Political Science

The complex interdependencies among individual policy areas and the continual erosion of traditional work spheres call for political scientists with an interdisciplinary background. These are particularly in demand to explain political phenomena across disciplines and to tackle national and international political problems in technologized societies such as digitalization, the energy revolution, or climate change.

For a comprehensive description of the program, please refer to the degree program documentation:

• Degree program documentation for the bachelor's program in Political Science (PDF, German) 

Graduates from this program will be able to understand and apply the fundamental concepts of Political Science. In the areas of specialization they have chosen, they will have learned to analyze and evaluate specific theories and methods and to develop strategies to solve key problems in Political Science. In addition, students will tailor the interdisciplinary program component to their specific interests and thus acquire basic knowledge and elementary skills in areas of the natural sciences and engineering; they will be able to remember these and to place them in context. They will have learned – especially after having attended more advanced Political Science classes - to merge this knowledge with insights from Political Science and to build on this knowledge in order to analyze technopolitical challenges, in particular.

As students will learn together with students from other programs in the interdisciplinary program component, they will not only attain a basic level of expertise in the subject at hand, but also become acquainted with patterns of communication and problem-solving techniques endemic to other disciplines. In addition, they will encounter situations in which they will practice to function as cross-disciplinary “interpreters” when working with colleagues from other fields, by drawing on their (methodological) knowledge from the field of Political Science and thus making a positive impact on joint project work. Thanks to their interdisciplinary expertise, their methodological knowledge, and social skills they will be well prepared for employment at the intersection of politics and technology. They will become full-fledged Political Scientists, yet, at the same time, will be able to grasp fundamental engineering and natural science matters and communication structures. 

As part of their political science studies, students can attend classes offered by TUM’s natural science and engineering schools. Thus, future graduates encounter optimal conditions to meet new political challenges. Besides classical topics in Political Science, the interdependencies between politics, society, the economy, and technology, and the tasks leading-edge technology poses for policy-makers figure prominently in the curriculum. This makes this degree program unique in Germany.

• Overview Degree Program Structure

Required language skills for admission:

You need sufficient German language skills if you wish to apply for this program. Evidence of your language proficiency has to be submitted before the end of the application deadline. Learn more about recognized certificates and other ways to prove your German language skills.

This evidence of your language proficiency confirms that you comply with the minimum language requirements for admission to the program. Depending on the program and your individual background, it may be necessary for you to keep working on your language skills during your studies. Be sure to take a look at the services of our Language Center.   

Language of instruction:

The language of instruction for this program are German and English.

• Contact Examination Board
  Chair: Prof. Dr. Christian Djeffal
  Secretary: Hedi Schmid

• Information on exams
• Information on studying abroad

The tuition fees for international students from third countries for this degree program are 2,000 euros per semester. This amount is charged for full-time study. Tuition fees are charged proportionately for part-time study.

Many international students can have their fees waived or receive scholarships to finance them. You can find all information on waivers and scholarships here.

Please note: The semester fee as a contribution to the student union must be paid additionally. It varies depending on where you are studying. You can find all information on the semester fee here.

Admission requirements and the application procedure vary depending on the type of higher education entrance qualification you hold.

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents.

If you receive an offer of admission, you will additionally have to submit individual documents as notarized hardcopies by post to be enrolled.

Generally, applicants with an international higher education entrance qualification must have their documents reviewed in advance through uni-assist.

In detail:

• What are the steps of the application process?
• What admissions requirements do I need to fulfill?
• Important information about your application from the TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology

• Higher Education Entrance Qualification
• Proof of German Language Proficiency
• Complete and Current Résumé
• Letter of Motivation
• Passport
• if applicable: Proof of Internships or Professional Experience (optional)
• Preliminary Documentation (VPD) by uni-assist - for international applicants only

We may require additional documents depending on your educational background and your country of origin. Complete the online application to receive a comprehensive list of the required documents. 

• Application for Enrollment (signed)
• Higher Education Entrance Qualification (certified copy)
• Most Current Photo (as for ID)
• Digital notification of your health insurance status from a German public health insurance provider (requested by applicant)

We may require additional documents depending on the type of educational background you earned and your country of origin. After accepting an offer of admission in TUMonline, you will receive a list of documents you must submit to TUM in hardcopy for enrollment.

Application period for the winter semester: 15.05. – 15.07.

Information about applying for a higher subject semester

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents. Please be aware that we can only process your application if you upload all required documents within the application period.

We will review your application as soon as it is complete. Please check your TUMonline account regularly, to see if we have any queries to your documents or if you have to amend one or more documents.

After receiving admission, you will see in TUMonline which documents you have to submit for enrollment, and in which form. Please note that you always have to send the signed application for enrollment and all notarized hardcopies by post.

We recommend that you submit the documents for enrollment as soon as possible after receiving admission. If individual documents are not available by then, you can submit them up to 5 weeks after the start of the lecture period. You will, however, only be enrolled once we have received all documents.

You can check the status of your application at any time in your TUMonline account.

Selection takes place through an aptitude assessment procedure. Aptitude assessment is a two-part procedure evaluating your ability to successfully manage the particular qualitative requirements of the bachelor’s program. 

In the first stage, your overall secondary school grades, your grades in subject-specific courses, and any relevant practical experience or additional qualifications will be evaluated using a point system. Depending on the amount of points accumulated, applicants are either immediately admitted or invited to an admissions interview.

Students who earned their higher education entrance qualification in a non-German language school in another country and whose native language is not German must take part in an admissions interview to assess their subject-specific language skills.  

In detail: 

• Aptitude Assessment for Bachelor
• Description of the Aptitude Assessment (PDF 258 KB)