Why to choose the Joint Master’s Programme in Political Science – Integration and Governance?
The Joint Master’s Programme in Political Science – Integration and Governance (PoSIG), as a shared academic ambition and cooperation of the EuroPS consortium, qualifies its graduates for academic careers in all fields of political science, and additionally offers a background into transition and Europeanisation of the Western Balkan region. Hence, master’s students develop competences and academic profiles for careers and expertise with a background in European integration and multilevel governance, which are highly relevant to the context of Western Balkans and beyond.
The language of instruction in all courses of the MA Programme is English. Applicants have to demonstrate a profound knowledge of English (Level B2), as a condition of registration in the Programme. In order to be admitted to the Joint Master’s Programme in Political Science – Integration and Governance, students must hold a bachelor’s degree in Political Science or in a related field from a EuroPS partner institution, or from another accredited higher education institution.
Students with disabilities or chronic illnesses will not be subject to any form of discrimination in their studies. All EUP are committed to the basic principles laid out in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as well as to local non-discrimination laws and policies of positive action.
Relevance of the Degree for Society, the Scientific Community and the Labour Market
Alumni of this programme will have a unique academic profile. This profile draws on the fields of specialisation, the international body of students and lecturers and an individual mobility path between EU and Western Balkan partners. A compulsory internship will ensure practical experience. In this context, alumni will acquire specific expertise about the conditions for social, economic and political processes on the Western Balkans.
Through their master’s thesis projects, students are encouraged to carry out innovative research relevant for the social, economic and political development of the region. With the acquired knowledge, graduates will be able to contribute to the political debate and to processes related to Europeanisation.
The typical professional fields of graduates of the Joint Master’s Programme in Political Science – Integration and Governance are:
- employment at local and national level in public administration, parliaments and political parties, non-governmental organisations, interest groups and trade unions, the business sector, media and public relations;
- employment in international organisations, foreign services (careers in diplomacy), in institutions of the European Union and in international profit and non profit organizations, development agencies and NGOs;
- employment in the field of civic and political education (foundations, academies, educational institutes, etc.);
- academic careers (teaching and research at universities and research institutions).
Professional Skills and Competences (Learning Outcomes)
Upon completion of this master’s programme, students will have the following skills and competences:
| Competence in the field of study, in particular: |
| – comprehensive knowledge about theories in political science, political concepts, actors, institutions, processes, norms and central policy fields in selected modules; |
| – the ability to understand, assess and apply social science research with high methodological standards to other modules; |
| – the ability to analyse political and societal problems, based on social science concepts and theories. |
| Methods competences, in particular: |
| – the ability and knowledge to thoughtfully and critically apply the methodological instruments of empirical-analytical political science research, including the ability to use statistical software, and to plan and carry out independent research; |
| – the ability to cooperate with others (inter-disciplinarily or in groups), to carry out research together; |
| – the ability to present complex research and research findings convincingly in front of an audience. |
| Competence in sound reasoning and judgment, in particular: |
| – the ability to understand high-level social and political science literature and to critically analyse and assess it by drawing on the insights of neighbouring disciplines (law, economics, sociology, history); |
| – the ability to assess the presentation of scientific research outcomes, to make comparisons and to give self-reflecting feedback; |
| – the ability to debate and compare one’s own insights and positions with those of others and to modify them, if necessary. |
| Competence in responsive action, in particular: |
| – the ability to grasp political and social problems, to develop practical strategies for solutions and to present them in public debates; |
| – the ability to connect science and political practice; |
| – the ability to engage in politics effectively on basis of scientific insights. |