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B.A. Governance and Public Policy

Degree awarded Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Duration and credits 6 semesters; 180 ECTS credits
Starts in October (winter semester)
Language of instruction German

Political science, sociology, economics and law: how the State works

Politics is a process that seeks to distribute social resources in a binding manner. But how do politics, the economy, justice and society interlink with each other? What are the effects between them? How are conflicts of interest handled? Studying the B.A. Governance and Public Policy programme, you will deal with the structure and organisation of the state and its institutions. The programme also looks beyond nation-states, as it explores the roles of other political actors, such as international and non-governmental organisations and the mass media. You will look at the challenges within our society as well as in the globalised world from different perspectives and find solutions using methods informed by different academic disciplines.

As part of the programme, you are also given the opportunity to complete one of two double degree options, studying international relations at the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia) or Scienze politiche e delle relazioni internazionali at the University of Parma (Italy).

Features

  • Uniquely for this type of programme among German universities, the programme includes public law modules in its curriculum
  • Compulsory two-month internship in Germany or abroad
  • Double degree options: German-Slovenian or German-Italian double bachelor's degree
  • Foreign university partnerships especially for students on this degree programme (including in France, the UK, the US and Pakistan)

Career prospects

This degree programme gives its students access to careers in international organisations, associations and political parties, in media and public relations organisations, in the public administration, in foundation trusts or political advisory institutions as well as in education institutions. Depending on your chosen focus modules, a variety of other professional areas in private companies will open up for you. In addition, the interdisciplinary nature of the programme gives you further career prospects at the intersection of different academic disciplines.

Programme details

The degree programme is divided into four module areas. As part of the programme, you will write a dissertation on a topic chosen from one of the focus (area B) or extension modules (area C).

A) Principles of Political Science
B) Political Science Focus Module Groups
C) Political Science Extension Module Groups
D) Foreign Language and Internship

A) This module area imparts essential methods and theory from the subject disciplines represented in the four introductory module groups: political science and methods in sociology, economics, society in transformation, and public law.

B) In module area B, you will gain advanced knowledge of political science. Here, you will choose two of the three focus module groups offered: governance/public policy, political theory and intellectual history, or European and international politics.

C) Building on your prior knowledge gained in module area A, you will consolidate your theoretical and methodological expertise in one or more part disciplines by choosing three of eighteen extension module groups offered.

D) In the practice-oriented module area D, you will gain subject-specific language skills. Depending on the track your choose, your language programme will have a social science, legal or business/economics focus. You can choose from the following languages: Chinese, Czech, English, French, German as a Foreign Language, Indonesian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai or Vietnamese. Moreover, you will complete a compulsory two-month internship in Germany or abroad in this module area.

For further details, please consult the Academic Advice Service's infosheet (German) and the module catalogue (German).

This degree programme starts in the October (winter semester) each year.

With Abitur or European qualifications

Prospective students with a higher education entrance qualification from Germany or the EEA region (e.g. German Abitur or the Austrian Matura) can enrol directly for this degree programme during the enrolment period.

You will need German language skills at level C1 CEFR or higher to study this degree programme.  If German was the language of instruction for your secondary school education or prior tertiary education, your academic certificates suffice as proof of your language skills. Otherwise, you will have to provide a recognised German language certificate along with your application for a place of study.

If you can provide recognised certificates for German language skills at level B2 CEFR at the time when you apply for a place of study, you may receive a conditional offer. In that case, you will be required to provide a recognised language certificate at level C1 CEFR by the time you enrol on the degree programme. 

If you would like to learn German or advance your language skills, the University's Language Centre and its  German Courses Passau division offer a variety of German language classes. However, if you would like to apply for a place of study on one of the University's German-taught degree programmes, you must meet the stated language requirements before you apply.

What our students say

Gabriele Schillinger

Gabriele Schillinger

Student Governance and Public Policy

At the University of Passau, I appreciate my multicultural environment as well as the opportunity to get involved in student societies and for personal growth.

Kilian van Zwoll

Kilian van Zwoll

Student Governance and Public Policy

Individual specialisation makes it easier to recognise and understand the overall context.

Domokos Péter Kovács

Domokos Péter Kovács

Student Governance and Public Policy

Passau is a city where everything can be found. You always have to allow an extra 10 minutes here, because you are sure to meet a familiar face on the way.

Studycheck

Browse through Studycheck for unfiltered, independent reviews of this programme, written by our students.

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See also

If you are interested in governance and public policy, these degree programmes might also be worth checking out:

Questions?

The Academic Advice Service is the first port of call for all enquiries related to studying at the University!

Drop us a line: advice@uni-passau.de

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