Curriculum

Joint Master's Programme Political Science – Integration & Governance

Most important information about the curriculum

PoSIG represents a collective academic endeavor and partnership among a consortium of thirteen distinguished higher education institutions. These institutions collaborate to offer a unique and comprehensive educational experience.

  • University of Salzburg (PLUS)
  • Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje (UKIM)
  • European University of Tirana (UET)
  • University of Tirana (UTIR)
  • University of Business and Technology (UBT) – Pristina
  • University of Sarajevo (UNSA)
  • Sarajevo School of Science Technology (SSST)
  • University of Trieste (UniTS)
  • University of Prishtina (UP)
  • Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA)
  • Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU)
  • Yerevan State University (YSU) 
  • Eurasia International University (EIU)

The collaboration within PoSIG is governed by an institutional agreement, whilst the PoSIG partners contribute their distinct academic profiles to the offered modules, as outlined below. Moreover, the Western Balkan and Southern Caucasus partners provide specific academic expertise on the region’s political developments. 

  1. Political Theory
  2. Comparative Politics
  3. Public Policy and Administration
  4. International Relations
  5. European Integration

PoSIG students are required to select two out of these five modules in order to specialise in their chosen field. Advanced methodological and applied courses will complement the substantive orientation of the programme’s modules. This will enable students to independently conduct thorough social science research and to develop innovative research strategies as well as solutions for problems of societal importance.

Structure of the curriculum:

The programme consists of 10 obligatory courses, 1 internship, 24 ECTS of additional courses, and a Master’s thesis, with a total of 120 ECTS credits. The planned workload for Master’s thesis is 30 ECTS credits, including the preparation for the Master’s thesis defence (6 ECTS credits):

Modules & Courses ECTS
Obligatory Elective Modules (2 of 5) 36
Political Theory (18)
Comparative Politics (18)
Public Policy & Administration (18)
International Relations (18)
European Integration (18)
Obligatory Courses 24
Internship (6)
Course Methods I (6)
Course Methods II (6)
Master’s Thesis Seminar (6)
Obligatory Elective Courses (1 of 2) 6
Advanced Methods in Political Science (6)
Applied Course (6)
Additional Courses 24
Master’s Thesis 28
Master’s Thesis Defense 2
Total 120

International mobility is a very important element of this programme. Students therefore have to undertake their studies at least at two PoSIG partner universities and may attend up to four different universities (one per term). 

Full version of the PoSIG curriculum can be accessed on the following link(s) below

  1. Curriculum (ZEVA accreditation 2024 – 2030) is available Here 
  2. Curriculum (Ongoing accreditation by AQ Austria for the year 2025 – 2031) is available Here