Bachelor's Degree of Arts (BA) in Political Science, Public Administration, and International Relations
Bachelor's Degree in Politics, Administration & International Relations | PAIR
Would you like to study political science with a focus on international relations to truly understand global challenges such as climate change, migration, or international security?
In Zeppelin University’s B.A. PAIR program, you’ll combine politics, public administration, and international relations to explore solutions to these problems—in an interdisciplinary, practice-oriented setting and in small seminar groups.
No admission quota. Apply through our selection process “Pioneers Wanted!.”
Study at one of Germany’s top private universities.
State-recognised university with a 100% recommendation rate
Facts & Figures About the Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, Public Administration, and International Relations
Degree: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Standard duration of study: 8 semesters (4 years)
ECTS credits: 240
Language of instruction: German & English
Language skills: Good command of German and English required
Start of program: Fall (September)
Semester tuition: 5,750 euros
Accredited: Yes
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What is the PAIR bachelor's program about?
- Focus on Political Science & International Relations: How political systems function from national, European, and international perspectives. A degree program in International Relations with a focus on public administration and politics.
- Interdisciplinary Thinking: Modules in economics, law, sociology, and psychology for a comprehensive understanding of political challenges.
- Customized Study Path: High flexibility through semesters abroad, a minor in management, economics, or psychology, and specializations in sustainability, transcultural management, digitalization & AI, or entrepreneurship.
- Practical Focus: In-depth training in research methods and close faculty guidance enable students to conduct independent academic work.
- Practical focus: Two internships and field trips to political parties, associations, and NGOs in Berlin, as well as to the UN in Geneva.
- Career & Key Skills: Mentors from the fields of politics, business, or culture, plus workshops on social skills and AI.
Special Features of the Program
Structure of the Degree Program
Three Specialization Tracks in the PAIR Program
Gain hands-on experience with national politics and international relations
Tuition & Financial Aid
Application & Selection Process | Pioneers Wanted!
Help Shape Your Academic Experience: Student Initiatives at ZU
In their own video, students show what it means to them to study here: to freely engage with business, culture, and politics; to help shape their own academic experience; and to easily bring their ideas to life , supported by vibrant student initiatives—ranging from their own music festival to a political debate to launching a startup at PioneerPort.
Here's what our alumnus has to say
I deliberately chose the Politics, Administration & International Relations (PAIR) program because PAIR gave me the opportunity to explore complex subject areas and pursue my interests. My goal was to build as broad and solid a foundation as possible during my studies, and PAIR was the right choice for that—not least because of its international perspective.
Many of our TalentCenter members regularly offer internships, projects, and entry-level positions. Here is an overview of the organizations where PAIR students have already gained hands-on experience: Industry Partners
Politics shapes our lives; this has always been true, and it’s even more true right now than usual. If we want to take control of our own lives, we therefore need to understand how politics works at the national level and, above all, at the international level. That is what we strive to teach in the PAIR program.
When do unstable states descend into civil war-like conditions? Why do people vote against their own interests? How can a democratic system be preserved and improved when more and more people are calling for authoritarianism? How can change be shaped? Questions like these cannot be answered from just one perspective. PAIR gives me the tools to find answers to these questions.
Our Professors' Main Areas of Research
Research on a wide variety of topics is conducted at the departments. Here is an overview of current research areas:
Chair of Comparative Political Science, with a focus on European Institutions
Prof. Dr. Christian Adam
- Comparative Policy Research
- Evidence-Based Policy
- Moral Policy
- Public Health Policy
- Policy Implementation
- Administrative Discrimination
- Governance in the European Multi-Level System
- Legalization of European Policy
Department of Political Science
Prof. Dr. Joachim Behnke
- Electoral Systems, with a Focus on Reform of the German Electoral System
- Political Philosophy
- Theories of Justice
- Theory of Democracy
Chair of International Relations
- International Perspectives on Democracy and Autocracy
- International Organizations
- Regional Cooperation in the Global South
- International Sanctions Policy
Endowed Chair in Artificial Intelligence
Prof. Dr. Mateusz Dolata
- Artificial Intelligence
- Hybrid Intelligence
- Collaborative Intelligence
- Collaboration Engineering
- Computer-Supported Group Work
Chair of Public Administration & Public Policy
Prof. Dr. Steffen Eckhard
- Public Administration and Policy
- Artificial Intelligence
- Text-as-data
- International Organizations
- Conflict Management
Prof. Dr. Martin Elff
- Social Structures and
- Political Behavior
- Strategic Voting
- Political Positions of Parties and
- Citizens’ Voting Decisions
- Political Information and Public Opinion
- Measuring Democracy
- Quantitative Research Methods in Political Science
Prof. Dr. Steffen Hurka
- European Union
- Legislative Policy and Organization
- Policy Formulation and Implementation
- Policy Complexity
- Design Logics of Democratic Laws
Chair of Public Law, Tax Law, European Law, and Regulatory Law
Prof. Dr. Georg Jochum
- Constitutional Law, European Law, and National and European Fundamental Rights
- Regulatory Law
- Tax Law
Chair of International Security Policy
- International and Regional Security Institutions
- Emotions and International Conflicts
- Regional Integration and the Global Order
The Open Government Institute | TOGI
- Public Administration Informatics
- Digitalization of the Public Sector
- Electronic Government
- Open Government
- Smart Government & Smart Cities
- Real-Time Government
- Artificial Intelligence in the Public Sector
Chair of Public Management & Public Policy
Prof. Dr. Ulf Papenfuß
- Sustainable Public Corporate Governance
- Integrated Governance in Corporate and Network Structures
- Self-regulation
- Governance Innovations and Sustainable Change in Digital Transformation Processes
- Impact-Oriented Management
Detailed descriptions of the research areas can be found on the respective department pages of the Department of Political Science and Social Sciences.