Master's Programme in Political Science, 120 Credits

Entry Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree (equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, 180 ECTS) from an internationally recognized university. Special requirements: 90 ECTS in political science or 90 ECTS in peace and conflict studies and at least 30 ECTS in political science. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English A/5.

Degree

After completing the program, 60 credits, students may, on application, obtain a Filosofie Magisterexamen in accordance with the Local Qualifications Ordinance approved by the Vice Chancellor, see http://www.student.umu.se/english/getting-your-degree/degree-requirements/
Filosofie Magisterexamen translates in English to Degree of Master of Science 60 credits. The degree is awarded in the main field of study, Political Science.
 
After completing the program, 120 credits, students may, on application, obtain a Filosofie Masterexamen in accordance with the Local Qualifications Ordinance approved by the Vice Chancellor, see http://www.student.umu.se/english/getting-your-degree/degree-requirements/
Filosofie Masterexamen translates in English to Degree of Master of Science 120 credits. The degree is awarded in the main field of study, Political Science.
 

Description of the education for current education cycle

Second cycle educations should build substantially upon knowledge the students retained during first cycle studies or the equivalent.
Second cycle education shall involve a deepening of knowledge, skills and abilities relative to first cycle education and, in addition to what applies to first cycle education
- further develop students' ability to independently integrate and use knowledge,
- develop students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
- develop students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable independence or for research and development.

Higher Education Act 1 cpt 9 § (Högskolelagen 1 kap 9 §)

National goals for current degree

Degree of Master of Science 60 credits
Knowledge and Understanding
For Degree of Master of Science 60 credits, the students should be able to
- show knowledge and understanding in their main field of study, including both an overview of the field and deeper knowledge of certain parts of the field and insight into current research and development, and
- demonstrate deeper methodological knowledge in their main field of study.

Skills and Abilities
For Degree of Master of Science 60 credits, the students should be able to
- demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge and to analyze, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, even with limited information,
- demonstrate the ability to independently identify and formulate questions to address and to plan and use appropriate methods to carry out advanced tasks within specified time limits;
- demonstrate the ability to verbally and in writing present and discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments behind them, in dialogue with different types of groups, and
- demonstrate the skills required to participate in research and development or to work in other advanced contexts.

Ability to Evaluate and Approach
For Degree of Master of Science 60 credits, the student should be able to
- demonstrate the ability within the main field of study to make judgments with regard to relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects, and demonstrate an awareness of ethical aspects of research and development,
- show insight into the possibilities and limitations of science, its role in society and the human responsibility for its use, and
- demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and to take responsibility for the personal competence development.

Degree of Master of Science 120 credits
Knowledge and Understanding
For Degree of Master of Science 120 credits, the students should be able to
- show knowledge and understanding in their main field of study, including both a broad knowledge of the field and deeper insight into certain parts of the field and insight into current research and development, and
- demonstrate deeper methodological knowledge in their main field of study.

Skills and Abilities
For Degree of Master of Science 120 credits, the students should be able to
- demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and to analyze, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, even with limited information,
- demonstrate the ability to critically, independently and creatively  identify and formulate questions to address, to plan and to use appropriate methods to carry out advanced tasks within specified time limits and by so doing add to the knowledge development and to evaluate this work.
- demonstrate the ability in both national and international contexts, to verbally and in writing present and discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments behind them, in dialogue with different types of  groups, and
- demonstrate the skills required to participate in research and development or to work independently in other advanced contexts.

Ability to Evaluate and Approach
For Degree of Master of Science 120 credits s, the student should be able to
- demonstrate the ability within the main field of study to make judgments with regards to relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects, and demonstrate an awareness of ethical aspects of research and development,
- show insight into the possibilities and limitations of science, its role in society and the human responsibility for its use, and
- demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and to take responsibility for the personal competence development.

Higher Education Ordinance, Appendix 2 - System of Qualifications (Högskoleförordningen, Bilaga 2 – examensordningen)

Examination format

Se current syllabus.

Grades

The program applies a three-point grading scale with the grades, Pass with distinction, Pass and Fail. Those who pass an exam may not retake the exam for a higher grade.
 

Transfer of Credits

Students have the right to have a previous education or work experience assessed for transfer of credits. For more information see Higher Education Ordinance as well as: http://www.student.umu.se/english/getting-your-degree/transfer-of-credits/?languageId=1

It is possible to appeal to the Higher Education Appeals Board upon receiving a negative decision on transfer of credits. A negative decision should also be motivated in writing.

General

The program outline describes which courses are mandatory and which are elective. The choice of elective courses must be confirmed with the Master’s degree program director. The courses are attended in the order specified in the program outline. Information about specific courses can be found in the course syllabus for each course. Courses within the program are in English, but the thesis and other written exams can also be submitted in Swedish.

Elective courses
Elective courses can be part of the program. In order to ensure that the specialization in political science is enough to meet the requirements of the degree, the choice of elective courses mush be confirmed with the Master’s degree program director.

Thesis
For the degree of Master of Science 60 credits, the student must complete a thesis in political science of no less than 15 ECTS. For the degree of Master of Science 120 credits, the student must complete a thesis in political science of no less than 30 ECTS. If a student has previously completed an advanced level thesis in political science of at least 15 ECTS, requirement for the thesis can be reduced, but it must be at least 15 ECTS.

Program outline

Deferment of studies

Deferment of enrollment may be granted if there are extenuating reasons. Examples of extenuating reasons are social, medical or other special circumstances such as child care, student union assignments or postponed leave according to the law (1974:981) on employée’s rights to time off for education. Application for deferment is to be submitted to Student Services.

A negative decision on deferment of enrollment may be appealed to the Higher Education Appeals Board.

Approved leave from studies

A student admitted to the program can apply for an approved leave from the program. The application is submitted to the Program Study Advisor. An approved leave of absence with a guaranteed seat may be granted for the following reasons: social, medical or other extenuating circumstances such as child care or student union assignments. A student with an approved leave of absence without guaranteed seat is given priority to any advertised seats for the later part of the program.

Negative decision concerning the possibility to resume studies after an approved leave of absence can be appealed to the Higher Education Appeals Board.

Discontinuation

Students who leave the program shall notify the Program Study Advisor.

Other

Access to courses in the program is governed by the course syllabus.