The Master’s Degree Programme in Research and Innovation in Higher Education (MARIHE) is an Erasmus Mundus programme offered in cooperation with University of Tampere (Finland), Danube University Krems (Austria, coordinating university), Beijing Normal University (China), and University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück (Germany).

All students of MARIHE will have study periods at partners DUK, UTA and BNU. For the internship at the end of the 2nd semester, students will be with an institution related to research and innovation in higher education. Internship placements will be provided at associated partner organisations, but also at other organisations that have agreed to accept interns from MARIHE. For the 4th semester students in MARIHE will have to decide whether they want to specialize in

- the field of management of research and innovation in higher education. In this case they will follow the management track and spend their 4th semester at University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück, Germany

- the field of research and analysis of research and innovation in higher education. In this case they will follow the research and analysis track and spend their 4th semester at either at Danube University Krems, Austria or at the University of Tampere, Finland.

Graduates of MARIHE will be awarded a joint degree.

For students following the research and analysis track (students spend 4th semester either at University of Tampere or at Danube university Krems), the consortium partners awarding the joint degree are the University of Tampere and Danube University Krems. Graduates will be awarded a joint degree titled Master of Administrative Sciences, M.Sc. (Admin.).

For students following the management track (students spend 4th semester at University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück), the consortium partners awarding the joint degree are the University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück and Danube University Krems. Graduates will be awarded a joint degree titled Master of Science, MSc.

The students accepted by the programme will be granted a scholarship from the European Commission. It is also possible to apply to the programme as a self-paying student.

Learning Outcomes

MARIHE programme provides students a unique opportunity to develop a sound understanding of the change processes of the society and how these link to higher education systems and university development with respect to policy making, management and leadership. Students are taught by the leading edge of international scholars and have the opportunity to study in at least three different universities as well as get insight into fields of practice during an internship provided by international enterprises and organizations.

The curriculum of MARIHE reflects on three perspectives on the change logics involved in the worldwide developments in higher education and in higher education institutions:

• the perspective on Systems in Transition, focussing on general developments and on globalization and regionalization (Europe, Africa, Americas, Asia) in higher education
• the perspective on System-Institution-Interaction (e.g. funding of research and innovation)
• the perspective on Institutional Change (e.g. change management in higher education).

Furthermore, modules on Theoretical Background introduce fundamental issues of higher education management. Another emphasis is given to Transferable Skills (e.g. research methods, presentation skills, languages).

After completing the programme, MARIHE graduates will

• have a sound understanding of the new contexts relevant to research and innovation in higher education (system knowledge combined with global and regional contexts)
• have a sound understanding of the relation between change processes and how these link to education systems and labour markets in general.
• understand the specialties of scientific institutions and how to adapt marketization and deregulation instruments to the needs and the culture of the institutions. They are competent in policy analysis and evaluation. 
• have developed skills to link system change with institutional change and implementation of change in different contexts
• demonstrate the ability to analyse critically the relevant literature and to use it as a tool of analysis
• demonstrate also the ability to use research and research management skills and analytical methodologies appropriately and have the potential to move to doctoral studies
• develop management skills to deal with the changing environment inside HE and research institutions
• have the ability to apply management instruments in an adequate way regarding the knowledge triangle.
• demonstrate the ability to think and plan strategically, especially in relation to problem-solving as well as the ability to integrate knowledge, handle complexity, formulate judgements and communicate them to a wider audience
• show the ability to operate with stakeholders of research and innovation, in particular, business companies.

For the full list of teaching modules in MARIHE, visit www.marihe.eu.

Progressing in your Studies

All students of MARIHE will have the same mobility track in first three semesters:

• 1st Semester: Danube University Krems / Austria
• 2nd Semester: University of Tampere / Finland
• Internship: between 2nd and 3rd semester
• 3rd Semester: Beijing Normal University / China

For the 4th semester students in MARIHE will have to decide wether they want to specialize in

• the field of management of research and innovation in higher education

In this case they will follow the management track and spend their 4th semester at University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück / Germany; or

• the field of research and analysis of research and innvovation in higher education.

In this case they will follow the research and analysis track and spend their 4th semester at either Danube University Krems / Austria or University of Tampere / Finland.

Working Life Connections

At the end of the second semester, participants of MARIHE will attend an internship at one of the associate partners or an institution related to the field of research and innovation in higher education (e.g. a research institution, funding structures, think tanks, consultancy companies etc.) The consortium will jointly provide placements and will support the students in choosing or finding an institution fitting to their personal interests for prospect career planes.

Internationalisation

Tampere University is committed to promoting justice and equality in society, to enhancing the well-being of citizens at home and abroad, and to advancing multiculturalism and sustainable development.

Through the mobility scheme in MARIHE, students have:

• access to different types of institutions of higher education in Europe and Asia
• authentic contact with different national and cultural contexts
• the possibility to learn a variety of languages (major and small languages)