Political Science

Entry requirements

1. A completed Bachelor's degree in Political Science or a related discipline from a recognised, academic university.
   A substantial part of the courses in your Bachelor’s degree should be in your preferred specialisation: International Relations, Political Theory, Comparative Politics or Public Administration (COMPASS).
2. Competency in Social Science Research Methodology (quantitative and qualitative)
   Due to the strong academic nature of this programme, it is essential that students have the necessary basic research skills. Applicants with little or no Social Science Research Methodology in their previous education may get admission, provided they first complete an (oral) examination in research methodology. The oral exam can be held in person in Nijmegen or via Skype.
3. A proficiency in English
   In order to take part in this programme, you need to have fluency in both written and spoken English.This requirement has been satisfied when the student meets one of the following conditions:
   
   • Has successfully completed a three-year Bachelor's programme at a Dutch university.
   • Is a citizen of Australia, Canada (with exception of Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, or the United States of America.
   • Has successfully completed a Bachelor's programme that was taught completely in the English language in one of the following countries: EU/EEA-countries, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United States of America.
   • Has successfully completed a Master's programme from a Dutch university of applied sciences (HBO).
     
     All other students need one of the following certificates (TOEFL and IELTS certificates may not be older than two years):
     • A TOEFL score of ≥90, with subscores not lower than 18
     • A IELTS score of ≥6.5, with subscores not lower than 6.0
     • Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) with a mark of C or higher

Months of entry

February, September

Course content

Power shapes politics, but what shapes power in the 21st Century? The Radboud Master's programme in Political Science offers a unique opportunity for highly motivated students to prepare for a rewarding career in leading positions in the public and private sector.

Master's specialisations

You choose one of our six specialisations within the Master's programme:

Comparative Politics

Focus on political challenges faced by contemporary (non-)democracies in a globalising world, such as growing inequalities, new demands on representative institutions, and pressures created by both migration and demographic change.

Conflict, Power and Politics

Critically explore themes such as warfare,political systems, the articulation of political demands, ethnic violence and which ethical dilemmas arise in such situations.

Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Politics

This specialisation introduces you not only to issues and ongoing debates in the field of gender and diversity studies in organisations and politics, but also offers the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the state of the art in the field and to acquire knowledge of different policy practices related to it and their gendered implications.

International Political Economy

Uncover the economic and political dimensions of global issues and power struggles behind policy choices. Learn to understand and explain the world from the perspectives of different stakeholders.

International Relations

Learn how to investigate global cooperation and conflict from different perspectives and to analyse the essential players that shape global politics: governments, international organisations, media, businesses and NGOs.

Political Theory

Study various aspects of the relationship between political power and morality. The central question here is whether political principles, institutions, and practices can ever be legitimate. What may we force each other to do? What should we do?

To apply for this course, please contact us by e-mail.

Learn more via the Radboud University contact form.

Fees and funding

There are various scholarships available for studying at Radboud University. Some of the opportunities are described below. A full list, including detailed information, can be found on our scholarships and grants page at our website.

Radboud Scholarship Programme

Open to a select number of excellent international students. Instead of the institutional tuition fees, non-EEA students pay the legal tuition fees (€2,209 in 2021/2022). Visa and residence permit costs, liability insurance and health insurance are also covered.

Orange Tulip Scholarship

Open to students from Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Indonesia, South-Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and China. Instead of the institutional tuition fees, non-EEA students pay the legal tuition fees (€2,209 in 2021/2022). Visa and residence permit costs, liability insurance and health insurance are also covered.

Fulbright-Radboud Scholarships

Open to excellent American students. The grant will be paid in 12 monthly instalments of 1,050 euros. International travel and the cost of the residence permit will be covered, and an extra allowance of €1150 will be paid on arrival.

Sino-Dutch Bilateral Exchange Scholarship

Open to excellent students from China. Consists of a contribution of € 16,113 towards the total costs of one year of study or research in the Netherlands.

DIKTI-Neso Scholarships

Aimed at lecturers at higher education institutions in Indonesia who wish to pursue a PhD or Master's at a university in the Netherlands. A DIKTI scholarship includes allowances for living expenses, insurance, travel costs, tuition fees and more.

Indonesian Education Scholarship (LPDP)

Open to excellent Indonesian students under the age of 35. Involves a full scholarship.

Holland Scholarship Programme

Open to excellent students from Canada, America, India and Turkey. Scholarship consists of 5,000 euros payed at the start of study.

Dutch Student Finance

EU/EEA students and Swiss students under 30 years of age are eligible if they are working at least 56 hours per month in the Netherlands, or have been living in the Netherlands for five years or more. Dutch student finance consists of four components: a basic grant, a supplementary grant (depending on the parental income), a student travel product, and a loan.