Nebenfach Politikwissenschaft

Programme start

Winter semester

Academic structure

You will begin with basic modules to learn key methodological foundations, and you will study the political system in Germany. After this, you will choose two of the four following fields of study:

1. Analysis and comparison of political systems
2. Introduction to policy analysis
3. International relations and European integration
4. Theory of states and democracies

In the advanced module you will choose two courses from the fields of international relations and European integration, comparative politics and policy analysis, theories and /or methods.

Please check the Exam regulations (partly in German) for more information about the programme structure.

When studying for a bachelor's degree in the humanities, you will choose both a major subject (120 credits) and a minor subject (40 credits). In addition to this you will attend courses from the field of key competencies (20 credits), including an internship. Click here for an overview of the general structure of bachelor's programmes in the humanities.

You can combine the Bachelor minor Political Science with the following major subjects:

• British and American Studies (Focus area in the BA Literatures - Cultures - Languages) The Bachelor's Programme in British and American Studies (BAST) is offered by the Department of Literature. You will focus on the academic analysis and interpretation of literature written in English.
  
  Study programme
• German Literature ( Focus area in the B.A. Literatures - Cultures - Languages) In our Bachelor's Programme in German Literature you will be taught methods to academically approach literary and non-literary texts. You will learn how to analyse and reflect critically on literature and to speak and write about it with authority.
  
  Study programme
• French Literature (Focus area in the BA Literatures - Cultures - Languages) The Bachelor's Programme in French Literature is offered by the Department of Literature. Courses include literary, linguistic and language skills modules. You will focus on the academic analysis and interpretation of literature written in French.
  
  Study programme
• History Studying history means that you will learn about everything from antiquity to the Middle Ages and through to modern and contemporary history while pursuing your own special interests.
  
  Study programme
• Italian Literature (Focus area in the BA Literatures - Cultures - Languages) The Bachelor's Programme in Italian Literature is offered by the Department of Literature. Courses include literary, linguistic and language skills modules. You will focus on the academic analysis and interpretation of literature written in Italian.
  
  Study programme
• Classics and the Ancient Near East This bachelor's programme is designed to convey a solid understanding of the cultures of classical antiquity and their reception. The interdisciplinary courses stretch from literary studies (Greek/Latin) via history to archaeology.
  
  Study programme
• Literature – Culture – Language
• Philosophy In our bachelor's programme in philosophy you will study the theories and positions of classical and contemporary philosophers. Furthermore, you will discuss philosophical questions regarding such topics as the justification of moral norms and the relationship between language and reality.
  
  Study programme
• Slavic Literatures (Focus area in the BA Literatures - Cultures - Languages) In our Bachelor's Programme in Slavic Literatures you will be taught methods to academically approach literary and non-literary texts. You will focus on the academic analysis and interpretation of the literatures and languages of the peoples of eastern and south-eastern Europe.
  
  Study programme
• Sociology In this study programme you will focus on the study of societies. You will gain new perspectives on society and learn to describe, understand and explain it.
  
  Study programme
• Spanish and Ibero-American Studies (Focus area in the BA Literatures - Cultures - Languages) This bachelor's programme is offered by the Department of Literature. You will focus on the academic analysis and interpretation of literature written in Spanish.
  
  Study programme

Hear from students and lecturers
In our interview series, students talk about their subject, teachers explain the department's research and tell you what topics they cover in seminars and lectures.

• Three Questions to Niklas, B.A. Politics and Public Administration
• Three Questions to Friederike, B.A. Politics and Public Administration
• Three Questions to Fernando, B.A. Politics and Public Administration

Get an impression
Discover online lectures and websites with more information about your prospective subject.

• Information page for the study of Politics and Public Administration
• Discover the subject - I am studying Politics, Administration and Management!
• Lecture Recordings (Politics and Public Administration)
• Interview: Humboldt-Professor Dr. Anke Höffler

The department concentrates especially on an empirical-analytical approach to political science and provides you with a firm grounding in the foundations of quantitative research methods. As a result, a command of mathematics at upper secondary school level is essential. The courses are taught in German and English. You need good English skills already at the start of your studies to read the relevant international literature. In addition to this, you will find it useful to have a general knowledge of the history of the Federal Republic of Germany, the European Union and a basic knowledge of 19th and 20th century world history. You also need to have a definite interest in present-day politics and society. If there are some gaps in certain areas of basic knowledge but you are prepared to catch up before or during your studies, you will be well equipped to complete your studies with success.

You do not have to proof any foreign language skills. However, good English skills are mandatory since the majority of the course literature is in English as well as the instruction language of some of the lectures and seminars.

Language(s) of instruction

The languages of instruction and examinations are German and English.

The same general entry requirements apply for the major and minor: General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) or equivalent.

For details, please see the admission regulations.

All students enrolled at the University of Konstanz are charged a semester fee each semester, similar to all other German universities. Here you can find the current semester fee and its individual components.

Tuition fees for first degree studies for certain international students
Since winter semester 2017/18, the state of Baden-Württemberg has required some international students to pay tuition fees for their first degree studies. The following students are not required to pay tuition fees: citizens of a country within the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), doctoral students and certain “Bildungsinländer” (e.g. non-EU citizens with a German “Abitur”). More detailed information can be found here.

Each year, the University of Konstanz grants exemptions to a limited number of particularly gifted international degree-seeking students in accordance with the university’s “Begabtenbefreiungssatzung” (statutes governing the exemption of gifted students). More detailed information can be found here.

Tuition fees for second degree studies for all students
All students are required to pay tuition fees for their second degree studies. More detailed information can be found here.

This study programme has admission restrictions.

Application documents

During the online application process, you will need to enter various kinds of information (school grades, attendance periods, etc.) and upload various PDF documents.

Please make sure that you have the relevant documentation ready. This may include:

• your Abitur certificate (German general higher education entrance qualification)
• documentation of any volunteering you may have done (FSJ, FÖJ, etc.)
• any documentation about vocational training you may have completed
• any other required documents (medical certificate, etc.)

An electronic assistant will guide you through the application process. Required fields are marked by an asterisk (*).