Facts & figures
Expert in Law, Politics and Economics
English
Program
The goal of this program is to prepare professionals who understand the connections between law, politics and economics. What are the legal and political ‘rules of the game’ for economic actors? How are these rules shaped by the processes of regulation and policy making? How can businesses and nonprofits play successfully by these rules? Focusing on these questions, the programme equips students with strong analytical and decision-making skills relevant to both businesses and policymakers.
This program is recommended to applicants (1) who want to broaden and integrate their existing knowledge in one of the three disciplines with the other two, or (2), coming from diverse backgrounds, seek to understand the interconnections of law, politics and economics.
The program enables students to obtain both general skills and deep knowledge of the European regulatory landscape. A wide range of electives allows students to tailor their studies to their individual interests and career goals.
A new Master’s program: First intake scheduled for Fall 2026
Specializations:
Starting from Semester 2, two modules are offered. The first module focuses on the legal and regulatory challenges of corporate strategies, while the second focuses on the techniques of public policy making.
Legal Strategy & Regulatory Challenges for Business Module:
Sample courses: European Labour and Social Security Law and the EU Labour Market; Corporate Finance; International Tax Law.
Policy Making in European Context Module:
Sample courses: Smart Regulation; Policy Impact Assessment; Negotiation and Decision-making in the European Union.
Students are free to choose courses within the modules as well as other electives. To complete one module, they must earn 12 credits from the courses within that module. The curriculum also allows for the completion of both modules.
This programme is delivered jointly by the Law Departments, the Institute of Political Science, and the Department of Economics within the Faculty of Law. The curriculum is expertly coordinated to guarantee a truly interdisciplinary education.
ELTE Law is consistently recognized as Hungary’s most prestigious law faculty, holding a strong global position (ranked 300+ by THE and 301-350 by QS in 2025). The faculty also hosts a highly-ranked Institute of Political Science (offering BA/MA programmes in Hungarian) and the nation's oldest Department of Economics, which specializes in the economic analysis of law, institutions, and public policies.
We offer a robust international experience through Erasmus partnerships with over 110 universities in the EU and beyond, complemented by strong academic connections globally.
The curriculum allows students to tailor their studies based on prior knowledge and interests. Two elective modules prepare for career paths in either business or government.
Structure
Career
This program prepares graduates for decision-making and analytical roles across the business, non-profit, and public sectors.
Specific career destinations include:
large corporations: (e.g., strategy formulation, governmental relations, regulatory and legal compliance)
small and medium enterprises
market research, corporate analysis, and consulting firms
international law firms (for graduates holding a law degree)
international organizations and institutions of the European Union
national, regional, and local governments and administrative agencies
firms providing economic or political analysis
political parties, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and civil society organisations
research institutes
electronic and print media
- Regulatory affairs specialist / compliance officer at a large corporation (e.g., in finance, tech, or pharmaceuticals).
- Policy analyst / advisor for a government, a think tank or an EU institution.
- Government relations manager at a lobbying firm.
- Economic development consultant at an NGO.
- Executive manager at a nonprofit organisation.
- Research analyst at an international organization.
- Journalist for a public affairs magazine.
Admissions
| EU/EEA students | Non-EU/EEA students | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee/semester | EUR 1500 | EUR 3500 |
| Application fee |
Early Bird applicants: EUR 100 (non-refundable) between 01/02/2026 - 31/03/2026.
Regular application fee: EUR 100 (non-refundable) between 01/04/2026-31/05/2026.
Last call application fee: EUR 150 (non-refundable) between 01/06/2026-30/06/2026.
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Early Bird applicants: EUR 100 (non-refundable) between 01/02/2026 - 31/03/2026.
Regular application fee: EUR 100 (non-refundable) between 01/04/2026-31/05/2026.
Last call application fee: EUR 150 (non-refundable) between 01/06/2026-30/06/2026.
|
| Entrance exam fee | ||
| Other cost |
Entry requirements
Undergraduate / Bachelor diploma (or higher)
Applicants must hold a university bachelor’s degree (or an equivalent college degree) or a master’s degree in one of the following fields: Law, Economics & Business, Social Sciences, and Public Administration.
Applicants with a bachelor’s or higher degree in other fields may also be admitted. Each degree will be considered individually, and transcripts from the degree as well as course descriptions may be requested. The applicant must have 15 credits from the fields of Economics, Social Sciences, Law or Public Administration. Alternatively, proven work experience or non-formal learning in these fields up to 15 credits may also be considered.
Language requirements:
Minimum level of language proficiency (oral) (A1-C2): B2
Minimum level of language proficiency (written) (A1-C2): B2
Accepted minimum results:
IELTS Score: 5.5 • TOEFL iBT Band (old scale): 46-59
TOEFL iBT (2026 scale): 4.0
Cambridge English Scale Score: 162
Pearson Test of English: 36-42
Duolingo English Test: 95-100
Oxford ELLT: 5
LanguageCert Academic: 60
Euroexam (oral and written): B2
Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English by submitting standardized English language test scores, such as TOEFL or others listed here. The test results must prove proficiency at least at level B2 in both oral and written skills. For each type of exam, the list provides the minimum test scores required for admission.
Applicants qualify for exemption from this requirement if they have obtained, or will be obtaining in the current academic year, a Bachelor’s and/or a Master’s degree taught exclusively in English. If the language of instruction is not clearly stated in your academic records, upload an official letter from your university confirming that you were/are being taught exclusively in English throughout your studies
Document | Comment |
|---|---|
Online application form | - |
Bachelor-level degree | An official English version/translation of the law diploma (Degree accepted for admission: legal master degree or legal degree equal to a legal master degree) |
Transcript of records |
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CV |
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Motivation letter | In English Expected contents: the applicants introducing themselves, their motivation, interests and goals with the programme. Length between 1500 and 4000 characters. |
Copy of the main pages of the passport (needs to be valid) |
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Proof of application fee transfer |
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Language certificate | if the applicant has one (please refer to the language requirement section) |
Other: names and contacts of 2 academic or professional referees | Provide the contact information for two academic or professional referees (expertise, position, contact) who can be contacted by email about your suitability. Do not submit reference letters. |
Other: An official English translation of the certificates and the records if the language of the original is not English. |
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If the applicant is taking the final examination during the current semester, and their degree certificate (diploma) is not issued before the application deadline, a certification is required, which verifies that the applicant will presumably receive a degree. In case of being accepted as a student, however, the applicant must present the diploma upon enrolment at the latest.
Additional details about the recommendations:
Contacts to be provided:
- name
- position
- institution
- relationship to you
- email contact
- webpage of contact person (if available)
At least one referee must be an academic. The second referee may be a non-academic professional. Do not submit reference letters.
The application starts in the online application system. Students need to register in the system, fill in the online application form, upload the required documents and follow the instructions during the application process.
Students who (also) hold Hungarian citizenship must apply through felvi.hu. Please note that if an application is submitted not according to the aforementioned, it will be rejected.
Entrance examination and selection process:
The application deadlines refer to the final submission of the complete application package through the online application system.
For the September intake, there are three application periods:
Early Bird Period: 2026 February 1 – 2026 March 31 (23:59 CET)
Regular Period: 2026 April 1 – 2026 May 31 (23:59 CET)
Last Call Period: 2026 June 1 – 2026 June 30 (23:59 CET)
These distinct periods allow applicants the flexibility to submit their applications at their convenience. All applicants within each period have an equal chance of gaining admission to the programme. If a sufficient number of applicants are accepted in the Regular period, the University reserves the right to cancel the Last Call period.
The Admission Board reviews the applications on an ongoing basis. It notifies eligible Applicants about the exact time and date of application interviews conducted via Ms Teams. Applicants are responsible for having technically suitable conditions for the interview from their side.
After the admission interview, applicants are informed of the selection outcome through the online application system within approximately one month. If the offer is accepted, admission letters are sent out through the online application system as soon as possible, as specified in the offer decision. Based on the results, some Applicants may be placed on a waiting list.
Type of entrance examination: oral
Place of entrance examination: online (MS Teams)
Further details of the entrance exam:
The oral entrance has a Questions and Answers format. It consists of three parts: (1) A short introduction and questions about the motivation of the candidate. (2) Discussion of simple questions of economics, assessing the candidate’s familiarity with basic concepts and analytical tools of economics (see the Readings section below). (3) Discussion of a contemporary issue with legal, political and economic aspects, introduced by the exam committee, assessing your general intellectual skills, curiosity and ability to apply theories to real-world issues, based on the assigned readings (see below).
Readings for the entrance exam
I) Basic concepts of economics
The CORE Econ Team (2023). The Economy 2.0: Microeconomics. Open access e-text available at https://core-econ.org/the-economy/. Chapters 1, 2, 3 and 4.
This is an open-access introductory textbook for Economics. Chapters 1 to 4 explain basic concepts and models. An overview of key concepts is provided in the Summary at the end of each chapter.
This reading enables students who have not studied Economics to prepare for the second component of the entrance exam. Students who have studied Economics will find this textbook useful for refreshing their knowledge. (Other useful introductory textbooks include Mankiw, Gregory: Principles of Economics; Cowen, Tyler & Tabbarok. Alex: Modern Principles of Economics)
II) Readings for interdisciplinary discussion
Applicants should prepare for the third component of the entrance exam (discussion of a contemporary issue) by familiarising themselves with assigned readings that are available on the Faculty website. Do not memorise their contents. Instead, focus on key ideas and arguments. You will be expected to apply them in an open discussion of a specific contemporary issue.
Further details of selection and evaluation:
The ranking is based on a comprehensive evaluation of the Applicant’s academic excellence and motivation, based on the submitted documents and the performance at the oral entrance exam.
A successful entrance exam is the prerequisite of getting admitted. If the applicant fails the entrance exam, the application will be rejected.
Contacts
Katalin KOVÁCS
program administrator, Faculty of Law
LPEma@ajk.elte.hu
Postal address: Hungary 1053 Budapest, Egyetem tér 1 – 3
More information
Faculty webpage for the MA in Law, Politics and Economics
Dr Károly MIKE
Associate Professor, Head of Department of Economics and Technology Law
The courses take place every second week (Friday and Saturday), allowing professionals to adjust their schedule to the curriculum and also to attend the classes online.
Applicants have to be in the possession of a master’s degree in law as this is a second master program.
The courses take place every second week (Friday and Saturday), allowing professionals to adjust their schedule to the curriculum and also to attend the classes online.
Applicants have to be in the possession of a master’s degree in law as this is a second master program.
Core Courses
1. Law and Regulation (24 credits): Legal Frameworks of Multilevel Governance, Regulation of International Business Transactions, Sustainability and Consumer Protection, European Corporate Law, Comparative Administrative Law and Organisation, Artificial Intelligence and Technology in Private Law
2. Politics, Public Policy, and Governance (18 credits): Global and European Governance, Comparative Politics, Public Policy, Ideas That Matter: Philosophy, Ethics, and Political Thought for Law, Politics, and Economics
3. Economics (18 credits): Public Economics and Public Choice, Firms, Transactions and International Markets, Economic Analysis of Law
Research Methodology, Analysis, and Practical Decision-Making Skills (22 credits)
Writing, Reasoning and Professional Communication, AI for Professional Practice, Data Analysis and Quantitative Research Methods, Qualitative Research Methods for Social Sciences and the Law, Leadership Skills Development
Modules and Electives (24 credits)
Students can select courses from 2 Modules (Legal Strategy & Regulatory Challenges for Business; Policy Making in European Context) and a wide range of electives offered by the Faculty of Law and other ELTE Faculties.
Capstone course and Thesis Portfolio
Capstone course: Policy Lab or Business Lab (4 credits)
Thesis Portfolio (14 credits)
Recommended study plan (pdf)