Political Science (BA)

Faculty: Economic and Social Sciences

Degree: Bachelor of Arts

Standard period of study: 7 trimesters for a bachelor’s degree

Admission requirements:

• general higher education entrance qualification (Abitur),
•  successful completion of the officer examination,
•  temporary-career enlistment for 13 years in the career of line officer.

Language of instruction: German

Start of programme: beginning of October

Description

The study of political science at the HSU gives students systematic insights into the normative foundations of political thinking as well as into the empirical structures, processes and content of official political action at various levels and in various areas. The bachelor’s degree programme is designed to give them the fundamental ability to identify the political core of domestic social and international processes, problems and conflicts, and to analyse this political dimension on a sound theoretical and methodological basis.

It also enables students to form their own opinion on the basis of a scientific and realistic approach and in line with practical requirements, and to justify that opinion under consideration of possible options. The course also puts them in a position to reflect on the increasing demands professional practice places on Bundeswehr officers and to tackle these demands using sound judgement. Particularly the trend towards international missions in countries that differ in terms of political system, society and culture and also intensifying cooperation and networking in the field of security within Europe require profound and comprehensive knowledge of system-specific political contexts, which is provided by the master’s programmes Comparative Democracy Research and International Relations. During the course, students also learn how to apply their specialist knowledge and skills when providing advice and information to target groups and organisations working in other fields. Finally, by acquiring knowledge of approaches used in the fields of law, sociology and administrative science, they are enabled to understand the mindset of actors in administrative bodies, enterprises and non-profit organisations and to communicate successfully with them.

Programme Structure

As a rule, the bachelor’s programme in Political Science lasts seven trimesters and consists of compulsory and optional modules. In the final module, the students are required to write a bachelor thesis. The foundation course modules provide students with the basic knowledge required for the advanced modules of the second phase of the BA programme. The modules are organised and synchronised in such a way that they build on previously acquired knowledge.

Students who have not yet satisfied all of the academic requirements of the bachelor’s programme can be admitted to the master’s programme on a provisional basis. Students who have obtained 180 credit points with a grade of 3.0 or better by the end of the eighth trimester can progress to the master’s programme.

Students who do not meet these requirements may obtain the necessary credit points in the ninth trimester to successfully complete their bachelor’s degree.

Application

Application forms are available at your nearest Bundeswehr careers information office. As a soldier, you have a lot of responsibility. Therefore, an in-depth counselling session will be held at the beginning of the application process. Contact information of Bundeswehr career advisors can be found online at www.bundeswehrkarriere.de. Free hotline: 0800 9800880.

Advisory Services/Contact Information

Advisory services are provided by designated members of the academic staff of each faculty.

Dean of Studies

Univ.-Prof.‘in Dr. Annette Jünemann
Phone: +49 (0)40 6541-2783
E-mail: [email protected]

Students who wish to study at HSU as part of a cooperation agreement with an enterprise, foundation, agency or other partner institute, and soldiers who wish to study at HSU within the framework of Bundeswehr Vocational Advancement, are asked to contact University Marketing:

Astrid Strüßmann
Phone: +49 (0)40 6541-3855
E-Mail: [email protected]

Susanne Killus
Phone: +49 (0)40 6541-3652
E-Mail: [email protected]