Prospective Students

Technische Universität Darmstadt was a pioneer for the introduction of modular study programmes. Our consecutive Bachelor and Master Degrees were the first accredited study programmes in Political Science in Germany and started in the year 2000 already.

Thus, we hold broad experience with Bachelor/Master study programmes. It enables us to provided study programmes which have been continuously being improved for twenty years by incorporating feedback both from the university, our students and external experts.

The institute provides a broad basic education in Political Science which includes all sub-disciplines. In addition, students may chose between different modules for advanced studies and therefore deepen their understanding of selected fields in Political Science.

Due to the convenient teacher-student rate, we offer good conditions for studying Political Science. Studying at the Technische Universität Darmstadt also offers opportunities to share the experience of working in interdisciplinary projects and courses with students from other disciplines from social sciences but also from natural sciences and engineering in order to strengthen the ties between science and practice.

I want to study at Technische Universität Darmstadt – but which study programme should I pick? Orientation and information is needed? Please have a look at our central website for prospective students.

You want to apply for studies at the Technische Universität Darmstadt? Please have a look at our central website for applications and admissions.

You are enroled at another university and like to proceed with your studies in Political Science at Technische Universität Darmstadt? Please feel to contact the student guidance team. You may also send us your papers (transcripts of records etc.) in order to receive a quicker answer on your information request.

Technische Universität Darmstadt was the first German University to offer a consecutive B.A. and M.A. programme in Political Science with full accreditation. We have been offering B.A. and M.A. programmes since the winter term 2001/02 and winter term 2003/04 respectively. Both degree programmes cover the full subject of Political Science and also include interdisciplinary elements.

The B.A. programme in Political Science is fully compatible with international standards and can be achieved quickly (standard duration is three years). Students gain broad knowledge of political institutions and processes. Our programme also fosters their ability for independent scientific work and for attaining specific skills for the respective occupational field. By linking theoretical and practical knowledge, the degree programme is designed with interdisciplinary and project-oriented elements. Successful accomplishment of the programme provides access to diverse employment opportunities in politics, the media, administration, economy, international organisations, associations as well as education and research institutions.

A special focus of ours is on key qualifications. The programme also incorporates a mandatory internship and a two-term research project which both connect the programme to the professional practice.

Key documents for the study programme can be found in the Satzungsbeilage.

Application is possible for winter terms only via the central application website.

The Joint Bachelor degree (B.A. in Political Science and a second subject) is a cross-disciplinary degree programme. Graduates are eligible for a M.A. programme in both subjects at Technische Universität Darmstadt. Currently, Political Science can be combined with the following subjects: Digital Philology, German Philology, History, Musical Culture, Philosophy, Sociology, Economy, Physical Education and Computer Science.

Combination of two subjects ensures a broad and diverse basic education, where specialisation in one discipline is achieved in the respective M.A. programme. Furthermore, the joint B.A. programme provides great flexibility by giving students time to follow more than one interested subject, while still preparing them to be able to specialise in one area if they choose to pursue master studies.

The Political Science part of the programme provides for comprehensive knowledge about political institutions, processes and forms of governance which are linked to different levels within and beyond the national state. Students gain solid education in the different sub-disciplines. Students also develop their theoretical and analytical skills, as well as competence for empirical research in connection with social science theories.

Graduates acquire a diploma which makes them eligible for a M.A. programme in Political Science or related subject. Successful accomplishment of the programme provides access to diverse employment in politics, the media, administration, economy, international organisations, associations as well as education and research institutions.

More detailed information about the combination of subjects and the degree programme can be found at the website of the Department 02.

Key documents for the study programme can be found in the Satzungsbeilage.

Application is possible for winter terms only via the central application website.

As part of the degree programme “Governance and Public Policy”, students acquire broad knowledge about governance on different levels within and beyond the national state and about public policy in comparative perspective. Our mission is to provide an education for students that is focused on academic skills and provides them a solid foundation for employment in local and national administration, international organisations, education and research, associations and NGOs, corporations, parties or as political consultant.

By focusing on “Governance and Public Policy”, the M.A. degree also prepares students interested in pursuing postgraduate studies by fostering scientific, methodological as well as practical skills which prepare students for writing a dissertation. By visiting a two-term research colloquium, students in the M.A. programme develop their capabilities for independent research in scientific projects.

Key documents for the study programme can be found in the Satzungsbeilage.

Application is possible for summer and winter terms via the central application website.

The research-based Masters programme “International Studies/Peace and Conflict Research” is offered jointly by the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt and the Technische Universität Darmstadt, in cooperation with the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF).

Building upon a general social-scientific foundation, the programme offers theoretical and normative principles at the interface between peace and conflict research, international relations, political theory and philosophy and applies them to problems in the regional and global order. The students are introduced to theoretically-guided and normatively-founded perspectives in national, transnational and global socialisation processes and gain skills for the differentiated analysis of conflicts within and between states and for the reflective development of conflict settlement and peace-building. Moreover, students also carry out a research internship to conduct independent research. This allows them to practise their theoretical and methodical skills in the analysis of concrete examples.

The programme is structured across disciplines. It centres around political science and international relations (IR) in particular. In addition to political science and its sub-disciplines, the Masters programme includes sociology, philosophy and elective modules in law and economics, engineering and natural sciences. These subjects are not minor subjects in the conventional sense, but are integrated into the Masters programme via particular questions and topics. This promotes intensive interaction not just with, but also between various theoretical, methodological and practical approaches. In addition to scientific qualifications, the programme is geared to promote the students’ key skills. In order to develop the ability to work well in a team, the students work independently in groups and present their work together in seminars. Presentation skills are taught using various teaching methods such as staging discussion panels and simulating negotiations. Due to the international focus of the programme, course instruction regularly takes place in English. Furthermore, students have the opportunity to spend a semester abroad at a partner university.

Detailed inormation about the degree programme can be found on the website of Frankfurt University.

Application is possible for winter terms only via the application website of Frankfurt university.

Ansprechpartner: Markus Lederer

The research-based Masters programme “Political Theory”, which follows on from the Bachelor, has been offered jointly by the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt and the Technische Universität Darmstadt since 2007. With this interdisciplinary and internationally-focused Master of Arts, the two universities have established the first degree of its kind in Germany and are continuing the long tradition of critical theoretical reflection on the political and social order in a modern way. Political theory forms the focus. In addition to political science and its various sub-disciplines, philosophy, sociology, law and economics are regularly included. At both universities, the programme is embedded in the research context of the Cluster of Excellence “The Formation of Normative Orders”.

The M.A. Political Theory provides the theoretical knowledge and academic skills necessary for a comprehensive analysis of current political world and its dynamics. Ideas of justice, democracy and power are confronted with the problems of a world which is becoming ever more complex. Accordingly, political theory includes: a historical perspective, i.e. a reconstruction of systematically relevant theories based on critical understanding and on the history of ideas; a philosophical perspective, i.e. analysing political problems conceptually and addressing them normatively; a perspective involving the theory of institutions, i.e. an empirically-based reflection on how legitimate political relationships can be produced under the conditions of complex societies.

Detailed information about the degree programme can be found on the website of Frankfurt University.

Application is possible for winter terms only via the application website of Frankfurt university.

Ansprechpartner: Dirk Jörke

The aim of the degree programme is to provide broad knowledge about political and economic institutions, processes and ideas for future teachers in politics and economy. Students acquire skills to reflect societal developments and to adapt methods and theories from social science to problems in the real world.

Qualification for scientific work is complemented by competences enabling students to mediate scientific questions and results adequately to the school classroom. Hence, didactics in Political Science is an integral part of the programme and is provided by the Institute for Political Science.

The aim of the degree programme is to provide broad knowledge about political and economic institutions, processes and ideas for future teachers in politics and economy. Students acquire skills to reflect societal developments and to adapt methods and theories from social science to problems in the real world.

Qualification for scientific work is complemented by competences enabling students to mediate scientific questions and results adequately to the school classroom. Hence, didactics in Political Science is an integral part of the education and is provided by the Institute for Political Science.

You have a Master degree in Political Science or comparable degree and are interested in doctoral study? At the TU Darmstadt, we offer this possibility. You can find further information on admission of doctoral candidates on the website of the Department 02.