Study Political Sciences in Germany

The study of political science comprises three subfields:

• Political theory: In this area, you study the great political thinkers from antiquity to the present day.
• Political systems: Here you will analyse and compare different political systems (the various forms and characteristics of a democracy, dictatorship, and monarchy).
• International relations: This area examines political processes across borders, i.e., relations between nations, international organisations, and political actors.

In addition, you will learn the fundamentals of quantitative and qualitative political science methods. At most universities (political science is almost exclusively taught at universities), you can additionally choose from further specialisations or orientations, such as development co-operation or administrative studies, and/or set a regional focus.

Political science programmes usually follow a standard course of study. This means that Bachelor’s degrees usually take six or seven semesters, while Master’s degrees can last up to four, including the semester for writing a thesis. Completing an internship during your course of study is almost always a requirement. Depending on your study focus, it is important to cater your internship to the direction you would like to take your career in since an internship can be a valuable networking opportunity.

Political science is a programme that requires a higher education entrance qualification or something equivalent. A numerus clausus (NC), i.e., a minimum grade, can sometimes be required for entry into a political science programme. To qualify for a Master’s programme you will need an undergraduate degree in political science or something similar. For some Master‘s programmes you are also expected to prove a minimum grade in your Bachelor‘s degree. Depending on the institution, the required grade point average could be 2.5 or better, according to the German grading system. Some higher education institutions ask for a motivation letter or proof of a completed internship. Requirements for entry into higher education institutions can vary, so check the requirements in good time before diving into the process.

Studying in Germany can be a relatively inexpensive experience. Studying at a public higher education institution is tuition-free for most courses of study. Yet, you will still have to pay semester contributions each semester which ranges anywhere from 100 to 400 euros. Sometimes your semester contribution covers a ticket for local public transport or you can purchase a discounted ticket. Depending on where you study, this may be valid for the city, the region or even for all of Germany. Ask your higher education institution whether such an offer is currently available.

If you play your cards right, you can also save money when it comes to housing expenses. The price of housing will depend on the city you decide to study in. In larger cities such as Munich or Berlin, housing will be less available and more expensive, whereas cities such as Erfurt will come relatively cheaper. Either way, staying in a residence or student apartment will be your cheapest option. Be quick with your search once you have found your city of choice, student housing can fill up quickly. Here, you can find information on local halls of residence and the respective application process for most cities. Other costs will be contingent on your lifestyle choices.

To finance your studies in Germany, you should also find out about scholarships. There are many different scholarship programmes and excellent grades are not the only deciding factor. You can learn more about scholarships here and find suitable programmes directly on My GUIDE.

Depending on the direction you choose to go with your focus, you are open to a wide range of career fields. A variety of career paths is conceivable: If you choose the international relations route, a career in diplomacy or NGO work is an option. A focus on administration can lead you toward working for a government agency. If you focus on politics in general, then working for a political party or a political association could be in your future. Another route is working outside of the political realm and teaching the subject to others by becoming a professor. Journalism is also another option that is important work since you will be observing politicians and attempting to keep them accountable.

Salaries can vary depending on what direction you take as a career path.