Public Affairs and Democracy (M. Sc.)

The Masters programme Public Affairs and Democracy provides students with an intellectually rigorous, methodologically diverse and thematically broad training on democracy from a political science perspective. Focusing on international and global comparisons, it covers behavioural, cultural, institutional, international and normative-theoretical aspects of democracy. The programme enables students to think critically about the foundations of modern democracies and the contemporary challenges that democracies face amidst technological and social change – and ultimately to re-invigorate established and envision new forms of democracy. The close collaboration with the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) – an independent research institute in Hamburg, Germany, that specialises in the study of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East – provides this programme with a unique substantive focus on both the Global North and the Global South. Another unique feature is its rigorous and comprehensive training in qualitative, quantitative and experimental social science research methods.

The programme also teaches students the skills to conduct independent research on democracy through lectures, discussion-based seminars and hands-on tutorials. Elective courses – in the Electives and Leuphana’s unique Complementary Studies – allow students to specialise in different sub-disciplines of Political Science (International Relations, Political Sociology, Government, Comparative Politics and Public Policy) or to broaden their profile towards economics, sustainability science, law and cultural studies, enabling them to develop an interdisciplinary study profile. The close collaboration with the GIGA also affords students the opportunity to do internships or seek research assistant positions.

Scholars at the Institute of Political Science pursue an active research agenda on the domestic, comparative and international aspects of democracy. For several years, the Institute has been ranked among the best 300 political science departments worldwide in the Shanghai University Ranking. It is among the top-16 departments in Germany and ranks 3^rd among the mid-sized political science departments in this country. The THE world university rankings for Politics and International Studies rank Leuphana University among the top-200 universities worldwide and among the top-12 in Germany in 2023.

In the first year, students acquire the substantive and methodological foundations to study democracy scientifically. They take courses on various aspects of democracy in the Global North and Global South alongside a programme of research methods training, which includes courses in qualitative, quantitative and experimental methods.

In the second year, students take additional substantive courses to deepen their understanding of democracy plus a research seminar in democracy studies, in which they develop and conduct their own research project, and write their master’s thesis. The latter is accompanied by a Master’s Forum that allows students to discuss their projects with peers and lecturers.

Alongside their subject-specific and methodological training, students develop their individual study profile through two elective courses (2^nd and 3^rd semester) as well as the inter- and transdisciplinary Complementary Studies (1^st – 3^rd semester), in which students choose from among a variety of courses aimed at facilitating reflection on general questions related to knowledge, science and societal responsibility. 

Here you can find further information on the course content of the Masters programme Public Affairs and Democracy soon.

The following link provides access to documents which set out the general conditions for examinations, an overview of the curriculum, as well as detailed and legally binding regulations.

General Assessment Regulations and the Subject-Specific Schedules

Students of this Masters programme have the opportunity to spend a semester of their studies abroad. For that, we recommend the third semester. For any questions or to apply, please contact the International Center. The International Center will provide all further information on Erasmus+ funding, and on preparing for and organising your semester abroad.

There is a growing demand for future generations of decision-makers to understand and contextualise the conditions of democratic decision-making and to be able to analyse them independently using appropriate social science methods. Given the explosion of all types of data due to the “information revolution”, there is also a growing demand in many professional fields for people who can collect, present, and evaluate data. The high-quality methods training provided in the study programme meets this demand.

The study programme qualifies students for a wide range of careers, including professional, commercial, diplomatic, governmental and academic positions. Skills in data analysis and an understanding of democratic decision-making processes are increasingly important for work in the public and private realms, including positions in public administration, educational institutions, private business, consulting, political advisory work, public relations, diplomacy, international governmental and non-governmental organisations as well as journalism and the media.

The programme also equips students with the knowledge and skills to pursue further research and study at PhD level, be it at Leuphana University or elsewhere. In the past, several students, who successfully completed the programme, have continued to pursue a PhD at our institute. As part of the “Doctoral Track”, qualified students may attend courses of the doctoral programme from the third semester onwards.

You can find all information about the admission requirements, the application and the selection procedure on our "Apply" page.

Admission to the programme is restricted. There are two basic pre-requisites: good English language skills at level C1 and a minimum of 60 CP in political science or related disciplines earned during undergraduate studies.

The study programme matches your interests? Then you will find further information for prospective international students on residence and social matters, such as visa, residence permit, health insurance or finding accommodation, on the following pages. Please note that the information for incoming exchange students and international degree-seeking students differs slightly.

Information for incoming exchange students

Information for international degree-seeking students

Degree awarded: Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Application deadline: EU degrees: 1 June / Non-EU degrees: 1 May
Type of programme: consecutive, restricted admission
Study places: 25
Start date: October 1
Extent: 120 CP according to ECTS
Duration: 4 semesters
Language: English
Semester contribution: ca. 320 EUR