The new program starting in September 2026 aims to provide practical knowledge through the cooperation of three academic fields. The curriculum places particular emphasis on understanding the legal and political environment of business and nonprofit organizations, as well as the processes of regulation and public policy-making. Applications for the full-time, four-semester program can be submitted during the February 2026 admission period. We spoke with the program director, Dr. Károly Mike, habilitated associate professor.

What inspired the creation of this program? What is its purpose?

The primary consideration behind launching a master’s program is always the needs of the labor market. We have noticed a strong demand for professionals who understand the connections between law, politics and economics. Although this need had already appeared earlier, it has grown significantly in recent times—likely because the world around us is undergoing numerous rapid changes.

What major changes have influenced the creation of the program?

New technologies are emerging—just think of artificial intelligence and the online world. Then there are environmental problems and geopolitical shifts. Politics, law and the economy are all transforming simultaneously. Knowledge limited to only one field and focused solely on familiar topics is no longer sufficient. These areas are closely interconnected.

The Faculty also aims to launch more English-taught Master’s programs and increase interdisciplinarity.

Indeed, one of our goals is to open our academic offerings more widely to an international audience. This can also be valuable for Hungarian students, as they can study together with peers from across Europe or even from outside Europe. Since this is an international program, we do not focus specifically on Hungarian law or the Hungarian political and economic system. Instead, we emphasize European economic regulations, with a global outlook. In legal education, we increasingly observe a growing share of EU-level regulations in Europe. It is also typical that even a small business or nonprofit organization quickly enters the international arena. Therefore, thinking solely within national frameworks is no longer enough; it is essential to take a broader view.

Is it correct that this program is unique in the entire region?

Yes. There is no such program in Central and Eastern Europe, and even across Europe there may only be two or three with a similar profile—yet none of them are quite like ours. One reason is that in many places legal education is more separate from political science and economics. At our Faculty, however, political science has a long tradition at both BA and MA levels, while economics is also strongly represented in legal education. Across Europe, many innovative master’s programs have emerged in recent years. The old trend—teaching the same subjects for decades within a single discipline—has faded. Interdisciplinary programs are on the rise. But few institutions possess the expertise to teach such integrated knowledge. We believe that our new Master’s program represents genuine innovation.

How are the three fields connected within the program?

We aim to cover both corporate and organizational-level decisions and challenges, as well as government and public policy issues. In other words, we want to provide a dual perspective that benefits students regardless of whether they aim to work in the corporate or nonprofit sector, or on the “other side”—as policymakers or regulatory experts. Combining these perspectives is itself an innovation.

So graduates will possess a unique set of skills. What does this mean in practice?

Yes. We designed the curriculum with concrete career paths in mind. One possible path is for future leaders—whether in companies or nonprofits—who understand the legal, governmental and regulatory environment, and can shape organizational strategy accordingly. The other path is for those working in public administration or as analysts and consultants, participating in the development of laws, policies and regulations that structure economic activity. They will understand how these frameworks operate in real economic contexts.

Does the program also focus on practical skills?

Yes, we included a strong skills-development component in every semester. This covers professional communication, data analysis and data management, the use of artificial intelligence, as well as soft skills such as leadership abilities. We even cooperated with the ELTE Institute of Psychology for this part. Our aim is to ensure that students can apply what they learn directly in practice.

What courses can students expect in the program?

The curriculum was designed jointly by experts from all three fields. Moreover, the content of each course—what it covers and how it connects to others—is planned collaboratively. We aim for a coherent, integrated whole. A common challenge of interdisciplinary programs is offering too little knowledge from each area, and we wanted to avoid this. Therefore, the core courses provide strong foundations in all three disciplines, especially where these fields overlap. In addition, we offer courses that intentionally combine perspectives from at least two of the fields.

Could you give a more concrete example?

Certainly. Artificial intelligence often changes how markets operate and brings innovations—but the legal and policy framework must also adapt. So we analyze these changes together. Environmental protection is another area: new government decisions and international regulations emerge, and these must be reflected in corporate decision-making as well.

Is there any area that receives special emphasis within the program?

The core curriculum provides balanced, comprehensive knowledge. For the elective courses, however, we focus on giving students freedom. At the Master’s level, students often already have strong preferences, so it is not beneficial to push them toward areas they are not interested in. Still, we created two thematic modules to help structure the electives.

Which modules are these?

One is Legal Strategy and Regulatory Challenges for Business, focusing on key corporate decisions—financing, employment, innovation and internal organization.
The other is Policymaking in European Context, which concentrates on designing effective regulations and public policies, addressing both political processes and the legal and economic foundations of policy tools.

What are the “capstone courses”?

These are placed at the end of the program to integrate all the knowledge students have acquired. There are two types: one requires analyzing a corporate decision from legal, policy and economic perspectives; the other involves group work examining a government decision using the combined expertise of the group.

What level of English proficiency is required?

Formally, a B2-level certificate or an equivalent proof is required. In practice, we expect a confident command of English—enough to engage from the very beginning in speaking, writing and reading professional materials. Instructors often see students fear the professional vocabulary, but that can be learned along the way. General proficiency is enough; domain-specific terminology is acquired during the program. However, someone unable to express their thoughts in English will neither enjoy nor benefit from this program. English proficiency is also tested during the oral entrance interview.

What time commitment does the full-time program require?

Students attend classes weekly and complete related assignments, which is time-consuming. Those completing internships or working part-time will manage; those working full-time will need employer flexibility, and it also depends on individual capacity. Weekday classes are included, grouped as much as possible.

What degrees can applicants hold?

Almost any Bachelor’s or Master’s degree is acceptable. We welcome students with backgrounds in economics, social sciences or law who want to expand their skills with interdisciplinary knowledge. But applicants from other fields—engineering, humanities, etc.—may also be eligible, especially if they have encountered legal, economic or political issues in prior studies or work experience. The motivation letter allows applicants to explain their interests, and the CV can highlight relevant background. Diversity of academic backgrounds is considered an advantage. There is an entrance exam; applicants with less prior knowledge should prepare more thoroughly. We provide reading materials from all three fields.

Why do you recommend this program to prospective students?

It is ideal for those who enjoy in-depth study, disciplined and analytical thinking, yet appreciate applying theory to practical questions. It is also an innovative and exciting new program—our instructors are highly motivated to share the latest academic insights. Joining a fresh, new program can be a great opportunity. Importantly, this is an international program with strong global relevance.

The interviewer was Anna Rácz.