Political Science Master's Programme, 120 credits

Validation

This programme syllabus was validated by the Faculty Board at Södertörn University on 2025-04-23 according to the stipulations in the Higher Education Ordinance.

Entry requirements

Bachelor’s degree including 90 credits in Political Science as the main field of study and English 6 or equivalent

Programme outcomes

Outcomes according to the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), Annex 2

Knowledge and understanding

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
• demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.

Competence and skills

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
• demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
• demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to clearly report and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.

Judgement and approach

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

Applicability

A Master's degree in political science provides a solid foundation for qualified administrative, investigative, and analytical work in public administration, as well as in organisations within civil society or the private sector, such as positions that require knowledge of advanced data analysis methods and independent societal analysis. The programme also prepares students for research, and upon completion, students are eligible to apply for doctoral studies in political science.

Qualification

Title of qualification:

Degree of Master of Science in Political Science

Filosofie masterexamen med huvudområdet statsvetenskap

Qualification stipulation:

The Master’s degree is awarded after the student has completed course requirements totalling 120 higher education credits within the programme. The student must have completed an independent project (dissertation) of at least 30 higher education credits in the main field of study. The independent project may be less than 30 higher education credits, but at least 15 higher education credits, if the student has already completed an independent project at advanced level of at least 15 higher education credits within the main field of study or an equivalent project from a foreign higher education institution.

Programme design

This two‑year Master’s programme consists of four semesters of full‑time studies and is offered by the Department of Social Sciences. The programme focuses on systematic and in‑depth knowledge of major analytical orientations in political science, thereby enhancing students' ability to conduct political analysis. Additionally, the programme provides training in social science methodology, including participation in individual faculty members' research. The overarching goal is to equip students with tools to develop their analytical and problem‑solving abilities and to independently apply these skills in political science studies. The course offerings, combined with the Master's dissertation, create excellent conditions for significant subject specialisation.

Compulsory courses

• Democratic Theory, 7,5hp
• Policy‑making and Multilevel Governance, 7,5hp
• Democracy, Populism, Autocratisation, 7,5hp
• Security and Conflict, 7,5hp
• Qualitative Research Methods, 7,5hp
• Quantitative Research Methods, 7,5hp
• Analytical Approaches and Research Design, 7,5hp
• Independent Study, 7,5hp
• Dissertation, 30hp

A student on a study programme is guaranteed a place on the compulsory courses or on the specializations/courses within the programme. (For entry requirements, see, Other Stipulations.)

Optional courses

Advanced‑level courses offered by political science or other disciplines at Södertörn University or other universities in Sweden or abroad. Course selections must be approved by the programme coordinator before the course starts.

A student is guaranteed a place on a range of courses equivalent to a full workload. There is no guarantee that a student is offered a place on his/her first choice of course. For entry requirements, see course syllabus.

Degree project

A 30‑credit dissertation in the form of a Master's dissertation in Political Science.

Credit transfer for prior studies

A student has the right to have prior learning assessed for accreditation within the study programme.

Other stipulations

For entry requirements for courses within a study programme, see course syllabus.