phd in germany political science

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Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences Department of Political Science and European Affairs

Doctoral studies.

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Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - DYNAMICS

Phd programme.

A comprehensive course programme provides the doctoral researchers with a unique combination of

• advanced theoretical courses in Demography, Democratic Processes and Public Policy,
• cutting-edge quantitative methods skills, and
• an interdisciplinary internal research seminar, as well as
• an interdisciplinary international lecture series.

The programme provides PhD students with a unique and internationally competitive curriculum taught and supervised by leading experts from Political Science, Demography and Public Policy . It fosters interdisciplinary exchange to enable PhD students to conduct innovative research that sheds much needed light on how demographic shifts affect and interact with democratic processes and public policy.

The theory course sequence will on the one hand provide our doctoral researchers with a solid understanding of the different concepts and theories in all three research areas through three core theory courses providing the PhD students with a solid understanding of the central concepts and theories in all three fields covered by DYNAMICS (Democratic Responsiveness, Central Concepts in Demographic Research and Advanced Theories of Policy-Making) which will constitute an important basis for interdisciplinary exchange within the RTG. On the other hand, doctoral researchers will obtain specialized theoretical knowledge regarding their own research area through a disciplinary elective theory course to ensure that they are also on a highly advanced theoretical level within their own discipline. Thus, the theory course sequence ensures that all PhD students will have an advanced understanding of the basic concepts and theories of all three research areas, but at the same time they will be enabled to integrate the three perspectives in a disciplinary course to understand how demographic change, democratic processes and public policies interact based on a concrete example in their own research area. 

The methods course sequence will provide our doctoral researchers with a highly advanced training in quantitative methods which is essential for cutting-edge research on questions related to demography, democratic processes and public policy. PhD students will be introduced to causal data analysis through the Foundations: Estimation and Identification course while they get an advanced understanding of longitudinal modelling through the Advanced Longitudinal and Event History Methods course. To cope with gathering, managing and analysing increasingly large datasets by for instance scraping information from the web, the doctoral researchers will take a Data Science class in which they learn how to deal with big data using advanced programming skills. In addition, the elective methods course allows PhD students to specialize in quantitative methods that are particularly important for their specific research projects.

Finally, the professional skills course sequence will prepare our doctoral candidates for the academic and the research-related job market. An important component of the course programme is furthermore the Research Seminar in which PhD students will present their on-going work and the Lecture Series in which internationally renowned scholars are invited to foster not only interdisciplinary, but also international exchange. The combination of interdisciplinary and disciplinary theory courses with advanced quantitative methods training as well as a research seminar and an international lecture series offers a unique research environment that will foster truly cross-cutting research on the highest level that will result in important advances in our understanding of how demography shapes democratic processes and public policy as well as how policy reforms affect demographic behaviour.

Workshops and Summer Schools

DYNAMICS will moreover regularly organize workshops with invited external experts to teach additional or more advanced courses in Berlin. The topics will be decided jointly by the Academic Board and the PhD students to ensure that course content suits both, students’ specific interest and profile formation of our institutions. Moreover, our doctoral researchers will receive funding to attend specialized methods or substantive courses at prestigous international summer schools in order to gather further knowledge in their respective research area, to develop their individual international network and to present their work to renowned international scholars. Summer School Courses and Workshops organized in Berlin can be accredited as an Elective Course.

Conferences 

Doctoral researchers will be encouraged and financially supported to present their research at high-ranking national and international academic conferences to disseminate their findings to the academic community, to receive valuable feedback on their work and to build an international research network. Presenting a research paper at APSA, ECPR, ECSR, EPC, EPSA or PAA meetings increases success in subsequent publication in highly ranked peer-reviewed journals. Getting accepted to these conferences is not easy. Therefore, each supervisor commits to guide our PhD students in their conference application and to discuss their conference proposal either in a colloquium or individually.   

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Information about PhD Projects at the Institute

Doctoral Projects at the Chairs and Professorships of the Institute

• Doctoral projects at the Chair I (Prof. Dr. Roland Sturm)
• Completed doctoral projects at the Chair I (Prof. Dr. Roland Sturm)
• Doctoral projects at the Chair II (Prof. Dr. Clemens Kaufmann)
• Doctoral projects at the Chair for Middle East Politics and Society (Prof. Dr. Thomas Demmelhuber)

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Doctoral studies at the Department of Politics and Public Administration

Interested in pursuing a PhD? The PhD studies in Politics, Public Administration and Management are organized within the framework of the Graduate School of the Social and the Behavioral Sciences. There are many reaearch links between the department and the cluster of excellence "Politics of Inequality".

The former doctoral programme in Politics and Public Administration is runing out. Also, it is no longer possible to pursue a "free" PhD.

Doctoral programme Politics and Public Administration (expires)

Graduate School of the Social and the Behavioral Sciences

Cluster of Excellence "The Politics of Inequality"

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PhD Studies & Research

Science and research in Germany are characterised by a distinguished infrastructure, a wide variety of disciplines, well-equipped research facilities and competent staff. Germany offers various career opportunities for international PhD students and researchers.

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Welcome to the Institute of Political Science!

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The Institute of Political Science at Goethe University Frankfurt is the largest of its kind in Germany. It offers varied and differentiated study programmes with a strong research focus in all sub-areas of the discipline.

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Structured Doctoral Programs

Each of our structured doctoral programs offers a comprehensive and cross-disciplinary curriculum designed to help you realize your full potential and prepare for a successful career. The programs include innovative, personalized advising with regular progress checks, as well as extensive opportunities to broaden your research network and connect with peers in your field.

The University of Bonn offers a wide range of funding opportunities, which have been summarized for you on this page, divided into the following categories:

Bonn International Graduate Schools (BIGS)

Phd programs within our cluster of excellence.

• Structured Doctoral Programs by Discipline 

Third-Party Funded Programs

Doctoral education at the highest level: BIGS enable doctoral studies in outstanding research contexts with attractive international collaborations and a qualification program tailored to the needs of graduate students.

Located at the Hausdorff Center for Mathematics and supported by Germany’s Excellence Initiative, BIGS-M  is home to all of the University’s doctoral candidates in mathematics and contributes to Bonn’s excellent international reputation in the field.

BGSE offers a structured program that is tailored to the needs of doctoral candidates, including an internationally recognized research network.

Supported by Germany’s Excellence Initiative and jointly administered by the renowned Physics Institutes at the Universities of Bonn and Cologne, BCGS  offers doctoral studies through an integrated honors program.

Home to an international community of talented biomedical scientists, BIGS DrugS 6 6 is the hub for doctoral candidates from pharma research institutes within the University’s Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and Faculty of Medicine.

BIGS-OAS offers a wide range of courses within a research context, focused on the cultures and societies of Asia and Asia Minor.

BIGS Neuroscience provides a top-level, internationally competitive program in this rapidly growing field.

BIGS CPS's interdisciplinary approach combines medical, agricultural and pharmaceutical research.

BIGS Chemistry 10 doctoral candidates enjoy an exceptional and ambitious program covering all fields of chemistry.

This three-year doctoral program  is offered in conjunction with the University’s ImmunoSensation Cluster, which is funded by Germany’s Excellence Initiative.

Part of the University of Bonn’s Center for Development Research, BIGS-DR   trains students for an international career in development cooperation, policy or research through a combination of academic study and intensive tutorship.

The BIGS Land and Food combines the research at the agricultural Faculty with an interdisciplinary study program.

Clusters of Excellence stand for international and interdisciplinary elite research and offer young scientists excellent funding and career conditions. The University of Bonn currently has six clusters of excellence, more than any other university in Germany, and thus opens up a broad spectrum of possible research topics to doctoral candidates. Here you will find an overview of the university's clusters of excellence.

PhD Programs within our Excellence Cluster

The goal of the Hausdorff Center of Mathmatics is to identify and address mathematical challenges of the 21st century, to advance groundbreaking fundamental mathematical research worldwide, and to develop the mathematical methods and tools required by science and society.

Part of the Hausdorff Center is also a graduate school: The Bonn International Graduate School of Mathematics (BIGS-M) hosts all doctoral students of mathematics and contributes to the outstanding international reputation of the university in this field. The duration of the program is usually 3 years, and the doctorate (Dr. rer nat.) can be earned as a degree.

More information: https://www.bigs-math.uni-bonn.de/de/studies/ 14 15 15

ImmunoSensation2 aims to continue the success story of the existing ImmunoSensation cluster. While the emphasis so far has been on fundamental research in particular of the innate immune system, now the mechanisms of immune intelligence are to be uncovered, i.e. the question of how the body succeeds in adapting immune responses to specific situations and then remembers this in order to be optimally prepared for similar challenges in the future. The cluster's graduate school, the Bonn International Graduate School Immunosciences and Infection offers a structured, three-year doctoral program.

You can find further information about this program here: 

https://www.immunosensation.de/opportunities/young-scientists

Until today, dependency studies has almost exclusively dealt with slavery on the American continent or in antiquity. The Cluster of Excellence "Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies (BCDSS)" aims to broaden this perspective in terms of content, space and time. Within the framework of the cluster, a structured doctoral program with a duration of 4 years is offered.

Further information can be found at:  https://www.dependency.uni-bonn.de/en 15 16

Over the last few decades, computer hardware has become smaller and smaller, but their technology remains more or less the same. Slowly, this development is reaching its limits.Thus, we need new technologies that satisfy our growing hunger for even more powerful hardware.

Quantum physics could be a solution.

Together with the University of Cologne and the RWTH Aachen, Bonn researchers want to work on making this new technology usable. To achieve this, quantum bits or even qubits - the quantum counterpart to our previous bits - quantum communication channels that build networks and error correction methods have to be explored from the ground up. As part of the Excellence Initiative, the Bonn-Cologne Graduate School of Physics and Astronomy (BCGS) offers a doctoral program with an integrated honors program.

Further information can be found at:  http://www.gradschool.physics.uni-bonn.de/. 4 4

The ECONtribute researches the functioning of markets as well as reasons for their failure. In doing so, the cluster goes beyond traditional analyses by systematically combining model-based theoretical approaches and behavioral explanatory models while incorporating legal and political frameworks. Within the cluster, the Bonn Graduate School of Economics (BGSE) offers doctoral students a tailored structured doctoral program that includes an internationally recognized research network.

Further information can be found at:  https://www.bgse.uni-bonn.de. 3 3

Increasing agricultural production despite limited land while reducing the ecological footprint of agriculture - this is one of the challenges of our time. For this reason, the University of Bonn and Forschungszentrum Jülich are jointly developing methods and new technologies to observe, analyze, better understand and more specifically treat plants. The cluster's graduate school, the Theodor Brinkmann Graduate School, offers an interdisciplinary study program to master's students and doctoral candidates at the Faculty of Agriculture.

More information: https://www.phenorob.de/ .

The Third-Party Funded Programs at the University of Bonn offer structured doctoral studies on selected research topics. They enable close networking among doctoral students conducting research on related topics.

Bonn International Graduate School of Mathematics (BIGS-M) 2 17 18 18 Located at the Hausdorff Center for Mathematics, BIGS-M provides an umbrella for all Bonn PhD students in mathematics. Thus, the BIGS-M contributes to the excellent national and international reputation of mathematics at Bonn.

Bonn International Graduate School Immunosciences and Infection The BIGS Immunosciences and Infection is a structured 3-year PhD program in conjunction with the ImmunoSensation Cluster/Bonn. The ImmunoSensation Cluster is part of the Excellence Strategy.

DFG Research Training Group "Gegenwart/Literatur. Geschichte, Theorie und Praxeologie eines Verhältnisses" (GRK 2291) [only in German]

The Research Training group supported by the DFG  aims at the exploration and analysis of the constitutive dimensions of the concept of contemporary literature.  

DFG international Research Training Group "Myeloid antigen presenting cells and the induction of adaptive immunity" GRK (2168) 19 19 19 19 The DFG-funded project is a cooperation of the University of Bonn and the University of Melbourne. The principal research focus is the intersection between innate and adaptive immunity in the context of infection.

DFG Research Training Group  "The Macroeconomics of Inequality"  ( GRK 2281) 20 20 20 20 The research program focuses on the macroeconomic aspects of inequality, an aspect of first-order importance for society. 

DFG Research Training Group "Template-designed Organic Electronics (TIDE)" (GRK 2591) 21 21 21 The Graduate Program 'Template-Designed Optoelectronic Devices' (TIDE) aims to provide comprehensive doctoral education in the field of Organic Electronics (OE) to meet the requirements of highly qualified and multidisciplinary professionals. 

DFG Research Training Group "Tools and Drugs of the Future - Innovative Methods and New Modalities in Medicinal Chemistry" (GRK 2873)

The goal of the RTG " Tools and Drugs of the Future" is to modernize medicinal chemistry and train a new generation of medicinal chemists and researchers at the interface with interconnected disciplines. In addition, the projects are intended to contribute to the development of new drug substances.

Integrated Research Training Group at the DFG Collaborative Research Centre "Synaptic Micronetworks in Health and Disease" (SFB 1089) 22 22 27 27 Located at the newly inaugurated SFB 1089 on neuronal networks, the Integrated Research Training Group offers a structured graduate program for all doctoral researchers at the Centre.

Integrated Research Training Group at theDFG Collaborative Research Centre "Future Rural Africa" (SFB/TR 228) The integrated research group is investigating the relationship between land use change and shaping the future in rural africa in a total of 14 subprojects.

Integrated Research Training Group at the DFG Collaborative Research Centre "Open System Control of Atomic and Photonic Matter" (SFB/TR 185) 24 The collaborative research centre Oscar will explore the physics of open systems.

Integrated Research Training Group at the DFG Collaborative Research Centre "Aortic Diseases" (SFB/TR 259) 25 The aim of this research initiative is to better understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms of resident and non-resident cells in aortic diseases.

Integrated Research Training Group at the DFG Collaborative Research Centre "Regional Climate Change: Disentangling the Role of Land Use and Water Management" (SFB 1502) The SFB combines the strengths of the University of Bonn and its project partners to answer one of the most difficult questions in understanding climate change.

Integrated Research Training Group at the DFG Collaborative Research Centre "Brown and Beige Fat - Organ Crosstalk, Signaling and Energetics (BATenergy)" (SFB/TRR 333) The CRC investigates metabolism/diabetes and focusses on brown adipose tissue. 

One Health and Urban Transformation

The NRW Forschungskolleg One Health and Urban Transformation is a transdisciplinary graduate school that aims to find interventions to achieve optimal health for humans, animals, plants and the environment with a special focus on developments in NRW, Saõ Paulo, Accra and Ahmedabad.

International Max Planck Research School Moduli Spaces 27 27 In cooperation with the University of Bonn, the renowned Bonn Max-Planck-Institute for Mathematics offers a PhD program with a special focus on the study of moduli.

International Max Planck Research School for Astronomy and Astrophysics 28 28 In cooperation between the Max-Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy and the Universities of Bonn and of Cologne, the Research School facilitates 3 years of PhD studies with a curriculum tailored to the individual student.

International Max Planck Research School for Brain and Behavior 29 The IMPRS for Brain & Behavior is a cooperation between the Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior - caesar, the University of Bonn and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in Bonn

International Max Planck Research School - Recharge IMPRS-RECHARGE focuses on interdisciplinary research between chemistry and physics with an emphasis on catalytic mechanisms, physical-chemical analysis and energy topics. Scientific challenges shall be looked at from different angles. Furthermore the combination of theory and practice is a vital aim of the IMPRS-RECHARGE.

Marie Curie Innovative Training Network "Macro and Microplastic in Agricultural Soil Systems“ (SOPLAS) The SOPLAS project will assemble a multidisciplinary team to study the nexus of plastic–agriculture–soil. It will also train a new generation of leading experts. The project aims to identify the plastic cycle within agricultural soil systems and support the development of environmental policies related to mitigating the impact of plastics. The findings will advance our knowledge about the sustainable use of plastics in European agriculture.

Marie Curie Innovative Training Network "Early Stage Researchers EDUCational Program on Factor VIII Immunogenicity“ (EDUC8 ) 32 37 The EDUC8 program is a multidisciplinary training program with exposure of the enrolled ESRs to a core common educational package and development of individual PhD researchprojects dedicated to decreasing the societal burden associated with the development of anti-FVIII antibodies in Europe.

Marie Curie Innovative Training Network "Research and Training in Early Life Nutrition to Prevent Disease" (GROWTH)

GROWTH is an Innovative Training Network that aims to train young business-oriented researchers in developing pathological insights, biomarker diagnostics and personalized nutritional interventions for intestinal failure in neonates and preterm infants.

Tools4Teams - "Research Training to Design and Implement Tools Supporting Safe Teamwork in Healthcare"

The Tools4Teams research project will prepare the next generation of teamwork experts to contribute new insights and smart technologies for safe and effective care. Tools4Teams brings together expertise from social and technical sciences, human-centered design, education, and clinical specialties.

Trinational Graduate College "Mass and Integration in Antique Societies" [in German/French] Supported by the Deutsch-Französische Hochschule since 2011, the tri-national Graduate School in Ancient History offers curriculum events in Bonn, Berne, and Strasbourg.

Structured Doctoral Programs by Discipline

Find the right structured doctoral program at the University of Bonn in your discipline here:

• Cross-Disciplinary Options
• Medicine and Life Sciences
• Mathematics and Natural Sciences
• Agriculture

Faculties at the University of Bonn work together to design interdisciplinary programs that combine key perspectives and offer unique insights.

Cross-Disciplinary Programs

Bonn International Graduate School for Development Research (BIGS-DR) 42 Unique in Europe, BIGS-DR links perspectives from the Faculties of Philosophy, Agriculture, and Law and Economics – with an international focus.

Bonn International Graduate School of Neuroscience (BIGS Neuroscience) 8 8 A collaboration between the University’s Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, as well as external partners, BIGS Neuroscience offers a medical program alongside five research areas in medicine.

SciMed Doctoral College 43 42 The Doctoral College offers scientific training for students in medicine and dental medicine, leading to a dual Dr. med. and Dr. med. dent. degree.

Researchers at the University of Bonn explore a wide variety of issues in economics, including game theory, applied microeconomics, monetary and international macroeconomics, contract theory, labor economics and finance.

Economics Programs

Bonn Graduate School of Economics (BGSE) BGSE offers a structured program that is tailored to the needs of doctoral candidates, including an internationally recognized research network.

DFG Research Training Group "Die Macroeconomics of Inequality" (GRK 2281) The research program focuses on the macroeconomic aspects of inequality, an aspect of first-order importance for society. 

Law Programs

Graduate School of Law and Political Science Department of Law The Graduate School of the Faculty of Law and Political Science was founded in the summer semester of 2018 and supports the doctoral students in preparing their doctoral studies.

The University of Bonn’s Faculty of Medicine offers doctoral programs in medical biochemistry, neurosciences and pharmacology. With the exception of the SciMed Doctoral College, all programs are administered in cooperation with the University’s Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

Cross-Disciplinary Program

SciMed Doctoral College The Doctoral College offers scientific training for students in medicine and dental medicine, leading to a dual Dr. med. and Dr. med. dent. degree.

Neuroscience

Bonn International Graduate School of Neuroscience (BIGS Neuroscience) BIGS Neuroscience provides a top-level, internationally competitive program in this rapidly growing field.

Synaptic Micronetworks in Health and Disease (SFB 1089) Supported by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft – DFG) collaborative research centers, this integrated research training group works to identify fundamental rules that govern neuronal behavior at the network level and translate network dynamics to mammalian and human behavior.

International Max Planck Research School for Brain and Behavior A joint venture of the University of Bonn, the Max-Planck-associated Center of Advanced European Studies and Research, the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, and Florida Atlantic University, this graduate school offers a complete doctoral and research program in the neurosciences.

Marie Curie Initial Training Network "modelling and pRedicting Human decision-making Using Measures of subconscious Brain processes through mixed reality interfaces and biOmetric signals" (RHUMBO) RHUMBO proposes using measures of subconscious brain processes through the use of mixed reality technologies (MRT) and advanced biometric signals processing as a new paradigm to improve the knowledge that implicit brain processes have in human decision-making.

Pharma Research

Bonn International Graduate School of Drug Sciences (BIGS DrugS) Home to an international community of talented biomedical scientists, BIGS DrugS is the hub for doctoral candidates from pharma research institutes within the University’s Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and Faculty of Medicine.

Pharmacology of 7TM-Receptors and Downstream Signaling Pathways (GRK 1873) Supported by DFG, this group combines expertise in the areas of pharmacology and pharmacy.

Bonn International Graduate School of Immunosciences and Infection

This three-year doctoral program is offered in conjunction with the University's ImmunoSensation Cluster , which is funded by Germany’s Excellence Initiative.

DFG Research Training Group "Myeloid antigen presenting cells and the induction of adaptive immunity" GRK (2168) The DFG-funded project is a cooperation of the University of Bonn and the University of Melbourne.

At the University of Bonn’s Faculty of Arts, you’ll find a highly international environment with students and researchers in a wide range of fields.

German Studies, Comparative Literature and Culture 

Structured Doctoral Program in German Studies (SPP) [website in German] Taught in German, the SPP supports doctoral candidates’ initiatives within the Institute for German, Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies.

German-Italian Doctoral College [website in German] Taught in German, this three-year grant program provides structured doctoral studies for researchers in German and Italian, with time in both Bonn and Florence.

History and Ancient History 

Mass and Integration in Antique Societies [website in German and French] Supported by Franco-German University and taught in German and French, this trinational doctoral program includes study in Bonn; Berne, Switzerland; and Strasbourg, France.

Oriental and Asian Studies Bonn

International Graduate School of Oriental and Asian Studies (BIGS-OAS) BIGS-OAS offers a wide range of courses within a research context, focused on the cultures and societies of Asia and Asia Minor.

Romance Studies

Italian Studies [website in German and Italian] Offered in cooperation with the Universities of Florence and Paris-Sorbonne IV, this trinational doctoral program is taught in German and Italian.

Structured DPhil program at the Faculty of Arts The program supports qualified doctoral candidates from all disciplines in their doctoral projects. It provides the opportunity for networking, interdisciplinary exchange in diverse social sciences and humanities subjects, progress monitoring and financial support for travel, workshops or research funding as part of the doctorate.

European Founding Myths in Literature, Arts and Music [website in German, French and Italian] This trinational program is jointly organized by the Universities of Bonn, Florence and Paris-Sorbonne IV and taught in German, French and Italian.

Bonn International Graduate School for Development Research (BIGS-DR) Part of the University of Bonn’s Center for Development Research, BIGS-DR trains students for an international career in development cooperation, policy or research through a combination of academic study and intensive tutorship.

The University’s Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences offers numerous externally funded doctoral programs in areas including mathematics and informatics, physics, biology, pharmacology and molecular biomedicine.

Programs in neuroscience, pharma research, immunoscience, and infection and molecular biomedicine are offered in cooperation with the Faculty of Medicine.

Mathematics

Bonn International Graduate School of Mathematics (BIGS-M) 2 2 Located at the Hausdorff Center for Mathematics, BIGS-M is home to all of the University’s doctoral candidates in mathematics and contributes to Bonn’s excellent international reputation in the field.

International Max Planck Research School on Moduli Spaces 53 53 This program includes courses, seminars and activities focused on the geometric spaces whose points represent fixed algebro-geometric objects (or isomorphism classes of such objects).

Physics und Astronomy

Bonn-Cologne Graduate School of Physics and Astronomy (BCGS) 4 4 Supported by Germany’s Excellence Initiative and jointly administered by the renowned Physics Institutes at the Universities of Bonn and Cologne, BCGS offers doctoral studies through an integrated honors program.

International Max Planck Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics 55 55 This program offers a broad spectrum of topics in observational and theoretical galactic and extragalactic astrophysics, observational and theoretical cosmology, and fundamental physics – using astronomical tools and instrumentation.

Leibniz Graduate School on Genomic Biodiversity Research Based at Bonn’s Alexander Koenig Research Museum, this school is focused primarily on insect genome evolution.

Bonn International Graduate School of Chemistry (BIGS Chemistry) 57 57 BIGS Chemistry offers an internationally competitive doctoral program and opportunities to perform cutting-edge research.

Neurosciences

Bonn International Graduate School of Neuroscience (BIGS Neuroscience) 8 8 BIGS Neuroscience provides a top-level, internationally competitive program in this rapidly growing field.

Synaptic Micronetworks in Health and Disease (SFB 1089) 22 22 Supported by DFG collaborative research centers, this integrated research training group works to identify fundamental rules that govern neuronal behavior at the network level and translate network dynamics to mammalian and human behavior.

International Max Planck Research School for Brain and Behavior 29 29 The IMPRS for Brain & Behavior is a cooperation between the Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior - caesar, the University of Bonn and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in Bonn.

Bonn International Graduate School of Drug Sciences (BIGS DrugS) 6 6 Home to an international community of talented biomedical scientists, BIGS DrugS is the hub for doctoral candidates from pharma research institutes within the University’s Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and Faculty of Medicine.

Pharmacology of 7TM-Receptors and Downstream Signaling Pathways (GRK 1873) 18 18 Supported by DFG, this group combines expertise in the areas of pharmacology and pharmacy.

BIGS Immunoscience and Infection A structured, three-year doctoral program, IITB is offered in conjunction with the ImmunoSensation Cluster at the University of Bonn.

Doctoral candidates in the field of agriculture may choose to study through the Faculty of Agriculture’s Theodor Brinkmann Graduate School or earn their degree through the University of Bonn’s Center for Development Research.

Agriculture Programs

Bonn International Graduate School for Land and Food (BIGS Land and Food)  Founded in 2008, the Brinkmann School is home to master's and doctoral candidates in the Faculty of Agriculture, combining research with an interdisciplinary study program.

Bonn International Graduate School for Development Research (BIGS-DR) 12 Part of the University of Bonn’s Center for Development Research 59 , BIGS-DR trains researchers for an international career in development cooperation, policy or research through a combination of academic study and intensive tutorship.

Dr. Robert Radu

[email protected]

+49 228 73-60222

Poppelsdorfer Allee 47

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Additional Qualification: Doctorate plus

Expand your skills with our training program Doctorate plus.

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Researcher - Energy Policy, Electricity Market Design and Renewable Energies 1

achieved in Germany, Europe and the world? Do you want to research and work independently within the framework of interdisciplinary studies for economics and politics ? Are you a team player who already has

PhD Positions in Cancer Research

holding a Master’s degree in (molecular) biology, ( bio -)chemistry, ( bio -)physics, computational biology, computer science , epidemiology/public health studies and related subjects to apply

Researcher in the field of industrial transformation and energy system analysis 1

to national and international stakeholders in politics and business. The position to be filled is in the Business Unit “Demand Analyses and Projections” in the Competence Center "Energy Technology and Energy

PhD position (f/m/div) Simulation in the context of intergenerational processes

as well as national and international science systems. At DIW Berlin, you will have the perfect opportunity to gain further subject-specific training at an institute where science and politics

Post-doc or Ph.D. position in Economics ( f /m/d)

of the Chair group • Actively contributing to the application and acquisition of third- party funding (eg. EU-Horizon, BMBF,…) Qualifications • An excellent Master‘s level degree in economics, agricultural

PhD position (all genders) in AI for biomedical data analysis

solutions. Welcome to the UKE. Main tasks You will join the Institute of Medical Systems Biology and the bAIome Center for Biomedical AI (baiome.org ) to complement our lively and enthusiastic team of machine

PhD in Climate Finance and Innovation (m / f / d)

policy, political economy, economics) Analytical skills in python, R or Stata Ability to work independently and curiosity to dive into new topics and learn new methods Desire to work in interdisciplinary

Research assistant (f/m/d) Interacting Random Systems

of experience with third- party funding, teaching and research supervision in preparation for a professorship. We are looking for: A completed scientific university degree and a Ph.D. (or equivalent experience) in

PhD Position - Structure-property relationships in the dimethyl ether/CO2 system for the hydrogen storage cycle

international conferences Collaboration with other research groups Support in the preparation of third- party funding proposals Support in establishing the institute Your Profile: Master`s degree in physics

Three PhD positions (f/m/d)

of the ERC funded research project “Comics Culture in the People’s Republic of China (ChinaComx)” to start in September 2024. ChinaComx investigates the intellectual, political , social, historical, and

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Geschwister-Scholl-Institute of Political Science

Building on its unique legacy, the Geschwister-Scholl-Institute of Political Science (GSI) is one of the most renowned political science institutes across Europe. The GSI is home to over 70 faculty, whose scholarship and teaching span across the main subfields of political science. As a beneficiary of the Federal Government's Excellence Initiative, the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, and thus the Geschwister-Scholl-Institute of Political Science, offer a stimulating environment for research and study. Its administration and staff maintains close relations with many leading academic institutions worldwide.

Studying takes mainly place in comparatively small seminars. It distinguishes itself in both the Bachelor's and Master's programmes on two fronts. It is neither a fact-focused knowledge of politics nor purely political philosophy. Instead, its aim is to convey that good political science always requires connecting abstract theoretical hypotheses methodically with concrete empirical reality. Theories can help to understand or explain empirical empirical reality, whereas empirical reality can help to improve theories.

Research at the Geschwister-Scholl-Institute for Political Science is empirical-analytical research. It is neither aimed at the normative evaluation of politics nor at scientific policy advice. Rather, it seeks to adequately understand and explain observable political facts. Political institutions - national, regional and international - are an important focus of research: their emergence, change, functioning, stability, internal dynamics and effects are analyzed. In addition, all professorships situated at GSI have their own thematic research focus.

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Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences Political Science

Students of the degree programme in Political Science primarily study the organisation and functioning of political institutions, the agencies and processes operating between state and society, the complexion of governance as a function of state policy, and international relations.

Today, Political Science largely revolves around the following key concerns: 

• the history of political ideas and political theories 
• the political system of the Federal Republic of Germany and the European Union 
• Comparative analysis of political systems 
• Government policy research and analysis 
• Foreign policy and international relations 
• Empirical methods in Political Science 

Both in the specialised and in the superordinate issues addressed in this domain, Political Science has many points of contact with neighbouring subjects in the humanities and the social sciences, notably History, Sociology, Philosophy, Economics, Psychology and Law.

Special Features and Characteristics

The Institute for Political Science (Institut für Politische Wissenschaft (IPW)) at Heidelberg University ranges among the older political science institutes in Germany. Since the first teaching assignment for the “Science of Politics” for Dolf Sternberger in 1947 and the foundation of the institute in 1958, the IPW was able to gain a high scientific reputation. The research excellence of the institute is reflected by reputation studies of the German Political Science Association (GPSA) and numerous national and international research projects (German Research Foundation, Thyssen Foundation, VW Foundation, Bertelsmann Foundation, EU, etc.), as well as a diverse publishing activity of its researchers with high international visibility. 

• Institute of Political Science (DE)

The Institute for Political Science covers all core research areas in political science:

• empirical-comparative democracy and autocracy research,
• comparative research of international policy areas and government activities, with a focus on the labour market, energy, climate, sustainability, welfare, and environmental policies,
• analysis of decision-making processes and governmental activity in the Federal Republic of Germany,
• European integration, international organisations, and comparative research on foreign policy, especially within Germany,
• comparative and international Political Economy
• international security architecture, security policy, and weapons of mass destruction
• history of political precepts and theories
• institutional theories and urban research
• urban policy research
• theories of and discourses on justice
• concepts of modern governance
• comparative analysis of political systems in the global South, particularly in Pacific Asia and Western Europe,
• empirical analysis of inner-state conflicts and disputes in international relations

Occupational Areas

Political scientists find employment in the following areas:  

• editorial departments of newspapers and publishing companies 
• radio and television broadcasting 
• public administration 
• political institutions like the Federal German Parliament and the regional parliaments 
• political parties, political foundations, labour unions and associations 
• institutions for adult education 
• market and opinion research institutes 
• public relations agencies 
• organisations for development cooperation 
• universities and research institutes

Degree variants

Bachelor 25%

Bachelor 50%

Bachelor 75%

Master, consecutive

Master of Education (M.Ed.)

Why do I study political science? Because political decisions influence almost all areas of life. An academic programme in political science provides the best opportunity to uncover all relevant aspects and comes with a whole host of exciting future careers. Politics concerns every single one of us!

Janika Lohse, 22, Political Science, 4th semester Bachelor

Further Interesting Subjects

Islamic Studies

Freie Universität Berlin

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2716 Study programs

Study Political Science in Germany: 72 Universities with 125 English Degree Programs

All important info for international students in germany (2024/2025).

Studying Political Science in Germany gives you the opportunity to learn about political institutions, the distribution of power, resources, and political theories in the center of the European Union. Because many programs are offered in English, it provides students the opportunity to study in a cosmopolitan and diverse classroom setting.

In Germany, degree programs in Political Science are often very interdisciplinary and give you the opportunity to deepen your knowledge in diverse aspects of the subject area. In the field of international relations, programs often intersect with international law and focus on human rights, or intersect with International Political Economy and focus on aspects of development. Some programs focus on comparative politics and feature aspects of area studies and policy research. The role of the European Union is also at the heart of some programs in Germany, which makes it a great hub for students interested in the study of international organizations. There are also less theory-based programs, which focus on cutting-edge topics such as digitalization and e-governance.

No matter your interests and strand of Political Science you wish to pursue, we are certain that you can find some great options to continue your studies in this field in Germany.

Study Programs in English

Universities

Universities in International Rankings

€ 0 (86 programs for EU citizens, 72 programs for Non-EU citizens)

€ 16,680 per semester (1 program for EU citizens/Non-EU)

Winter Semester

between May 31 and May 15

Summer Semester

between May 31 and November 15

Top-ranked German Universities in Political Science

public University

No. of Students: approx. 51,000 students

Program Fees: € 0 (per semester)

public Technical University

No. of Students: approx. 53,000 students

Program Fees: € 0 - € 4,000 (per semester)

No. of Students: approx. 28,000 students

Program Fees: € 0 - € 1,500 (per semester)

No. of Students: approx. 36,000 students

Program Fees: € 0 - € 4,726 (per semester)

No. of Students: approx. 38,000 students

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Tuition Fees

3 english degree programs for political science in germany.

University of Potsdam Potsdam

International war studies (double degree with university college dublin, ireland).

Willy Brandt School of Public Policy University of Erfurt · Erfurt

Public policy.

OHM Professional School Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm · Nuremberg

Mba in general management for non-economics graduates.

Application Deadlines

Winter Semester 2024/2025

Summer Semester 2025

Winter Semester 2025/2026

Open Programs

92 programs

17 programs

123 programs

Application Requirements

When you apply to a Master’s program in Political Science, universities will expect students to have a first academic degree in a related discipline, that means in Political Science or a related social sciences, such as Economics or Sociology. Other (interdisciplinary) programs accept students with backgrounds in various disciplines, such as Law, History, Philosophy, Ethnology, or Cultural Studies. Usually, application tests and interviews are not part of the admissions process, students must simply submit required documents. In addition to the standard certificates (e.g. first degree certificate, a transcript of records, a language certificate), application documents typically include your CV and a letter of motivation. Extra documents, such as practical experiences, written samples of your work, or a background in research methods, are sometimes also required.

Application Modes

Application process.

Ruhr-Universität Bochum Bochum

European culture and economy (ecue).

Saarland University Saarbrücken

European and international law.

Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg Sankt Augustin / Rheinbach

Corporate social responsibility & non-governmental organisations management (mba).

TOEFL Scores

Cambridge Levels

5 (4 programs )

60 (1 program )

B2 First (FCE) (32 programs )

7.5 (1 program )

108 (3 programs )

C2 Proficiency (CPE) (35 programs )

Touro University Berlin | A Campus of Touro University New York • USA Berlin

Psychology (us degree).

Friedensau Adventist University Möckern

Development studies (on-campus or online).

International Graduate Center (IGC) HSB Hochschule Bremen – City University of Applied Sciences · Bremen

Mba in international tourism management.

2-8 semesters

→ View all programs with online courses

Master of Arts

Master of Business Administration

Master of Science

Master of Public Administration

Master of Administrative Sciences

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Science

Winter intake

Summer intake

Winter & Summer intake

List of all German Universities offering English-taught Study Programs in Political Science

Academy for Cultural Diplomacy

Program Fees: € 3,000

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences Berlin

Program Fees: € 2,293

Bard College Berlin

Program Fees: € 11,700 - € 16,500

B.A. (Bachelor of Arts)

Bielefeld University

Program Fees: € 0

Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt

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Find your PhD position in Germany

Before you start your search ....

Before you start your search you should know that there are different PhD models:

• Individual doctorate  or
• Structured PhD programmes

What's the difference? Check out our  overview of the various ways to do your PhD in Germany  

Find your individual doctorate

The "traditional" or "individual" path to a PhD remains the most common in Germany. An individual doctorate involves a thesis or dissertation that is produced under the  supervision of one professor . This form of PhD study offers a great deal of  flexibility , but demands a high degree of  personal initiative  and responsibility.

How to find your PhD supervisor

In Germany there is no central admissions or selection office for doctoral students. Therefore, your first step is to find a suitable professor who is willing to be your supervisor.

One way to find a supervisor is to look for a university institute that matches your area of research. The following online search engines might help you find a suitable supervisor:

• GERiT – German research institutions GERiT is a website containing information on approximately 29,000 research institutions in Germany. GERiT allows the user to search easily by location or subject. It provides all the information needed to choose an institution at which to research, study or do a doctorate. www.gerit.org
• Finding a PhD position PhDGermany publishes PhD openings in Germany that specifically target international applicants. Accordingly, in most cases the working language is English. Fluent knowledge of German is only required for certain special positions. PhDGermany helps you find the right PhD opening or supervisor for your doctoral thesis and assists you with the online application process. www.phdgermany.de
• Higher Education Compass   This database provides up-to-date information from universities about doctoral opportunities in Germany. The search engine enables you to carry out targeted searches on the basis of departments, admission requirements and form of doctoral thesis. www.higher-education-compass.de

Furthermore,  your contacts with your professors or previous university  could help direct you to a suitable department or potential supervisor in Germany.

It is also helpful to attend  academic conferences  in your own subject area. There you will be able to exchange information and make contacts ­– and perhaps even find a future PhD supervisor.

Find your structured PhD programme

DAAD/Ausserhofer/Himsel

Structured PhD programmes in Germany are frequently very similar to the PhD programmes in English-speaking countries, in which a  team of supervisors  look after a  group of doctoral students . Around 12,000 doctoral students from abroad – roughly one in four – do their PhDs in structured programmes. As a rule, it is possible to complete a doctorate in four to five years.

Where to find your PhD programme

There is no central database of all structured PhD programmes in Germany. You can usually find these programmes directly through the respective universities, graduate schools or non-university research institutions. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) database is also a good place to look. Here you will find a large number of PhD programmes that are specially aimed at international doctoral students.

International doctoral programme database

Are you interested in an international doctoral programme in Germany? This DAAD database presents a selection of roughly 230 international doctoral programmes in Germany. The database can be searched according to different criteria.  www.daad.de/international-programmes 

Doctoral programmes at universities

Many universities offer structured doctoral programmes, which they publicise on their websites. The Student Advisory Service or Graduate Centre at the respective university will also provide help here. You can find the relevant addresses using the Higher Education Compass provided by the German Rectors’ Conference. www.higher-education-compass.de

​​​​​​​DFG-funded research training groups

Research training groups are also funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation, DFG) for a period of up to nine years. Their key emphasis is on the qualification of doctoral researchers within the framework of a focused research programme and a structured training strategy. www.dfg.de > Current Research Training Groups

Helmholtz Research Schools, Colleges and Graduate Schools

The Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organisation. In collaboration with various institutions of higher education, Helmholtz Association research centres have established structured PhD programmes under the auspices of Helmholtz Graduate Schools, Helmholtz Research Schools and Colleges.  www.helmholtz.de > PhD Candidates 

Leibniz Graduate Schools

The Leibniz Association connects 97 research institutes that conduct problem-oriented research and provide scientific infrastructure of national and international importance. Together with universities they run structured PhD programmes in Leibniz Graduate Schools. www.leibniz-association.eu > Leibniz Graduate Schools

International Max Planck Research Schools

The Max Planck Society specialises in innovative basic research and its institutes are able to offer up-and-coming researchers excellent infrastructure and support. The website lists the programmes available at International Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS):  www.mpg.de > International Max Planck Research Schools  

Max Planck Schools

In Germany, the best researchers in a specific field are often work at different universities and non-university research institutions spread throughout the country. The Max Planck Schools serve as hubs which gather this distributed knowledge. Here, the brightest minds in their fields have come together from within the scientific community to interconnect in faculties made up of active researchers. Students gain access to these unique networks, learn in close personal exchange from leaders in their fields and their peers, and enjoy access to outstanding infrastructure. Currently, three Schools are operating in the fields of Cognition, Matter to Life, and Photonics. www.maxplanckschools.de

Where can I find out about requirements?

Application procedures  differ from programme to programme . The precise requirements and deadlines can be found on the website of the respective university, research training group or graduate school. You should therefore first choose a PhD programme and/or graduate school.

You've found the position you want to apply for, but how does applying to a potential supervisor or structured PhD programme work in Germany? Find out more here.

DAAD/Jan Zappner

We help you navigate through the large number of job portals that specialise in openings for academics and scientists. These are some of the sites that may get you started.

DAAD/Uta Konopka

Check out our brochure

Doing a phd in germany (2019, 40 pages).

This booklet for (prospective) international doctoral students presents the different options for doing a doctorate in Germany. It explains the formal requirements and gives some practical advice on finding the right supervisor or doctoral programme. It also outlines different sponsorship and funding options.

Your direct access to university admissions

Germany – PhD programs in Political Science

We found 8 universities offering 8 PhD programs.

Study the PhD programs in Political Science in Germany

Universities

Years of study

~ RUB 237,318

Tuition fees

Who is a PhD of Political Science?

A PhD of Political Science is a doctorate who understands how governments operate and interact, how to develop policy, how to conduct research and analyze data, and how laws impact on social and political areas of life. A Political science doctorate holds the following skills: negotiating conflicts successfully, planning and implementing decisions, and being a leader. The typical length of the PhD program is three years; this is comprised of one semester of additional study and 2.5 years of dissertation work and research.

What are the main duties of a PhD of Political Science?

A doctorate's postgraduate in political science tasks include gathering data on a specific political issue and researching it, consulting on political matters, analyzing political trends and ideas, developing theories and monitoring current events.

Germany – PhD programs in Political Science statistics

Free-Apply.com provides information about 8 PhD programs in Political Science at 8 universities in Germany. Furthermore, you can choose one of 25 Bachelor programs in Political Science at 25 universities, 26 Master programs in Political Science at 26 universities, and 8 PhD programs in Political Science at 8 universities.

Reasons to study in Germany

No 20 in the world education ranking.

• 18. New Zealand
• 19. Austria
• 20. Germany

No 13 in the world ease of doing business ranking

• 11. Ireland
• 12. Finland
• 13. Germany
• 15. South Korea

No 11 in the world economy ranking

• 10. Ireland
• 11. Germany
• 13. United States

No 16 in the world safety ranking

• 14. United Kingdom
• 15. Luxembourg
• 16. Germany
• 18. Slovenia

The largest cities offering PhD programs in Political Science in Germany

Higher education statistics of the largest cities in Germany.

Germany – Average monthly personal finance statistics

~ rub 28,267, ~ rub 53,626, ~ rub 26,388, ~ rub 227,016, germany – where to study.

The most popular student cities in Germany.

100% discount for the 1st year

Apply now and get a 100% tuition fee discount for the first year of studies

Universities offering the most popular PhD programs in Political Science in Germany

Heidelberg University

Germany, Heidelberg

Heidelberg University (informally Heidelberg, German: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg; Latin: Universitas Ruperto Carola Heidelbergensis) is a public research university in H...

University of Hagen

Germany, Hagen

The University of Hagen (German: FernUniversität in Hagen, informally often referred to as FU Hagen) is a public research university that is primarily focused on distance teaching....

University of Greifswald

Germany, Greifswald

The University of Greifswald is amongst the oldest universities in the German-speaking countries, founded in 1456 following an initiative from citizens of the Hanseatic town of Gre...

Kiel University

Germany, Kiel

Kiel University is Germany's northernmost State University and the scientific centre of Schleswig-Holstein. At our institutes, more than 26,000 students learn their trade, about 2,...

German Sporthochschule Cologne

Germany, Koeln

German Sport University Cologne founded in 1947, is a sport university in Cologne, Germany. It is the largest sport university in Europe with approximately 6,000 students. The Germ...

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• Published: 15 May 2024

How Iranian students can master integration into German academia

• Ata Makarem   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-1291-4312 1 , 2 &
• Karel Douglas Klika   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-7009-1487 3  

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Knerr, B. International Labor Migration: Asian students in Germany Ch. 6 (Kassel University Press GmbH, 2015).

Hüther, O. & Krücken, G. Higher Education in Germany — Recent Developments in an International Perspective , Vol. 49 (Springer International Publishing, 2018).

Moradi, S. Nat. Hum. Behav. 3 , 1025–1025 (2019).

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