Master's Programme in Political Science 120 credits

While studying

The programme opens the door to a research career

While studying The programme can lead to a 1-year degree (Master of Science, 60 credits) or a 2-year degree (Master of Science, 120 credits). For both options, the first semester is devoted to strengthening your theoretical and methodological competency, starting with a course about theoretical approaches in political science, and continuing with two methods courses that you take together with students from other social science departments.

Internship or study abroad

During semester three you can choose to study abroad or do an internship, instead of taking one or both of these courses.

Master thesis

During the final semester you will write a master thesis, 30 credits. If you wrote a 15 credit thesis during the second semester, another 15 credit thesis suffices during semester four, which leaves room for an elective course during part of the semester.

Programme overview

A unique combination of subjects
The second semester consists of two courses that offer different perspectives on political representation and governance, the first focusing on Sweden in the EU, and the second on environmental governance in the Arctic. For a 1-year degree, you write a thesis instead of taking the course on environmental governance. For a 2-year degree, writing a thesis instead of taking the course on environmental governance is optional. Two additional political science courses are offered during the third semester. One concerns global and regional governance, with a particular focus on multi-level governance, and the other is about leadership in public administration, including its political and administrative functions.

Semester 1

Approaches to Political Science, 15 hp Obligatorisk
Qualitative Research Methods for the Social Sciences, 7,5 hp Obligatorisk
Quantitative Research Methods for the Social Sciences, 7,5 hp Obligatorisk

Semester 2

Sweden in the EU - Academic Perspectives and Competitive Intelligence, 15 hp Mandatory
Collaborative Environmental Governance in the Arctic, 15 hp
Or
Thesis, 15 hp

Semester 3

Internship, study abroad or ellectives, 15 hp
Global and regional governance, 15 hp
Or
Internship, study abroad or ellectives, 15 hp
Leadership in Public Administration, 15 hp

Semester 4

For them who has written a thesis in the second semester of 15 hp:
Ellectives, 15 hp
Master thesis, 15 hp
 
For them who have not written a thesis on advanced level:
Master thesis, 30 hp
 

Future and career opportunities

Career opportunities This degree programme prepares you for work with management, planning and analysis. You can work at local, national, or international level, for example at public institutions or at organizations that deal with political issues. Second cycle education is becoming more important, and with genuine comprehension of important societal issues in combination with analytical skills and proficiency in writing you will be attractive to many employers.

Some of the most common professions (job titles) among our alumni include:

• Case Officer
• Coordinator
• Senior Investigator (or Investigator)
• Communications Officer
• PR Consultant
• Committee Secretary
• Ministerial Adviser
• Doctoral Student

Our alumni work at, among other places:
Government agencies (e.g., the Swedish Migration Agency)
The Government Offices of Sweden (e.g., the Ministry for Foreign Affairs)
Municipalities (e.g., Umeå Municipality, Örnsköldsvik Municipality)
Regions (e.g., Region Västerbotten)
Universities (e.g., Umeå University)
Private sector companies (e.g., Ernst & Young)