Political Science

Power shapes politics, but what shapes power in the 21st Century? The Radboud Master's programme in Political Science offers a unique opportunity for highly motivated students to prepare for a rewarding career in leading positions in the public and private sector. Within the Master's Political Science, you have a choice between seven Master's specialisations. Moreover, our Master's programme offers Dual Degree programmes with the American University in Washington, DC and with the University of Glasgow.

Specialisations

  • Comparative Politics

    Master's specialisation EN

    The Comparative Politics Master’s provides new insights into configurations of political power around the world. We study changes in democracy and political representation, modern authoritarianism and populism, and how political parties, citizens and social movements achieve political change.

  • Conflict, Power and Politics

    Master's specialisation EN

    In this specialisation you will become familiar with the nature of violent conflict in the 21st Century. How can we explain the origins and development of violent conflicts? What are the effects of international interventions in violent conflicts? What are the conditions for an enduring peace?

  • European Union Politics and Governance | Political Science

    Master's specialisation EN

    How can the effectiveness of EU policy be ensured? How does the EU engage with societal actors, and what effect does this have on the EU's legitimacy? This multidisciplinary Master's equips you with cutting-edge insights from politics and governance to tackle questions like these.

  • Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Politics

    Master's specialisation EN

    This specialisation introduces you to issues and ongoing debates in the field of gender and diversity studies in organisations and politics. It also offers the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the state of the art in the field.

  • Global Political Economy

    Master's specialisation EN

    Learn to understand and explain the interrelatedness of global politics and global economics. Uncover the power struggles behind policy choices in the field of trade, finance, climate and investment.

  • International Relations

    Master's specialisation EN

    Tackling global issues in the 21st century, such as war, human rights, and climate change, requires a deeper understanding of the essential players that shape global politics: states, intergovernmental organisations, media, multinationals, and NGOs.

  • Political Theory

    Master's specialisation EN

    Study various aspects of the relationship between political power and morality. The central question here is whether political principles, institutions, and practices can ever be legitimate. What may we force each other to do? What should we do?

  • Social Sciences and Humanities Education: Social Studies

    Master's NL

    If you want to obtain your first-degree teaching qualification in Social Studies and the Social Sciences, and you would also like to study Sociology at Master’s level, become an academic teacher.

  • Social and Cultural Science: Comparative Research on Societies (research)

    Research Master's EN

    Have you ever wondered how diversity, solidarity and inequality are connected? Or how to counter radicalisation? How segregation in social networks arises? How organisational processes influence inequality? This programme is the one for you!

Pre-Master's

When your education background does not grant you direct admission to the Master's programme in Political Science , you can, in some cases, enrol in a pre-Master's programme. A pre-Master’s programme is (usually) a one-year programme (60 EC’s) especially designed to bridge the gap between your prior education and our Master’s in Political Science. Finishing one of these programmes grants direct access to the Master’s programme.

  • Pre-Master's Political Science

    Pre-Master's EN

    The pre-Master's programme Political Science is designed to bridge the gap between your prior education and our Master's specialisations in Political Science.