Program Overview

Master's in Political Science

The Master's program in Political Science at the University of Bern addresses central research questions related to modern democracies, democratic systems, and the characteristics and effects of direct democracy. The program focuses on political sociology, including the study of changes in political and social attitudes and analyses of voting behavior in democracies. Additional topics covered include political parties, interest groups, economic, social, and environmental policies, international relations, and the fundamentals of political theory.

Program Structure

• The Master's degree program in Political Science consists of a major with 90 ECTS credits and a minor with 30 ECTS credits.
• Students are required to attend courses in three out of seven subject fields: political theory, political system of Switzerland, political system of the EU, international relations, comparative political science, policy analysis, and political sociology.
• A semester of study at a university with a teaching language other than German is required, with a maximum of 30 credits to be attained during this semester.

Combination Possibilities

• Any subject taught in a sufficient scope at the University of Bern can be chosen as a minor.
• However, students are not permitted to have a major and minor in the same branch of study.
• The minor in Administrative Science (30 ECTS) can only be taken by master students majoring in Political Science or Sport Science at the University of Bern.

Master Thesis

• The Master program is completed when the master thesis is submitted.
• Students must agree on the content requirements for the master thesis with their advisor.
• Authorized advisors for the master thesis include:
  • Prof. Dr. Marc B𢞴lmann
  • Prof. Dr. Manfred Elsig (WTI)
  • Prof. Dr. Markus Freitag
  • Prof. Dr. Karin Ingold
  • Prof. Dr. Fritz Sager (KPM)
  • Prof. Dr. Isabelle Stadelmann-Steffen
  • Prof. Dr. Adrian Vatter
  • Prof. Dr. Fabio Wasserfallen
• Generally, the student must have attended at least one seminar taught by the professor in question.

Guidelines and Colloquium

• Guidelines for Writing a Master Thesis are provided in a document (PDF, 136KB).
• An initial concept for the thesis is presented and discussed in one of the three specialized Master Colloquia: Policy Analysis and Regulation, Swiss Politics and Political Sociology, and Comparative Politics and the Political System of the EU.
• Participation in an MA Colloquium requires prior consultation with, and the agreement of, the advisor as regards the specific research topic of the master thesis.

Degree Completion

• The application for the completion of a Master's degree must be submitted to the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences.

Additional Information

• Additional information on the colloquia and participation requirements can be found in the Core Teaching System (CTS) and the ILIAS.
• Documents required when the master thesis is submitted include a Declaration of Academic Integrity and a permission form allowing the university library to lend out the work.

Requirements

• Individual academic requirements for admission to the master's degree program include:
  • Major in Political Science (90 ECTS credits): Bachelor's degree from a recognized university with a major or minor in Political Science or Social Sciences (at least 60 ECTS credits with courses in basic methodology).
  • Minor in Political Science (30 ECTS credits): Bachelor's degree from a recognized university with a minor in Political Science or Social Sciences (minimum of 30 ECTS credits).
  • Minor in Administrative Science (30 ECTS credits): Admission to the master's degree program in Political Science (major) at the University of Bern.
• Recognition of the bachelor's degree will be individually decided upon if the degree is more than six years old. Additional attainments may be required.

Language Requirements

• Sufficient knowledge of German is required to understand source texts, lectures, or examination questions.
• Written or oral examinations can be taken in German, French, or English.

Application and Admission

• General admission requirements and application deadlines are specified.
• Application procedures differ for current UniBE students, applicants with a Swiss degree, and applicants with an international degree.
• For questions regarding application and admission, students should contact the Admissions Office.