Political Communication

Study Information
Key facts
Degree
Master of Arts
Duration
4 Semesters
Credits/ECTS
120
Teaching language
German
Tuition fee
None
Semester contribution
€ 272,65
Start of studies
Winter semester
Part-time possible
Yes
Institutions
Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Institute of Communication Science
Application & Deadlines

Programme summary

The Master's program in Political Communication has a quantitative-empirical and communication science orientation, which is complemented by psychological and political science perspectives. The curriculum comprises three compulsory modules and 19 elective modules, of which students must successfully complete ten for the Master's degree (13 modules in total). By selecting the modules, students can focus on basic research or the application-oriented design and evaluation of political communication processes.

Special features

Graduates are able to think and work on fundamental research questions and applied problems of political communication in an evidence-based and interdisciplinary way. Graduates deepen their knowledge in the field of political communication with a special focus on strategies of political communication, political journalism, digitalized forms of communication and the psychological foundations of political thinking and acting. The examination of theories and concepts of political communication allows graduates to theoretically reflect and critically examine complex questions and problems of political communication. By studying innovative methods of design and empirical analysis of political communication processes, graduates develop skills in dealing with fundamental research questions and applied problems in a systematic and evidence-based way. Graduates are able to independently apply their theoretical, methodological and empirical knowledge to a question or problem in political communication.

Career opportunities

The Master's degree qualifies graduates for an academic career as well as for jobs in higher management (e.g. senior researcher, team leader) in the fields of market, media and opinion research, political public relations or political education in communication agencies and political organizations, media and political consulting as well as strategic planning in organizations and associations.

Admission requirements

  • Undergraduate degree or equivalent

    Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent with an average overall grade (e.g. CGPA) of at least 'good' (German mark 2.0). They must have obtained at least 20 ECTS credits (or equivalent) in statistics and methods and 60 ECTS credits (or equivalent) in either communication science, psychology, political science or sociology.

  • Language requirements

    This master's programme requires the following language proficiency:  

    • English language proficiency at level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
    • international applicants: German language proficiency at minimum level DSH-2 (or a recognised equivalent)

Application documents

  • CV

    Your CV should have a tabular form, containing key information on your school record and academic career.

  • University entrance qualification certificate

    Please upload at the online application system your university entrance certificate/school leaving certificate. Usually, this means the school graduation diploma (German "Abitur"), i.e. the diploma that makes you eligible for studies at an University or other institution for higher education. Be mindful of the fact that here, we do not need any University diploma but a High School diploma! 

  • Previous university degrees earned

    All previous University degrees (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, etc.) if available before the application deadline - if not, please make a note of the anticipated date of issue of your degree certificate. Please upload your University degree or the most actual, detailed transcript of records/ mark sheet of all semesters available to you, should you not hold your degree certificate at the time of application. The main document is the degree/ transcript based on which you apply for the master programme.

  • Detailed transcript of records

    Detailed transcript of records/ mark sheet of your first, subject-specific University degree, with which you apply for the master's programme. This transcript MUST contain an overall cumulative grade point average or average mark. By the time of your application, you must have completed at least 140 ECTS credits (or equivalent). Please highlight relevant modules/credits according to the requirements of the study programme in your transcript of records (see above admission requirements).

  • Proof of pre-education in methods and statistics

    A proof of 20 ECTS-credits in statistics courses or other modules in empirical social research is required. You need to submit the specific module descriptions of the modules in statistics and methods (Please do NOT submit the entire module catalogue). Please use the section 'further documente' to upload the respective PDF file.

  • Proof of English language proficiency

    You have to submit the following proof of language proficiency:

    • Proof of language proficiency in English at level B2 (of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
  • Diploma Supplement

    The diploma supplement of the undergraduate degree needs to be submitted only when it has been issued upon successful completion of the course. 

Additional application documents for international students

  • Proof of German language proficiency

    For German taught master's programmes, i.e. programmes with (predominantly) German as language of instruction, a sufficient German language proficiency proof is mandatory. Please see the information on the language requirements for the master's programme of your interest on the corresponding website.

    The Friedrich Schiller University Jena accepts the following certificates as German language proficiency proof exclusively:

    • the Goethe-Zertifikat C2 (GDS),
    • the Deutsche Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz (DSD II),
    • the TestDaF, minimum TDN 4 in all four parts of the examination,
    • Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH), min. level 2 (= DSH-2),
    • Certificate telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule (min. level "befriedigend"),
    • a German language examination in the framework of an assessment test at a preparatory college.


    Please note: If you do not have the required mandatory German language proficiency proof at the time of applying, you may only apply if you can provide a certificate attesting your German language skills at least at level B2 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) as well as a confirmation that you have either registered for the DSH examination, the TestDaF or an equivalent examination or that you have sat it and are going to receive the results before the end of the current semester.

    There is also the possibility to apply for the (chargeable) "German Language Course Preparing for the German Language Examination (DSH)" at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena. Please note: Prerequisites for the application for the preparatory course are language skills at least at the certificate level B1 / GER (e.g. Goethe-Zertifikat B1, TestDaF at least 4x3 and/or 800 teaching units from a recognized language school). For detailed information on the application and further information, please visit the website of the International Office or contact the International Office directly via Mail.

    Shortly before taking the DSH-2-Examination or after successfully passing it, you are welcome to apply for a German taught master's programme!

    The following applicants are exempted from providing proof of their German language skills:

    • Applicants, who have obtained a German taught bachelor's degree within one of the following countries: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. This applies only to degrees that were awarded by a university in the relevant country (no satellite campuses or international branch campuses in other countries, no correspondence course degrees, no joint- or double-degrees with institutions in other countries);
    • Holders of a German, Austrian or Swiss (from school where the language of instruction is German) university entrance qualification.
  • Translation of foreign/external application documents

    Every mandatory application document from foreign/external countries must also be available in either English OR German translation. Such a translation has to be conducted by officially acknowledged/ sworn translators or translation offices.

  • Proof of grading system

    External/foreign degree certificates/ transcripts of records must contain information on the grading system (= description of the maximum grade possible and the minimum passing grade) used at the respective University. 

  • Certificate APS

    Applicants with degrees from India, Vietnam or China must submit the original APS-certificate issued by the German Embassy.

  • University entrance exam

    Applicants from the following countries must submit a certificate of their university entrance examination/college entrance examination:

    • Iran (College entrance examination certificate or certificate of pre-university course/year)
    • Republic of Korea/South Korea: SAT (Scholastic Ability Test)
    • People's Republic of China: College entrance examination certificate ("Gaokao")

Kontakte

Subject Advisor - Djamila Heß

Office hours:
as agreed upon via e-mail

Master Service Centre

Office hours:
We offer consultations and the handling of your concerns in person as well as by Service Desk (ticket system), Zoom, live chat, post and telephone.

Telephone consultation:
Tuesday - Thursday
10 am - 11 am

Personal consultation:
Tuesday - Thursday
2 pm - 3 pm

Live chat:
mondays
10 am - 12 noon

Ticket enquiries via Service Desk at: www.uni-jena.de/service-msz

Postal address:
Friedrich Schiller University Jena
Master Service Centre
07737 Jena

Video chat: Zoom – Video chat Videochat ZeitenTuesday - Thursday
3:15 pm - 4 pm
Password Master Data protection informationpdf, 101 kb

Academic Office for Student Affairs and Examinations (ASPA)

Telephone hours:
Mondays and Fridays (9:00 – 11:00)
Wednesdays (13:00 – 15:00)

The ASPA is primarily responsible for students in the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and the Faculty of Theology.

Student Representatives Communication Science