University of Bonn - Center for European Integration Studies (ZEI) - MERNI

The University

The Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms University of Bonn, founded in 1818, ranks among the top universities in Germany and is considered to be one of Europe's most important higher education institutions. With students from more than 100 countries across the globe, numerous visiting professors, the University enjoys a truly inter-national atmosphere for research and education. Besides, the University has built strong relations with the various national and international organisations, both private and public, to be found in Bonn, thus ensuring a perfect blend of academic theory and real-life practice.

The Center for European Integration Studies (ZEI) was founded in 1995 as an independent research institute at the University of Bonn. Through future-oriented and interdisciplinary research and political consultancy, events and symposia that link theory with its practical application as well as innovative concepts for postgraduate studies and advanced education, ZEI contributes to finding solutions to some of the most intractable issues for European integration and the shaping of Europe's international role. Amongst its many specialities, ZEI has become one of the leading academic institutions in Germany for the study of the legal issues surrounding the regulation of network industries. With standing research groups addressing the European regulation of telecommunications, energy and rail transport, ZEI maintains a high profile in scholarly debate and regularly lends its expertise to government and regulatory agencies as well as the private sector. Other research areas include competition law, state aid law, public procurement law and the laws concerning infrastructure funding.

The Program

The Master of European Regulation of Network Industries (MERNI) is a postgraduate degree programme offered by the Center for European Integration Studies (ZEI) at the University of Bonn. The demand for expertise in network industries (telecommunications, energy, transport, water and postal services) stems from private and public sectors alike, be it from network and network-related companies, consultancies, financial institutions, regulatory authorities or industry and consumer associations.

The study process comprises a rigorous interdisciplinary programme covering economic, legal and policy aspects pertaining to the regulation of network industries and providing the participants with the know-how, legal and management skills that are indispensable for a successful carrier in the respective fields.

The University of Bonn, after successful completion of the programme, bestows upon all graduates the degree of

Master of European Regulation of Network Industries

and awards the title

Master of Laws (LL.M.).

Eligible to apply are all university graduates, and particularly those holding a degree in law, economics, engineering, IT or political science.

Why European Regulation?

With a policy framework that is moving towards greater liberalisation of the network industries, an understanding of the regulatory policy decisions emanating from the European level is increasingly important for those working in these industries across Europe. The same applies to the regulators and policy makers who need to know the limits prescribed by Community law if they are to make optimal use of their regulatory competencies.

Understanding the core issues pertinent to the European regulation of network industries is also of considerable relevance for other countries and regions of the world looking at liberalisation and restructuring of these key economic sectors.

MERNI Curriculum

The MERNI programme provides participants with knowledge and insight through a series of complementary modules. Each module is a highly compact and self-contained unit and deals with either an important analytical theme or a particular network industry.

Basic Modules

Basic 1: Introduction to the Regulation of Network Industries
Basic 2: Liberalisation of Network Industries in the EU
Basic 3: Introduction to the Economics of Network Industries
Basic 4: Business Concepts for Network Industry Analysis
Basic 5: Introduction to EC Antitrust Law and Merger Control
Basic 6: State Aid and Services of General Economic Interest
Basic 7: International Framework for the Regulation of Network Industries
Basic 8: Regulatory Rational and Remedies: A Synoptic Overview

Specialised Modules

Network industries covered by the individual modules:

Electronic Communications
Energy (Electricity & Gas)
Postal Services
Transport (Air & Rail)
Water

Subject matter of the courses within each specialised module:

General description of the sector
Technology particularities
Economics of the sector
Sector-specific regulation
Business aspects
Implementation of the sector-specific regulation in the member states
Application of competition law to the sector

MERNI Faculty

Educating future leaders in regulation requires educators that are leaders in their own right. Comprised of outstanding academics and practitioners with a long-standing professional commitment to the regulation of network industries, the MERNI faculty assembles a body of regulatory experts able to bring the highest standards of teaching to the programme and thus create a unique learning environment for its participants. A full list of the faculty members and their profiles can be accessed on the MERNI website.

MERNI Industry Partners

MERNI’s innovative approach has gained the support from a number of leading industry actors. Companies such as Vodafone, PricewaterhouseCoopers, E-On, Deutsche Telekom, EnBW have all acknowledged the value of the MERNI concept and have become partners of the programme.

Application and Admission

Applications for the forthcoming academic year – which commences in mid-September – shall be submitted no later than May 15 for non-EU applicants and June 1 for EU applicants. Offers of acceptance onto the programme will be made in the spring and not later than June 15 of that year.

Tuition Fee and Scholarships

The tuition fee for the MERNI programme is € 10,000. This fee does not include other expenses, such as general living and accommodation costs.A limited number of competitive scholarships are provided by the MERNI industry partners to highly qualified individuals. Furthermore, the MERNI administration supports applicants in applying for external scholarships and other third-party funding.