Political Science
(Master of Arts)

Gebäude der UN in Genf (Palais des Nations) © Mathias P.R. Reding / Unsplash
© Mathias P.R. Reding / Unsplash

Profile

Course type
Postgraduate studies (Master)
Standard Course Duration
4 semesters
Course Start
Winter semester
Language of Instruction
German
Language Requirements

German HZB: none
International application: German C1
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Admission
Restricted admission

Short Description

Research-oriented, discipline-based, profile-shaping: these are the hallmarks of the Master’s degree programme in Political Science. Being a consecutive degree programme, students are able to expand on their basic knowledge of political science. In the process, the subject is studied on a wide scale, as recommended both nationally and internationally. Consequently, students on the Master’s degree programme in Political Science gain an insight into the substantive and systematic content as well as the specific research perspectives of the subdisciplines of political science. Thanks to the combination of an integrative approach and the offer of five branches of political science in which students specialise in the second year, the Master’s degree programme qualifies students to work in research, or in a wide range of nationally and internationally oriented careers.

Further information on the website of the programme Political Science (German language only)

Course Content

  • History of political ideas and theories of politics
  • International relations
  • Methods of political science
  • Policy areas and political administration
  • Political sociology
  • Political systems and government
Course Structure

There are two course sequent variants for the first year: a) three foundation modules from the areas of specialisation in the History of Political Ideas and Political Theory, Political Sociology, Political Systems and Government, Policy Areas and Political Administration, and International Relations as well as the compulsory Methodology module or b) two foundation modules from the aforementioned areas of specialisation and another Methodology module. The second year involves taking a specialisation module in the chosen area and writing a Master’s thesis. Depending on the area of specialisation, students may be required to undertake practical training (abroad). Courses in which students learn key transferable skills for their future professional fields complete the degree programme.

 

Semester 1 2 3 4
Pflichtmodule
  • Grundlagenmodul aus den Teilgebieten 1-5* (Schwerpunkt)
  • zwei weitere Grundlagenmodule aus den Teilgebieten 1-5* (nicht Schwerpunkt)
  • oder ein weiteres Grundlagenmodul aus den Teilgebieten 1-5* und Modul Politikwissenschaftliche Methoden B
  • Modul Politikwissenschaftliche Methoden A
  • Vertiefungsmodul aus den Teilgebieten 1-5* (Schwerpunkt)
  • Modul Masterarbeit: Kolloquium zur Masterthesis und Masterthesis im Bereich des gewählten Schwerpunktes
Wahlmodule
 
  • Zusatzmodul im Rahmen des jeweiligen Schwerpunkts 1-5*: (Auslands-)Praktikum oder Auslandsaufenthalt oder politikwissenschaftliche / fächerübergreifende Lehrveranstaltungen
  • Modul Schlüsselqualifikationen, 2-3 Kurse


 


* Der Schwerpunkt wird aus einem der folgenden Teilgebiete gewählt:

  • Politische Ideengeschichte und Theorien der Politik
  • Politische Soziologie
  • Politische Systeme und Regierungslehre
  • Politikfelder und Politische Verwaltung
  • Internationale Beziehungen
Recommended Abilities
  • The willingness to get to the depths of contemporary research issues in political science
  • Ability to produce scientific work independently
  • The willingness to learn and apply research methods
  • Good communication skills
Career Opportunities
  • National and international political institutions, organisations and facilities
  • Political parties, associations and administrative bodies
  • Media enterprises
Admission requirements and application

Admission Requirements

An undergraduate degree in a related field of study, such as

For master''s degree programmes with restricted admission, places shall be allocated according to the university’s own selection procedure, if there are more applicants fulfilling the admission requirements than there are places available. The exact admission requirements can be found in the admission regulations: 

Application Deadlines

First-year students from Germany and the EU

  • June 1st – July 15th of the year for the winter semester

First-year students from non-EU countries (VPD from uni-assist is required)

  • April 15th – May 31st of the year for the winter semester

Students resuming their studies and transfer students from Germany and the EU (application in a higher semester)

  • June 1st – July 15th of the year for the winter semester
  • December 1st – January 15th of the year for the summer semester

Students resuming their studies and transfer students from non-EU countries (application in a higher semester)

  • April 15th – May 31st of the year for the winter semester
  • October 15th – November 30th of the previous year for the summer semester
     

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Zentrale Studienberatung
Address
Welfengarten 1
30167 Hannover
Building
Zentrale Studienberatung
Address
Welfengarten 1
30167 Hannover
Building