International Relations

Course content
Career opportunities
Admission requirements
What our students say

Landkarte mit Spielsteinen - Politiksimulation — Bachelor programme

Degree Profile

winter semester

6 semester

Bachelor of Arts (B. A.)

full time and part time

Faculty of Economics, Law and Social Sciences

semester contribution only

restricted admission

major subject

German, English

180

Course content
Career opportunities
Admission requirements
What our students say

Course Details of the International Relations

The BA International Relations deals with the cross-disciplinary dimensions of a changing world order.

Subject areas are the growing interdependence of national political systems and economies, as well as the role of transnational governmental and non-governmental organisations. The degree programme is decidedly interdisciplinary, combining legal, social and economic perspectives.

As part of this interdisciplinary programme, students should acquire the basic scientific knowledge and skills in the field of international relations required for a successful career. To achieve this, students learn how to scientifically analyse major problems in international relations and how to strengthen their powers of judgement.

The degree programme teaches fundamental contexts, concepts and approaches to international relations, and teaches logical, structured and critical approaches, thus enabling students to deal independently with the global challenges of our time.

Chair for International Relations

Theories of International Relations
International political economy
Normative foundations of world politics
Foreign policy and security
Applied Statistics and Data Collection
Microeconomics or Macroeconomics
Fundamentals of Law
Constitutional Law
International Law

Niklas studies International Relations at the University of Erfurt

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Career opportunities

You will acquire interdisciplinary knowledge for professional activities:

in public or private organisations in an international context,
in international and supranational institutions,
in the state,
in non-governmental organisations,
in political education and adult education,
in peace and security policy,
in management consultancy and in associations,
in the media and in journalism,
in public relations work for e.g. political parties, associations and foundations,
in market and opinion research,
in the church.

Get to know our graduates

Our former students of the Faculty of Economics, Law and Social Sciences

Video Economics, Law and Social Sciences former students

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Programme structure International Relations

The bachelor's programme (two-subject bachelor's degree) at the University of Erfurt comprises the major subject International Relations and a chosen minor subject as well as the Studium Fundamentale integrated into the major subject. The aim of the programme is to teach subject content and professional orientation as well as interdisciplinary skills. The standard period of study is six semesters.

Orientation phase (1st - 2nd semester)

Option A: If you combine the subject International Relations with a minor from the Faculty of Economics, Law, Law and Social Sciences - Law concentration, you will take part in the joint orientation phase of the Faculty of Economics, Law and Social Sciences - Law concentration.

Compulsory modules:

Fundamentals of Law I (6 CP)
Constitutional Law (6 CP)
Civil Law I (6 CP)
Fundamentals of Social Sciences: International Relations (6 CP)
Social Science Foundations: Introduction to the Social Sciences (6 CP)
Fundamentals of Social Sciences: Statistics (6 CP)
Introduction to Business Administration (6 CP)
Introduction to Microeconomics (6 CP)
Introduction to Macroeconomics and Economic Policy (6 CP)

and a Q-phase module of the major or minor subject (open for the O-phase)

Option B: If you have combined the subject International Relations with a minor outside the Faculty of Economics, Law and Social Sciences - Law concentration (not Management, Law, Social Sciences or Economics):

Compulsory modules:

Fundamentals of Law I (6 CP)
Constitutional Law (6 CP)
Fundamentals of Social Sciences: International Relations (6 CP)
Fundamentals of Social Sciences: Statistics (6 CP)
Introduction to Microeconomics (6 CP) or Introduction to Macroeconomics and Economic Policy (6 CP)

Qualification phase (3rd-6th semester)

In the qualification phase of the International Relations degree programme, modules worth 90 credit points (LP/ECTS) must be completed.

Compulsory modules:

International Law (6 CP)
Social Science Basics: Applied Statistics and Data Collection (6 CP)
Social science specialisation: Theories of International Relations (6 CP)
Two language modules from ZS ENi 2020 (6 CP each)
Final module - International Relations (12 CP)

Compulsory elective modules:

European Law (6 CP)
Social science specialisation: International political economy (6 CP)
Social science specialisation: Normative foundations of world politics (6 CP)
Specialisation in Social Sciences: Foreign Policy and Security (6 CP)
Research Seminar International Relations (6 CP)
Technologies of Scientific Work (6 CP)
International Economics I (6 CP)
International Economics II (6 CP)
International Economics II (6 CP)

and a professional field module (6 CP) and three compulsory elective modules in the area of Studium Fundamentale (18 CP).

Language studies

In the course of the Bachelor's degree programme in International Relations, students must achieve a language proficiency level (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) with the completed language course modules.

Seminar programme: Model United Nations University of Erfurt

Gruppenfoto vor dem Hauptquartier der UN — UN in New York

Model United Nations (MUN) is a practical simulation of the United Nations (UN) in which participants represent an assigned country in one of the UN bodies. During this simulation, current international problems are discussed, whereby specialised knowledge, rhetorical skills, diplomatic skills and negotiation skills are particularly in demand.

The seminar is divided into two parts, with the first part deepening the participants' knowledge in the areas of international law, international relations, rhetoric, negotiation strategies and political writing. In the second part, participants take part in preparatory UN simulations. Here they represent their assigned country in the UN bodies through public negotiations that take place in informal meetings. An annual highlight is participation in the Model UN Conference in New York City, USA.

to the Model UN project

Examination regulations & module catalogue

In the respective examination regulations you will find important information on the study objectives and content, language requirements, the structure of the programme as well as the teaching units and module examinations.

Examination regulations major subject International Relations 2021 (pdf)

Sample study plans

Sample study plan for the major in International Relations with a minor in Economics, Law and Social Sciences and without a minor in Economics, Law and Social Sciences (pdf)

Your semester abroad

A semester abroad in an English-speaking country is strongly recommended. The semester abroad should take place during the qualification phase, if possible in the 5th semester.

Get to know our students who have already studied abroad in our blog "I like my university".

"I'm off then..." with Jonas in Taiwan

Your path to studying abroad

As a rule, 12 to 18 months are estimated for planning and preparation before the start of studies abroad. Scholarship applications in particular have a long lead time. First discuss with your mentor which stage of your studies makes the most sense for a semester abroad. At the same time, think about the target region and the university you would like to go to.

Erasmus programme

Would you like to study abroad for one or two semesters during your degree programme? ERASMUS+ offers you the opportunity to study in another country and thus expand your social and intercultural competences in addition to your subject-related skills. The University of Erfurt offers you ERASMUS exchange programmes with around 75 universities in 25 countries.

to the Erasmus programme

Further university partnerships

University partnerships refer to partner universities with which the University cooperates outside of the Erasmus programme. The partner universities in this programme are mainly located outside Europe, but also in Russia, Great Britain and Switzerland.

to the university partnerships

Your contact to the International Office

Manuela Linde

International Relations and ERASMUS Institutional Coordinator; Outgoing Student Advisor

(International Office)

C02 – administration building / C02.00.35

+49 361 737-5031

+49 361 737-5039

io.outgoing@uni-erfurt.de

Office hours

for students: until further notice only by appointment

Internships during your studies

Interdisciplinary internship for vocational field
Further internships are possible

more information on internships

Admission requirements

Studying with Abitur

general qualification for university entrance or the subject-related higher education entrance qualification or a comparable previous education

General information on the admission requirements (study without Abitur):
www.uni-erfurt.de/studium/vor-dem-studium/bewerbung-zulassung-einschreibung

Language requirements for studies

Before beginning the study of International Relations:

English at language level B2

By the end of the International Relations degree programme:

In the major subject International Relations, two language modules must be completed, which are aimed at the acquisition of a further language level according to the European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Language Centre

The Language Centre (Sprachenzentrum) offers around 140 language courses per semester in 16 modern and ancient (foreign) languages. It supports you in acquiring and deepening your language skills.
www.uni-erfurt.de/sprachenzentrum

International applicants

International applicants whose native language is not German must provide proof of sufficient German language skills (level B1) upon application.

Information on required German language skills and the German language test for university admission (DSH):

Language and Admission Requirements

Only a limited number of places are available for the International Relations programme (internal university admission restriction, numerus clausus). The number of places is determined anew for each winter semester.

Information on the application of admission restricted study programmes

Can I study Political Science without a NC?

If you don't get a place on the International Relations programme, how about the open-admission Economics, Law and Social Sciences programme, which includes an ‘International Relations’ module?

Details about the International Relations degree programme

Further master's programmes at the University of Erfurt

Master's programme Democracy and Economy
Master's programme Public Policy
Master's programme Economics , Lawand Social Sciences

Studiengangsflyer bestellen — Order now!

Would you like to hold the study programme flyer in your hands? Then request our free information material without obligation. You will receive it in a few days by post direct to your home.

Order info mail now!

Don't want to wait? Then download the flyer now from the download centre.

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What our international relations students say

Experience reports and evaluations of the International Relations degree programme

If you want to study an interdisciplinary subject, you are in good hands with the International Relations programme. Once you have completed the O phase, there is plenty of scope to choose seminars according to your own preferences. The subject areas are very broad and many modern approaches are covered.

Rating from Jakob on Studycheck

The programme is great for gaining a broad insight into the various areas and topics of international relations and then building on this with a Master's degree. It is very interdisciplinary and there are many options to choose from, which makes the programme very customisable, depending on your future career aspirations.

Review by Sarah on Studycheck

The International Relations degree programme is always combined with a minor subject, in my case Social Sciences. This combination option and a broad introduction to related subjects such as constitutional law, contract law, economics (micro and macro) and social sciences promotes a more general understanding of the related fields in reality.

Evaluation by Thomas on Studycheck

The International Relations degree programme is very comprehensive, as you gain knowledge in various fields, e.g. law, administration, economics, politics and sociology. In my opinion, the combination with another Economics, Law and Social Sciences subject is a very good addition, even though it requires discipline.

Now that I'm doing a semester abroad , I can compare my knowledge of international relations with that of my colleagues here, and many topics that didn't mean much to me before, I now understand how important it is to study them. What I also like about the University of Erfurt is that there is the opportunity to learn a third language, which is very useful and necessary for a professional life in international relations.

Evaluation by J. on Studycheck

Bewertung Studium Internationale Beziehungen Staatswissenschaften

Further evaluations at Studycheck

Informationen für Studieninteressierte

Come to the Open Day on 4 May and find out more about the Bachelor's programme in International Relations at 12.30 p.m. in the Centre for Communication and Information (KIZ), Lecture Hall 1.

Jetzt teilnehmen!

Application for the degree programme in International Relations

The International Relations degree programme is admission-restricted (with NC).

Application for the two-subject Bachelor's programme:

If you are combining International Relations with an admission-free (without NC) or admission-restricted minor subject (with NC), please apply from 1 May to 15 July via the following link.

Apply now for International Relations!

For international students

Want to study one semester or year at the University of Erfurt?

Exchange Studies

You come from abroad and are interested in studying for a Bachelor's or Master's degree at the University of Erfurt?

Degree Seeking Students

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Advice & Service

Subject advice and counselling

Prof. Dr. Sophia Hoffmann

Study Counsellor BA-International Relations

(Faculty of Economics, Law and Social Sciences)

C03 – teaching building 1 / room 0144

+49 361 737-4910

ba-ib@uni-erfurt.de

Office hours

by appointment, Wednesdays 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

Profile page

Student Council Staatswissenschaften

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Conversation with students

Are you considering studying Economics, Law and Social Sciences at the University of Erfurt, but are still unsure what to expect?

Then simply contact us by e-mail at: stawi2b@uni-erfurt.de
and we will arrange a telephone call.

We (Pauline, Annika, Valentin) study different subject combinations and are happy to answer any questions you may have about course content or future opportunities, but also about Erfurt as a city to study in or our student life.