100 Best universities for Political Science in Germany

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in Germany ranked based on their research performance in Political Science. A graph of 16M citations received by 812K academic papers made by 174 universities in Germany was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of Hamburg

Hamburg State | Hamburg City

For Political Science

#27 in Europe

#96 in the World

Enrollment: 43,957
Founded: 1919

2. Heidelberg University - Germany

Baden-Wurttemberg | Heidelberg

For Political Science

#30 in Europe

#107 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Enrollment: 28,413
Male:Female: 45:55
Founded: 1386

3. University of Munich

Bavaria | Munich

For Political Science

#33 in Europe

#112 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Enrollment: 52,418
Founded: 1472

4. Goethe University of Frankfurt am Main

Hesse | Frankfurt

For Political Science

#43 in Europe

#132 in the World

Enrollment: 43,461
Founded: 1914

5. Free University of Berlin

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Political Science

#50 in Europe

#152 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 37,908
Founded: 1948

6. University of Munster

North Rhine-Westphalia | Munster

For Political Science

#67 in Europe

#189 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Enrollment: 43,728
Founded: 1780

7. Technical University of Munich

Bavaria | Munich

For Political Science

#74 in Europe

#203 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Enrollment: 44,000
Male:Female: 63:37
Founded: 1868

8. University of Cologne

North Rhine-Westphalia | Cologne

For Political Science

#75 in Europe

#207 in the World

Enrollment: 52,204
Founded: 1388

9. Humboldt University of Berlin

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Political Science

#79 in Europe

#215 in the World

Enrollment: 36,232
Founded: 1809

10. University of Erlangen Nuremberg

Bavaria | Erlangen

For Political Science

#84 in Europe

#228 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Enrollment: 39,658
Founded: 1743

11. RWTH Aachen University

North Rhine-Westphalia | Aachen

For Political Science

#86 in Europe

#236 in the World

Enrollment: 47,521
Founded: 1870

12. University of Freiburg

Baden-Wurttemberg | Freiburg im Breisgau

For Political Science

#93 in Europe

#245 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Enrollment: 23,938
Founded: 1457

13. University of Bremen

Bremen State | Bremen City

For Political Science

#95 in Europe

#248 in the World

Enrollment: 17,984
Founded: 1971

14. Dresden University of Technology

Saxony | Dresden

For Political Science

#97 in Europe

#251 in the World

Enrollment: 31,517
Founded: 1828

15. University of Bielefeld

North Rhine-Westphalia | Bielefeld

For Political Science

#98 in Europe

#252 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 23,342
Founded: 1969

16. University of Bonn

North Rhine-Westphalia | Bonn

For Political Science

#100 in Europe

#255 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 36%
Enrollment: 38,043
Founded: 1818

17. University of Gottingen

Lower Saxony | Gottingen

For Political Science

#103 in Europe

#261 in the World

Enrollment: 31,619
Founded: 1734

18. Technical University of Berlin

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Political Science

#104 in Europe

#262 in the World

Enrollment: 34,842
Founded: 1946

19. University of Duisburg - Essen

North Rhine-Westphalia | Essen

For Political Science

#115 in Europe

#286 in the World

Enrollment: 43,281
Founded: 2003

20. University of Mannheim

Baden-Wurttemberg | Mannheim

For Political Science

#116 in Europe

#289 in the World

Enrollment: 11,532
Founded: 1907

21. University of Tubingen

Baden-Wurttemberg | Tubingen

For Political Science

#118 in Europe

#292 in the World

Enrollment: 28,238
Male:Female: 41:59
Founded: 1477

22. Ruhr University Bochum

North Rhine-Westphalia | Bochum

For Political Science

#123 in Europe

#301 in the World

Enrollment: 42,954
Founded: 1962

23. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

Baden-Wurttemberg | Karlsruhe

For Political Science

#128 in Europe

#317 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Enrollment: 23,321
Founded: 2009

24. Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

Rhineland-Palatinate | Mainz

For Political Science

#130 in Europe

#325 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 28%
Enrollment: 33,132
Founded: 1946

25. University of Leipzig

Saxony | Leipzig

For Political Science

#131 in Europe

#326 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 31,088
Founded: 1409

26. University of Marburg

Hesse | Marburg

For Political Science

#145 in Europe

#359 in the World

Enrollment: 22,612
Founded: 1527

27. University of Stuttgart

Baden-Wurttemberg | Stuttgart

For Political Science

#147 in Europe

#364 in the World

Enrollment: 22,616
Founded: 1829

28. Heinrich Heine University of Dusseldorf

North Rhine-Westphalia | Dusseldorf

For Political Science

#148 in Europe

#365 in the World

Enrollment: 37,473
Male:Female: 42:58
Founded: 1965

29. Darmstadt University of Technology

Hesse | Darmstadt

For Political Science

#155 in Europe

#374 in the World

Enrollment: 24,969
Founded: 1877

30. University of Kassel

Hesse | Kassel

For Political Science

#163 in Europe

#389 in the World

Enrollment: 21,352
Male:Female: 50:50
Founded: 1971

31. TU Dortmund University

North Rhine-Westphalia | Dortmund

For Political Science

#165 in Europe

#395 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Enrollment: 34,616
Male:Female: 54:46
Founded: 1968

32. University of Konstanz

Baden-Wurttemberg | Konstanz

For Political Science

#169 in Europe

#399 in the World

Enrollment: 10,939
Male:Female: 43:57
Founded: 1966

33. Charite - Medical University of Berlin

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Political Science

#176 in Europe

#409 in the World

Enrollment: 9,340
Founded: 1710

34. Kiel University

Schleswig-Holstein | Kiel

For Political Science

#181 in Europe

#424 in the World

Enrollment: 27,468
Founded: 1665

35. University of Giessen

Hesse | Giessen

For Political Science

#192 in Europe

#452 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 27,184
Founded: 1607

36. Leibniz University of Hanover

Lower Saxony | Hanover

For Political Science

#194 in Europe

#456 in the World

Enrollment: 28,018
Founded: 1831

37. University of Potsdam

Brandenburg | Potsdam

For Political Science

#196 in Europe

#461 in the World

Enrollment: 20,406
Founded: 1991

38. Friedrich Schiller University of Jena

Thuringia | Jena

For Political Science

#198 in Europe

#466 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 17,345
Founded: 1558

39. Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg

Saxony-Anhalt | Halle

For Political Science

#205 in Europe

#485 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 19,387
Founded: 1817

40. University of Wurzburg

Bavaria | Wurzburg

For Political Science

#211 in Europe

#499 in the World

Enrollment: 27,149
Male:Female: 41:59
Founded: 1402

41. Saarland University

Saarland | Saarbrucken

For Political Science

#215 in Europe

#511 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 36%
Enrollment: 16,250
Founded: 1948

42. University of Bamberg

Bavaria | Bamberg

For Political Science

#232 in Europe

#552 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Enrollment: 11,000
Founded: 1972

43. Braunschweig University of Technology

Lower Saxony | Braunschweig

For Political Science

#237 in Europe

#561 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Enrollment: 17,794
Founded: 1745

44. University of Regensburg

Bavaria | Regensburg

For Political Science

#241 in Europe

#582 in the World

Enrollment: 20,702
Founded: 1962

45. Leuphana University of Luneburg

Lower Saxony | Luneburg

For Political Science

#247 in Europe

#593 in the World

Enrollment: 9,620
Founded: 1946

46. Osnabruck University

Lower Saxony | Osnabruck

For Political Science

#252 in Europe

#601 in the World

Enrollment: 13,628
Founded: 1974

47. University of Ulm

Baden-Wurttemberg | Ulm

For Political Science

#260 in Europe

#619 in the World

Enrollment: 10,164
Founded: 1967

48. University of Paderborn

North Rhine-Westphalia | Paderborn

For Political Science

#262 in Europe

#624 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 19,110
Founded: 1972

49. Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg

Lower Saxony | Oldenburg

For Political Science

#265 in Europe

#629 in the World

Enrollment: 15,899
Founded: 1973

50. University of Bayreuth

Bavaria | Bayreuth

For Political Science

#271 in Europe

#647 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 12,773
Founded: 1972

51. University of Siegen

North Rhine-Westphalia | Siegen

For Political Science

#274 in Europe

#666 in the World

Enrollment: 17,805
Founded: 1972

52. University of Hohenheim

Baden-Wurttemberg | Stuttgart

For Political Science

#278 in Europe

#672 in the World

Enrollment: 8,392
Male:Female: 43:57
Founded: 1818

53. University of Wuppertal

North Rhine-Westphalia | Wuppertal

For Political Science

#286 in Europe

#688 in the World

Enrollment: 22,601
Founded: 1972

54. Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg

Saxony-Anhalt | Magdeburg

For Political Science

#288 in Europe

#690 in the World

Enrollment: 13,143
Founded: 1993

55. Hannover Medical School

Lower Saxony | Hanover

For Political Science

#291 in Europe

#701 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 3,843
Founded: 1965

56. University of Hagen

North Rhine-Westphalia | Hagen

For Political Science

#294 in Europe

#706 in the World

Enrollment: 71,351
Founded: 1974

57. University of Augsburg

Bavaria | Augsburg

For Political Science

#295 in Europe

#708 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 19,975
Male:Female: 43:57
Founded: 1970

58. Technical University of Kaiserslautern

Rhineland-Palatinate | Kaiserslautern

For Political Science

#296 in Europe

#711 in the World

Enrollment: 13,607
Male:Female: 60:40
Founded: 1970

59. University of Trier

Rhineland-Palatinate | Trier

For Political Science

#304 in Europe

#734 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 11,564
Founded: 1970

60. Chemnitz University of Technology

Saxony | Chemnitz

For Political Science

#325 in Europe

#801 in the World

Enrollment: 9,873
Founded: 1836

61. University of Rostock

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | Rostock

For Political Science

#334 in Europe

#819 in the World

Enrollment: 12,996
Male:Female: 50:50
Founded: 1419

62. University of Passau

Bavaria | Passau

For Political Science

#352 in Europe

#855 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 11,846
Founded: 1973

63. Witten/Herdecke University

North Rhine-Westphalia | Witten

For Political Science

#359 in Europe

#868 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 2,894
Founded: 1982

64. University of Koblenz-Landau

Rhineland-Palatinate | Koblenz

For Political Science

#367 in Europe

#898 in the World

Enrollment: 15,757
Founded: 1990

65. University of Lubeck

Schleswig-Holstein | Lubeck

For Political Science

#398 in Europe

#966 in the World

Enrollment: 5,968
Founded: 1964

66. Munich University of the Federal Armed Forces

Bavaria | Neubiberg

For Political Science

#399 in Europe

#967 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Enrollment: 1,084
Founded: 1973

67. European University Viadrina

Brandenburg | Frankfurt

For Political Science

#401 in Europe

#980 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 5,210
Founded: 1991

68. University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg

Hamburg State | Hamburg City

For Political Science

#402 in Europe

#984 in the World

Enrollment: 2,587
Founded: 1972

69. Folkwang University of the Arts

North Rhine-Westphalia | Essen

For Political Science

#403 in Europe

#985 in the World

Enrollment: 1,506
Founded: 1927

70. University of Erfurt

Thuringia | Erfurt

For Political Science

#411 in Europe

#1007 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 6,052
Founded: 1994

71. Berlin School of Economics and Law

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Political Science

#431 in Europe

#1060 in the World

Enrollment: 12,246
Founded: 1971

72. Aachen University of Applied Sciences

North Rhine-Westphalia | Aachen

For Political Science

#433 in Europe

#1063 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Enrollment: 13,671
Founded: 1971

73. Catholic University of Eichstatt-Ingolstadt

Bavaria | Eichstatt

For Political Science

#435 in Europe

#1070 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 4,910
Founded: 1980

74. Hamburg University of Technology

Hamburg State | Hamburg City

For Political Science

#437 in Europe

#1074 in the World

Enrollment: 7,223
Founded: 1978

75. WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management

Rhineland-Palatinate | Vallendar

For Political Science

#450 in Europe

#1122 in the World

Enrollment: 1,669
Founded: 1984

76. Ilmenau University of Technology

Thuringia | Ilmenau

For Political Science

#465 in Europe

#1168 in the World

Enrollment: 4,889
Founded: 1953

77. University of Hildesheim

Lower Saxony | Hildesheim

For Political Science

#470 in Europe

#1192 in the World

Enrollment: 8,307
Founded: 1978

78. University of Applied Sciences Dusseldorf

North Rhine-Westphalia | Dusseldorf

For Political Science

#482 in Europe

#1233 in the World

Enrollment: 11,170
Founded: 1971

79. Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences

Hesse | Darmstadt

For Political Science

#483 in Europe

#1241 in the World

Enrollment: 16,136
Founded: 1971

80. University of Greifswald

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | Greifswald

For Political Science

#490 in Europe

#1258 in the World

Enrollment: 10,366
Founded: 1456

81. Hertie School of Governance

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Political Science

#510 in Europe

#1329 in the World

Enrollment: 586
Founded: 2003

82. Mainz University of Applied Sciences

Rhineland-Palatinate | Mainz

For Political Science

#522 in Europe

#1366 in the World

Enrollment: 5,786
Founded: 1996

83. Jacobs University Bremen

Bremen State | Bremen City

For Political Science

#526 in Europe

#1376 in the World

Enrollment: 1,531
Founded: 2001

84. Hamburg University of Applied Sciences

Hamburg State | Hamburg City

For Political Science

#528 in Europe

#1379 in the World

Enrollment: 17,125
Founded: 1970

85. German Sport University Cologne

North Rhine-Westphalia | Cologne

For Political Science

#543 in Europe

#1456 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 6,000
Founded: 1947

86. EBS University for business and law

Hesse | Wiesbaden

For Political Science

#553 in Europe

#1492 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Enrollment: 2,227
Founded: 1971

87. Zeppelin University

Baden-Wurttemberg | Friedrichshafen

For Political Science

#580 in Europe

#1591 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 805
Founded: 2003

88. University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Management

North Rhine-Westphalia | Essen

For Political Science

#582 in Europe

#1598 in the World

Enrollment: 47,098
Founded: 1993

89. Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus - Senftenberg

Brandenburg | Senftenberg

For Political Science

#585 in Europe

#1607 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 7,280
Founded: 2013

90. Munich University of Applied Sciences

Bavaria | Munich

For Political Science

#591 in Europe

#1642 in the World

Enrollment: 18,183
Founded: 1971

91. Bauhaus - University Weimar

Thuringia | Weimar

For Political Science

#599 in Europe

#1662 in the World

Enrollment: 3,988
Founded: 1860

92. Freiberg University of Technology

Saxony | Freiberg

For Political Science

#602 in Europe

#1672 in the World

Enrollment: 4,016
Founded: 1765

93. Berlin University of Applied Sciences

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Political Science

#608 in Europe

#1694 in the World

Enrollment: 14,167
Founded: 1994

94. Cologne University of Applied Sciences

North Rhine-Westphalia | Cologne

For Political Science

#609 in Europe

#1695 in the World

Enrollment: 27,000
Founded: 1971

95. University of Vechta

Lower Saxony | Vechta

For Political Science

#630 in Europe

#1782 in the World

Enrollment: 4,540
Founded: 1830

96. University of Flensburg

Schleswig-Holstein | Flensburg

For Political Science

#632 in Europe

#1784 in the World

Enrollment: 5,333
Male:Female: 29:71
Founded: 1946

97. University of Banking of Frankfurt

Hesse | Frankfurt

For Political Science

#635 in Europe

#1800 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 1,278
Founded: 1957

98. Fulda University of Applied Sciences

Hesse | Fulda

For Political Science

#644 in Europe

#1855 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Enrollment: 9,289
Founded: 1974

99. Clausthal University of Technology

Lower Saxony | Clausthal-Zellerfeld

For Political Science

#656 in Europe

#1910 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 3,446
Founded: 1775

100. College of Education, Ludwigsburg

Baden-Wurttemberg | Ludwigsburg

For Political Science

#658 in Europe

#1915 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Enrollment: 5,620
Founded: 1962

The best cities to study Political Science in Germany based on the number of universities and their ranks are Hamburg, Heidelberg, Munich, and Frankfurt.