Political Science, M.A.
The Cologne Master in Political Science offers a research-oriented study programme with course offerings across a range of political science areas. The empirical and analytical focus of the programme enables students to analyze political phenomena using a range of state-of-the-art research methods and carry out an independent research project. The programme enables graduates to embark on a professional career in many areas of politics or to continue in a future PhD programme in political science.
Our thematic areas:
- Comparative Political Institutions
- Comparative Political Economy
- Empirical Democratic Theory
- International Relations
- European and Multi-Level Politics
- Political Science Methods
Programme facts
| Degree | Master of Arts (M.A.) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 semesters, 120 ECTS |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Required English | B2 |
| Study mode | Full-Time, Double Degree |
| Start | Winter semester |
| Application | Via uni-assist, winter semester until 15.07 |
| Admission | Admission restriction (NC): a competition of school grades |
| Tuition fee | €0 per semester for international students |
| Semester contribution | €355.65 per semester |
What the tuition fee consists of
Will I get in
The programme has an admission restriction: the average grade of your certificate, converted to the German scale, decides. The cut-off changes every year — last year's value shows the order of magnitude, not a promise.
How the selection works and how strong the competition is — we go through it against your certificate when we select programmes for you.
Programme selection →What you study
The Master's Programme comprises 120 credit points over two years (four semesters, full time). It consists of three different sections (core and advanced section, specialisation section, supplementary section) and the Master's thesis and is structured along six thematic areas.
The full curriculum and the programme's parameters are part of programme selection: we compare them with your profile.
Pick programmesCareer
Besides offering the opportunity to future Ph.D. studies, the master's programme in political science at the University of Cologne’s WiSo-faculty prepares students for all kinds of political functions. Graduates typically find employment in public institutions (governments and public administration) and organisations (political parties, foundations), the media and other associations at national, European and international levels, as well as in the education system. On the parliamentary stage, political scientists work as consultants, office managers or assistants to members of national or local parliaments. Other possible professions include advisory, opinion research, organised labour, the social services, communication and public relations.
Cost of study
| Tuition fee of the federal state (North Rhine-Westphalia), international students | €0 |
|---|---|
| Semester contribution | €355.65 |
Requirements and application
| Previous education | Completed bachelor's degree in an economics or social science degree. |
|---|---|
| Language | English B2 — confirmed by a certificate when you apply |
| Application | Via uni-assist, winter semester until 15.07 |
The procedure and the set of documents depend on your certificate. We check the university's requirements against your documents and give you a list: what to submit, how to certify and translate it, where and when to apply.
Check the requirementsHow to get into this programme
- 1Check your certificate and its recognitionDirect admission, a year at a university at home, or Studienkolleg first — this decides the whole plan.
- 2Documents and translationsCertified translations of the certificate and transcript, an APS if required. 3–4 weeks.
- 3Application via uni-assist until 15.07uni-assist checks documents for 4–6 weeks — send them well before the deadline.
- 4Admission, visa, movingPlan 2–3 months for the visa and the blocked account in parallel.
How to apply
You can submit the application yourself or with our help — the university decides on admission in both cases.
Applications go through the university's portal or uni-assist. Typical mistakes:
- ×incorrectly made certified copies and translations
- ×a wrong set of documents
- ×the application submitted the wrong way
- ×errors or gaps in the application form
- ×the application submitted at the wrong time — too early or too late
An incomplete or incorrectly prepared application is excluded from the selection — it can no longer be corrected after the deadline.
StudyInFocus does not represent the university and does not influence the admission decision. We do not sell study places and do not guarantee admission — this is a service for preparing and submitting documents on the applicant's side.
Questions about this programme
How much does the programme cost?
What language level do I need?
When do I need to apply?
Don't postpone the application
The deadline is 15.07.2027 (274 days left). Language, translations and the document check take months, not weeks. In 30 minutes we will build a plan backwards from the deadline and tell you honestly whether you can make it.