Studying International Relations / Political Science in Germany

International Relations and Political Science are among the most popular social-science fields for international students in Germany. Germany is Europe's political heavyweight, and Berlin is a hub for diplomacy and think-tanks, which makes the field attractive. But a degree does not automatically turn into a career as a diplomat. This post gives you a realistic picture: what you study, in which language, where, and what your honest expectations should be.

#1. What the field covers: International Relations or Political Science?

In Germany the two areas often sit under one roof but with different emphases. Politikwissenschaft (Political Science) is the broader umbrella: political theory, comparative politics, the German and European political system, and international relations. Internationale Beziehungen (International Relations / IR) focuses on inter-state relations, foreign policy, security, international organisations and global governance.

The practical difference: a pure "IR bachelor" is rare in Germany. Usually you take a Political Science bachelor and specialise later. IR appears more often as a separate programme at master's level. Some institutes such as Mannheim are strongly empirical/quantitative (surveys, statistics, data), while others such as Tübingen lean toward theory and IR. Reading this emphasis matters more than the name on the door.

#2. Bachelor in German, master's in English: the language reality

This is the key point. Bachelor programmes are overwhelmingly in German and usually require C1. English-taught bachelors are rare in this field. So if you come for a bachelor, you must invest seriously in German.

At master's level the picture flips: English-taught programmes are plentiful. In IR, public policy and political science, English master's degrees are widespread in Germany. That is why a sensible route for many international students is: do the bachelor at home (or in German here) and come to Germany for an English master's. See the details in the guide to English-taught IR / public policy master's.

Note: even with an English master's, you will usually need German for internships and public-sector jobs. Do not postpone the language entirely just because the master's is in English.

#3. Strong departments (as of 2026, approximate)

Germany has no "Ivy League"; strength depends on the programme. The table below summarises respected departments (not a fixed ranking — see how prestige and rankings work in Germany):

Location is often more important than the name — more on that in section 5.

#4. Applying: uni-assist, NC and documents

International students mostly apply through uni-assist (some universities have their own portal). The process, roughly: credential check, language proof (German C1 for the bachelor / IELTS-TOEFL for English master's), transcript and a motivation letter.

The Numerus Clausus (NC) is common in political science: when places are limited, admission is based on grade average (Abitur/bachelor grade). The NC changes every year and by university; there is no fixed threshold. At master's level, instead of an NC, admission usually weighs the bachelor grade, motivation and sometimes relevant work/internship experience.

Always verify application deadlines and the exact document list on the university's official page and with uni-assist — they change from term to term.

#5. Why location matters: the Berlin example

In IR/political science, location is perhaps the single most decisive career factor. Berlin is Germany's political capital: the Auswärtiges Amt (Federal Foreign Office), leading think-tanks (SWP, DGAP, ECFR), countless NGOs, representations of international organisations and political foundations are all here. For internships and networking, Berlin is the heart of the field.

The Bonn/Eschborn axis matters too: the development agency GIZ is headquartered there. So "which city" can be more strategic than "which university". If a respected department sits in a small town, you may need to relocate for internships and jobs. For the career side, see the post on working in IR and policy.

#6. Fees and scholarships: DAAD and cost

Public universities are essentially free; you only pay the semester contribution (as of 2025/2026 roughly €150–350/semester, often including a semester ticket). The one big exception is Baden-Württemberg: non-EU students pay about €1,500/semester. Private schools such as the Hertie School are far more expensive and a separate category.

For scholarships, the best-known address is the DAAD; the scholarships of political foundations (Konrad-Adenauer, Friedrich-Ebert, etc.) are also a strong fit for this field. Living costs depend on the city — Berlin/Munich expensive, smaller towns cheaper. The figures change year to year; verify current amounts with the official source.

#7. Conclusion and honest advice

Studying IR / Political Science in Germany can be a strong path if you plan it well. But let's be honest: it is a generalist degree. There is no single clear career path, the field is competitive; not the degree itself but internships + network + languages are what carry you.

A few honest notes: (1) The German diplomatic service (Auswärtiges Amt) requires German citizenship — without it, that door is (for now) closed. International organisations (UN/EU) are English-friendly but highly competitive. (2) If you are not ready to do the bachelor in German, the English-master's route is more realistic. (3) If you are deciding between a master's and a job search, read the master's vs. job-seeker visa comparison. (4) If you want to know what you can do with the degree, the post on the job market for political-science/IR graduates is exactly for you.

This post is a general guide for the year 2026 and does not replace individual advice. Programme content, fees, NC thresholds, language requirements and application deadlines change over time; before making any decision, verify every figure and requirement on the university's official page, with the DAAD, and with uni-assist.