Program Overview

Programme Overview

The Master's program in Political Communication has a quantitative-empirical and communication science orientation, which is complemented by psychological and political science perspectives.

Key Facts

• Degree: Master of Arts
• Duration: 4 Semesters
• Credits/ECTS: 120
• Teaching language: German
• Tuition fee: None
• Semester contribution: 305,05
• Start of studies: Winter semester
• Part-time possible: Yes
• Institutions: Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Institute of Communication Science

Programme Summary

The curriculum comprises three compulsory modules and 19 elective modules, of which students must successfully complete ten for the Master's degree (13 modules in total). By selecting the modules, students can focus on basic research or the application-oriented design and evaluation of political communication processes.

Special Features

Graduates are able to think and work on fundamental research questions and applied problems of political communication in an evidence-based and interdisciplinary way. They deepen their knowledge in the field of political communication with a special focus on strategies of political communication, political journalism, digitalized forms of communication, and the psychological foundations of political thinking and acting.

Career Opportunities

The Master's degree qualifies graduates for an academic career as well as for jobs in higher management (e.g., senior researcher, team leader) in the fields of market, media, and opinion research, political public relations, or political education in communication agencies and political organizations, media, and political consulting, as well as strategic planning in organizations and associations.

Admission Requirements

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent: Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent with an average overall grade of at least 'good' (German mark 2.0). They must have obtained at least 20 ECTS credits in statistics and methods and 60 ECTS credits in either communication science, psychology, political science, or sociology.
• Language requirements: English language proficiency at level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). International applicants require German language proficiency at a minimum level DSH-2 (or a recognized equivalent).

Application Documents

• CV: A tabular form containing key information on school record and academic career.
• University entrance qualification certificate: The school graduation diploma (e.g., German "Abitur") that makes the applicant eligible for studies at a university.
• Previous university degrees earned: All previous university degrees if available before the application deadline.
• Detailed transcript of records: With an overall cumulative grade point average or average mark. By the time of application, applicants must have completed at least 140 ECTS credits.
• Proof of pre-education in methods and statistics: 20 ECTS credits in statistics courses or other modules in empirical social research.
• Proof of English language proficiency: At level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
• Diploma Supplement: Of the undergraduate degree, submitted only when issued upon successful completion of the course.

Additional Application Documents for International Students

• Proof of German language proficiency: For German-taught master's programs, sufficient German language proficiency proof is mandatory.
• Translation of foreign/external application documents: Every mandatory application document from foreign/external countries must also be available in either English or German translation.
• Proof of grading system: External/foreign degree certificates/transcripts of records must contain information on the grading system used at the respective university.
• Certificate APS: Applicants with degrees from India, Vietnam, or China must submit the original APS-certificate issued by the German Embassy.
• University entrance exam: Applicants from certain countries must submit a certificate of their university entrance examination/college entrance examination.