Tübingen is a university town in Southern Germany with ca. 85 000 inhabitants. It is located approximately one hour by car South of Stuttgart.
The picturesque, historic city center is situated on the banks of the Neckar and spread across several hills. A large part of the university, including the Institute of Political Science, is located here. Rarely does one find such a close and historic relationship between a city and its university.
Almost a quarter of the inhabitants are students. Their influence on local life and city culture is evident, making cultural life here richer than elsewhere.

Tübingen’s Institute of Political Science is one of Germany’s top-ranked Political Science institutions. Its work includes theory-driven empirical research on the following topics: Gender studies, Foreign policy analysis, European Union and EU member states, European economic policy, Peace and conflict studies, International institutions, Intergenerational politics, Political economy, Political systems of the Middle East, Development studies, Economic and public policy analysis. The Institute comprises internationally active faculty members whose research helps create optimal conditions for students. Research-oriented learning is a particular strength of Tübingen study programmes, thanks to the close links between research and teaching. More than 1,000 bachelor and master students are enrolled in our study programmes, in addition to 70 PhD students. The small seminar sizes create ideal conditions for teaching and learning. The Institute offers a theory-focused, interdisciplinary and practice-oriented learning environment, a necessary foundation for the training of highly qualified graduates.

Prof. Dr. Abels, Gabriele , born 1964, since September 2007 Professor for "political systems of Germany and the EU and European Integration". Since 2011 Gabriele Abels has a Jean Monnet-Chair. The scientific interest of Gabriele Abels applies primarily to the process of European Integration and the consequent emergence of a new political system. She is particularly concerned with issues of regulatory policy (risk regulation, biotechnology, food regulation), with risk analysis of technology, with the democratic design of the EU system as well as with gender perspectives on the European Integration process. She is co-editor of "femina politica : journal for feminist political science."

Prof. Dr. Bieling, Hans-Jürgen, born 1967, holds since October 2011 the chair for Political Economy and Economic Education at the department of Political Science in Tübingen.

Jun.-Prof. Bruzelius, Cecilia. Before joining the Department of Political Science in Tübingen, Cecilia received her doctorate in Social Policy from the University of Oxford. Prior to taking up her current post Tübingen, Cecilia has held post-doctoral and research assistant positions at the Department of Social Policy and Intervention in Oxford. Since 2019 Junior Professor of European Public Policy.

Prof. Diez, Thomas, Dr.phil., born 1970, studied political science, public law and economic and social history in Mannheim and at the Johns Hopkins University. Research and teaching activities at the Mannheim Center for European Social Research, the Copenhagen Peace Research Institute and the Universities of Aarhus, Copenhagen, University of Munich and Birmingham. Since 2009 without a university professor of political science and international relations at the Institute of Political Science at the University of Tuebingen. Focus of scientific work: European foreign policy, conflict studies, transformation of borders, the EU and Turkey / Cyprus.

Prof. Hasenclever, Andreas, Dr. rer. soc., born 1962, studied theology and political science in Tübingen, Munich and Paris. 1993-2000 researcher at the Institute for Political Science in Tuebingen, then as a research project leader at the Hesse Foundation for Peace and Conflict Research in Frankfurt / M. His research interests include the analysis of military interventions, religious conflicts and the theory of Democratic Peace.

Prof. Schlumberger, Oliver, Dr. rer. soc., studied political science and Islamic studies at Tübingen, where he worked as a research assistant and research assistant of Prof. Dr. Pawelka. Moved after graduation as a research consultant at the German Development Institute, Bonn. Since April 2009 Professor of the Middle East.

Prof. Seeleib-Kaiser, Martin, Dr. phil., studied Political Science, American Studies and Public Law at Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich (Germany) (MA 1989; Dr phil 1992) and was awarded the venia legendi in political science (habilitation) by Bremen University (Germany) (2000). Prior to his appointment at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen in 2017, he held appointments at the University of Oxford (2004-2017), Duke University (North Carolina, USA) (1999-2002) and Bremen University (1993-1999; 2002-2004). He was a visiting scholar/guest professor at George Washington University (USA; 1996), Shizuoka University (Japan; 1997), Aalborg University (DK; 2008) and the WZB Berlin Social Science Centre. Martin has held various administrative and management positions in academia; from 2011 to 2015 he served as Head of the Social Policy Department at the University of Oxford. He has also advised a number of governments and the EU Commission. Since 2017 Professor of Comparative Public Policy.

Honorary professors, visiting junior and senior lecturers complement the teaching curriculum of the Institute. They also provide a unique opportunity for students to relate their studies to policy practice in a wide range of fields such as media, parliamentary and policy work, diplomacy, and advocacy. Honorary professors teaching at the Institute are: Prof. Dr. Michael Eilfort (Berlin), Prof. Siegfried Frech (Stuttgart), Prof. Wolfgang Ischinger, Prof. Dr. Mathias Joop (Berlin), Prof. Dr. Birgit Locher-Finke (Tübingen), Prof. Dr. Karl-Heinz Meier-Braun, Prof. Dr. Kai-Uwe Schrogl (Paris), Prof. Dr. Natalie Tocci (Rom), Prof. Dr. Bernhard Trautner (Bonn), Prof. Dr. Hans-Georg Wehling (Reutlingen) and Prof. Dr. Udo Zolleis (Brussels). Adjunct lecturers add to the range of subjects offered especially in providing insights into areas of practice (for example the media, political education).

Approximately 1.100 students are currently enrolled in Political Science.

The library is one of the gems of the Institute of Political Science. It is located on the top floors of the Institute. In its pleasant environment, an important part of studying occurs: Looking for and reading literature.

During the past fifty years the collection has grown to 110 journals and 50.000 books. Every year, more than 400 volumes are added.

In addition, several PCs are available for Internet and library catalog research. The library offers two tutorials for research in political science (PolitologieFAQ, http://politologiefaq.pbworks.com/w/) and social sciences (Social Science FAY, http://socialsciencesfaq.pbworks.com/w/).

The study of Political Science can lead to teacher certification at the Gymnasium level, to a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) degree in political science and to a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Peace Studies and International Relations. Postgraduate students can be awarded the degree of Doctor of Social Sciences upon completion of a dissertation and an oral exam (Rigorosum).

For further information contact the Political Science advisers: For undergraduate students: several persons, see "study advisory service".

In addition to lecture courses and seminars, in which presentations are made and discussed, the Institute's instructors provide unique opportunities to learn through experience and transnational communication.

For instance, graduate students may participate in a model simulating the work of the United Nations in New York City. Students can attend an Internet- based seminar and exchange their work and experience with students from other countries and continents. The institute organizes visits of international organizations in Vienna, Geneva, Strasbourg, and Brussels.

In addition, the intensive research activity at the Institute provides good opportunities for highly-qualified students to collaborate on research projects.

Students studying in Tübingen have numerous opportunities to spend one or several semesters abroad. The Institute of Political Science maintains student exchanges with numerous universities. Having passed the intermediate exams, students can study at American, Belgian, Dutch, English, French, Finnish, Italian, Latin American, Russian, Swedish, and Swiss universities.

Our partner universities include the University of Denver, the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po), the Università degli Studi di Firenze, the University of Uppsala, the Université de Genève and the Pontifica Universidad Católica Santiago de Chile, the University of Wroclaw (Poland), the State Universities of St. Petersburg and Moscow, as well as the Moscow State Institute for International Relations (MGIMO).

Numerous opportunities exist in- and outside the Institute to enjoy one's leisure time. The weekly "Clubhaus" parties and the nightly get-togethers in the town square during the summer semester are particular favorites.

Student representatives at the Institute of Political Science:

Fachschaft Politik; IfP, Melanchtonstr. 36, D-72074 Tübingen, Tel.: +49 7071 - 2975441

Political Science in Tübingen covers all aspects of the discipline. Students receive a solid education in the major fields of political science such as international relations, political theory, political economy, and comparative politics. Not surprisingly, our graduates work in numerous fields. They are employed in research, the media, business, political parties and interest groups, the foreign service, and in development cooperation or they work for the UN and EU. We encourage our students to participate in foreign and domestic internships. Therefore, we maintain a comprehensive file of internship opportunities.