Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool

Admission Requirements

Enrolling for this study plan is possible after having obtained one of the following degrees:

Academic Bachelor's programme Social Sciences
Academic Bachelor's programme politieke wetenschappen
Academic Bachelor's programme politieke wetenschappen en de sociologie

You may also be asked to provide additional documents so we may evaluate your application.

Aanbevelingsbrief 1 / Letter of recommendation 1
Aanbevelingsbrief 2 / Letter of recommendation 2
Motivatiebrief / Letter of motivation
Puntenlijst / Transcript of records

Overview of the study plan

The Master in Political Science: European and International Governance consists of 4 modules:
- Methods (18 ECTS credits)
- Skills and Leadership Development (6 ECTS credits)
- Substantive Courses (24 ECTS credits)
- Elective Courses (12 ECTS credits)

The master thesis must be registered in the graduation year. If the student meets the requirements, he or she can – if desired - graduate in February. From the start of the academic year onwards, the student can request such an early graduation through his or her student selfservice.


Master Thesis

The student must register for Master Thesis. In case you are selected for the Master Thesis: Pre-doctoral Track, contact your study path counsellor for your registration via studypath.es@vub.be.

From the courses listed below, students must obtain 18 ECTS credits.

18ECTS credits - Master Thesis European and International Governance
18ECTS credits - Master Thesis European and International Governance: Pre-doctoral Track

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Skills and Leadership Development

There is 1 compulsory courses (6 ECTS credits).

From the courses listed below, students must obtain 6 ECTS credits.

6ECTS credits - Skills Lab

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Substantive Courses

There are 6 substantive courses offered (36 credits). Students are required to choose 4 out of the 6 courses (= 24 credits).

From the courses listed below, students must obtain 24 ECTS credits.

6ECTS credits - International Security and Strategic Studies
6ECTS credits - European Economics
6ECTS credits - Institutions and Governance of the European Union
6ECTS credits - International Political Economy
6ECTS credits - World Politics
6ECTS credits - Modern Diplomacy

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Elective courses

Students are required to choose 2 electives (= 12 credits).

From the courses listed below, students must obtain 12 ECTS credits.

6ECTS credits - Challenges to Democracy
6ECTS credits - Democracy and Nationalism
6ECTS credits - Gender, Diversity and Politics
6ECTS credits - Islam and Gender
6ECTS credits - Pandemics in History
6ECTS credits - EU Competition Policy
6ECTS credits - International Trade
6ECTS credits - Populist and Radical Political Discourses in Europe

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