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

About the programme

The B.A. Governance and Public Policy programme is both application- and research-oriented. Dealing with the relationship between state, society and economy, it combines aspects of political science, history, economics, (international) law and sociology. Statehood, the focal point of the programme, encompasses both the nation-state perspective and the various forms of political action (domestic, international and supranational). These are explored on a multi- and interdisciplinary level. The scope of this degree programme also extends to the influence of non-state actors and the importance of the public sphere for democratic governance.

The programme is designed to impart the theory and methods needed for critical thinking, thus qualifying you for master's-level study whilst giving you the skills and abilities needed for professional life.

Features

Uniquely among German universities, the programme includes public law modules in its curriculum
A compulsory two-month internship in Germany or abroad
The University of Passau has many partner universities abroad that are particularly suitable for students on this degree programme (including France, the UK, the US and Pakistan)

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.

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. You will, furthermore, 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).

To apply for this degree programme you need a recognised university entrance qualification, e.g. the German Abitur or an equivalent qualification.

You will need German language skills at level C1 CEFR or higher to study this degree programme, as that is the main language of instruction for this programme. Therefore, you will have to provide a recognised German language certificate such as DSH-2 or TestDaF 4 in all four categories, unless German was the language of instruction for your secondary school education (e.g. Abitur at a German international school) or prior tertiary education.

The University of Passau has set up a German language teaching unit, German Courses Passau, which offers a selection of preparatory language programmes tailored to the needs of international students. These range from summer courses to a full academic year and cater to learners of all levels.