LUDOVIKA UNIVERSITY OF PUBLIC SERVICE

ÁNTK (FPGIS)

About the Faculty of Public Governance and International Studies 

The Faculty of Political Science and International Studies (FPGIS) was established on August 1, 2019, through the merger of two previously independent faculties, the Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration and the Faculty of International and European Studies. While preserving the strengths of its professional and training portfolios, the main objective of FPGIS is to train professionals who, thanks to the knowledge and skills acquired during their studies, are able to perform at a high level in Hungarian public administration, as well as in diplomatic and other international tasks in foreign representations and European Union institutions. 

The faculty's unique Hungarian and English-language training programs, foreign scholarship opportunities, and practice-oriented training tailored to the needs of potential employers provide students with competitive knowledge. 

During their bachelor's and master's studies, students acquire all the knowledge necessary for the operation of public administration, the organization of administrative work, and the preparation and implementation of administrative decisions. 

Upon completion of the master's program, students will be able to perform sectoral planning, strategic, analytical, legal, and management tasks, even at the highest levels of decision-making. 

Graduates of FPGIS will become public administration professionals who can perform well in both domestic and international administrative environments. Students will find job opportunities in the competitive sector and in civil society organizations in the fields of administration, project management, and organization. A degree from FPGIS opens the way to various levels of European Union administration, international organizations, and even the defence sector. 

Those committed to public administration studies can continue their research at the country's only Doctoral School of Public Administration, founded in September 2013. 

Bachelor’s degree trainings: 

  1. Bachelor’s program in Public Administration 

(6-semester full-time and part-time course) 

The program essentially prepares students for careers in government and public administration. We train public administration professionals who are committed and purposefully preparing for a career as public servants. Graduates can find employment in all areas of the state and municipal sectors. The basic training in public administration qualifies students for the vast majority of administrative tasks. 

During their courses, students receive comprehensive training primarily in the organization and development of administrative processes, the application of official law, and participation in basic public finance tasks. They acquire theoretical and scientific knowledge (e.g., in political theory, political science, constitutional law, and state organization) that enables them to continue their studies in UPS's master's programs. 

  1. International Public Administration Program 

(6-semester full-time and part-time program) 

Students enrolled in this program acquire the knowledge necessary to become international administrators, organizers, and liaison officers in the public service system, particularly in cooperation with the administrative bodies of the European Union and European countries, and to perform managerial tasks effectively in international organizations. Graduates of this program can continue their studies in the master's programs of the FPGIS, including the master's program in international public service relations, or they can find employment in the organizational units of sectoral ministries and their background institutions that deal with international relations and planning. 

  1. International Public Service Management bachelor program (in English) 

(6-semester full-time program) 

The new International Public Service Manager undergraduate program, starting in 2021, aims to provide knowledge and professional orientation that is uniquely modern at the international level and greatly enhances graduates' chances of finding employment or continuing their studies. 

The social and economic developments that characterize our age, such as the increased importance of identity issues, the general strengthening of the role of the state, the growing global uncertainty amid turbulent geopolitical realignments, the emergence of global threats as a prominent force in politics, parallel to the slowdown in the process of globalization, and the growing role of social, regional, and national resilience, are forcing a new approach to the training of future administrative professionals. 

The mission of the training is to train professionals who are capable of effectively performing international administrative, organizational, and liaison tasks in the international relations of the public service institutional system, including cooperation with the European Union and its member states, as well as with other third countries, and to perform managerial tasks in international organizations. 

Graduates will find employment in positions dealing with international relations in national public administration (including the diplomatic corps), international organizations, and the private sector in positions related to government or international relations. 

The curriculum covers the following areas of knowledge: social science fundamentals, legal knowledge, international law, intercultural studies, political science, information technologies, information society, public management, public finance, global economic studies, macroeconomics, EU institutions, law and decision-making, defence and security studies, foreign affairs administration, history, history of science, public administration, and communications. Language training is also included in the program. 

Master’s degree trainings: 

  1. Master's degree program in Development Policy Program Management 

(2-semester full-time and part-time program) 

The aim of the program is to provide advanced knowledge directly related to policy and program management necessary for the use of direct and indirect European Union funds and the successful implementation of international projects to experts involved in the preparation and implementation of development programs, operational programs, and specific interventions (constructions, development projects). 

The success of EU programs depends fundamentally on the professional competence of the staff of the entire institutional system involved in their preparation and implementation, as well as on the ability to adequately represent Hungarian interests in EU institutions. In view of all this, the availability and knowledge level of an adequate number of human resources is of critical importance. Currently, there is no higher education program in Hungary that provides comprehensive, adequate, and complete knowledge for those who wish to enter the development policy institutional system. As a result, colleagues working in the system only become familiar with the mechanisms and mindset of EU development policy, i.e. the system itself, while actually doing their jobs. 

Our goal is to train EU development policy experts who understand the entire system from the moment they join and can be immediately involved in operational tasks. The fragmented organizational units involved in implementation, with a total staff of approximately 3,000, are only able to work in a truly efficient manner reduce the administrative burden on beneficiaries and speed up processes if they have a uniform level of professional training and knowledge. The group of people who implement projects financed by EU funds is significantly larger than the above-mentioned group. The availability of appropriate expertise is also of paramount importance for the professional and proper implementation of these projects. 

  1. Master's Degree in International Cybersecurity Studies 

(2-semester full-time blended learning program) 

The program is primarily intended for experienced Hungarian professionals who wish to work abroad, and is advertised as a second master's degree. The program is unique in that it is designed as a blended learning program, meaning that there are assignments to be completed each week, but only three weeks of attendance are required per semester in order to facilitate the travel of foreign students. The program is based on the Hungarian-language master's program in cybersecurity, but was not developed as a replacement for it. 

After acquiring the legal and IT knowledge that forms the basis of the field, students will learn about security standards and legal regulations, risk assessment, and the technical fundamentals of information security. They then gain a deeper understanding of the international, military, and law enforcement aspects of cybersecurity, with a focus on the international rather than the European context. Celebrated foreign lecturers are also involved in the program. 

We recommend the ICS master's program to graduates of IT, political science, law enforcement, and military master's programs. Professional English language skills are essential. 

  1. Master's Degree Program in International Public Service Relations 

(3-semester full-time program taught in English) 

The master's program prepares young people pursuing international careers and those working in public service to perform international tasks in international organizations and EU institutions, foreign affairs, defence and law enforcement administration, and public administration. 

A significant number of students come from abroad to attend the program. The resulting multicultural environment provides an excellent opportunity to develop communication skills and build future professional relationships. 

An important cornerstone of the program is competency-based, practice-oriented education, in which students acquire skills and abilities that they can use effectively in performing their tasks and carrying out their daily work. 

  1. Master's program in International Relations 

(4-semester full-time program taught in English) 

In the Master's program in International Relations (IR), students acquire theoretical and practical knowledge of international relations in English. 

The English-language program prepares students for careers in foreign affairs through practice-oriented courses. Students learn about best practices in foreign affairs administration at the national and international levels.  In addition to classic IR subjects such as International Relations and Diplomatic History or Comparative Civilization Studies, Economic Diplomacy plays a key role in the structure of the program, with a strong emphasis on foreign economic issues. Students can choose from three specializations: International Economic Relations, European Studies, and Regional and Civilization Studies. 

After completing this internationally competitive program, students can find employment in Hungarian foreign affairs administration, international institutions, academia, and the competitive sector. 

  1. Master's degree program in cybersecurity 

(4-semester full-time and part-time program) 

The program primarily aims to train professionals working in the public sector who are responsible for cybersecurity and who plan to work in the fields of international relations, information security for state and municipal organizations, and the protection of critical IT systems. In addition, students are also prepared for market challenges. After acquiring the legal and IT knowledge that forms the basis of the field, students learn about the fundamentals of security management, risk assessment, and physical protection, followed by the fundamentals of information security. They then gain a deeper understanding of international, military, and law enforcement aspects of cybersecurity, with subjects such as cyber diplomacy, cyber warfare, and digital forensics included in the curriculum. Participants in the program will also learn about specialized areas such as the protection of electrical power and financial systems and the psychological aspects of cyber defence. 

The master's program in cybersecurity is recommended for graduates of bachelor's programs in computer science, political science, law enforcement, and military studies. 

  1. Master's degree program in Governance and Management 

(4-semester full-time and part-time program) 

The aim of the program is to train the next generation of leaders for government administration and public administration, and to provide career development opportunities for leaders. It primarily offers further education opportunities for those with higher education degrees in political science, law, economics, and social sciences, as well as leadership career motivation in the public service. 

The aim of the master's program in governance and leadership is to train professionals who are capable of performing high-level planning, strategic, analytical, and leadership tasks with a comprehensive understanding of public administration and a systematic approach to managing public resources. Graduates of the program will be able to interpret public tasks in international and regional contexts and to approach strategic public policy planning and impact analysis from a comprehensive sectoral, policy-oriented, budgetary, and economic perspective. Our students will learn about government models and techniques, the basic framework of public and administrative law, the organization of the state, and effective change management in public administration. They will also learn to organize public activities using comparative methods and international models. We train professionals who are prepared for leadership roles in government and the public sector with a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the social, political, economic, and human factors that determine and influence the functioning of the state. 

  1. Master's degree program in public administration 

(4-semester full-time and part-time program) 

The program prepares students for higher levels of government careers, so it is mainly recommended for those already working in public administration. We also welcome those preparing for doctoral studies in public administration. In addition to understanding the functioning of the state, the economy, and society, students will also gain proficiency in various areas of public management. They will learn about the organization of public administration communication, as well as the international dimensions and operational practices of public administration. They will also gain in-depth knowledge of topics such as budgetary law and the functioning of public finances, the functioning of public service sector systems, public administration organizational development and management, and the operation of information and communication systems and databases. In addition to their proficiency in the domestic legal system, they can also pursue studies related to international law, learning about the relationship between the European Union and Hungarian public policy and public law. With all this knowledge, they will be able to perform complex administrative tasks, identify and effectively manage organizational and operational problems, perform specialized tasks in specific areas, and prepare government-level decisions. 

We highly recommend the Master's program in Public Administration to graduates of NKE's bachelor's programs in public administration and international administration, as well as those with a bachelor's degree in social sciences and political science. 

  1. Master's Degree Program in Public Management and Public Policy 

(4-semester full-time and part-time program) 

The Master's Degree Program in Public Economics and Public Policy, established in the field of economics, effectively supports the supply of professionals in the public sector, with a particular focus on public finance and financial accounting. 

With a degree in economics, our prospective students will be able to perform analysis, planning, coordination, and management tasks within the framework of public policy and public administration in public sector institutions, central and local government, and organizations that initiate, shape, and implement sectoral public policies. They will learn about the levels of economic organization, budgetary management, public management, governance, social and public policy issues and their alternative solutions, European integration, and topics related to resource use. 

The Master's program in Public Management and Public Policy is a career-oriented program that offers a suitable master's degree option for those working in public administration and for graduates of UPS's bachelor's programs. The master's program is primarily based on the economics and public management courses taken in the bachelor's programs, so we mainly expect applicants who have completed bachelor's programs in political science, economics, and social sciences. 

  1. Master's Degree Program in International Public Service Relations 

(4-semester full-time and part-time program) 

The Master's program in International Public Service Relations combines the international aspects of public administration, law enforcement, and military defence training, covering security and defence policy, European and international administration, and law enforcement leadership training. 

The aim of the program is to provide students with the knowledge necessary to perform tasks with international implications at international organizations and within the institutional system of the European Union, as well as in domestic central and local public administration and in foreign affairs, defence, and law enforcement administration. 

After the first year, students can choose from the following specializations: European Studies, International Public Administration, Security Studies, Law Enforcement Studies. 

  1. Master's Degree in International Studies 

(4-semester full-time and part-time program) 

The curriculum of the Master's program in International Studies was developed and implemented in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, taking into account practical needs. 

The practice-oriented training programme, which prepares students for a career in foreign relations, is tailored to the requirements of foreign affairs administration. Economic diplomacy plays a decisive role in the structure of the programme, and foreign economic topics feature prominently. The program includes specializations in international economic relations, regional and civilization studies, and European studies. 

The program provides opportunities to acquire competitive knowledge and skills, making it attractive even to those who do not envision a future in public service, but rather in academia or the competitive sector, in an international field.