Degree program International Relations (Bachelor)
accredited

Admission requirements

To be admitted to the degree program, applicants must have completed a general university entrance qualification (Abitur) or a comparable university entrance qualification.

NC (numerus clausus) selection procedure

Applicants are evaluated using a points-based ranking system that considers both academic achievement and additional qualifications documented in the application.

Besides secondary school grades, particular weight is given to international experience, internships, periods of study abroad, foreign language proficiency, extracurricular engagement, volunteer work, international activities, as well as interpersonal and social skills.
General information about the selection process for degree programs with restricted admission as well as the threshold values for previous admission cycles can be found here.
A summary in English of the selection process for degree programs with restricted admission can be found here.

German language requirements

International applicants and German applicants with a foreign university entrance qualification are kindly advised to read the requirements for German-language courses.

Information regarding Studienkolleg

Applicants with a foreign university entrance qualification that does not grant them direct access to university education in Germany pursuant to the qualification comparability regulations of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs must attend a Preparatory College (Studienkolleg) prior to studying. You can acquire the subject-specific university entrance qualification here. Further information can be found on the website of the Preparatory College (Studienkolleg).
This degree program relates to the following specialized course at the Studienkolleg:
W-course

General information about the degree program

The degree program is characterized by:
• an interdisciplinary curriculum centered on the core fields of International Business, International Law, and International Politics, supplemented by studies in the social sciences;
• the opportunity to specialize in one of three areas: International Business, International Law, or International Politics;
• the integration of intensive language training in two modern foreign languages;
• a compulsory semester abroad and internships;
• continuous assessment throughout the program (with credits awarded under the European Credit Transfer System, ECTS) and the conferral of the internationally recognized Bachelor of Arts degree.

Through this program, TU Dresden responds to the growing demand for internationally qualified professionals driven by increasing internationalization and globalization. Graduates are prepared for careers in business, politics, and public administration, particularly within multinational and international organizations.

Study contents

Students earn a total of 180 ECTS credits by successfully completing the program's module examinations, corresponding to an average of 30 ECTS credits per semester.

In keeping with the interdisciplinary nature of the program, students pursue the three core disciplines — International Law, International Politics, and International Economics — in equal amounts, through both compulsory and elective modules. Students may pursue an individual specialization within one of these three core disciplines through their complementary qualifications and Bachelor's thesis.

The program also includes intensive language training, enabling students to achieve effective oral and written communication skills in two modern foreign languages. All students study English and one additional language: French or Spanish (prior knowledge required), or Russian or Japanese (no prior knowledge required).

International Law (30 ECTS)
Compulsory modules: 25 ECTS
— Introduction to Public International Law
— Introduction to European Union Law
— Special Topics in Public International Law
— Law of International Organizations
— International Human Rights Protection
Elective compulsory module: min. 5 ECTS

International Politics (30 ECTS)
Compulsory modules: 15 ECTS
— Introduction to Political Systems
— Introduction to International Relations
Elective compulsory module: min. 15 ECTS

International Economics (30 ECTS)
Compulsory modules: 20 ECTS
— Introduction to Economics
— Introduction to Microeconomics
— Introduction to Macroeconomics
— International Economic Policy
Elective compulsory module: min. 10 ECTS

Interdisciplinary Studies (15 ECTS)
— Interdisciplinary Introduction
— Current Topics in International Relations
— Global Risks - Current Issues in International Relations

Language Training
— English Academic Writing and International Negotiations (5 ECTS)
— Either French, Spanish, Russian or Japanese
French or Spanish (20 ECTS each)
• Introduction to Professional and Academic Language
• Introduction to Professional, Academic and Legal Language
• Academic Writing
• International Negotiations

or Russian (25 ECTS)
• Elementary Level
• Advanced Elementary Level
• Intermediate Level
• Intermediate Level 2 Russian
• Introduction to Professional and Specialized Russian

or Japanese (25 ECTS)
• Elementary Level
• Advanced Elementary Level
• Intermediate Level
• Upper Intermediate Level
• Advanced Upper Intermediate Level

Study Semester Abroad
The fifth semester is spent at a recognized university abroad. During this semester, students complete graded academic work equivalent to at least 20 ECTS credits, which counts toward the Bachelor's degree.

In addition, successful completion of a mandatory internship of at least six weeks (8 ECTS), alongside a Bachelor's thesis in one of the three core disciplines (6 ECTS), is required for graduation.

Detailed information can be found in the academic documents.

Particularities

PREPARATION FOR YOUR STUDIES
TU Dresden offers a compact and interactive online preparatory course covering the key areas of mathematics to help you get off to an optimal start in your studies. This means you can prepare at your own pace, anytime and anywhere.

Numerous exercises and test questions provide you with the opportunity to check whether you have properly understood the material. Our tutors will answer your questions about the course material both by email and in the forum. The course is aimed at high school students in the 11th and 12th grades as well as first-year university students. The course is free of charge. For more information on how to use the platform and links to the online courses, please visit this site.

Stay abroad

A semester abroad during the fifth semester is a compulsory component of the International Relations Bachelor's program. Students may apply for exchange places at the Center for International Studies (ZIS) partner universities or through TU Dresden's International Office. The International Office also provides information on funding opportunities and publishes reports from previous exchange students.

Mandatory internship during studies

6 weeks
A small selection of past internship placements for students of International Relations can be found on this site.

Occupational fields

The program equips graduates to:
• analyze the political, legal, economic, and social structures of an increasingly interconnected world;
• independently gather, evaluate, and interpret information from an interdisciplinary perspective;
• integrate diverse disciplinary viewpoints and collaborate across both professional and national boundaries; and
• communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in two modern foreign languages.

Like many degree programs in the social sciences, the Bachelor's program in International Relations prepares graduates for a wide range of career paths. Most graduates continue with a Master's degree before entering the job market. Typical employers in this field include: international organizations (such as the World Bank, WTO, IMF, ILO, and UNESCO), institutions of the European Union, government ministries (e.g., foreign affairs, development, or economic affairs), media organizations, foundations, management consulting firms, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), internationally active companies, and universities in Germany and abroad.

Postgraduate studies

A selection of successful applications by Bachelor’s graduates of International Relations to Master’s programs in Germany and abroad (not intended to be exhaustive or representative) can be found on the site of the Center for International Studies.

Under “advanced degree programs,” you can find Master’s degree programs for Bachelor’s graduates of International Relations offered at TU Dresden.

Study documents

The official announcements of TU Dresden include all published regulations . Please use the search bar to find the document you need: Official proclamation

The regulations are also available on each institution’s website.

Contacts

Central Student Information and Counselling Service

Centre for International Studies

Admissions Office

International Office

Additional information