Political Science (Master of Arts)

Degree: Master of Arts
Program duration: 4 semesters (120 ECTS)
Language of instruction: English (some elective courses may be held in German)
Tuition/application fees: None; semester contribution of c. €400
Application period: 15 February to 31 March
Program start: October (winter semester) (one yearly intake)
Restricted admission

Program outline

The Master's program in Political Science at the University of Hamburg is research-oriented and focuses on international relations, comparative politics, and their reflection in political theory. Students will deepen the fundamental knowledge and skills in political science that they acquired in a bachelor's program. This will enable them to critically evaluate political science theories, methods, and research findings. Students also develop competence in independent, research-driven analytical academic work.

Topics include global health, climate change, international organizations, conflict, migration, political behavior and decision-making, democratic institutions, autocratic rule, political economy, and theories of justice, democracy, and statehood.

The program prepares students for challenging, research-oriented careers as political scientists in academia, politics, public administration, the media, business, and civil society at the national and international levels.

It is conducted in cooperation with the German Institute of Global and Area Studies (GIGA) and the Institut für Friedensforschung und Sicherheitspolitik (Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy, IFSH).

How is this master's program structured?

The master's program in Political Science comprises four compulsory modules, a disciplinary political science elective area, and a non-subject-specific free elective area over four semesters.

In the 1st semester two Introductory Modules are leveling the playing field. Students learn important concepts and theories of political science as well as different approaches and research designs, empirical social science methods,and analytical tools (quant & qual).
In the Core Modules you can follow your interests. They cover the two main thematic areas of our master's program: Global Challenges, Governance, and Transformation and Political Decision Making and Political Processes. You can freely combine six modules from these two areas. The Core Modules mainly take place in the 2nd and 3rd semesters.
Another focus of the 2nd and 3ird semesters is on research-oriented modules. The Research Seminar enables students to conduct a theoretically and methodologically sound research project under professorial guidance. Through the Hamburg Political Science Seminar Series, students become familiar with cutting-edge research in various subdisciplines employing diverse research designs and methodological approaches.
In the free elective area, students can choose courses from the social sciences or other subjects to strengthen their academic and professional profiles according to their individual needs.
The degree program concludes with a master's thesis, through which students demonstrate their political science research abilities.

Core modules Global Challenges, Governance, and Transformation

In this thematic area, students will gain a solid understanding of core themes and topics in international relations research, particularly with regard to global challenges, crisis governance, global inequalities, and political transformation. They will also develop theoretical and methodological sophistication in international relations research..

Core modules Political Decision Making and Political Processes

In this thematic area, students will gain a deeper understanding of core topics in theories of political deliberation and decision-making, institutional theory, and fundamental conceptual and normative reflections on standards. The focus is on the concept of democracy, its competitors and threats (e.g., democratic backsliding), and the parameters for generating legitimacy (e.g., inclusion, participation, rationality, and political equality) and justice (e.g., needs-based and merit-based justice, and equality).

Admission requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements to be considered for the selection procedure to the MA Polotical Science at the University of Hamburg.

University degree

Applicants must hold a first university degree (B.A. or equivalent) with at least 80 ECTS in the field of social sciences.

Students may apply even if their degree is not yet completed, provided they submit their degree certificate by the end of the first semester of the master's program (31 March at the latest).

Sufficient knowledge of English

Sufficient knowledge of English is demonstrated by one of the following tests at the specified level:

Revised TOEFL Paper-delivered Test: at least 22 points per skill (Reading, Listening, Writing)
TOEFL Internet-based Test (test date scores): 92 points with at least 22 points per skill (Listening, Writing, Speaking, Reading)
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – Academic: Overall Band Score of at least 6.5 (Good Competent User) with at least 6.0 per skill
Cambridge English Qualification C1 Advanced
Cambridge English Qualification C2 Proficiency
Cambridge English Qualification C1 Business Higher

Furthermore, the following qualifications may be accepted:

a university entrance qualification obtained at an English-speaking institution or in a state with English as an official language
a university degree in an English-language degree program
five years of English language instruction at a school in the European Union or European Free Trade Association

Application and selection procedure

How to apply

You will need to complete the online application available on the University of Hamburg's application portal during the application period (15 February to 31 March):

www.uni-hamburg.de/online-bewerbung

Please create a user account.
Chose the application form for the Master Communication and Journalism Research for a Sustainable Society (ComSustain)
Enter your information online.
Upload the required documents to your online application.
Submit your application electronically.

The application procedure for the master program is an online procedure. This means that you do not need to submit any documents in hard copy or via email to the University of Hamburg. Instead, you have to upload the documents at the application portal.

Selection is based on the information you provide online and the documents you upload.

Please submit documents with several pages as one file.

Selection criteria

If the number of suitable applicants exceeds the number of university places available, selection will be made according to the following criteria:

a) Result of the first university degree (40%). Applicants must submit proof of their grade point average. For university degrees obtained outside Germany, they must submit an official explanation of the grading system. The grading system must specify both the minimum passing grade and the highest possible grade.

b) A letter of motivation of no more than two pages in English (30%). This motivation letter is based on pre-specified questions, including a justification of your choice of studies and a description of your experience applying professional knowledge (e.g., through internships, work as a student assistant, tutorials, participation in application-oriented projects, or civic activities).

c) Result of one of the following study aptitude tests (30%): Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test; Graduate Management Admissions Tests (GMAT) 10th Edition; or GMAT Focus Edition. The study aptitude test is not yet mandatory, but recommended.

Neep help?

With general questions about submitting your application, using STiNE, please contact Campus Center.

If you’re experiencing technical problems with your online application, please contact STiNE support.

With any other questions about your application or the program which are not answered on this website, send the responsible study coordinator Uzma Mushtaq an email at uzma.mushtaq@uni-hamburg.de.

Your route through the program

The modules scheme provides information on the structure of the Master's program in Political Science. Which modules and courses must be completed during the program? When and in what order should the modules be studied?

Political Science (M.A.) modules scheme [PDF, not barrier-free]

The information from the modules scheme will soon be available as accessible continuous text..

Examination regulations and Subject-specific provisions

The program content is outlined in detail in the subject-specific provisions and the examination regulations:

Subject-specific provisions for the Master of Arts degree program in Political Science [in German; PDF not barrier-free]
Examination regulations for the Master of Arts degree programs of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences, dated 8 May 2024 [in German; PDF not barrier-free]

English translations are not yet available.

Contacts