Master's specialisation of Political Science | Joint programme optionalInternational Relations
Tackling contemporary global problems in the 21st century, such as war and violent conflict, geopolitical and economic competition, rising inequalities, pandemics, climate change, or artificial intelligence requires a deeper understanding of the essential dynamics, actors, and factors that shape global politics.
Something for you?
- You are motivated by the challenges posed by globalisation, digitisation, populism, climate change, and violent conflict, and you seek to understand and address them using appropriate analytical tools.
- You want to grasp the complexity and diversity of today’s political and normative struggles in an increasingly uncertain world.
- struggles in an increasingly uncertain world.
- You are eager to explore how political choices are legitimised and contested globally. You want to understand multilevel diplomacy, violent conflict, the global contestation of norms and order, and how power and competition shape and are shaped by different interests, ideas, and identities around the world.
- You enjoy addressing global challenges by participating in a vibrant and passionate academic community of students and teachers.
- This programme has an above-average score compared to the national average on three of the five core subjects (Source: Keuzegids 2025).
Admission requirements
Do you want to know if you can be admitted? Read more about the admission requirements of this programme.
Admission and applicationFactsheet
- Main language
- English
- Study duration
- 1 year (60 EC)
- Start
- September
- Contact hours
- 5-10
- Number of students
- 38
- Programme format
- Full time
- Degree
- Master of Science, specialisation of Political Science
- Faculty
- Nijmegen School of Management
- CROHO code
- 60203
- Accreditation
- NVAO
What will you learn
This specialisation offers an in-depth exploration of global challenges and the strategies to address them, focusing on key concepts such as power, security, cooperation, contestation, and order. You will develop an advanced understanding of diverse theoretical perspectives that analyse how international political structures, systems, and actors—including states, international organisations, non-state entities, and individuals—shape our ability to prevent war, foster cooperation, and tackle pressing global issues like climate change, pandemics, war crimes or pervasive inequality. Additionally, you will gain practical skills in designing, implementing, and evaluating foreign policy solutions while enhancing the global community’s capacity for peaceful collaboration, effective diplomacy, and collective solidarity.
Study programmeFuture career opportunities
Alumni have outstanding analytical skills, are trained in professional, policy and academic writing as well as oral communication in English and Dutch, and have acquired extensive experience in working independently and succinctly with large amounts of information, including in teams. This makes them well suited for positions such as:
- Policy-maker or analyst in international organisations (including the EU), government departments, or political parties
- Consultant or project manager in companies as well as (international) non-governmental organisations
- Banks and other financial institutions, including in political risk management or scenario analysis
- Junior lecturers and/or PhD candidates as well as researchers in think-tanks or specialised institutes
Research
Radboud faculty investigate, among many others, some of the following, urgent research questions. Students regularly participate in such research as assistants, interns or as part of their courses and theses:
- How do populists and autocrats challenge international norms and order – and how should resilient societies respond?
- What is the role of emergent technologies such as AI in diplomacy, trade, and war?
- How can the international community best tackle climate change in a way that is politically feasible, equitable, fair, and sustainable?
- How does renewed great power competition affect human security in different regions across the globe
Questions about this programme?
Do you have a question about this programme? We're happy to help. Please contact us, ask a student or check out our information activities.
ContactTuitions & grants
If you are going to follow this Master's programme, you will pay an annual tuition fee. There are different tuition rates. The amount depends on your personal situation.
Tuition