Germany · Master's
Hertie School
Master of Public Policy
Hertie School
Course Overview
Hertie School's Master of Public Policy (MPP) is a two-year English-taught policy degree based in central Berlin, modelled on the Harvard Kennedy School / Princeton SPIA template. Hertie is a private graduate school founded in 2003 by the Hertie Foundation, and has rapidly become Germany's leading policy school — accredited by the German government and the European Foundation for Management Development.
Sri Lankan applicants from public-sector, NGO, journalism, law, or development backgrounds use the MPP as a route into international policy careers — the GIZ (Germany's development agency, headquartered in Eschborn near Frankfurt), the European Commission Berlin office, the UN agencies in Bonn (UNV, UNFCCC, UNCCD), the OECD, World Bank, IMF, and the German policy think-tank ecosystem (DGAP, SWP, GMF, ECFR) all recruit Hertie graduates. The two-year curriculum covers economics, statistics, governance, political economy, public management, and a specialised concentration (Policy Analysis, International Affairs, or Management & Public Sector Innovation). Year 2 includes a Professional Year option (year-long internship) or capstone project.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university — strong academic record (typically equivalent to a German 2.5/Sri Lankan upper-second class or above).
- check_circle Demonstrated interest in public policy via work experience, internships, or research (internships at think tanks, NGOs, government, or international organisations strongly preferred).
- check_circle GRE / GMAT recommended but not required.
- check_circle Two academic / professional references, CV, motivation essays, video interview.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 7.0 Overall (no band below 6.5).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 100 Overall.
- check_circle Cambridge English: C1 Advanced grade B.
- check_circle Waived if your bachelor's degree was taught entirely in English (Sri Lankan applicants qualify with an MOI letter).
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (€) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year) | €32,000 | Rs. 11,040,000 |
| Living Expenses in Berlin (12 months) | €13,000 | Rs. 4,485,000 |
| Health Insurance & Visa | €1,500 | Rs. 517,500 |
| Books, Materials & Conference Travel | €1,500 | Rs. 517,500 |
| Total Year 1 Investment | €48,000 | Rs. 16,560,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Hertie MPP graduates qualify for Germany's 18-month post-study job-search visa, with EU Blue Card conversion at the Master's-graduate salary threshold (€45,300/yr in 2026). Around 92% are employed within 6 months — strong placement into GIZ Bonn/Eschborn, KfW (German development bank), McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte Public Sector, the European Commission, OECD Paris, World Bank, UN agencies (Bonn, Vienna, Geneva), and German policy think tanks (DGAP, SWP, GMF, ECFR). Sri Lankan returnees route into senior roles at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Treasury, Verité Research, Advocata Institute, the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute, and UN Sri Lanka.
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