Application Master Programs
Please see the FAQs at the bottom of this page. You should find all the information you need to apply here on this page. We cannot and will not review your eligibility for the application requirements in advance. Additionally, due to the high volume of applications, we are unfortunately unable to provide personalized feedback on rejections.
Admission Requirements
The admission procedure is carried out in accordance with our admission regulations. In order to be accepted into our master degree program in political science, you must fulfil three criteria:
- You must have obtained a grade point average of 2.0 or better in your first degree. If you are an international student, please convert your grade with the Bavarian formular;
- You must have obtained at least 90 ECTS in political science classes in your first degree, in particular in the areas political theory, political systems and international relations;
- You must have obtained at least 9 ECTS in empirical political science research classes (quantitative).
Please note: For courses where the relevance to political science is not evident from their titles, you may include a brief, official course description from your university.
Evaluation of Admission Requirements
You fulfil all three criteria
The admission requirements are met. An interview is not necessary.
You fulfil two criteria
You will be invited to an online interview. In accordance with our admission regulations, you must have at least 9 ECTS credits in the field of empirical political science research classes as one of the two criteria.
For our Double Master Degree with Stockholm University, no interviews will be held. In order to get accepted, you need to fulfill all three criteria.
You do not fulfil at least two criteria
Your application will be rejected.
Please note: The Master's programs at our institute are highly competitive and the number of available places is limited. The high level of competition means that achieving all three criteria does not guarantee that an offer of admission will be made.
Each application is carefully reviewed on an individual basis, considering the full range of documents submitted.
Application Deadlines and Timeline
Our application portal will open on February 15, 2025. The following deadlines must be respected when applying for our master degree programs. Please note that application documents submitted outside the application period or not through the online application portal will not be considered.
- April 1, 2025 (23:59 CET): Double Master Degree with Stockholm University
- May 1, 2025 (23:59 CET): Double Master Degree with Universitat Pompeu Fabra
- May 1, 2025 (23:59 CET): Master Degree in Political Science at LMU Munich
Applicants will be informed about the evaluation of their application via e-mail by May 31, 2025. If you have not received a response by June 1, please contact us.
Interviews
The purpose of the interview is to established whether, in addition to the skills aquired in your first academic degree program, you also have an aptitude for the special requirements of our master degree program.
These include the ability to conduct problem-analysis, to think abstractly and concretely, and to adapt already known approaches to new research questions in the three branches of political science: political theory, political systems, and international relations. The master degree program also requires the knowledge of empirical political research methods, research oriented and scholarly work methods, and adequate English language skills.
Please note that we cannot give any further information regarding the content of the interview. Interviews will take place in June 2025. You will be informed about the time and modalities at least two weeks in advance.
Required Documents
- Curriculum vitae in tabular form;
- Copy of the leaving certificate from your first academic degree program with the details of all your examination results ("transcript of records") and the official grade point average. If you do not yet have the first degree leaving certificate at the time of your application, please include an up-to-date transcript of records with the seal and stamp of the responsible examination office and the grade point average of your studies thus far;
- Unceritifed copy of proof of English language skills. The minimum acceptable level is C1. Proof of English language skills may be provided in any form that demonstrates that you have attained the minimum acceptable level of C1 on the scale of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Please refer to our list of accepted tests;
- Only for Double Masters Degree with Stockholm University: a letter of motivation in English stating your interest in the double master degree with Stockholm University (400 to 600 words).
- Only for Double Masters Degree with Universitat Pompeu Fabra: in addition to your application at LMU Munich, please note that you must submit a separate application to the University of Barcelona.
Foreign Applicants
Foreign applications, who have neither a German higher education entrance qualification, nor a first university degree taken in Germany, are required to submit an additional application to the International Office. Deadline for the application to the International Office is July 15, 2025.
Please Note: The application to the International Office is only necessary after you have already been accepted for the Master's Degree by our Institute. Applying through the International Office is more of a formality for international students. The International Office does not have its own admission requirements and is not part of our selection committee.
Contact
Study Program Coordination
masterstudiengang@gsi.uni-muenchen.de
FAQ
I am an international student. Do I need to apply immediately for enrollment at LMU, including scholarships and access to student housing?
The administration of enrollment, access to student housing, scholarships, etc. is handled centrally by the International Office of the LMU.
However, you should not apply to the LMU until you have received a letter of acceptance to the Master's program.
For more information, please visit the LMU website:
My undergraduate degree program was fully taught in English. Do I need to provide an additional prove of English skills?
No. Please be sure to indicate in your application that your undergraduate degree was taught entirely in English. This is sufficient proof of your English language skills.
What is the best way to convert my grades?
If you are an international student, please convert your grade with the Bavarian formular;
Letter grading systems can be converted using this table.
What language should the CV be in? Does it have to be in a specific format?
Your CV can be in English or German. There is no requirement for a specific format.
How can I prove my language skills?
To verify your language skills, please see our list of accepted tests.
(If your undergraduate degree was taught entirely in English, you do not need to take another language test --> see FAQ regarding this issue)
What does empirical political science research include?
All courses in statistics, empirical economics, and quantitative social science research methods. In case of doubt, a short description of the relevant modules can be included in the application. This is also recommended if the course titles do not clearly indicate a focus on quantitative methods.
Can I submit proof of my English language proficiency after the application deadline?
No. The specified deadlines refer to the submission of all required documents, including proof of your English language proficiency. We don’t accept any documents submitted after the deadlines.
How much are the tuition fees at LMU for international students?
Currently, no tuition fees are charged at LMU Munich. International students are treated the same as domestic students and only need to pay a semester contribution of 85 euros per semester.
Can I apply if I have not yet completed my Bachelor's degree at the time of application?
All applications will be considered as long as the admission requirements are fulfilled and the Bachelor's degree is successfully completed by the time of enrollment. Provisional acceptance is subject to reservation and becomes invalid if the Bachelor's degree is not passed.