Master's Programme in Political Science 120 credits

Umeå Universitet, Samhällsvetarhuset. Studenter pluggar.

Image: Malin Grönborg

About the programme

The Master's Programme in Political Science provides in-depth knowledge of essential political science problems, such as political representation, governance, public administration and leadership, at different levels of analysis as well as within several issue areas. The programme provides ample opportunity to develop your competency in social science theory and methods, and offers extensive training in conducting analyses and writing scientific texts.

World-leading researchers teach at the programme

Read more on our Unesco Professor Camilla Sandström

Unique combination of subjects

Create future contacts and networks trough internship

Programme overview

Political Science (advanced level)
38%
Optinal cources/Internship
25%
Method
12%
Thesis
25%

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

Show programme syllabus

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)

Apply

Autumn 2025
- Master's Programme in Political Science
  
  International admissions round
  
  HT25 / Umeå / English / On site
  
  Show more Show less
  
  Start
  Autumn term 2025
  
  Number of credits
  120 credits
  
  Type of studies
  On site
  
  Study pace
  100%
  
  Length
  2 years
  
  Study location
  Umeå
  
  Language
  English
  
  Application code
  UMU-M2076
  
  Eligibility
  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, inclouding an independent written thesis equivalent of at least 15 ECTS. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English 6.
  
  Selection
  
  Academic credits completed by the last application date (in the range of 30-285 credits equivalent to ECTS)
  
  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 Umeå University's web site.
  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 Umeå University's web site.
  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.
  
  Application
  Application deadline was 15 January 2025. The application period is closed.
  
  Application and tuition fees
  As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
  
  Application fee: SEK 900
  
  Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 48,300
  
  Total fee: SEK 193,200
  
  Details about tuition, fees and funding
- Master's Programme in Political Science
  
  Second admissions round for EU/EEA citizens
  
  HT25 / Umeå / English / On site
  
  Show more Show less
  
  Start
  Autumn term 2025
  
  Number of credits
  120 credits
  
  Type of studies
  On site
  
  Study pace
  100%
  
  Length
  2 years
  
  Study location
  Umeå
  
  Language
  English
  
  Application code
  UMU-P2076
  
  Eligibility
  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, inclouding an independent written thesis equivalent of at least 15 ECTS. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English 6.
  
  Selection
  
  Academic credits completed by the last application date (in the range of 30-285 credits equivalent to ECTS)
  
  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 Umeå University's web site.
  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 Umeå University's web site.
  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.
  
  Application
  Application deadline was 15 April 2025. The application period is closed. Please note: This second application round is intended only for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.
  
  Application and tuition fees
  As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
  
  Application fee: SEK 900
  
  Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 48,300
  
  Total fee: SEK 193,200
  
  Details about tuition, fees and funding
Autumn 2026
- Master's Programme in Political Science
  
  International admissions round
  
  HT26 / Umeå / English / On site
  
  Apply
  
  Show more Show less
  
  Start
  Autumn term 2026
  
  Number of credits
  120 credits
  
  Type of studies
  On site
  
  Study pace
  100%
  
  Length
  2 years
  
  Study location
  Umeå
  
  Language
  English
  
  Application code
  UMU-M2076
  
  Eligibility
  
  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, inclouding an independent written thesis equivalent of at least 15 ECTS. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English 6/level 2.
  
  Selection
  
  Academic credits completed by the last application date (in the range of 30-285 credits equivalent to ECTS)
  
  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 Umeå University's web site.
  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 Umeå University's web site.
  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.
  
  Application
  Online applications are now open. Application deadline is 15 January 2026.
  
  Application and tuition fees
  As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
  
  Application fee: SEK 900
  
  Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 48,300
  
  Total fee: SEK 193,200
  
  Details about tuition, fees and funding
- Master's Programme in Political Science
  
  Second admissions round for EU/EEA citizens
  
  HT26 / Umeå / English / On site
  
  Application opens 16 March 2026
  
  Save education at universityadmissions.se
  
  Show more Show less
  
  Start
  Autumn term 2026
  
  Number of credits
  120 credits
  
  Type of studies
  On site
  
  Study pace
  100%
  
  Length
  2 years
  
  Study location
  Umeå
  
  Language
  English
  
  Application code
  UMU-P2076
  
  Eligibility
  
  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, inclouding an independent written thesis equivalent of at least 15 ECTS. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English 6/level 2.
  
  Selection
  
  Academic credits completed by the last application date (in the range of 30-285 credits equivalent to ECTS)
  
  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 Umeå University's web site.
  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 Umeå University's web site.
  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.
  
  Application
  The online application opens 16 March 2026 at 09:00 CET. Application deadline is 15 April 2026. Please note: This second application round is intended only for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.
  
  Application and tuition fees
  As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
  
  Application fee: SEK 900
  
  Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 48,300
  
  Total fee: SEK 193,200
  
  Details about tuition, fees and funding

Apply online via universityadmissions.se
You apply to our programmes and courses via universityadmissions.se – the official website for higher education applications in Sweden. There, you can track your application, check that your documents have been registered, and log in to find our your admission results.
 
Late applications
Admissions to most programmes and courses typically close after the final application deadline. However, some programmes and courses may still accept late applications if seats are available. These are marked “Open for late application” on universityadmissions.se. Please note that late applications are not guaranteed to be reviewed.

More about application and admission

Film about the programme

Voices about the programme

Internships – for future networking and contact with employers!

Student

Master student in Political Science, Lilian Madureira Teles, tells about her internship at the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) in Brussel.

Research excellence at Umeå University

Be a part of a world-class environment for teaching and research – where the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of CRISPR-Cas9 geneediting began, and where innovation continues to shape the future.

Innovative with international impact

Research for society, nature and the future. Read about our research research environments and infrastructure.
Open climate for groundbreaking research

Emmanuelle Charpentier credits the research environment in Umeå as a key factor in her discovery.