Bachelor's Program in Political Science

Read more about the bachelor’s program in Political Science

Political Science involves analyzing the role of institutions including governments and courts, organizations such as political parties and interest groups, and voters within society in preparing, agreeing, and implementing political decisions within democratic and undemocratic regimes. Questions of power, information, and fairness are empirically addressed from both a general and a personal point of view, including:

• How does a population assess a government, political party, or policy?
• What influence does a government have over the lives of its citizens? 
• To what extent are opinion polls considered in political decisions?
   

Political Science as a core subject gives students a solid foundation in the field. It is divided into introductory modules and advanced modules which focus on four areas: international relations, comparative politics, political sociology, and methods and statistics.

The supplementary modules constitute a career development module (including a mandatory internship), a social skills module where students can choose from classes on media, informatics, presentation and communication skills or a foreign language, and a minor.

The program is research-oriented with an international focus and is respected worldwide. It has long held the top spot in international rankings as the QS Ranking, the Times Higher Education Ranking, the Shanghai Ranking oder the CHE University Ranking. The bachelor’s program in Political Science receives top grades in categories such as overall study situation, scholars’ reputation, international orientation, support for students who wish to study abroad, and career guidance services.

Graduates of the program are able to take up a master's program in Political Science or a related field. By completing a career development module and a social skills module, students are also prepared to begin their professional career right after completing their studies.

Our graduates work, for example, as members of the German parliament, at the European Commission in Brussels, or at non-governmental organizations such as Terre des Femmes. Other opportunities are available in public relations, at local and national media outlets as well as interest groups, and in business.

More career options

Students of Political Science should

Module catalog
The module catalog, which is only available in German, gives you an overview of the courses and their content.

Studying abroad
The University of Mannheim is well-connected internationally, and is partners with around 450 universities around the world. The International Office can help you to plan a semester of study abroad. The ideal time to study abroad is during the fourth or the fifth semester of the program. Studying abroad is optional, and is encouraged by the school. Credits that you obtain abroad are normally recognized by the University of Mannheim, which means that you do not have to extend the duration of your studies.

Internships
The career development module gives students an insight into the career options available to political scientists. They build on this module by doing a twelve-week internship during a semester break. Their experiences are then discussed during an exercise course in the following semester.

Sample course schedule
This is how your course schedule for the first semester could look like.

Graduates of the program can take up a master's program in Political Science or a related field in Germany or abroad. Due to the thorough instruction in methods given during the program, graduates also have the opportunity to move directly onto a doctoral program and work towards a doctorate. 

Master’s program in Political Science (M.A., taught in English)

Master’s program in Sociology (M.A., taught in English)

In our selection process for the Bachelor's Program in Political Science, we take the following criteria into account:

• the grade average achieved in your university entrance qualification,
• the grades achieved in Mathematics and English,
• other achievements relevant to your application (such as experience in a federal, state or local public administration, public relations work for a political party, journalism, employment at a trade union, social organization, or church association).