Bachelor of Arts in Governance and Public Policy University of Passau

Politics is a process that seeks to distribute social resources in a binding manner. But how do politics, the economy, justice and society interlink with each other? What are the effects between them? How are conflicts of interest handled? Studying in the BA Governance and Public Policy programme, you will deal with the structure and organisation of the state and its institutions. The programme also looks beyond nation-states, as it explores the roles of other political actors, such as international and non-governmental organisations and the mass media. You will look at the challenges within our society as well as in the globalised world from different perspectives and find solutions using methods informed by different academic disciplines.

As part of the programme, you are also given the opportunity to complete one of two double degree options, studying international relations at the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia) or the "Scienze politiche e delle relazioni internazionali" programme at the University of Parma (Italy).

Features

• Unique for this type of programme among German universities, courses in public law are included in the curriculum.
• A compulsory two-month internship in Germany or abroad
• Double degree options: German-Slovenian or German-Italian double Bachelor's degree
• Foreign university partnerships especially for students on the degree programme (including in France, the UK, the US and Pakistan)

The degree programme is divided into four module areas. As part of the programme, you will write a dissertation on a topic chosen from one of the focus (area B) or extension modules (area C).

A) Principles of Political Science
B) Political Science Focus Module Groups
C) Political Science Extension Module Groups
D) Foreign Language and Internship

A) This module area imparts essential methods and theory from the subject disciplines represented in the four introductory module groups: political science and methods in sociology, economics, society in transformation, and public law.

B) In module area B, you will gain advanced knowledge of political science. Here, you will choose two of the three focus module groups offered: governance/public policy, political theory and intellectual history, or European and international politics.

C) Building on your prior knowledge gained in module area A, you will consolidate your theoretical and methodological expertise in one or more subdisciplines by choosing three of eighteen extension module groups offered.

D) In the practice-oriented module area D, you will gain subject-specific language skills. Depending on the track you choose, your language programme will have a social science, legal or business/economics focus. You can choose from the following languages: Chinese, Czech, English, French, German as a Foreign Language, Indonesian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish or Thai. Furthermore, you will complete a compulsory two-month internship in Germany or abroad in this module area.

For this degree programme, you are required to complete a minimum of two months of work experience in Germany or abroad. The internship will not be arranged for you; rather, you are responsible for searching for the internship, negotiating the outline (i.e., the job description) and making all of the necessary arrangements. However, the university can help you with information and hands-on advice.

Related links:

• Future: Careers and Competencies Section
• iStudi Coach

To apply for this degree programme you need a recognised university entrance qualification, e.g. the German "Abitur" or an equivalent qualification.

The semester contribution fee is around 130 EUR per semester. This covers the student services association and bus pass fees. At the time of writing (April 2026), the University of Passau does not charge tuition fees.

You should budget a minimum of 992 EUR per month for your living expenses. If you need a visa to come to Germany, this is the amount you must have available to you (e.g. paid into a blocked account) for each month. Nevertheless, your actual cost of living will vary depending on your lifestyle, and so you should treat this figure as an absolute minimum.

For international students, a dedicated career adviser is on hand: the "iStudi Coach" will help you with all your questions about finding work or placements in Germany.

Please note that students from non-EU countries must apply for a work permit at the national job centre if they work more than 240 half-days per year. Students from EU member countries do not require a work permit.

The International Office awards a small number of scholarships to international degree-seeking students who have been enrolled in a Bachelor's programme for at least two semesters or in a Master's programme for at least one semester. You may also apply for a Deutschlandstipendium scholarship, which is open to students of all nationalities. This scholarship has a stipend of 300 EUR per month and runs for one year. You may reapply in subsequent years. Finally, there is a one-off emergency hardship grant available to international students in exceptional cases of unexpected financial difficulties.

The university provides advice on job hunting, jobs, and career-entry positions at German and international companies, here and abroad. These include personal interviews, advice, and training courses on how to apply as well as intercultural and soft skills training.

International students have access to a dedicated career adviser – the "iStudi Coach" – who helps them find internships and apply for student jobs and career-entry positions at German companies. The iStudi Coach also coaches international students on German labour market practices, how to write applications, and so on.

Related links:

• Future: Careers and Competencies Section
• iStudi Coach

The International Office has set up an accommodation service, which assists international students in finding accommodation.

Rooms in the halls of residence cost between 240 EUR and 510 EUR per month and are fully furnished. Kitchen and bathroom facilities are usually shared, although some rooms have en-suite bathroom facilities. However, please note that the demand for the rooms in the student halls is very high, and there is no guarantee that you will be able to rent one.

Luckily, there is a large number of flats and flatshares available on the open housing market. On average, you should expect to pay somewhere in the vicinity of 350 EUR to 550 EUR a month for these. Landlords usually require a two-month or three-month deposit when you move in, which will be returned to you at the end of the rental period, provided you leave your accommodation in good condition.

• Further details on housing in Passau
• Accommodation service for international students