Frequently Asked Questions

The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) is a system for accumulating and transferring credits. According to the 2015 ECTS Users Guide, the system's objective is to facilitate the planning, delivery, and evaluation of study programs and student mobility by recognizing learning achievements and qualifications, as well as periods of learning. The ECTS is widely used by European universities at the graduate and postgraduate levels. According to this system, one year of graduate university studies generally corresponds to 60 ECTS. Bachelor's degrees (BA) typically range from 180 to 240 ECTS credits, while Master's degrees range from 60 to 120 credits. To apply for PoSIG, applicants must have accumulated a minimum of 180 ECTS credits in their respective field of study, particularly in political science or a closely related discipline. Additionally, applicants should have obtained at least 10 ECTS credits from methodology courses within their respective field of study.

In the event that the methodology requirements are not met, additional courses can be taken in the first year of study to fulfill the full eligibility criteria.Courses offered at partner universities to fulfill this condition for acceptance:

University of Salzburg (PLUS) (all courses in German):

• Forschungsdesign Politikwissenschaft (Lecture with 3 ECTS, spring term);
• Qualitative Methodology (Seminar with 6 ECTS, spring term);
• Quantitative Methodology in Social Sciences (Lecture with 3 ECTS, winter term);
• Quantitative Methodology in Political Science (Seminar with 6 ECTS, winter term).

Individuals seeking admission to the PoSIG program are expected to meet specific eligibility criteria, including a BA diploma in Political Science or International Relations, with a strong emphasis on comparative politics, international relations, the history of political ideas, and political theories. For those whose BA education does not include European Integration, the option to pursue a specialization in this area is available, contingent upon acceptance into the PoSIG program. This specialization can be completed during the first year of the program. Potential partner institutions offering relevant courses include:

University of Salzburg (PLUS):

• Introduction to Politics of the EU (I+II, 9 ECTS)

To obtain the specification, the applicant should refer to the issuing institution (university, other educational authority) and request this document and a list of attended courses (official transcripts of records).

If the diploma/degree-granting institution is unable to specify the number of ECTS credits related to the course in question, it should at least provide indications on an alternative credit system (and how to convert it into the ECTS system) or summarize key information on the relevant course (duration, workload, supervision, individual research/preparation). This will allow the PoSIG Coordinators' Board to make a comparative assessment.

If possible, please include a Diploma Supplement with your application, as well as transcripts of records.

Due to the specific multilateral governance and uniqueness of our Master's program, transfers from other universities and recognition and/or transfer of previous credits to PoSIG are not straightforward. After being accepted to the program, you may apply. The PoSIG Coordinators' Board will inform you of the decision based on the compatibility of programs and placements available for PoSIG.

The Joint Master in Political Science – Integration and Governance carries 120 ECTS and can be completed in two years of study.

Applicants must hold a first cycle degree from an accredited university in the fields of political science or a closely related field, with a minimum of 180 ECTS credits. Applications should include at least 10 ECTS of methodology courses, as verified by the applicant. For more information, please refer to the Admissions section.

Please submit a copy of your diploma, diploma supplement, and transcript of records with your application. You will be informed of your status upon review.
To be considered for admission, you must have completed at least two fields of specialization within the PoSIG curriculum, as well as 10 ECTS credits of methodology courses. These requirements can be met by courses completed during previous levels of study.

In case of doubt, you can also contact the PoSIG Executive Director at your convenience.

Yes, if you are in your final year of studies. In your application, please include your current transcript of records and specify in your motivation statement and CV when you are expected to graduate.

Please note that admission to the program is conditional upon the completion of your studies prior to the beginning of the new academic year (31 August). If selected, you will have to provide us with the originals of your university degree and transcript of records by the end of August.

No, you are not. The PoSIG Coordinators' Board will evaluate your application. You are welcome to apply for the master's program; however, please ensure that your motivation statement clearly articulates your motivations for pursuing an additional master's degree.

There are no restrictions in place. Grades represent only one of the evaluation criteria. Other different assessment criteria are used for the selection process, including the type of degree, English language proficiency, experience, and motivation. Therefore, achieving good marks at the BA level can lead to better chances to get the PoSIG placement. The PoSIG Coordinators' Board will evaluate all the applications.

Yes, candidates who have been shortlisted and who meet the entry requirements will be contacted via e-mail to schedule an interview with the PoSIG Coordinators' Board. The interview is scheduled to take place after the application deadline, at the end of April. It will be conducted in English online. Candidates are advised to check their e-mail regularly for notifications from the PoSIG Team.

The universities offering the PoSIG program have agreed to confer the joint degree of Master of Arts (MA), though each institution may grant its own degree as a Master of Science (MSc), contingent on its legal framework.

Certified fluency in English is an admission requirement for the PoSIG master's degree. Candidates must submit an English language certificate (Level B2) or proof that their BA-level studies included at least two semesters in English. Candidates who are accepted conditionally must also demonstrate a working knowledge of a local teaching language to allow for the completion of courses in the first year of study. This requirement applies to cases where students must take additional courses from the Bachelor programs that are taught in the local language (see methodology requirements).

We strongly encourage applicants to take the English test seriously to ensure that language skills do not pose a barrier to their success. Certificates that are particularly preferred for English language proficiency include Cambridge English: First, Cambridge English: Advanced, and Cambridge English: Proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS Academic).TOEFL and IELTS test scores must have been obtained within the last two years. We also accept other certificates that demonstrate fluency in English and were obtained within the past two years. The minimum required level is B2, and the acceptable scores are listed below:

• IELTS Academic = 5.5–6.5
• TOEFL IBT = 60–93
• First (FCE) – First Certificate in English (Level B2)

If you completed a degree by taking courses for at least two semesters in English, you are not required to submit a language certificate. Please submit proof of this by submitting relevant documents, such as a transcript of records.

English is the official working language of PoSIG, and all exam questions must be answered in English. Each student is responsible for possessing an adequate level of English to complete a Master's degree in English.

Please note that the PoSIG consortium does not provide any language courses for selected students. Candidates who are accepted conditionally must demonstrate proficiency in the local language of their first year of university to fulfill the necessary conditions for admission. This is due to the fact that these courses are typically taught in the local language.

For more information, please refer to the section on methodology requirements.

The entire application, including the motivation and the CV, must be submitted in English. Please also include a non-certified English translation of the required proofs if the original certificates were not issued in English. All documents have to be submitted as instructed at the PoSIG Application Platform.

PoSIG does not apply any age limit.

The Joint Master's Program in Political Science – Integration and Governance (PoSIG) represents a shared academic ambition and cooperation of the PoSIG consortium. The implementation of this curriculum is regulated by an institutional agreement signed by the PoSIG partner institutions.

For more information on that, PoSIG Curriculum.

Please note that PoSIG is not a member of the Erasmus Mundus consortium of institutions. However, some of our partner institutions are involved with the Erasmus+ program, and they may offer grants.

The PoSIG Executive Director is Dr. Franz Kok, University of Salzburg. You can contact him here.

You can contact all other local coordinators at each partner university here.

PoSIG stands for the joint master's degree program in Political Science – Integration and Governance. The program's acronym reflects its objective to integrate the internationalization of policies with the domestic political capacities required for good governance. Successfully addressing this challenge is essential for all political systems, particularly for small states and political systems in transformation, as it is a key criterion for stability and welfare.

The PoSIG consortium was established in 2017 based on the Erasmus CBHE project EuroPS (2015-2017), which included partner universities from Salzburg and the Western Balkan region. In 2024, the consortium included partner universities from Georgia and Armenia, as well as an associated partner in Central Asia.

PoSIG is a growing initiative in all regions undergoing transformation, which highlights the need for expertise in integration and governance.

For more information on the PoSIG history, please click here.

The Coordinators' Board is comprised of the Executive Director and all other local coordinators from each partner institution in the European Union and Western Balkans. The Coordinators' Board is responsible for the management of this master program.

To contact the Coordinators' Board, please use the following link.

A transcript of records, also known as a transcript of exams, is a comprehensive list of all courses taken and passed, along with the respective marks received during one's university career. This document provides a detailed overview of an individual's academic background, making it a valuable asset for professional purposes.

Typically, the university registrar's office is responsible for issuing this certificate upon request by the student. For those who have studied at a university aligned with Bologna standards, presenting the related Diploma Supplement(s) is also mandatory. This document, which is internationally approved and typically issued in both the local language and English, provides a description of the nature, level, context, content, learning outcomes, and status of the studies successfully completed. It is based on a template developed and approved by the Council of Europe.

During the application procedure, standard photocopies are acceptable. Please also include a non-certified English translation of the required documents if the original certificates were not issued in English.

If selected, you will be required to provide the PoSIG Coordinators' Board with originals or certified copies of your university degree, diploma supplement, and transcript of records.

For passports, a standard copy will suffice.

Reference letters should be written on official letterhead and include the

• full name
• position
• email address
• mobile number, and
• address

of the person making the declaration. The letters must be addressed to the attention of the PoSIG Coordinators' Board. They should be submitted as scanned copies in English. Please retain the originals in case you are selected.

Applicants are required to submit all documents as PDF files via the Upload Documents section of the PoSIG Application Platform.

Applicants are encouraged to submit at least one academic reference letter. In the event that the applicant is unable to locate their professors after a significant amount of time or lacks a professional referee due to a lack of practical experience, the PoSIG Coordinators' Board will accept two letters from relevant fields (e.g., political science expertise, motivation to perform Political Science – Integration and Governance studies, etc.).

Yes. Applicants who have completed the degree entry requirements prior to the application deadline are requested to provide a current transcript of exams by August 31st before the PoSIG study year begins. Their offer will be conditional until they provide the original or officially certified copies of their diploma.

The Coordinators' Board of the participating universities will determine the ranking of the candidates and the composition of the waiting list based on the assessment and selection criteria.

The administrative fee of €35 will cover the costs associated with processing your application. Please note that this fee is non-refundable, even in the event that your application is not successful. You may submit the fee via bank transfer or through a secure online payment platform such as PayPal. For more information, please refer to the Apply Now section of our website.

PoSIG alumni will have a unique academic profile. This profile draws on the fields of specialization, the international body of students and lecturers and an individual mobility path between the EU and Western Balkan partners. A compulsory internship will ensure practical experience. In this context, the alumni will acquire specific expertise about the conditions for social, economic, and political processes in the Western Balkans.

Through their master’s thesis projects, students are encouraged to carry out innovative research relevant for 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 Europeanization.

The typical professional fields of graduates of the Joint Master’s Programme in Political Science – Integration and Governance include:

• employment at local and national levels, including public administration, parliaments and political parties, non-governmental organizations, interest groups and trade unions, the business sector, media and public relations;
• employment in international organizations, foreign services (careers in diplomacy), in institutions of the European Union and in international profit and nonprofit 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).

For more see Student Info.

PoSIG offers a comprehensive master's course with an in-depth academic curriculum that covers theories, concepts, and various methodological approaches used in political science studies. Furthermore, through specialized research methods seminars and thesis seminars, PoSIG prepares students to conduct independent postgraduate research, making it ideal for potential PhD candidates. All participating universities accept the PoSIG degree as an entrance qualification for their PhD programs.

For more see Student Info.

With regard to formal requirements, PoSIG fulfills all the criteria, and as such, all other universities are authorized to accept PoSIG students for their PhD programs. However, the final decision rests with each institution's individual selection criteria.

The participating universities adhere to their respective tuition fee policies for PoSIG students. These students have the flexibility to select their fields of specialization within the curriculum and the universities they wish to attend during the two-year program. Consequently, the tuition fee is determined by the selected universities. This means that students are responsible for paying the tuition fee as required by the university they choose to attend each semester/year. The following is a list of the participation costs (tuition fee, registration, etc.) at the different PoSIG partner institutions, to be paid to institutions at which a student intends to study during one or more semesters. Please refer to the partner universities' respective fee policies, which can be found in the Finances and Scholarship section.

The tuition fee does not cover teaching materials as hard copies and books. Administrative fees might be charged additional.

For University of Salzburg: Yes, only non-EU students have to pay tuition fee. EU students do not pay tuition fee.

You will be informed about the details on how and when to pay your tuition fee after you receive the admission letter from the PoSIG University for the first year of attendance. You will also receive this information for all subsequent years of attendance at other universities.

Please note that certain PoSIG participating universities have specific additional fees for registration, student union membership, etc. These fees are itemized in the Finances and Scholarship table.

The financial obligations of a student vary depending on the institution. For instance, certain courses may require the purchase of physical teaching materials, while other expenses, such as participation in field trips, are dependent on the student's course selection.

The participating universities offer scholarships within the existing Erasmus exchange contracts based on the Erasmus and Erasmus+ Credit Mobility programs. Local coordinators are available to provide information about these grants and the number of available placements. The participating universities are continually increasing their grant agreements and provide information about this on their websites.

For more information on Erasmus+ Credit Mobility at each partner institution, please follow the links listed below:

“Paris Lodron” University of Salzburg (PLUS)

University of Trieste

Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje

European University of Tirana (UET)

University of Tirana: Faculty of Social Sciences (UNITIR)

University of Business and Technology (UBT)

University of Sarajevo (UNSA)

University of Montenegro (UNIPAGE)

Sarajevo School of Science and Technology (SSST)

For contacting local PoSIG coordinators please refer to Contact Coordinators.

Yes. Participating universities offer financial assistance, scholarships and support for external funding.

For more check Useful Links.

Participating universities will offer their services to PoSIG students in the same way that these are provided for all other exchange students. After they have been notified of their admission to PoSIG, students will need to contact each university they wish to attend to obtain more details.

For more check Student Useful Links.