Teaching has a strong research orientation and interdisciplinary networking with numerous other institutions at the university. Regularly offered subjects are complemented by current topics; the course planning takes into account the wishes of students. The degree course offers a wide range of options both between modules as well as within the modules. Characteristics are a variety of methods and good group sizes and supervision ratios (limitation of the number of participants in seminars).

Aarhus Universitet, Dänemark; Sciences Po/Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris, Frankreich; Trinity College Dublin, Irland; Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Israel; Università degli Studi di Bologna, Italien; Universidad de Granada, Spanien; Karls-Universität Prag, Tschechien; Eötvös-Loránd-Universität Budapest, Ungarn; University of Cambridge, Vereinigtes Königreich; Yale University, USA

Numerous research projects are underway at the Institute (including EU, DFG, state of Baden-Württemberg, University of Heidelberg), currently in the research areas of Democratic Transformation, BTI, Civil-Military Relations; Conflict Research, Cybersecurity; Middle Class Discourses, Urban Politics, Police Practices, Migration; Youth Unemployment, Climate, Environmental, Economic and Social Policy, German Government Policy and Policy Theories. The research focus is reflected in the courses offered; students in the M.A. are directly involved in research through the research internship

Start-ups by students, graduates and staff of Heidelberg University are supported by the university's start-up management; among other things by the transfer agency heiINNOVATION and the newly established office of a prorector for innovation and transfer. The university participates in the Exist programme, including Heidelberg Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre (HEIC). Cooperation structures exist with successful spin-offs from research areas of the Institute.

Numerous student initiatives supported by the Institute (e.g. Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research, Forum for International Security Heidelberg, Federal Association for Security Policy at Universities); good learning and working conditions due to limited number of participants and good facilities at the Bergheim Campus. Networking with companies and internship exchange of the institute; comprehensive evaluation system. MA students are involved in ongoing research activities. Good and intensive cooperation between the student council and the institute.