100 Best universities for Political Science in Germany

Updated: March 02, 2025

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 14.7M citations received by 794K 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

#26 in Europe

#96 in the World

Enrollment: 43,957
Founded: 1919

2. Heidelberg University - Germany

Baden-Wurttemberg | Heidelberg

For Political Science

#30 in Europe

#108 in the World

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

3. University of Munich

Bavaria | Munich

For Political Science

#32 in Europe

#113 in the World

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

4. Goethe University of Frankfurt am Main

Hesse | Frankfurt

For Political Science

#42 in Europe

#132 in the World

Enrollment: 43,461
Founded: 1914

5. Free University of Berlin

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Political Science

#48 in Europe

#147 in the World

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

6. University of Munster

North Rhine-Westphalia | Munster

For Political Science

#65 in Europe

#186 in the World

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

7. University of Cologne

North Rhine-Westphalia | Cologne

For Political Science

#71 in Europe

#199 in the World

Enrollment: 52,204
Male:Female: 39:61
Founded: 1388

8. Technical University of Munich

Bavaria | Munich

For Political Science

#72 in Europe

#200 in the World

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

9. Humboldt University of Berlin

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Political Science

#77 in Europe

#214 in the World

Enrollment: 36,232
Founded: 1809

10. University of Erlangen Nuremberg

Bavaria | Erlangen

For Political Science

#80 in Europe

#222 in the World

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

11. RWTH Aachen University

North Rhine-Westphalia | Aachen

For Political Science

#83 in Europe

#231 in the World

Enrollment: 47,521
Founded: 1870

12. University of Freiburg

Baden-Wurttemberg | Freiburg im Breisgau

For Political Science

#84 in Europe

#233 in the World

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

13. University of Bremen

Bremen State | Bremen City

For Political Science

#91 in Europe

#241 in the World

Enrollment: 17,984
Founded: 1971

14. University of Bielefeld

North Rhine-Westphalia | Bielefeld

For Political Science

#95 in Europe

#248 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 24,488
Founded: 1969

15. Dresden University of Technology

Saxony | Dresden

For Political Science

#96 in Europe

#249 in the World

Enrollment: 31,517
Founded: 1828

16. University of Bonn

North Rhine-Westphalia | Bonn

For Political Science

#97 in Europe

#251 in the World

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

17. University of Gottingen

Lower Saxony | Gottingen

For Political Science

#99 in Europe

#254 in the World

Enrollment: 31,619
Founded: 1734

18. Technical University of Berlin

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Political Science

#101 in Europe

#256 in the World

Enrollment: 34,842
Founded: 1946

19. University of Mannheim

Baden-Wurttemberg | Mannheim

For Political Science

#109 in Europe

#276 in the World

Enrollment: 11,532
Founded: 1907

20. University of Duisburg - Essen

North Rhine-Westphalia | Essen

For Political Science

#112 in Europe

#280 in the World

Enrollment: 43,281
Founded: 2003

21. University of Tubingen

Baden-Wurttemberg | Tubingen

For Political Science

#116 in Europe

#287 in the World

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

22. Ruhr University Bochum

North Rhine-Westphalia | Bochum

For Political Science

#118 in Europe

#294 in the World

Enrollment: 42,954
Founded: 1962

23. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

Baden-Wurttemberg | Karlsruhe

For Political Science

#124 in Europe

#311 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

#324 in the World

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

25. University of Leipzig

Saxony | Leipzig

For Political Science

#132 in Europe

#328 in the World

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

26. University of Marburg

Hesse | Marburg

For Political Science

#138 in Europe

#350 in the World

Enrollment: 22,612
Founded: 1527

27. University of Stuttgart

Baden-Wurttemberg | Stuttgart

For Political Science

#143 in Europe

#356 in the World

Enrollment: 22,616
Founded: 1829

28. Heinrich Heine University of Dusseldorf

North Rhine-Westphalia | Dusseldorf

For Political Science

#149 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

#152 in Europe

#369 in the World

Enrollment: 24,969
Founded: 1877

30. University of Kassel

Hesse | Kassel

For Political Science

#162 in Europe

#387 in the World

Enrollment: 25,043
Male:Female: 50:50
Founded: 1971

31. TU Dortmund University

North Rhine-Westphalia | Dortmund

For Political Science

#165 in Europe

#391 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

#166 in Europe

#394 in the World

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

33. Charite - Medical University of Berlin

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Political Science

#174 in Europe

#410 in the World

Enrollment: 9,340
Founded: 1710

34. Kiel University

Schleswig-Holstein | Kiel

For Political Science

#180 in Europe

#421 in the World

Enrollment: 27,468
Founded: 1665

35. University of Giessen

Hesse | Giessen

For Political Science

#189 in Europe

#442 in the World

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

36. Leibniz University of Hanover

Lower Saxony | Hanover

For Political Science

#190 in Europe

#450 in the World

Enrollment: 28,018
Founded: 1831

37. Friedrich Schiller University of Jena

Thuringia | Jena

For Political Science

#193 in Europe

#458 in the World

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

38. University of Potsdam

Brandenburg | Potsdam

For Political Science

#194 in Europe

#462 in the World

Enrollment: 20,406
Founded: 1991

39. Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg

Saxony-Anhalt | Halle

For Political Science

#203 in Europe

#482 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 20,390
Founded: 1817

40. University of Wurzburg

Bavaria | Wurzburg

For Political Science

#207 in Europe

#493 in the World

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

41. Saarland University

Saarland | Saarbrucken

For Political Science

#210 in Europe

#498 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 36%
Enrollment: 16,300
Founded: 1948

42. University of Bamberg

Bavaria | Bamberg

For Political Science

#227 in Europe

#543 in the World

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

43. Braunschweig University of Technology

Lower Saxony | Braunschweig

For Political Science

#231 in Europe

#551 in the World

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

44. University of Regensburg

Bavaria | Regensburg

For Political Science

#236 in Europe

#566 in the World

Enrollment: 20,702
Founded: 1962

45. Osnabruck University

Lower Saxony | Osnabruck

For Political Science

#249 in Europe

#598 in the World

Enrollment: 13,628
Founded: 1974

46. Leuphana University of Luneburg

Lower Saxony | Luneburg

For Political Science

#250 in Europe

#600 in the World

Enrollment: 9,620
Founded: 1946

47. University of Ulm

Baden-Wurttemberg | Ulm

For Political Science

#252 in Europe

#605 in the World

Enrollment: 10,164
Founded: 1967

48. University of Paderborn

North Rhine-Westphalia | Paderborn

For Political Science

#257 in Europe

#613 in the World

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

49. Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg

Lower Saxony | Oldenburg

For Political Science

#264 in Europe

#629 in the World

Enrollment: 15,899
Founded: 1973

50. University of Bayreuth

Bavaria | Bayreuth

For Political Science

#270 in Europe

#649 in the World

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

51. University of Siegen

North Rhine-Westphalia | Siegen

For Political Science

#272 in Europe

#660 in the World

Enrollment: 17,805
Founded: 1972

52. University of Hohenheim

Baden-Wurttemberg | Stuttgart

For Political Science

#273 in Europe

#661 in the World

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

53. University of Wuppertal

North Rhine-Westphalia | Wuppertal

For Political Science

#279 in Europe

#677 in the World

Enrollment: 22,601
Founded: 1972

54. University of Hagen

North Rhine-Westphalia | Hagen

For Political Science

#287 in Europe

#692 in the World

Enrollment: 71,351
Founded: 1974

55. Technical University of Kaiserslautern

Rhineland-Palatinate | Kaiserslautern

For Political Science

#291 in Europe

#698 in the World

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

56. Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg

Saxony-Anhalt | Magdeburg

For Political Science

#293 in Europe

#704 in the World

Enrollment: 13,143
Founded: 1993

57. Hannover Medical School

Lower Saxony | Hanover

For Political Science

#294 in Europe

#706 in the World

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

58. University of Augsburg

Bavaria | Augsburg

For Political Science

#296 in Europe

#710 in the World

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

59. University of Trier

Rhineland-Palatinate | Trier

For Political Science

#300 in Europe

#724 in the World

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

60. Chemnitz University of Technology

Saxony | Chemnitz

For Political Science

#323 in Europe

#793 in the World

Enrollment: 9,873
Founded: 1836

61. University of Rostock

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | Rostock

For Political Science

#328 in Europe

#805 in the World

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

62. University of Passau

Bavaria | Passau

For Political Science

#348 in Europe

#846 in the World

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

63. Witten/Herdecke University

North Rhine-Westphalia | Witten

For Political Science

#358 in Europe

#876 in the World

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

64. University of Koblenz-Landau

Rhineland-Palatinate | Koblenz

For Political Science

#363 in Europe

#889 in the World

Enrollment: 15,757
Founded: 1990

65. Munich University of the Federal Armed Forces

Bavaria | Neubiberg

For Political Science

#391 in Europe

#957 in the World

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

66. Folkwang University of the Arts

North Rhine-Westphalia | Essen

For Political Science

#396 in Europe

#971 in the World

Enrollment: 1,506
Founded: 1927

67. European University Viadrina

Brandenburg | Frankfurt

For Political Science

#398 in Europe

#976 in the World

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

68. University of Lubeck

Schleswig-Holstein | Lubeck

For Political Science

#399 in Europe

#979 in the World

Enrollment: 5,968
Founded: 1964

69. University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg

Hamburg State | Hamburg City

For Political Science

#400 in Europe

#982 in the World

Enrollment: 2,587
Founded: 1972

70. Aachen University of Applied Sciences

North Rhine-Westphalia | Aachen

For Political Science

#414 in Europe

#1023 in the World

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

71. University of Erfurt

Thuringia | Erfurt

For Political Science

#416 in Europe

#1027 in the World

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

72. Catholic University of Eichstatt-Ingolstadt

Bavaria | Eichstatt

For Political Science

#430 in Europe

#1060 in the World

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

73. Hamburg University of Technology

Hamburg State | Hamburg City

For Political Science

#436 in Europe

#1077 in the World

Enrollment: 7,223
Founded: 1978

74. Berlin School of Economics and Law

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Political Science

#437 in Europe

#1079 in the World

Enrollment: 12,246
Founded: 1971

75. WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management

Rhineland-Palatinate | Vallendar

For Political Science

#445 in Europe

#1108 in the World

Enrollment: 1,669
Founded: 1984

76. Ilmenau University of Technology

Thuringia | Ilmenau

For Political Science

#465 in Europe

#1165 in the World

Enrollment: 4,889
Founded: 1953

77. University of Hildesheim

Lower Saxony | Hildesheim

For Political Science

#468 in Europe

#1173 in the World

Enrollment: 8,307
Founded: 1978

78. Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences

Hesse | Darmstadt

For Political Science

#473 in Europe

#1190 in the World

Enrollment: 16,136
Male:Female: 61:39
Founded: 1971

79. Bauhaus - University Weimar

Thuringia | Weimar

For Political Science

#474 in Europe

#1195 in the World

Enrollment: 3,988
Founded: 1860

80. University of Applied Sciences Dusseldorf

North Rhine-Westphalia | Dusseldorf

For Political Science

#477 in Europe

#1212 in the World

Enrollment: 11,170
Founded: 1971

81. University of Greifswald

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | Greifswald

For Political Science

#482 in Europe

#1234 in the World

Enrollment: 10,366
Founded: 1456

82. Hertie School of Governance

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Political Science

#508 in Europe

#1325 in the World

Enrollment: 586
Founded: 2003

83. Mainz University of Applied Sciences

Rhineland-Palatinate | Mainz

For Political Science

#511 in Europe

#1338 in the World

Enrollment: 5,786
Founded: 1996

84. Jacobs University Bremen

Bremen State | Bremen City

For Political Science

#516 in Europe

#1358 in the World

Enrollment: 1,531
Founded: 2001

85. Hamburg University of Applied Sciences

Hamburg State | Hamburg City

For Political Science

#522 in Europe

#1375 in the World

Enrollment: 17,125
Founded: 1970

86. German Sport University Cologne

North Rhine-Westphalia | Cologne

For Political Science

#545 in Europe

#1462 in the World

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

87. EBS University for business and law

Hesse | Wiesbaden

For Political Science

#550 in Europe

#1482 in the World

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

88. Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus - Senftenberg

Brandenburg | Senftenberg

For Political Science

#575 in Europe

#1586 in the World

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

89. Zeppelin University

Baden-Wurttemberg | Friedrichshafen

For Political Science

#577 in Europe

#1590 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 805
Founded: 2003

90. Munich University of Applied Sciences

Bavaria | Munich

For Political Science

#584 in Europe

#1605 in the World

Enrollment: 18,183
Founded: 1971

91. University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Management

North Rhine-Westphalia | Essen

For Political Science

#586 in Europe

#1608 in the World

Enrollment: 21,263
Founded: 1993

92. Freiberg University of Technology

Saxony | Freiberg

For Political Science

#594 in Europe

#1637 in the World

Enrollment: 4,016
Founded: 1765

93. Berlin University of Applied Sciences

Brandenburg | Berlin

For Political Science

#601 in Europe

#1661 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

#623 in Europe

#1758 in the World

Enrollment: 4,540
Founded: 1830

96. University of Flensburg

Schleswig-Holstein | Flensburg

For Political Science

#627 in Europe

#1773 in the World

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

97. University of Banking of Frankfurt

Hesse | Frankfurt

For Political Science

#639 in Europe

#1834 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

#1859 in the World

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

99. Clausthal University of Technology

Lower Saxony | Clausthal-Zellerfeld

For Political Science

#645 in Europe

#1863 in the World

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

100. College of Education, Ludwigsburg

Baden-Wurttemberg | Ludwigsburg

For Political Science

#648 in Europe

#1879 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.