Political Sciences

The Master of Research in Political Science offers a solid academic and professional training. It is open to all students interested in political science, who want to deepen their knowledge of political processes, to improve their ability to analyze current events, and to acquire more experience in conducting social science research. It consists of a core set of compulsory classes in research methods and quantitative methods, and offers a wide range of optional classes, covering most areas of political science (comparative politics, political economy, EU integration, public policies, political behaviour, political theory, and more). The Master of Research in Political Science culminates in the writing of a final thesis, based on an independent research project. This programme will prepare you to start a PhD or a professional career requiring strong analytical skills, as well as an independent and critical mind.

The Master of Research in Political Science is taught entirely in English. Students come from all over the world, creating an international and cosmopolitan atmosphere. Seminars and lectures are in small groups, giving participants many possibilities to interact with their fellow students and with professors.

Moreover, you have the possibility to opt for a two-year, double degree programme in conjunction with a partner university, such as the University of Konstanz (Germany) or the University of Warwick (UK). This means that you study one year in each institution, write a single Master thesis, and receive a Master degree from each university.

Compulsory courses (25 ECTS):

• Fundamentals of Political and Social Research (Aina Gallego)
• Idioms of Analysis in Political Science (Jaume López)
• Techniques of Statistical Analysis I (Group I - Romain Lachat, Group II - Jorge Rodríguez)
• Techniques of Statistical Analysis II (Group I - Aïda Solé, Group II - Bruno Arpino)
• Master Thesis Seminar (Romain Lachat)

Optional courses (all courses are 5 ECTS, students must choose 3 courses):

• Electoral Systems (Ignacio Lago)
• Federalism and Federations: Political Theory and Comparative Politics (Klaus-Jürgen Nagel)
• The Current Financial and Economic Crises and their Impact on the Social Wellbeing of Populations (Vicenç Navarro)
• Research and Data Analysis Seminar (Juana Lamote and Gösta Esping-Anderson)
• The Construction of the EU and its Consequences on the European Population (Javier Arregui)
• Migration and Society (Pau Baizán)
• Qualitative Research Methods (Evren Yalaz)
• Democracy and Political Liberalism: Theoretical and Institutional Features (Ferran Requejo)
• Actors and Institutions in the Analysis of Public Policies (Visnja Vukov)
• Citizenship and Democracy in the European Union (Mariano Torcal)
• Comparative Political Economy: Regimes, Conflict and Development (Abel Escribà)
• Social Psychological Approaches to Society and the Individual (Verònica Benet-Martínez)
• Multilevel Political Competition: Parties, Citizens and Elections (Carolina Galais)
• Labor Market and Employment Policies (Luis Ortíz)

Requirements

• Official undergraduate degree/diploma and the corresponding academic transcript, with the average grade at your home university.
• Curriculum Vitae in English.
• A letter of motivation in English stating the candidate's interest in following the master's programme (maximum length: 2 pages).
• Two letters of recommendation (both academic).
• Identity Card or Passport. 
• Proof of English language (level B2). English: official Cambridge certificates (FCE or higher), with results of 6.0 at IELTS or 100 at TOEFL (iBT), will be accepted, among others.
• Professional experience in any of the fields related to the master's programme.(optional)
• Research experience.(optional)
• Teaching experience. (optional)
• Additional academic training in areas related to the master's programme.(optional)

Scholarships

• GRAL - General scholarships for students enrolled on post-compulsory studies.  
• MATRC - Financial credential for the purposes of processing university enrolments without prior payment of the public prices for the academic services.
• UPF - Tuition fee scholarship for university master's degree students
• Global Education