Study Political Science for Teacher Education

Language proficiency
In addition to German language skills (see “Application and selection”), you have to provide proof of English language proficiency). To prove your level of proficiency, you can submit the grades you achieved in English classes taken during the final years of German upper secondary education, or take a language test, which you may, if necessary, also complete during your degree program (read more about proof of language proficiency). 

Possible master’s programs

• Master’s program in Teacher Education (M.Ed.)
• Master’s program in Political Science (M.A., taught in English)
• Master’s program in Sociology (M.A., taught in English)
  (for students who combined Political Science and Mathematics or Economics and Business Administration in the bachelor’s program in Teacher Education).

Students of the bachelor’s program in Teacher Education: Political Science study Political Science, a second equally-weighted subject, Education Sciences, and Teaching Methodology.

Political Science involves describing and analyzing political reality.

• How are political decisions made?
• What impacts do they have? 

It also covers, for example, regulations governing coexistence, the distribution of power and skills, and approaches to social problems – not just in Germany, but in Europe and across the world. Of course, the program also includes quantitative methods and statistics.

You may choose one of the following subjects as your second subject: 

• German
• English
• French
• History
• Informatics
• Italian
• Mathematics
• Philosophy/Ethics
• Spanish
• Economics and Business Administration

In the field of Teaching Methodology, you will deal with questions such as: 

• Which methods can I use to teach pupils about a subject and to develop their skills?
• Which media can be used in the classroom?

In interdisciplinary classes, you explore the challenges that come with teaching multicultural and multilingual groups.

Distribution of ECTS credits
You will complete 70 ECTS credits in Political Science, 70 ECTS credits in your second subject, 19 ECTS credits in Education Sciences, 15 ECTS credits in Teaching Methodology, and 6 ECTS credits in your bachelor's thesis.

Top positions in national and international rankings
In Mannheim, you will be taught by leading political scientists from around the world. The program has consistently ranked among the top in national and international rankings. In particular, the high quality of the research, which has an international focus, and the study environment were praised.

Alternatively, you can build on the skills learned during your bachelor’s program by pursuing a master’s degree in Political Science or Sociology. This will open up a variety of other career options in politics or business: Political scientists work, for example, at universities and research institutions, or in public administration. Potential employers include political institutions such as the Bundestag, state governments, political parties, foundations, trade unions and associations, PR agencies which focus on political communications, private companies, and in market and opinion research.

If you wish to study Political Science, you should

• be capable of analytical and critical thinking,
• be interested in working with complex texts, theories, and methods,
• have a good level of English language proficiency,
• be interested in dealing with sociological questions (such as: How do governments make and justify decisions and how can I explain them?)
• enjoy debating, and
• be comfortable with statistics.

The bachelor’s program in Teacher Education: Political Science is currently selective. The following selection criteria are taken into account:

• grade average achieved in your university entrance qualification,
• final grades achieved in Mathematics and English,
• other relevant work experience and extracurricular activities.