Marihe Curriculum Overview
The MARIHE (Master in Research and Innovation in Higher Education) programme offers a dynamic and international curriculum designed to equip students with comprehensive knowledge and skills in higher education policy, management, and innovation. In the first two semesters, all students study together in Austria and Finland, focusing on higher education systems, governance, teaching and learning, financial management, and research methods.
The third semester offers specialized tracks in Asia (China or India) and Europe (Austria, Finland, Germany, Hungary, or Portugal), allowing students to deepen their expertise in areas such as educational planning, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, leadership, or policy analysis.
A hands-on internship and a research-based Master thesis in the fourth semester complete the program, ensuring both academic depth and practical experience.
Curriculum information valid for student intakes 2025-2028.
ECTS Distribution
First Semester, UWK (Austria)
30 ECTS (six modules, each 5 ECTS)
Systems in Transition 1
Understand EU policies’ impact on higher education, research, and innovation systems.
Higher Education Governance and Management
Examine reforms in higher education governance and critically reflect on New Public Management.
Theories of Higher Education, Research and Innovation
Explore theoretical foundations and research areas in higher education and innovation.
Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
Address challenges in teaching and learning through learner-centered pedagogy.
Mission-driven Institutional Management
Analyze how HEIs fulfill teaching, research, and societal missions through effective management.
Research Methods 1
Learn and apply quantitative research methods using statistical tools.
Second Semester, TAU (Finland)
30 ECTS (six modules, each 5 ECTS)
Systems in Transition 2
Compare global higher education systems and assess internationalization and globalization effects.
Organisation Theory in Higher Education and Innovation
Apply organizational theories to understand institutional change and innovation in HEIs.
Higher Education and Societal Challenges
Investigate how HE addresses societal issues and crisis contexts using policy tools.
Financial Management and Funding in Higher Education
Analyze financial practices, funding models, and sustainability in HEIs.
Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Education
Foster entrepreneurial thinking and innovation in academic settings.
Research Methods 2
Apply qualitative and mixed-methods research in social science and higher education contexts.
internship and Third Semester
Internship 10 ECTS. Location: Worldwide.
Specialization Asia – 15 ECTS (three modules, each 5 ECTS, either at BNU (China) or TIET (India)
Specialization at BNU: Educational Planning and Development:
Systems in Transition 3
Explore the historical development and global influence of Chinese higher education.
Educational Planning: Theory and Practice
Develop critical and practical skills in educational planning based on global frameworks.
Comparative Perspectives on Higher Education Reforms
Analyze education reforms from international comparative viewpoints.
Specialization at TIET: Sustainable Education and Social Entrepreneurship
Systems in Transition 3
Study Indian higher education’s historical and structural evolution in a global context.
Social and Commercial Entrepreneurship
Understand entrepreneurship models and their application in education and development.
Designing for Sustainability Education
Integrate sustainability principles into education design and institutional practice.
Specialisation Europe – 10 ECTS (two modules, each 5 ECTS), at one of the five institutions
Research Management and Digital Transformation, TAU (Finland)
Research and Transfer Management
Understand research project and innovation transfer management in HEIs.
Digital Transformation of Higher Education Research
Examine digitalization’s strategic and operational impacts in academia.
Leadership and Management, UASO (Germany)
Leadership and Change
Build strategic leadership capabilities to manage change in higher education.
Strategies and Transformation in Practice
Implement strategic planning and institutional transformation practices.
Institutional Research, UWK (Austria)
Designing Institutional Research Studies
Design and conduct studies to inform institutional decision-making in HEIs.
Institutional Research and Strategic Foresight
Apply foresight tools to guide strategic planning in higher education.
Learning and Teaching, ELTE (Hungary)
Programme Design, Delivery and Assessment
Develop and assess academic programmes using learning-centered approaches.
Innovation in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
Foster innovation and best practices in university teaching and pedagogy.
Policy Analysis, UA (Portugal)
Innovation, Science & Technology Policies
Explore science and innovation policy frameworks and their educational implications.
Higher Education and Science Policy Analysis
Analyze higher education and science policy using evidence-based policy tools.
Fourth Semester
Master’s Thesis. 25 ECTS.
either at TAU (Finland), UASO (Germany), UWK (Austria), ELTE (Hungary), UA (Portugal), BNU (China), or TIET (India)