicant has to meet are a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject area and evidence of proficiency in English. In case the bachelor’s degree is in an unrelated area, it is essential that applicant demonstrates their interest in IMESS in the application package.
Application procedure
Application packages should be sent directly to University College London, the coordinating partner of IMESS.
Application packages should include the following documents:
(1) Application form
(2) Supplementary Questionnaire (If you need help with filling out the Supplementary Questionnaire, please take a look at the guidelines.)
(3) Passport and name details
(4) Student Visas
(5) Original copy of an official transcript/ diploma supplement in English
(6) If appropriate, application form for Erasmus Mundus scholarships (“Category A” Scholarship and “Category B” Scholarship)
Important deadlines
For applicants planning to start the IMESS programme in 2011:
- The Erasmus Mundus “Category A” Scholarship deadline will be announced later.
- The Erasmus Mundus “Category B” Scholarship deadline will be announced later.
- The deadline for self-funded student applications will be announced later.
For more information about the IMESS Programme, please visit the official IMESS website at http://www.imess.eu
For more information about the second year of IMESS at Corvinus University of Budapest, please contact our program me coordinator, Ms. Eszter Nucz. Please, send your e-mails to eszter.nucz@uni-corvinus.hu or call (+36) 1 482 5231.