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Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Politics & Economics | SPE

Multi-talented Problem solvers wanted for today’s societies!

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology, Politics & Economics | SPE

You are determined to actively shape current topics such as urbanity, sustainability or migration? Do you want to initiate social change and create solutions for a common and effective coexistence?


With the undergraduate program Sociology, Politics & Economics | SPE at Zeppelin University (ZU) you will become a problem solver of today's societies. In the Bachelor's program, you will combine the three scientific disciplines of sociology, politics and economics and work on issues from an interdisciplinary and research-oriented perspective.


You will deal with the current challenges and developments of globalization, digitalization and ecology. Using scientific theories, methods and models, we will show you how you can independently answer the following existential social questions and use your knowledge responsibly: Do social inequality, poverty and exclusion endanger social peace?, How do politics and law shape the conflicts of today's global society? or How do migration and urbanization change people's living conditions?


In the undergraduete program you will gain an understanding of existing social systems, political mechanisms and economic influences.


Facts & Figures of the Bachelor in Sociology, Politics & Economics

Qualification: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Standard period of study: 8 semesters (= 4 years)

ECTS points 240

Course language: German & English

Language skills: Good knowledge of English is necessary

Course begins: Spring (January) & Fall (September)

Faculty: Faculty of Political & Social Sciences

Fees per semester: 4,800 Euro (until 31.03.2024)

                                   6,550 Euro (from 01.04.2024)

Interested? Please note the language requirements

Although quite a few courses at ZU are of­fered in Eng­lish, it is not possible to complete a bachelor´s degree in “Communication, Culture & Management | CCM” entirely in Eng­lish. Lan­guage skills in Eng­lish are preferred, while German is an absolute necessity. ZU requires very good proficiency in German lan­guage on C1 level for all degree-seeking applicants.


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Team Admissions

Dierolf, Nadine
Dierolf, Nadine

Application Advice Undergraduate  Programs


You have questions about the study programs and the application process? Then please contact our team Admissions.



Research focus & teaching content

The four-year undergraduate program focuses on sociology, politics and economics. These are complemented by topics such as psychology, governance or law.

A problem-oriented approach lets you rethink areas such as money and markets, work and society or sustainability from a sociological, political or economic perspective.

With the modules that build on each other and a wide selection of elective modules, you can set your own focus according to your personal goals and preferences. For example, if you would like to deepen your knowledge with the modules Psychology of Decisions, Politics of the European Union or Urbanization in World Society, you will have the opportunity to do so from the third to the seventh semester. Through the teaching portfolio, you will acquire scientifically sound research and methodological skills during the course of the bachelor's program. In addition, you will acquire the important key competencies for your professional or academic path in an SPE bachelor's program.


Study Program & Course

The four-year undergraduate program Sociology, Politics & Economics | SPE consists of the four study phases Zeppelin Year, Major Phase, Humboldt Year and Bachelor Phase.


Zeppelin Year

  • You can use the Zeppelin Year as an orientation. This is also the first time you immerse yourself in your own research. You learn what it means to formulate a scientific research question independently. By applying theories, methods and models, you will learn to interpret and present your first research results independently.


Major Phase

  • The second year of study, the so-called major phase, builds on your acquired methodological knowledge. The aim is for you to work independently on empirical questions and to be able to evaluate them with the help of suitable analytical procedures. You will be taught scientific standards as well as practical instructions. In addition, you will have the opportunity to further deepen your previous methodological knowledge.


Humboldt Year

  • The Humboldt Year is your personal research year. In this study year you expand the knowledge you have acquired in the previous semesters. You have the opportunity to realize your own research project, to further deepen your subject knowledge or you decide to complete one of your two possible internships abroad, perhaps at one of our many partner universities.
  • 1st - 2nd Semester | Zeppelin Year
    to the extent of 60 ECTS-Credits
  • 3rd- 7th Semester  | Major Phase
    to the extent of 120 ECTS-Credits
  • 6st - 7th Semester | Humboldt Year
    to the extent of 30 ECTS-Credits
  • 8th Semester     | Bachelor Phase
    to the extent of 30 ECTS-Credits

Practical orientation, study abroad & connections

With small study groups and a close supervision ratio of 1:8 between students and scientists, you will find the optimal conditions to ask your socially relevant questions. Our aim is to enable you to quickly grasp social, political and economic systems and contexts and to find practical solutions to the challenges of our time.


Graduates of the Sociology, Politics & Economics | SPE program work in various fields of social activity. Alumnae and alumni assume responsibility in, among other things, internal and external diagnosis, consulting and design of political projects, entrepreneurial investments, social and technical innovations, organizational developments, scientific research or journalistic reporting.


Our special module design teaches you the tools to make your own socially responsible and sustainable decisions in the working world of tomorrow. Some courses in the compulsory area are regularly offered in English and give you the opportunity to actively improve your English skills. A semester abroad at one of our many partner universities worldwide will help you to develop intercultural skills for your future in addition to language acquisition.


Through our national and international network you will make inspiring and important contacts during your bachelor studies and gain first professional experiences for your academic or professional career.


Scholarships & Funding

The tuition fees for the four-year undergraduete program Sociology, Politics & Economics | SPE amount to €4,800 per semester (until 31.03.2024) and €6,550 per semester (from 01.04.2024). Monthly payment of tuition fees is also possible, please contact the Admissions Team. There are many individual financing options for your studies at ZU.


We award scholarships not only for exceptional achievements, but also to applicants with a strong commitment to cultural, political or social issues.

Financing options

Individual financing options are available to you for your studies at ZU:


Selection procedure

A numerus clausus does not play a role for our undergraduate degree programs. You can enrich our university with questions, a thirst for knowledge and a large portion of curiosity. We are already looking forward to you becoming part of our inspiring environment during your bachelor studies.

To find out if you are a good fit for us, we have developed our own selection process (Pioneers Wanted). On the selection day, you will have the opportunity to learn more about our university, to get to know our professors and staff better, and to give us an insight into your personal thinking and skills.

Prerequisite for your participation in one of our selection days is an online application in our application portal. If your application is evaluated positively, you will receive a personal invitation to one of our selection days from our applicant advisory service.

Zeppelin University 2022 Selection Day
Zeppelin University 2022 Selection Day

Application & Deadlines

Your online application for a place on the undergraduate program Sociology, Politics & Economics | SPE starts with a CV and a letter of motivation. You also upload your most recent school and graduation certificates so that we can check whether your certificates meet our admission criteria.

In our application portal you can choose which of the Pioneers Wanted selection days you would like to participate in. In order for your application to be considered in time, please note the relevant application deadlines.

You can find all the necessary application documents for your online application and the exact procedure for applying for a study place as well as the FAQs here.


What our Alumnus says

"I chose to study Sociology, Politics & Economics at Zeppelin University because real research, critical questioning and lively discussions, as well as daily commitment and the implementation of ideas were not only propagated, but also actively practiced. Be it through the establishment of various projects or intensive debates from a variety of perspectives with the common goal of understanding and improving.


What I particularly liked about my studies was the high level of personal responsibility and the freedom for personal development, as well as the inspiring diversity of my fellow students. Today I work as Chief of Staff at a family business in Zurich."

Jonathan Russek, Alumnus SPE 2020 | Foto: privat
Jonathan Russek, Alumnus SPE 2020 | Foto: privat

Program Responsibility | Academic Contacts

Erzene Bürgin, Defne
Erzene Bürgin, Defne Dr
Program Director | Sociology, Politics & Economics | SPE
Phone:+497541 6009-2232
Room:FAB 3 | 0.73
Göttlich, Udo
Göttlich, Udo Prof Dr
Academic Program Director Sociology, Politics & Economics I SPE
Phone:+49 7541 6009-1381
Fax:+49 7541 6009-1399
Room:FAB 3 | 1.41

Program advisory board

The critical assessment of our study program by third parties is a key part of our quality assurance concept. Political and economic experts are involved as external appraisers on all aspects of improving and reconfiguring our study and exam regulations.


The current members of the program advisory board are:

Time to decide

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