Politics (B.A.)

About the course

A 6-semester, 180 ECTS degree taught in English (with extra language courses available) on political systems, processes, institutions and the actors within them. Students choose a profile: Political Communication, Activism and Political Change, or Sustainable Development. Company projects, a practical semester and a semester abroad at a partner university are built into the course.

Entry requirements for Irish students

• Karlshochschule asks for a university entrance qualification (the German Abitur or an equivalent) and publishes nothing specific on the Irish Leaving Certificate. Under the general German (KMK) rules the Leaving Cert gives direct university entry only with six subjects, including two languages and Maths, at least two at Higher Level H5 or better and the rest at O6/H6 or better; for social sciences Higher Level Maths at H5 is also expected. Confirm with admissions how they assess the Leaving Cert for this course.
• No entrance exam: after the online application (motivation letter of 1-2 pages and CV in English, certificates, photo, evidence of internships or time abroad) you have a personal selection interview, on site or by video. The committee decides within days, and a place offered is held for two weeks while you confirm.
• English at B2 level is required, shown by IELTS (5.5 overall), TOEFL (72), Trinity ISE III or a LanguageCert Academic certificate. The university does not say whether Leaving Cert English is accepted instead; ask admissions. Free extra English courses are offered in first year.

How to apply

1. Check your subjectsConfirm your Leaving Cert subjects and levels meet the German entry rules, ideally with Higher Level Maths at H5, and check which English proof admissions will accept.
2. Apply onlineSubmit the online application with a motivation letter and CV in English, a photo and your school results before the EU deadline of 1 September; applying early is advisable.
3. InterviewAttend a personal selection interview, on site or by video. The decision usually comes within days.
4. Confirm your placeYour place is held for two weeks: sign the study contract and pay the EUR 500 enrolment fee. Studies start at the end of September.

Costs

• Private, state-recognised university. EU students pay EUR 550 a month (EUR 6,600 a year); non-EU students pay EUR 750 a month. There is also a one-off enrolment fee of EUR 500, paid after signing the study contract, and a semester contribution to Studierendenwerk Karlsruhe (EUR 67.70 a semester as of 2024). The university puts the total for a 3-year bachelor’s at about EUR 20,700 for EU students. No application fee is listed. Confirm the figures for 2027 entry.

At a glance