Politics and Public Administration – Master of Arts

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Postgraduate study programme which requires a first university degree. For this, the University of Konstanz offers the Bachelor's Programme Politics and Public Administration.

The Master’s Programme in Politics and Public Administration at the University of Konstanz is regarded as one of the most prestigious study programmes in this field. You will gain specialist knowledge in the fields of political science, administration science and management science together with the skills to work and research independently and to apply the methods and knowledge with practical orientation. You choose one of the following 3 specialisation areas depending on your individual interest:

  1. Comparative Politics and Public Policy
  2. Management and Public Administration
  3. International Politics
These specialisations can be combined with an optional second major:
  1. Methods in Politics and Public Administration
  2. Political Economy and Inequality
  3. Conflict Studies
  4. European Integration
The study programme has an international emphasis and integrates scientific work with practical applications. You will learn how to analyse the interactive influences of interests, power relationships, action strategies, conflicts and conflict solutions.

Overview

Degree Master of Arts
Programme start Winter semester
Period of study 4 semesters
Application period 15.3. - 15.5.
Admission restrictions yes
ECTS 120
Number of places 100

Why study Politics and Public Administration in the University of Konstanz?

  • numerous double degree options: studying at the University of Konstanz and one of our international partner universities
  • interdisciplinary, international and practice-oriented education
  • flexible study structure, individual areas of concentration  
  • close ties between research and teaching
  • excellent libraries
  • small seminars and highly qualified professors and lecturers

Content

Prospects and opportunities

Career prospects

The international orientation of this programme creates easy access to the international job market. Typical work areas include: 

  • in public administration at the federal and state level
  • in development organisations
  • in local governments
  • in parties, organisations, associations
  • in international organisations
  • in development cooperation
  • in non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
  • in the private sector (human resources management, consulting, lobby work, financial sector)
  • in human resources departments
  • in the field of research


You can find out more about career entry in the interview series #dreamjob - Starting a career. Alumni of the University of Konstanz report on their very personal career entry.

Programme structure

Programme start

Winter semester

Academic structure

You can find an exemplary structure of the study programme on this website.


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

Internship and study abroad

Internships

Internships help you to gain insights into various professional areas and to build up contacts. Your department or our Career Service are here to help you find a suitable placement.

Study abroad

You have numerous exchange opportunities within the master's programme: double degree options, Erasmus exchange in Europe, overseas exchanges or internships abroad. The department supports you during the preparations and your actual stay abroad. Financial support is available either directly from the university or a scholarship.

Impressions from students and lecturers

Requirements

What interests and skills should I have?

  • You have completed a bachelor's programme in either politics and public administration, European studies, law, economics or a related subject
  • You have a keen interest in current political affairs and events in society
  • You are confident in the use of quantitative research method
  • You have very good general education
  • You have very good English skills

Language skills

Foreign language skills
You have to provide documentation of advanced English language skills (spoken and written English), level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

German language skills
Solely refers to the specialisation Management and Public Administration

International applicants need documentation of their German language skills, level DSH-2 or TestDaF 4. Alternatively, other language tests or school certificates recognized as equivalent can be used as proof of the required German language skills.

Language(s) of instruction

Languages of instruction are English and German. You can complete your academic performance assessments in these languages. The master's thesis can be written in English or German.

Admission requirements

  • Above-average degree (grade good or better) in the study programme in Politics and Public Administration or an equivalent programme.
  • Relevant internship of at least 2 months
  • Advanced English language skills (spoken and written English), level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
  • Solely refers to the specialisation Management and Public Administration: International applicants need documentation of their German language skills, level DSH-2 or TestDaF 4, or a language test recognised as equivalent.

For details, please see the admission regulations.

Fees

Semester fee

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.

Application and application documents

This study programme has admission restrictions.

An application is possible during the following period: 15.3. - 15.5. (winter semester). There may be other deadlines if you are applying for admission to a higher semester (for instance, if you are changing subjects or universities). For more information please consult the university website.

Application documents

Please upload the following documents during the online application process:

  • Documentation of your academic degree including details on course work. If you have not received your degree certificate by the end of the application deadline, please attach documentation of all your examination results so far
  • Two recommendation letters by university teachers (Exception: by e-mail to master.polver@uni-konstanz.de)
  • Letter of motivation
  • Documentation of a relevant internship of at least 2 months
  • Curriculum vitae, including documentation
  • Documentation of relevant professional/practical experience (if you have any)
  • Documentation of advanced English language skills (spoken and written English), level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
  • Current certificate of enrolment or proof of exmatriculation (if you have studied at a German university, please indicate your 'Fachsemester’ and ‘Hochschulsemester’)

    Important note: Please note the information provided under the tab "Admission requirements".

International applicants:

  • Solely refers to the specialisation Management and Public Administration: Documentation of German language skills, level DSH-2 or TestDaF 4, or a language test recognised as equivalent
  • Applicants from China, India and Vietnam: APS certificate (original) issued by the German Embassy of your home country
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