About our students
The Hertie School prepares exceptional students for leadership positions in government, business, and civil society. Its Master of Public Policy, Master of International Affairs, Master of Data Science, Executive Master of Public Administration and PhD programmes equip students and young researchers to work at the cutting edge of governance and public policy. Experienced professionals can deepen their skills in the fields of public management and public policy through a range of Executive Education offers.
The Hertie School’s greatest asset is the quality of its students. Since the school was established, we have welcomed students from over 95 countries. Their rich and diverse backgrounds find expression in a host of initiatives, making campus life and life in Berlin much more than just a classroom experience.
Student and alumni activities
Hertie School students regularly contribute to public discussions with heads of state, ministers, leading academics, CEOs, and representatives of international organisations. Check out the events section to learn more or listen to the debates on our podcast.
By means of The Governance Post, an online student magazine on modern governance, as well as through informal discussions with ambassadors, student and alumni lectures and international conferences such as the EPPC and the GPPN Student Conference, a culture of exchange on public policy and governance is fostered. The European Public Policy Conference (EPPC) and The Global Public Policy Network (GPPN) hold annual conferences consisting of faculty conference and student conference hosted by each member school in rotation every year. Selected Hertie students have the possibility to present a project at the conference.
Students can also initiate Student clubs catering to cultural, political and social interests. Whether it’s playing football on the field or on the kicker table, discussing social innovation, sustainability and international political economy, or learning a new language, they are constantly taking the initiative to make the most of their time at the school.
And this doesn’t end when they graduate: The alumni network is an integral part of life at the Hertie School, benefitting students and graduates in their personal and professional lives.
Student representation
The Hertie Student Representation (HSR) serves as the student government at the Hertie School. The HSR Council is comprised of four MPP Students (two from each cohort), four MIA Students (two from each cohort), two MDS students, three EMPA Students, and three PhD Students. Elections are held within the first several weeks of every academic year, and members serve one year terms. These representatives then elect the HSR Board, which consists of a Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, and a Treasurer.
Amongst other things, the roles and responsibilities of the HSR include:
- Attending and voting at meetings of the Academic Senate, the School’s official decision-making body.
- Addressing student concerns and promoting student interests ranging from curriculum to general student life at Hertie.
- Potentially serving on the Hertie Student Representation Board, which allocates club/event funding and assists with other student initiatives at the School. The HSR Board also provides strategic direction to the rest of the Hertie Student Representation Council
From our students: Red sofa on tour
The Master of Public Policy Class of 2016 created a video about their years studying at the Hertie School which was shown at their graduation:
This is about our last two years. This is about us.