Political Science at University of Antwerp

The Master of Political Science provides students with specialist, in-depth knowledge of decision-making in politics. We study political decision-making from the perspective of the citizen, the politician, the policy professional and institutions, using cases from local, national, European and international politics.

Start: September

 
Application deadline:
EEA national: half May
Non-EEA national: End of February

Request a brochure

More information on this programme? Visit the website!

next: Course Content »

Content

In our core courses we explore:
 

• How and why citizens participate in politics. Who participates and who does not?
• How elected politicians translate their political preferences into political action.
• What impact can policy professionals such as advisors, consultants or civil servants have on policy decisions?
• How institutions constrain and enable the potential for political cooperation.
   

Besides the compulsory courses you can further tailor your programme to your personal interests. The electives cluster has a variety of courses on issues from national and international politics.
 

Do you have the ambition to work in an international context? An active command of English, including knowledge of international political jargon, is necessary. The entire Master’s programme is taught in English and prepares you to access a professional environment in which English plays an increasingly important role.
 

You will be trained to become a political analyst. You will familiarise yourself with essential theories such as veto-player theory, collective-action theory, bargaining theories and principal-agent theory. Your lecturers are high-ranking specialists in their field. We educate experts who are able to understand, explain and influence outcomes of decision-making in a rapidly evolving political context.
 

You will obtain the skills to apply the knowledge you will acquire. In the Master’s programme we use activating teaching methods in small groups to allow a high degree of interaction among students and between students and teachers. One example of this activating teaching method is the skills lab. The skills lab allows you to practice some of the core skills involved in political decision-making, such as argumentation, debating, negotiation and lobbying. Your skills will be trained in practice by means of exercises and short simulations, using real-life situations and feedback from professionals.
 

Doing research trains your ability as a critical, professional thinker. In your Master’s thesis you will integrate the theoretical, analytical and communication skills you have acquired. Courses on research design and methods will help you to develop your proficiency in methodological knowledge.

Faculty of Social Sciences | 60 ECTS | 1 year | Full-time

Contact: Wouter.VanDooren@uantwerp.be – www.uantwerp.be/master-political-science

More information on this programme? Visit the website!

« back: Brief profile

next: Career »

Career

Although the title of Master of Political Science is a ticket to a whole range of professions, the Master’s programme is foremost a preparation for some specific occupational fields.

• Policy officer, political advisor or external representative in regional, national or international governments
• Researcher at academic institutions or research departments of political parties and interest groups
• Supporting and lobbying positions within international companies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• Advisor, consultant, account manager in private sector
• Political journalist, media officer or spokesperson

More information on this programme? Visit the website!

« back: Course Content

next: Admission »

Admission

You need an academic bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Communications Sciences, Sociology, Social and Economic Sciences or equivalent. Bachelor’s degrees such as Public Administration and European Studies will be considered as well. In some cases the successful completion of a preparatory programme (15 to 90 ECTS credits, only available in Dutch) may be required.

You are required to demonstrate proficiency in English.

It is possible to apply while you are in the final year of your academic bachelor programme.

More information on this programme? Visit the website!

« back: Career

next: Masters »

Overview of Masters programmes - University of Antwerp

		Applied Ecohydrology (MAEH) (Erasmus Mundus)
		Applied Economic Sciences: Economic Policy
		Biology: Biodiversity: Conservation and Restoration
		Biology: Global Change Biology
		Biomedical Sciences: Infectious and Tropical Diseases
		Biomedical Sciences: Neurosciences
		Business Economics
		Business Engineering: Financial Engineering
		Chemistry
		China-EU Cultural Curatorship Studies (Postgraduate programme)
		Computer Science
		Development Evaluation and Management (Advanced Master)
		Digital Business Engineering
		Digital Text Analysis
		Electronics and ICT Engineering Technology
		Energy and Climate (Postgraduate programme)
		Epidemiology (MEPI)
		Globalisation and Development (Advanced Master)
		Governance and Development (Advanced Master)
		Laws (LL.M)
		Leading International Vaccinology Education (LIVE) (Erasmus Mundus)
		Linguistics and Literary Studies
		Physics
		Political Science
		Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy
		Water Sustainability: Integrating Technology- and Nature-based Solutions (Think Water) (Advanced Master)

More information on this programme? Visit the website!

« back: Admission

next: Why this university? »

Why this university?

Let our students tell you why!

Blake Alexander Simmons (USA) - M.Sc. in Biology – Biodiversity: Conservation and Restoration
“This study programme can be considered as pretty international, since almost half of my fellow students are from abroad. I think it’s a great enrichment if you have so much different knowledge and many points of view around. This study experience will certainly make me a better biologist.”

Cyril France (Ghana) - M.Sc. in Development Evaluation and Management
“The study programme is well structured and followed by students from all over the world, which brings a lot of diversity in the classroom.”

Julia Port (Germany) – M.Sc. in Biomedical Sciences: Infectious and Tropical Diseases
“Compared to other European programmes on infectious and tropical diseases, UAntwerp offers courses on broader subject areas such as public health, healthcare, statistics and epidemiology.”

Juliana Pinheiro Maia (Brazil) - M.Sc. in Applied Economic Sciences: Business Administration
“The cases we cover are international and not only considered from a European point of view. The teaching level is very high and the system itself is tough, since there is only one exam at the end of each term.”

Phui San Cheong (Malaysia) – M.Sc. in Computer Science: Computer Networks and Distributed Systems
“The course is quite challenging. The Lecturers expect a lot from the students, so it’s important that you have the required academic background before starting your studies here.”

Slaviša Milovanovi? (Serbia) – M.Sc. in Physics
“UAntwerp has one of the most productive research groups and finest experts.”

Zeynep Savran (Turkey) – M.Sc. in Applied Economic Sciences: Economic Policy
“The thing I like the most in Belgium is how respectful people are for each other, regardless religion or political ideology, for instance. They have respect for diversity, I would say.”

Read all testimonials at: www.uantwerp.be/internationaldegreestudent/testimonials

More information on this programme? Visit the website!

« back: Masters programme

next: Contact »