Incomings

Welcome to Trier!
We are pleased that you are interested in a guest study at the University of Trier.

The Department of Political Science at the University of Trier has a long tradition of offering guest studies to international students from Europe and all around the world.
In addition to supporting your political science studies, it is a heartfelt wish to give you further insights into German and European culture and society. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you want to know more about student initiatives, the work and activities of the International Center, complementary studies at the University of the Greater Region, or the university sports program.

In addition to the regular offerings, we are also happy to organize political science-oriented excursions (see below) if there are enough interested international students.
For our incoming students from all over the world, we also offer a particular political science ERASMUS module each winter semester, which focuses on the political system of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and European issues. In this 10 ECTS module, our international students are supported by a tutorial in English that is tailored to their needs. You will receive in-depth content and we will discuss daily political issues and aspects of the political system of the FRG in comparative perspective to other political systems. In addition, you will be supported in your preparation for the oral or written exams. Please find further information in the English course overview of your semester below.
If you have any questions about the ERASMUS program, please contact the ERASMUS Assistance by e-mail:

Emma Buhl
E-Mail: eraspols[at]uni-trier[.]de

Excursions

In addition to the ERASMUS module and the tutorial, if there is sufficient interest, we organize practical or political science-oriented excursions with our international students, , allowing you to discover German society and politics interactively at non-university learning sites.

For example, in the winter term of 2016/2017, we visited the Saarland state parliament at the invitation of Sebastian Thul, a member of parliament. Following the guided tour through the state parliament building, there was an opportunity to ask the MP questions over a snack. At the end of the winter term 2017/2018, we traveled to Berlin for three days with our international students at the invitation of Dr. Katarina Barley, Member of the Bundestag and Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. There, we gained insight into the "heart" of German politics during a visit to the Bundestag and a plenary debate, as well as explored the vibrant life in the German capital as we went along.

In the winter term of 2018/2019, students could revisit the European Parliament in Brussels. A staff member showed us around and answered all our questions. After lunch in the parliament, we also visited the House of European History before heading back to Trier at the end of the day. Likewise, in December 2019, as ERASMUS students of Political Science, we participated in an excursion to Strasbourg organized by the student council of FB III - History and Politics. The destination of the excursion was the Council of Europe. After a lecture and a guided tour through the building, a guided tour through the historic old town of Strasbourg followed. We could end the day with hot mulled wine, children's punch and cocoa at the city's Christmas market afterward.

[Translate to Englisch:] Exkursion Erasmus 2017

[Translate to Englisch:] Exkursion Erasmus 2018

[Translate to Englisch:] Exkursion Erasmus 2019

Courses offered in Political Science

An ERASMUS module is regularly offered in the winter term by the ERASMUS Coordination. This includes an (Englisch) tutorial, especially for ERASMUS students, based on Professor Dr. Jun's German lecture "Introduction to the Political System of the Federal Republic of Germany".
The primary language of instruction in many courses is German. Please note, that in many cases the seminar literature is in English. In addition, all students and, of course, our international students have the opportunity to complete their seminar papers (e.g. presentations) as well as examination papers in English whenever they wish. Likewise, discussion contributions during the seminar can be made in German and English.
The following types of courses are offered within the subject:

• Lectures (two hours per week) are offered on various topics. If an oral or written exam is taken in addition, one receives 5 ECTS. A tutorial accompanies some lectures.

• Seminars in basic modules (two hours per week) are courses for students in the first semesters, i.e. in the first or second year. To receive a grade and credit points, a presentation must usually be given and a term paper must be written. For a seminar in the basic module one receives 5 ECTS.

• In seminars in advanced modules (Bachelor) and specialization modules (Master), which take place four hours per week, one receives 10 ECTS. As a rule, a presentation must also be given and a term paper must be written.

Registration for the courses

Official registration takes place via the online system PORTA, but this is not always possible directly at the time of your arrival in Trier. Please talk to the respective lecturers of the courses right at the beginning of the semester and clarify the examination modalities. In case you miss a registration deadline, we advise you to write an email to the professor asking for belated registration. You can contact professors in English.
To participate in a course, you must attend the first session of the seminar or lecture.
You will also be given access to the StudIP learning platform, where you can find seminar content such as the literature discussed, exercises, and further information on the courses you have taken.

Course catalogs

Examinations and term papers

Usually, exams are written for lectures and term papers for seminars. After prior consultation with the lecturers, all examinations can also be taken in English. Please inquire as early as possible (preferably at the beginning of the semester) whether there is a separate examination offer for international students for the chosen course.
If you have any questions, please contact the ERASMUS assistance.

Bachelor program

The Bachelor of Political Science covers a variety of areas. Comparative Government, Political Economy, International Relations, Political Theory as well as Methods of Political Science and Empirical Democracy Research are extensively covered. ► Click here to go to the Trier Political Science website.

Master programs

The Department of Political Science offers an exciting and diverse selection of master's programs with various topics. Please note that some introductory English-language courses of the master's programs have also been opened to our international BA students - provided they have the appropriate prior knowledge - to be able to offer you a better selection of English-language courses. If you are interested, please talk to the respective lecturers of the courses as early as possible or ask the ERASMUS assistance.

In addition to the Master's program for teaching at the Gymnasium as well as Realschule+, the following political science master's programs are offered at the University of Trier:

A Master's of European and East Asian Governance that is entirely in English! In this master's program different governance mechanisms in Europe and East Asia are studied. Additionally, practical experience is achieved through excursions, the possibility of an internship, and a business game.

A Master's in International Economics and Public Policy held entirely in English!
This program is offered to graduates of political science, social science and economics interested in the interdisciplinary analysis of the interplay between politics and economics in an international context. Compelling and legitimate ways of governance and economic development in the 21st century are examined.

A Master's in International Relations and Diplomacy
The newest Master of Political Science in Trier is based on three pillars: International Politics, International History, and International Law. The courses offered cover International Relations in its entire breadth: different actors (from individuals to states and non-governmental organizations to international organizations), problem areas (from armed conflicts to cultural exchange processes to global crises) and fundermental principles (from nation-state sovereignty to different conceptions of order to concepts of human security or international solidarity) are dealt with.

A Master's in Democratic Politics and Communication
Critically and reflectively, this master's program investigates the functioning and democratic quality of political communication and participation with theoretical and empirical questions. Since the program is in cooperation with Media Studies, the core area of political science is intertwined with communication and media studies elements.

A general Master's in Political Science
This program deals with political science issues in their entire breadth, from political theory to international relations and political economy to comparative government and methods of political science. In addition, this Master's degree is studied with a minor of the student's choice.

Transcript of Records

At the end of your studies in Trier, we will issue a Transcript of Records upon request (!). It lists all the courses you have attended and completed with an exam, or earned ECTS points otherwise. Accordingly, please contact us towards the end of the semester and submit the corresponding application form with the course list you attended.

To do so, please write an e-mail to the ERASMUS assistance.
Students of other programs, such as ISEP, will receive their Transcript of Records through the International Office of Trier University.