Bachelor

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Within the Bachelor’s program, students can chose political science as a major (75% with a 25% minor), a double major (50% for each subject), or as a minor. Political science can be combined with numerous other subjects. For political science majors, students need to obtain 113 credit points (Leistungspunkte); 74 credit points for the double major; and 35 credit points for the minor. In addition, students will earn 20 credit points for general studies courses and internships. Students who chose to major (75%) or double major (50%) in political science will also complete a Bachelor’s thesis (worth 12 credit points). For more information about the organization of the degree program please refer to the FAQ and the examination regulations.

The Bachelor is a so-called polyvalent degree. On the one hand, it is a “normal” degree, which can precede a Master’s degree. It can however also form the basis of an education degree for those students who seek to later teach at the upper secondary level (Gymnasium): graduates of the Bachelor’s program can continue their studies with a Master of Education. Regardless of what students may wish to do after the Bachelor, the content of the degree program is the same; the programs differ only with regard to the general studies courses that students chose.

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​Students studying political science as a major with 75% will complete the seven compulsory courses listed in in the table above within their first three or four semesters. Double majors (with 50% political science) are required to complete modules POL_P1 and POL_P7 as well as a choice of 3 of the remaining 5 modules (please seek the table below). Political science minors (BA 25%) will complete the introductory module (POL_P1) and their choice of 3 modules from POL_P2 to POL_P6.

​​After completing the introductory modules, students can chose from a number of elective courses (POL_W2 to POL_W7). The elective course offerings expand on the compulsory and compulsory electives in the modules POL_P2 to POL_P7. In general, electives offered within a given module build on one another; it is therefore recommended to take them both at the same time.

Students with the 75% political science major need to complete four elective modules. Modules can be completed up to two times, thereby allowing students the opportunity to develop their individual research-oriented focus. BA-50% majors are required
to complete two different modules from two areas.

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​Over the course of the degree program, political sciences majors will also take various general competencies courses, such as seminars on scientific writing, presentation skills, or language courses. In addition, students majoring in political science will also complete an internship – 10 weeks for BA-75% and 8 weeks for BA-50%.

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​The Bachelor’s program ends – generally after six semesters – with the submission of a Bachelor’s thesis: A compact scientific final project, which students complete in their first major over the course of 10 weeks.