Exchange Student Assistance

Esko Rissanen
eMail: eskorissanen(at)hotmail.com
Tel: 391 2859

Consultation-hour
Raum E 79, Thursday 8.30-12 Uhr




FAQ Regarding the BA Program in Göttingen

Is it possible to study political science in Göttingen?

Yes. As a major field the 2-Subject B.A., either with or without the goal of attaining a teaching certification.

What is the prerequisite for admission?

The admission prerequisite is a high school diploma or similar equivalent to the German Abitur, i.e., the diploma you need to qualify for admission to your local university. This diploma will have to be sent in as a legally attested copy.

How many students are enrolled in political science per year?

We are able to take on only ca. 70 new students of political science per year. This limitation does not apply to temporarily enrolled exchange students.

The selection modus: The university compiles a rank order from the overall score on your high school diploma (or equivalent). Foreign grades will be converted according to the standards set by the KMK. If the overall score of several of students is the same, individuals will be selected randomly. The overall high school grades are weighted for political science so that German, history and social studies play a slightly more important role when compiling the ranking.

Which points of emphasis are there in political sciences in Göttingen?

There are five emphasispoints which either exist or have been planned:

1. Political party research

2. Political theory and history of ideas

3. Teaching Political Science at the High School Level

4. Comparative Political Economy*

5. Comparative political culture research*

* The emphasis points comparative political economy and comparative political culture research are not currently offered.

What kind of job opportunities will I have with a BA in political science from Göttingen?

We won’t know for a couple of years what a BA in social sciences from Göttingen will be worth. This course of studies is new and there is a shift in Germany from the old and longer study courses Magister and Diplom to the new and more compact BA and MA courses. However, political scientists from Göttingen in the past have been very successful on the job market. Graduates from Göttingen work as journalists, teachers, in political parties, in public administration, as lobbyists and in scientific research. There are many other paths open to political scientists such as foreign policy, NGOs etc.

Which courses will I need to attend?

Courses in Göttingen are now called “modules”. One module consists of two courses, which generally take place during one and the same term. There are nine modules in the BA program in political sciences. Only one of them, introduction to political science, is mandatory.

To have an overall view of all the modules and for our recommendation which modules you should attend and when, take the following link.
http://www.uni-goettingen.de/show.php?id=32856&lang=de

In each term there will be up-to-date advice on the modules as well as on the possible combinations during that term.

Don’t hesitate to contact the director of the faculty or me for more information on course offerings.

Terms of Application
The deadline for applications at the Göttingen university for foreign students (i.e. students from non-EU/non-EEA countries) for the winterterm is the 30th April and for the summerterm the 31st of October of the preceding year.

A couple of useful websites:

http://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/sh/24942.html
This website offers not only Information about the University, but also about the cultural activities of the city and about how to get a job.


http://univis.uni-goettingen.de/
You can compose your class schedule at the UniVZ-website of the university. You’ll also be able to check dates for the coming term.


It is strongly recommended to register at the stud.IP website! This site is used by most professors as well as other teachers to put scripts on the Internet. At times you might even have to put your own texts on the net. You’ll find the the how-to instructions on the Stud.IP website.

https://wopag.wiso.uni-goettingen.de/sopag/index.htm
SOPAG is the online registration system for the faculty of social science. This is the site to use when you have to sign up for exams or classes.


http://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/sh/3032.html
Registration information for incoming students in Erasmus and other exchange partner programs.
Internet account

The Wiso-Computercenter (CIP-Pool) is located on the 4th floor of the MZG (Blauer Turm). There you can get not only an internet-account, but also a certain print-quota per term for free. The only requirement is for you to bring your student-id.