Political Science: Comparative and European Politics

Why study at VU University Amsterdam

Wide-ranging and integrated approach
The Master’s programme in Political Science at the VU University Amsterdam provides you with a thorough understanding of political processes and a comprehensive overview of developing socio-political structures, addressing for example, issues of power and inequality, political communication and the environment. Students will study key concepts including the nature of transnationalization and multi-level governance, within the context of interrelated disciplinary traditions such as comparative politics, International Relations (IR) and European integration studies. Within the four specializations, the programme reflects the ways in which disciplinary boundaries are being dissolved by the effects of globalization.

"It was great for me to have the opportunity to pursue higher education in English outside the UK and North America. It is much more affordable, and you get to meet students from all over the world. Amsterdam is a great city to live in, and the VU University is set in a nice local environment with nearby parks and lakes." Melissa Wilson, Master’s student in Political Science

Combining theoretical knowledge and skills 
Within the programme there is a strong focus on the combination of theoretical knowledge and skills (reasoning, writing, presenting and research techniques). This equips you with the necessary tools for a research-oriented career, either within an academic context or beyond.

In the first semester, philosophy of science discussions underlying the various political science perspectives are integrated in the modules. In the second semester, students then combine and apply the theoretical and methodological concepts with research methods in the context of the Workshop and the Master's thesis.

International reputation 
The programme is developed and taught by a highly motivated and internationally renowned team with extensive international contacts. The quality of our teaching is evidenced by positive assessment results: our programme has been voted the best in the Netherlands in a recent Elsevier survey, and it received a positive evaluation from external experts representing NVAO, the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders.

Members of staff are regularly publishing in political science journals and participating in international conferences, which contributes to research-led teaching and provides our students with an opportunity to get close to cutting-edge debates in political science and related disciplines. 

Young and dynamic
The programme is characterized by a focus on small working groups and intensive supervision. Many of our lecturers are young, ambitious and dynamic, which makes for a lively and informal atmosphere. There is plenty of room for interaction and discussion, both among students with the teaching staff and with research assistants. Extra-curricular research seminars, excursions and workshops provide you with an opportunity to also engage with politics outside the classroom. You will be encouraged to come up with your own ideas, and there is a great emphasis on developing argumentation to support your own findings.

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