Program Overview

Introduction to the Political Science: Global Politics Programme

The Political Science: Global Politics programme at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the world and its complexities. This programme aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to analyze the causes and effects of power, understand the role of international institutions, and develop their own expertise in the field of political science.

Programme Overview

The programme is small-scale, with engaged teachers and a close-knit, highly diverse student community. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on their own assumptions and convictions, and develop their debating and presentation skills. The programme starts on September 1st.

Curriculum

The curriculum is divided into three years, with each year building on the previous one.

1st Year

In the first year, students will begin with a rigorous introduction to the core concepts and theories of comparative politics, international relations, public administration, and political theory. The subjects covered include:

• Academic Skills Political Science 1
• Comparative Politics: Democracies and Other Regimes
• International Relations: Conflict and Cooperation
• The Governance and Politics of Social Problems
• Social Research Methodology
• Academic Skills Political Science 2
• History of Political Thought
• Descriptive and Inferential Statistics
• Political Analysis of Current Challenges
• History of Social Sciences

2nd Year

In the second year, students will dive more deeply into issues of international politics, studying the role of the EU in the world, global political economy, and international security. The subjects covered include:

• International Relations and Global Governance
• Quantitative Research and Methods in Political Science
• EU Governance in an International Context
• Global Political Economy
• Research Project Political Science 1
• Social Science for Society 1 (Elective)
• Social Science for Society 2 (Elective)
• Qualitative Research and Methods in Political Science
• Comparative Politics
• Research Project Political Science

3rd Year

In the third year, students have a semester of free space, where they can shape their own curriculum. They can study abroad, do an internship, or choose a minor within the social sciences or in another faculty. The subjects covered include:

• Elective space (30EC)
• Philosophy of Science
• Contemporary Political Theory
• Graduation Project Global Politics

Career Prospects

After completing the Bachelor's degree, students can specialize further by following a master's programme, such as the Master of Political Science at VU. As a Political Scientist, students can be employed as a diplomat, advisor, researcher, or policy officer at a government agency or NGO. With their acquired knowledge, they can also go into journalism or business.