The Department for Political Science is a research-focused department at the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Cologne.

The Department of Political Science at the University of Cologne is a leading centre for research and teaching in political science recognised as one of the top five political science departments in Germany. With over 100 years of history, the department combines academic tradition with a strong focus on internationalisation and innovative research.

Shaping Political Science for Over a Century

Academic enquiry into politics at the University of Cologne has a history spanning over one hundred years. In 1920, the very first professorship in politics at any German university was established in Cologne. In 1951, Heinrich Brüning, former Chancellor of the Weimar Republic, became the first professor of politics at the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences. In 1960, the Institute for Political Science at the University of Cologne emerged from a UNESCO institute. Its successor, the Department of Political Science, was founded in 2025, continuing a legacy of excellence in teaching and research.

Research Excellence

Today, the Department comprises 4 professors, two emeritus professors, and around 30 staff members and doctoral students. The Department addresses major societal challenges, producing research that contributes to evidence-based public policy. As part of the ECONtribute Cluster of Excellence, the Department conducts interdisciplinary research with strong international reach.

Research at the department focuses on:

• Comparative Politics
• Political Economy
• Multi-level Governance and European Affairs
• Empirical Democratic Theory
• International Relations
• Advanced Political Science Research Methods

The Department’s reputation for excellence is reflected in the 2021 Shanghai Ranking, where it was rated the top political science department in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s most populous state. Research projects at the Department are regularly published in leading international journals, receive domestic and international media attention and are funded by prestigious bodies such as the European Research Council. For instance, a recent project on minority governments and political representation received two million euros in funding.

An International Outlook

The department prides itself on its international orientation. The majority of faculty members have international academic backgrounds, contributing diverse global perspectives to research and teaching. International collaboration is central to the Department’s mission, demonstrated through its Political Science and Political Economy Lecture Series, which hosts scholars from world-leading universities. Department members regularly present at major conferences, such as the European Political Science Association and the American Political Science Association annual meetings.

The Department’s English-language Master’s programme in Political Science reflects this global outlook, offering students a rigorous empirical and analytical education in an international environment. Students also benefit from the joint degree programme, study abroad options at renowned international universities, and field trips, such as the Brussels Field Trip: Policymaking in the European Union, providing hands-on insights into European political processes.

Dynamic Learning Environment

The Department provides modern and research-orientated teaching, offering two study programs:

• BSc Social Sciences
• MSc Political Science (with international double-degree options in cooperation with Maastricht University)

Students receive robust methodological training, participate in small-group seminars, and gain access to interdisciplinary learning opportunities. The study programmes equip students to analyse politics from an empirical-analytical perspective using a wide array of quantitative, qualitative, and computational methods. Workshops, guest lectures, and conferences allow students to engage with leading academics and practitioners. The Cologne Graduate School (CGS) provides scholarships to outstanding students and organises the Faculty’s PhD programmes, fostering a vibrant research community.

The Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences library offers a comprehensive collection of over 32,000 items, including access to major political science journals, many of which are available online. A dedicated team of librarians supports students in their literature research, ensuring they have the tools for academic success.