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Master of Arts in Politics, Administration & International Relations | PAIR

Master's in Politics, Administration & International Relations

"Zeppelin University and the city of Friedrichshafen gave me the opportunity to fully develop and pursue all my interests."

Sander Frank, PAIR-Master Graduate 2023

The new role of the state in the aftermath of the global financial crisis, the new age of digitalization, the need for more efficiency in the public sector, calls for more transparency and civic participation, new global and regional interrelations, and not least the progress of European integration – it is clear that politics and administration are going through a fundamental change. This change is the focus of the research areas of the Politics & Administrative Sciences faculty at Zeppelin University. Our Politics, Administration & International Relations master's program will thus prepare you for the challenges of today, provide you with approaches to developing solutions and teach you the necessary competencies to analyze problems and work out and implement decisions.

The program therefore aims at providing advanced theoretical and practical skills relevant to politics and administrative sciences, with a strong international and comparative orientation. It enables students to investigate socially relevant problems and to address them using innovative scientific methods.

The outstanding quality of the study program is evidenced by its top placing in numerous rankings. The course has a satisfaction rating of around 90% among students – a figure way above the German average.

Course facts and information

Qualification: Master of Arts (M.A.)
Standard period of study: 4 semesters (2 years)
ECTS points: 120
Course language: German and English
Language skills: Good knowledge of English and German is necessary (C1)
Course begins: Fall semester (September)
Faculty: Faculty of Political & Social Sciences
Fees per semester: € 6,150

Interested? Please note the language requirements

Although quite a few courses at ZU are offered in English, it is not possible to complete the PAIR degree program 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. Applicants who have not learned German as a native language must provide proof of German language proficiency (level C1).

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Team Admissions

Application Advice Graduate Programs

Phone: +49 7541 6009-2000
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Do you have any questions about the study programs and the application process? Then please contact our team Admissions.

Why study PAIR?

This master's program at Zeppelin University offers you much more than just advanced studies in the management-oriented Politics and Administrative Sciences. It allows you to systematically complement your degree program with content from Legal Science, Economics, Communication Science and Psychology. The groundwork for this interdisciplinary approach is already laid in the foundation module at the start of the program. In the further course of your studies you can also take a minor in Corporate Management & Economics.

In addition, theoretical and methodological training is a key element of the PAIR program. You have the opportunity to develop your research and methodological skills on your own terms. The emphasis is on evaluating the suitability of various research designs and methods for a variety of issues and the practical applicability of different research approaches.

Another thing that sets our courses at Zeppelin University apart is that you have the option of doing an academically supervised research project. The “Research Project” module is explicitly aimed at master's students who have a particular interest in scientific work and research-oriented professions.

Our StudentStudies option allows you to focus your studies on the topics and issues that are important to you. Find out more in this interview with two PAIR students.

What makes the “Politics, Administration & International Relations” master's program different:

Specialization Within Master Degrees

TRACK I: International Relations & Global Politics

Content:
In terms of content there is a particular focus on the issues of war and peace, shaping foreign policy and dealing with (new) security threats in a globalized world; new forms of governance in global contexts; the role of international organizations, and the transnational approach to current challenges such as climate change, development and migration.

Potential areas of employment:

International organizations (UNO, EU, WTO, IWF, OSZE, NATO etc.)
International non-governmental organizations (developmental aid, environmental protection or human rights NGOs)
State institutions and public administration (foreign office,
Diplomatic service, state and federal representation at the EU)
Semi-state institutions for developmental aid and cooperation (GTZ, INVENT)
European Union bodies and institutions (European Commission, Council of Ministers, European Parliament etc.)
Internationally active foundations (Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Heinrich Böll Foundation etc.)
Internationally active companies
Think tanks (SWP, HSFK, DGAP, BAKS, etc.)
Research and development at internationally relevant universities and research facilities.

In cooperation with the Wilhelm Frank Foundation, Zeppelin University arranges a four-month paid internship at the EU Delegation to the United Nations in Geneva.

TRACK II: Political Behavior & Institutions

Content:
The content is primarily focused on how to understand, critically analyze and practically apply scientific data on voter behavior, political participation (including political protest), the formation of political opinions and related topics.

Potential areas of employment:

Private and public companies in the field of opinion polls and data collection and analysis (social and market analysis)
Public institutions, including in the statistical fields
Political players
Teaching and research at universities and research facilities
Non-governmental organizations and international organizations
Journalism, media, public relations, communication
Business and market analyses

TRACK III: Public Management, Policy & E-Government

Content:
Management-oriented administrative sciences in the digital age: Public Management, Policy Shaping, Administrative Law, Administrative Information Technology, Public Corporate Governance

The sustainable, digital configuration of state and administration from a scientific viewpoint; the management of public administration, public companies and international organizations through the digital transformation

Potential areas of employment:

Public administration (federal, state, local)
Local companies

What are our professors' areas of research?

Our academic chairs conduct research on a wide variety of topics. Here is a sample of our research projects:

Chair of Comparative Politics, Focus on European Institutions

Prof Dr Christian Adam

Comparative Public Policy
Evidence-based policy making
Morality Policy
Public Health Policy
The political role of Courts
Policy Implementation
European Multilevel Governance
Judicialization of European Politics

Chair of International Relations

Prof Dr Maria Debre

International Dimension of Democracy and Autocracy
International Organizations
Regional Cooperation in the Global South
International Sanction Politics

Chair of Public Administration & Public Policy

Prof Dr Steffen Eckhard

(International) Public Administration and (Global) Public Policy
International Organizations
Street Level Bureaucracy
Policy Implementation
Crisis Management
Conflict Management

Chair of Political Soziology

Prof Dr Martin Elff

Social structure and political behavior
Strategic voting
Parties’ political positions and voters’party choices
Political information and public opinion
Measuring democracy
Quantitative research methods of political science

Chair of International Security Policy

Prof Dr Simon Koschut

International and regional security institutions
Emotions and international conflict
Regional integration and global order

Chair of Public Management & Public Policy

Prof Dr Ulf Papenfuß

sustainable public corporate governance
integrated governance in corporate group/network structures
self-regulation
governance innovations and sustainable change in digital transformation processes
outcome orientated control

The Open Government Institute | TOGI

Prof Dr Jörn von Lucke

Public Sector Informatics
Digitalisation of the Public Sector
Electronic Government
Open Government
Smart Government & Smart Cities
Realtime Government
Artificial Intelligence in the Public Sector

Detailed descriptions of the research topics can be found on the relevant academic chair pages of the Political & Social Sciences faculty.

Co-operation with the Universities of Zürich and Constance

Zeppelin University, the University of Zürich and the University of Constance have a cooperative agreement in place which allows students of their master's programs in Politics and Administrative Sciences to attend modules at any of the universities, and which ensures the mutual recognition of academic credits on the master's degree level. This provides students with an expanded and complementary study program.

Study Fees & Financing

The fees per semester of the two-year master's program PAIR come to

€ 6,150. Thus, the cost of an four-semester program, if paid per semester, is

€ 24,600. Monthly payment of tuition fees is also possible, please contact the Admissions Team.

The fees per semester of the one-year master's program CME come to

€ 8,400. Thus, the cost of an two-semester program, if paid per semester, is

€ 16,800. Monthly payment of tuition fees is also possible, please contact the Admissions Team.

No financial obstacles should stand in the way of an excellent education, which is why we offer you individual financing options for your studies at ZU.

Scholarships are not only available for young people who have achieved exceptional results - we also offer scholarships to applicants with experience beyond success or with a strong commitment to cultural, political or social issues.

Overview Study Fees & FinancingAccess Site

Application & Assessment Center Pioneers Wanted!

There is no numerus clausus for our degree programs. The really interesting question is whether you are right for our university and whether our university is right for you. Can you enrich our university with your curiosity, your questions and your thirst for knowledge and would you like to be part of an inspiring environment during your Bachelor's degree?

You can apply for a place at Zeppelin University with all the necessary documents via the applicant portal. If your application is evaluated positively, you will receive an invitation to one of the upcoming selection days.

To find out whether Zeppelin University and you are a good match, every applicant goes through ZU's own selection process, Pioneers Wanted!, which gives you the opportunity to find out more about our university on the selection day and at the same time gives our university an insight into your fields of interest and ways of thinking.

In order to be able to take part in the selection day if your application is suitable, you select a suitable selection day for you during your online application in the applicant portal. Please note the relevant application deadlines so that we can consider your application documents.