Analysing Politics from an empirical-analytical Perspective
If you’re already studying Political Science and would like to find out more about specific details of your master’s programme, you’ll find what you’re looking for on the Pages relating the Programme structure of the M.A. Political Science.
Key Facts
Degree:
Master of Arts
Duration:
4 Semesters
Credits:
120 ECTS
Language:
English
Content:
Analysing politics from an empirical-analytical perspective using a wide array of quantitative, qualitative, and computational methods
International:
1 Optional Semester Abroad, Double Master’s Programme in European Studies with Maastricht University
This programme provides you with:
training in a comprehensive range of political science subfields and the freedom to choose, which offers a lot of flexibility in pursuing your thematic interests.
a strong emphasis on empirical-analytical training including research design and logic, qualitative methods, and quanti- tative and computational methods with the statistical software R.
advanced research projects in which you apply advanced empirical research methods to current research questions in politics, e.g. including training in quantitative text analysis, social media analysis, experiments and causal inference, process tracing, and qualitative comparative analysis.
an international study environment and the opportunity to complete your degree fully in English
Your family background and financial situation do not play a role in studies. However, you should be aware that despite the fact that there are no tuition fees at German public universities, living and studying in Germany may require substantial funds, especially for international students from outside the European Union who need to take visa regulations into account.
The M.A. Political Science degree from the University of Cologne equips students with the unique opportunity to study multiple scientific fields within the programme. I chose the interdisciplinary studies because it sharpens students’ critical thinking to become highly qualified experts in a professional career.
This programme is right for you if you:
have successfully completed a bachelor’s or equivalent degree in political and/or social science. This could include political science, sociology, economics, public administration, international relations, or modern history.
have a political or social sciences background with some basic exposure to social science methods training including statistics.
have mathematical understanding and good verbal and written English language skills. German language skills are also helpful.
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Programme Overview
Preparing you for future challenges
The Cologne Master in Political Science offers a research-oriented study programme with course offerings across a range of political science areas. Thematic areas include:
Comparative Political Institutions
Comparative Political Economy
Empirical Democratic Theory
International Relations
European and Multi-level Politics
Political Science Methods
The empirical and analytical focus of the programme enables you to analyse political phenomena using state-of-the-art research methods and to carry out an independent research project. Upon graduating from the the programme, you will be ready for a professional career in many areas of politics or for the continuation of your studies through a PhD programme in political science.
The M.A. programme in Political Science in Cologne provides a unique study environment. Our programme covers a wide range of thematic areas and provides state-of-the-art training in empirical methods. Students have the opportunity to complete the M.A. programme fully in English. If you choose Cologne, you invest in an excellent education and your professional future.
Strong Research Track
The Department hosts numerous research projects funded by international and national funding agencies (such as the European Research Council), providing Master students the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in conducting political science research as student assistants.
The associated research center Cologne Center for Comparative Politics (CCCP) brings together junior and senior political scientists at the department who work on comparative research related to electoral politics and representation, political institutions, political economy, and political methodology. Moreover, professors at the CCCP are part of the Cluster of Excellence “ECONtribute: Markets and Public Policy”, a joint research center at the Universities of Cologne and Bonn funded by the German Excellence Strategy.
International
International Programme
The Cologne M.A. in Political Science provides an international study environment in Germany with a high percentage of inter- national students enrolling into the programme. This M.A. programme can be completed fully in English, but selected courses are also offered in German.
More than 25 % of our students have an international background. Moreover, we also have several faculty who have received their PhDs and worked abroad, thereby bringing international experience to the programme.
Political Science is an international topic
Relations between states form an important subarea of study but also the international comparison of political systems or economies, and the analysis of international organisations and structures such as the European Union are set against an international background.
We are keen to include different perspectives brought into our seminars by students from abroad. We also receive a number of Erasmus exchange students each year, and about a quarter of students in the Political Science Master make use of the opportunity to spend a semester abroad. International experience is an asset for a number of employers in the field of political science.
International Option
Double Master's Programme in European Studies
We offer a double degree Master in European Studies in combination with the University of Maastricht. This alternate programme gives you the opportunity to benefit from the expertise of two top-ranking universities in two different countries:
Enjoy the advantages offered by the interdisciplinary approach and the participation of two renowned universities: the University of Cologne and Maastricht University.
Study at each university for one year and graduate with two master’s degrees: spend your first year in Maastricht followed by your second year in Cologne.
Our M.A. programme opens the door to start your professional career in many areas of politics, including:
Political Consulting
Public Administration
International Organisations
European Union Institutions
Political Parties
Interest Groups
Data Science Companies
Private Media Enterprises
I really enjoyed that students of political science in Cologne were allowed a high degree of freedom of choice, enabling us to specialise according to our own thematic interests.
For those who wish to stay in academia, the WiSo Faculty offers its own PhD programme through the Cologne Graduate School.
The Political Science department also closely cooperates with the Max Planck International Research School on the Social and Political Constitution of the Economy. Former graduates have embarked on PhD programmes at renowned universities such as the London School of Economics and Political Sciences or the European University Institute in Florence. Some have become professors themselves, for example at the University of Konstanz, the University of Düsseldorf or the University of Innsbruck.
Additionally, we offer career perspectives workshops specifically for political science students, during which you will be able to meet potential future employers.
Excellent training in research methods is one of the strong points of the Cologne Master in Political Science.
Information on the application
Admission Requirements
The admission requirements must be fulfilled until the application deadline:
Bachelor's degree
Application in the case of unfinished Bachelor studies: In cases where present Bachelor studies have not been fully completed, application is permitted if the candidate has earned at least 80% of the required credits and will have achieved the remaining results by 30 September at the latest. The specific admission criteria governing the designated course of study (including the overall grade) must already have been fulfilled on the basis of the exam results available at the time of application.
Overall grade of at least 2.7 (German grade) in the Bachelor’s degree
Fulfilment of the following subject-related requirements
At least 36 ECTS credits in Political Science
At least 9 further ECTS credits in in Methodology and Empirical Social Research
If the number of applicants meeting the admission criteria exceeds the number of places available for this course of study, a selection procedure is initiated for the purpose of ranking these applicants.
The procedure is based on the grade earned in the Bachelor's degree or a course of study deemed equivalent.
The following documents must be uploaded to the Master's online application portal by the WiSo Faculty - certified documents are recommended but not obligatory. For enrolment, all documents must be presented in original or authenticated form.
Bachelor degree certificate | If you have not finished your bachelor studies but have passed at least 80% of the examinations (at least 144 credits in a bachelor degree carrying 180 ECTS credits), you can apply by submitting a confirmation of all credits earned so far, along with a provisional average grade computed and certified by your examination office. Please note that the remaining credits must be earned by 30 September.
Transcript of records | list of all taken modules and courses including grades and credits
Transcript of semester abroad | only if examinations passed abroad should be considered for the admission criteria as well | the courses have to be recognised by the home university as part of the bachelor programme and recorded in the transcript of records.
University entrance certificate | A-levels/ High school diploma
Official description of the content of all taken bachelor courses | e.g. course catalogue or PDF-file with link to course description at the website of the University (see FAQ 1.12)
If you are interested in the Double Master's Programme in European Studies, please check the additional information on the application including the different application deadline.
2) Applicants, who did not obtain their bachelor's degree in Germany must additionally apply online via uni-assist until 15 June. For your online application, please select "Winter Semester" and search for "Universität zu Köln".
Please note, you have to document your education in detail. You start with the certificate from the last school you graduated from (which entitles you to begin university studies in your home country) and continue up to the current state of progress in your university studies. Furthermore, you have to hand in all documents in original language and additionally in translation either in German or in English language.
Uni-assist recommends sending in the application at least eight weeks before the deadline expires. This ensures that uni-assist can inform applicants in time if they need to submit further documents. Only after the handling fee has been paid, the application will be evaluated.
The following documents are required by uni-assist - certified documents are recommended but not obligatory.
(translated) bachelor degree certification or attestation of 80% studies and Transcript of Records | Please submit all certificates in their entirety: include the diploma certificate as well as the overview of subjects and grades. You must not omit any parts of the certificate or single pages. In order to calculate your grade, uni-assist needs the grading system used by your university for your degree. More information can be read here.
(translated) university entrance qualification | e.g. A-level, High School diploma
proof of English language proficiency
all documents listed above in the original language | Only if the original document is not available in English or German language. Information about translation and authentication of documents can be read here.
only for applicants with Chinese (except Hongkong) or Vietnamese bachelor’s certificates | original APS certificate| certified copies cannot be accepted!
please check whether you need to hand in further additional depending on the country of origin: country-specific documents
not mandatory, however, useful for the uni-assist evaluation:(translated) diploma supplement
Application and admission procedure
Information on the application process and deadlines can be found on the application website.
From the middle of March onwards you can submit your application via WiSo Faculty's Master's Application Portal. All applicants for the M.A. Political Science have to write a letter of motivation (max. 1 page) and upload it during their online application.
Applicants with a (bachelor’s) degree acquired abroad must additionally apply via uni-assist online until 15 June (date of receipt). If you are interested in the Double Master’s Programme(s) please see the information on the application.
Detailed information about the admission procedure, admission deadlines and required documents are provided at the application website. If you have any further questions do not hesitate to contact us.
We look forward to receiving your application!
Detailed information and contact
We are happy to support you in your ambitions:
For students the WiSo Student Service Point offers not only advice on studying but also support on all aspects of career choice, career planning and the application process:
WiSo Student Service Point Phone: +49 (0) 221/470-8818
