Master in Global Markets, Local Creativities (Erasmus Mundus International Master)

Master of Global Markets, Local Creativities (Erasmus Mundus International Master)

Global Markets, Local Creativities (GLOCAL)

This two-year International Master leverages the complementary and interdisciplinary expertise, resources and networks of four leading universities (The Consortium) in four innovative cities:

• Glasgow (United Kingdom)
• Barcelona (Spain)
• Rotterdam (the Netherlands)
• Göttingen (Germany)

The programme aims to examine how local places (clusters, cities and regions) and local actors (entrepreneurs, firms and policymakers) generate local competitiveness under global market conditions. This two-year programme equips you with the critical skills to make sense of the intersecting complementarity of the global and local but also provides opportunities for practical experience.

The degree is ideal for highly talented students seeking a career in urban or public policy organisations, multinational corporations, international consultancies, cultural and creative industries, media or other non-profit organisations. Students will be encouraged to explore a variety of interdisciplinary perspectives on the process and experience of globalisation from a place-based perspective, in particular of cities, creative industries, development and local cultures of entrepreneurship.

Programme Structure

This is a 2-year full-time degree with two pathways:

1. “Global History & Creative Cities" Pathway 1 (Glasgow, Barcelona, Rotterdam) that stresses economic orders, creative cities and industries, and the history of international relations and globalization. Pathway 1 is suitable for applicants from Arts and Humanities academic background (English Language, Literature, Anthropology, Languages etc.)
2. “Global Markets & Development” Pathway 2 (Glasgow, Barcelona, Göttingen) that stresses global political economy, immigrant entrepreneurship, and global marketing and mass consumption. An academic background in History, Economics, Business, Management, Finance, Sociology, Political Science, International Relations, or another Social Science is strongly recommended for Pathway 2.

Other majors (such as Engineering, Sciences, Architecture etc.) will also be considered for entry into the programme and for the fellowship if they have an academic background in the targeted fields listed above. Those applying for Pathway 2 are highly advised to have a strong background in the Social Sciences

When applying candidates must indicate their pathway preference. Pathway selection will be considered during the application process and it is expected that the applicants will progress with the selected pathway unless under exceptional circumstances.

All students will spend their first semester in Glasgow and the second semester in Barcelona and then choose between Rotterdam (Pathway 1) and Göttingen (Pathway 2) in the third semester depending upon available positions, interests, and language capabilities. All teaching is in English. It is encouraged that prospective students attend additional language study throughout the programme, which has the potential to stretch over four semesters. The programme also includes for-credit and non-credit bearing internships and industrial placements.

The final semester will be spent researching and writing a dissertation under the primary supervision of Rotterdam or Göttingen professors. Students will have the opportunity to have co-supervision with other university professors and live in or near one of the four partner universities depending on research interests, visa issues, and access to primary materials.

Intended Learning Outcomes

GLOCAL: Learning Objectives for Students:

• offering an integrated, international and coherent programme comprising the history, theory, institutions and cultures of global capitalism;
• providing students with a series of perspectives on the globalised economy, including a focus on creative and cultural economies/industries, urban ecosystems that foster entrepreneurship, creativity, innovation, and business cultures;
• enriching historical understanding and perspectives on the global economy;
• encouraging and supporting students, through a variety of teaching and assessment methods, to develop high-level critical, analytical and practical skills, thus enhancing their employability in the global marketplace;
• developing intercultural communication and cooperation skills within a European and global framework, thus developing heightened levels of cultural sensitivity and active global citizenship;
• providing students with ongoing professional development and transferable skills including the opportunity to acquire additional languages and key employability skills through work placements (such as teamwork, communications and public speaking skills, cultural awareness and others);
• imparting a greater awareness of the European project and EU values;
• and providing students with a greater degree of initiative, confidence, and entrepreneurship.

Summer School

A two-week summer school will take place in July at the end of year 1 and will be held with a different partner each year and this will include associate partners from around the world. The topic will be decided on an annual basis and relate to trends and issues of the moment.

Important information:

The summer school is optional. The cost of the summer school fees is embedded in the total programme fees whether students decide to attend the summer school or not. However, the travel costs and living costs, incurred during the summer school, are not included in these expenses.