Master of Arts (MA) in Political Science

The course differs from the traditional academic approaches to this subject and address politics in its various dimensions - local, national, international, economic, social, and civic - but without losing touch with the reality of the contemporary world. This practical approach helps to highlight the “multi-professional” and innovative dimension of the training offered to students. It is unusual in offering a programme of study that is both specialised and can be tailored to your interests, as well as using a range of innovative teaching formats.

The Master’s degree in Political Science is a cycle of training and specialisation aimed at the acquisition of analytical and research skills specific to a very wide variety of professional sectors. You can specialise in the areas of globalisation, political action, or international history.

The study plan of the Master of Arts in Political Science degree consists of three parts: the core curriculum, the specific orientations, and the Master's thesis. Three specific orientations are offered :

• Globalisation
• Political Action: from Local to Global
• International History

Organiser
Faculty of Social and Political Sciences

Degree awarded
Master of Arts (MA) in Political Science

ECTS credits
120

Duration
4 semesters

Teaching language
French. Recommended level : C1.

Admission requirements
The candidate must hold a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science awarded by a Swiss university.
The holders of Bachelor’s degrees in Political Science awarded by other universities as well as the holders of Bachelor’s degrees in other social science disciplines may be admitted on the basis of their personal case file.
Holders of a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science with a minor in Political Science awarded by the UNIL are admitted unconditionally to the Master of Arts in Political Science.
Another degree or academic title may be judged equivalent and give access to the Master’s degree in Political Science, with or without conditions.

Enrolment and final dates
It is possible to start the programme of the Master of Arts degree in either the Autumn or the Spring semesters.
Applications to be submitted before 30 April (autumn semester) or 30 November (spring semester) to the Admissions Office: www.unil.ch/immat

Candidates needing a visa to study in Switzerland must apply for enrolment at least two months prior to the deadlines indicated above.

More information
Study plan
Timetables and course descriptions

University studies in political science develop, in addition to specific academic skills, a great many skills which are valuable and transferable when students enter the job market: oral and written communication, critical, analytical and summarising faculties, abilities in research, project management and so on.

These skills, combined with specialist knowledge acquired in the course of studies, prepare for a wide range of employment opportunities such as :

• Public or private administration
• Non governmental and international organisations, diplomacy
• Political parties, trade unions, lobbies, national and international think tanks
• Journalism, media, public relations, communication, advertising
• Research and teaching at universities or universities of applied sciences
• Market research and survey institutes, consulting firms.
• Banks, insurance companies, industry (human resources, marketing, analysis, etc.)
• Others : associations and cultural or social institutions, smaller associations, public and private organisations, SMEs, etc.

Alumni move into a wide variety of roles, for example as project or communications manager, journalist, information officer for a federation or public institution, or trade union secretary.