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Research in Politics and Democracyfull time

Degree
Master of Arts
Master
Standard period of study (amount)
4 semesters
Location
Mainz
Deadlines
November 2026 (Germans and inhabitants)
November 2026 (EU)
May 2027 (Non-EU)
Please enquire

Overview and admission

Study Type

graduate

Admission semester

Summer and Winter Semester

Area of study

Political Science

Focus

Political Science Research Methods, Political Institutions and Processes, Theories of Democracy, International Politics, Political Opinions and Citizen Behaviour

Target group

Students whose interest in particular democracy-related research topics was awakened in the Bachelor's course, considering the systematic discussion and analysis of the conditions and repercussions of democracy one of the most important issues of our time.

Annotation

Contents: Theory-guided and methodologically sound analysis of attitudes and political actions of citizens in the Federal Republic of Germany and in the world of the OECD countries. Particular emphasis is placed on electoral behaviour/political participation, political culture and right-wing populism/radicalism.

Admission: generally in the winter semester; in the summer semester only if there are still open spaces in the winter semester

If the Bachelor academic degree certificate is not available by the application deadline, but at least 135 credit points can be demonstrated: Submit a certificate of study and examinations and the average grade achieved so far. (This certificate must be issued by the relevant higher education, original or officially authenticated copy). After enrolment, the diploma must be submitted.

If the certificate of academic degree was obtained abroad: officially authenticated copy of a certificate of recognition (responsible: Student Service - Admission International).

Admission modus

Local admission restriction

More information regarding admission requirements

Admission requirements

Bachelor's degree with at least 60 credit points in Political Science or another very similar degree from a university in Germany or abroad.
Evidence of knowledge of Statistics and Methods of Empirical Social Research/Empirical Political Research worth at least 6 credit points.
Sufficient proficiency in the English language.
Applicants who obtained neither their higher education entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution nor a degree in a course conducted in German are required to provide evidence of German proficiency at the level of the "German Language Test for Admission to Higher Education for Foreign Students" (DSH).

Lecture period

  • 13.04.2026 - 11.07.2026
  • 19.10.2026 - 13.02.2027

Application deadlines

Summer semester (2026)

  • Deadlines for International Students from the European Union

    01.10.2026 - 15.11.2026

    Those who have obtained their higher education entrance qualification abroad should have their certificates recognised early on via the Student Services (https://www.studium.uni-mainz.de/anerkennung). The request for recognition should be submitted six to eight weeks before the respective application deadline, as the certificate of recognition must be enclosed with the application.

  • Deadlines for international students from countries that are not members of the European Union

    Expired

    Those who have obtained their higher education entrance qualification abroad should have their certificates recognised early on via the Student Services (www.uni-mainz.de/incoming). The request for recognition should be submitted six to eight weeks before the respective application deadline, as the certificate of recognition must be enclosed with the application.

  • Application deadline for Germans and inhabitants

    01.10.2026 - 15.11.2026

    Participation in the lottery procedure for Master's degree programmes (winter semester 01.08.-31.08; summer semester 01.08.-31.08): https://www.studium.uni-mainz.de/losverfahren Please also note the earlier registration deadlines for the aptitude test in the respective subjects.

  • Enrollment deadline for Germans and foreign students

    Until 15.11.2026 (Universitywide deadline)

Winter semester (2026/2027)

  • Deadlines for International Students from the European Union

    01.04.2027 - 15.05.2027

    Those who have obtained their higher education entrance qualification abroad should have their certificates recognised early on via the Student Services (https://www.studium.uni-mainz.de/anerkennung). The request for recognition should be submitted six to eight weeks before the respective application deadline, as the certificate of recognition must be enclosed with the application.

  • Deadlines for international students from countries that are not members of the European Union

    01.04.2027 - 15.05.2027

    Those who have obtained their higher education entrance qualification abroad should have their certificates recognised early on via the Student Services (https://www.studium.uni-mainz.de/anerkennung). The request for recognition should be submitted six to eight weeks before the respective application deadline, as the certificate of recognition must be enclosed with the application.

  • Application deadline for Germans and inhabitants

    01.04.2027 - 15.05.2027

    Participation in the lottery procedure for Master's degree programmes (winter semester 01.08.-31.08; summer semester 01.08.-31.08): https://www.studium.uni-mainz.de/losverfahren Please also note the earlier registration deadlines for the aptitude test in the respective subjects.

  • Enrollment deadline for Germans and foreign students

    Until 15.05.2027 (Universitywide deadline)

Languages of instruction

Main language

German

Further languages

English