Power shapes politics, but what shapes power in the 21st Century? The Radboud Master's programme in Political Science offers a unique opportunity for highly motivated students to prepare for a rewarding career in leading positions in the public and private sector.
Within the Master's Political Science, you have a choice between seven Master's specialisations. Moreover, our Master's programme offers Dual Degree programmes with the American University in Washington, DC and with the University of Glasgow.
Something for you?
- Our emphasis on both theory and empirical knowledge provides the tools to critically analyse contemporary problems facing democracies.
- Staff members are actively involved in advising governments, societal and political organisations, incorporating practical experience and insights into their teaching.
- The Comparative Politics Master’s will provide new insights into configurations of political power around the world.
- This programme has an above-average score compared to the national average on three of the five core subjects (Source: Keuzegids 2025).
Career prospects:
Our graduates have the skills that employers want: sound research and analytical skills; excellent written and oral communication skills; and experience in working in teams and independently. These skills and knowledge will prepare you for positions in policymaking, administration, and project management in the public and private sector, as well as in research settings.
Our alumni have positions as policymakers in international organisations, political parties, government ministries, market authorities, the European Parliament and the European Commission. Our alumni also work as consultants for profit and non-profit organisations and as researchers at think-tanks and universities. They are also employed by banks and other financial institutions and by the media.
Our graduates have the skills and knowledge for positions in:
- Policymaking, for example in international organisations or political parties
- Project management in the public and private sector
- Consultancy for profit and non-profit organisations
- Researcher at a think tank or university
Possible specialisations:
- Comparative Politics: Focus on political challenges faced by contemporary (non-)democracies in a globalising world, such as growing inequalities, new demands on representative institutions, and pressures created by both migration and demographic change.
- Conflict, Power and Politics: In this specialisation you will get familiar with the nature of violent conflict in the 21st Century. Why is violent conflict so pervasive? How can we explain the origins and intensity of violent conflicts? How can we solve them?
- European Union Politics and Governance | Political Science: Focus on the politics of EU policy making and on issues of legitimacy and problem-solving capacity in the field of European politics and governance. It also discusses the global role of the EU.
- Diversity and Inequality in Politics: This specialisation offers a deep dive into the ongoing debates surrounding equality, diversity, and inclusion. Gain understanding of cutting- edge theoretical perspectives that explore how existing power structures and identity-based factors—such as gender, race, ethnicity, age, and disabilities— can either contribute to or help prevent discrimination and marginalization.
- International Political Economy | Political Science: Learn to understand and explain the interrelatedness of global politics and global economics. Uncover the power struggles behind policy choices in the field of trade, finance, climate and investment.
- International Relations: Tackling global issues in the 21st Century requires a deeper understanding of the essential players that shape global politics: governments, intergovernmental organisations, media, multinationals, and NGOs.
- Applied Political Theory: From climate change to homelessness, great societal challenges require that we make decent and legitimate political choices. But how can we determine that? This specialisation provides you with the tools to evaluate whether and how the exercise of power by political actors and institutions can be justified.
- Social and Cultural Science: Comparative Research on Societies (research): Have you ever wondered how diversity, solidarity and inequality are connected? Or how to counter radicalisation? How segregation in social networks arises? How organisational processes influence inequality? This programme is the one for you!
