Politics & Sociology

“Our training in the empirical methods of social research is really good. We learn how to collect, evaluate and work with data. In our election polls, for instance, we find out the opinions of the people of Würzburg on political subjects and ask them what parties they vote for. The results are representative and politicians also take an interest in our findings!”

These are aspects which Felix Bruch particularly likes in his degree in Political and Social Studies. Political Science, Sociology and Social Research Methodology are closely combined in this degree.

Students work with editors

The degree course is very practice-oriented and it prepares students for their future careers. In the module Media and Communication, for example, the students work together with editors from the local newspaper group Main Post, because newspapers, television and other media will provide most of the jobs for graduates of Political and Social Studies.

But there are other job opportunities, too, for example the graduates can go into politics or put their knowledge to the test as research assistants in parliament, whether at a national, state or European Union level.

Teachers are prepared to help

“Our teachers are extremely knowledgeable and always prepared to help us,” says Julia Nikogosian. What she particularly likes about Political and Social Studies is that “the course covers a wide range of subjects and we have a number of options.”

In International Relations, for example, the students can choose to specialise either in global political relations between states or concentrate on a particular geographical region such as Latin America.

There are also options such as Law, Economics, Geography or Indology – this is a course on the languages and culture of India. A placement lasting several weeks is an integral part of the degree course. Then students can gain experience of the workplace at first hand.