Coordinators: dr Michał Kuś michal.kus2@uwr.edu.pl; dr hab. Piotr Sula piotr.sula@uwr.edu.pl

About the programme

Are you interested in contemporary politics, the functioning of public administration, process of creation and evaluation of social, economic and local policies, democratisation, the functioning of territorial self-governments, and media operation? Do you want to learn to use your knowledge of political science, law, economics and international relations for critical analysis of the social and political world around you?

The English-language Master’s degree programme in political science will give you extensive knowledge of the functioning of public sector and the best European and world practices in this scope. You will gain practical skills connected with the operation and organisation of public institutions, development of public policies and support for democratisation processes.

Studies in the subject of Political Science will also equip you with research tools necessary to understand and analyse political processes as well as mechanisms governing social life and its economic, psychological and cultural conditions. Within this programme, you will gain extensive interdisciplinary knowledge in the scope of political science, international relations, economics, political psychology, public management, political communication, management science, etc.

The detailed curriculum of your studies will depend on the speciality you choose. The English-language Political Science programme offers you one of the following five specialities: Public Policy, Political Communication, Public Administration, Democracy and Development in Europe and Caucasus and Central and East European Studies. The last three specialities are carried out in cooperation with foreign partners.

The completion of the Political Science speciality will give you opportunities to work in public institutions both at the national and international level, governmental and non-governmental organisations, international trade, business, multinational corporations, media, etc. This speciality’s graduates are specialists, journalists, analysts, experts and even politicians, all of whom are highly valued on the market. These studies may also be a ticket to further education at the PhD Programme and to furthering your academic career.

About the Institute

The Institute of Political Science at the University of Wrocław, operating since 1969, is one of the largest scientific and research institutes of this kind in Poland. We are part of the University of Wrocław, which last year was the winner of the “Excellence Initiative – Research University” competition organised by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education. We publish two scientific highly regarded journals and carry out research in the area of international relations, political systems,  political communication, social policy, political theory and political thought.

We offer the possibility to attend classes run by outstanding experts in selected fields, both researchers and practitioners, as well as opportunities to participate in international exchanges and research projects. Students are supported in conducting research and pursuing their own interests. They will also have individual consultations with lecturers and support in planning and developing their careers.

Candidate’s profile

You are interested in issues connected with contemporary politics, the functioning of public administration, the process of creation and evaluation of social, economic and local policies, democratisation, the functioning of territorial self-governments, and media operation. You want to deepen your interests while working on your Master’s thesis paper.

You have graduated from a Bachelor’s programme. You have a good command of English (level B2) and have a certificate confirming your skills (IELTS score of 5.5 – 6, TOEFL score of 550 or other exam; this requirement does not apply to candidates who completed an English-language Bachelor Programme or English is their native language).

The Intercultural Mediation speciality is a two-year supplementary Master’s degree programme in Sociology. It is open to Polish citizens, citizens of other member states of the European Union and non-EU candidates. There are no age limits.

Learn more about criteria of admission to English-language studies and documents required.

Specializations

The Master’s degree programme in political science will give you the opportunity to pursue your interests and to explore phenomena you are interested in. Within the two-year programme, you may choose one of the following specialities:

Public Policy

Are you interested in such issues as the creation of public social, economic and local policies? Do you want to get to know the best European and world practices in this scope and to explore the secrets of public management, evaluation of impact of public policies and communication in administration? If you dream of a career in the public sector and the creation of better solutions in the scope of public policy, these studies are for you.

Political Communication

Are you interested in political communication, organisation of election campaigns, creation of politicians’ images, design of political advertising and use of the power of social media for political communication? These studies will equip you with knowledge of world practices in the scope of political communication necessary to work at the position of a media adviser and a communication specialist in political parties, politicians’ offices, public institutions and even non-governmental organisations.

Public Administration (carried out jointly with the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs)

Do you want to learn and understand the rules of functioning of public administration and its different bodies, both at the local, national and cross-border level? Are you interested in the standards of the public sector management and the best practices in this scope? Public Administration studies will equip you with knowledge necessary to work in public administration bodies and at such positions in business where this kind of knowledge is indispensable. The programme is carried out in cooperation with the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs, due to which you will spend one semester in Tbilisi.

Democracy and Development in Europe and Caucasus (carried out jointly with the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs)

Are you interested in such issues as democratisation processes, development economics and the creation of public policies supporting the social and economic development? At this speciality, you will have the opportunity to deepen these issues on the basis of examples of the development of European and Caucasian countries. You will be equipped with knowledge and skills necessary to ensure substantive support for international public and private undertakings, especially those which take into account the cooperation between European and Caucasian countries. The programme is carried out in cooperation with the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs, due to which you will spend one semester in Tbilisi.

Central and East European Studies (carried out jointly with the University in Bucharest)

Are you interested in such issues as democratisation in Central and Eastern Europe, development of self-governance, specific features of the functioning of political parties, public management or foreign policy of individual countries in this region? The Political Science programme covering the region of Central and Eastern Europe is a very interesting case study of the political system transformation from autocratic regime to democracy. A graduate of this speciality has extensive knowledge of this process, including the political, social, economic and international context.

Curriculum

These studies last four semesters: one semester programme for all students and three semesters comprise speciality subjects. You will participate in courses on the theory, sociology and philosophy of politics, political psychology, history of political institutions, European law, etc. and in speciality courses, depending on the education path chosen.

The curriculum of these studies also comprises practical courses in the art of negotiation, taking decisions in politics, communication and methodology of political research.

The full list of courses for individual specialities

Workshops, internships, conferences

Students of Political Science have the opportunity to participate in international student exchanges and foreign internships within the Erasmus+ programme as well as numerous bilateral agreements with world-class universities. Each student has a scholarship guaranteed under the Erasmus+ programme.

Students may also take part in summer schools organised by the University of Wrocław and other European universities, as well as in international scientific conferences organised by universities and professional organisations. They may participate in lectures and classes run by lecturers visiting our university within the Visiting Professors programme and in activities of student scientific organisations.

During the Master’s programme, each student has the opportunity to broaden their competencies with internships offered by the Institute of Political Science in cooperation with partner institutions. It is also possible to receive a grant for a 5-month internship in a foreign organisation or company. This grant is available not only for current students, but also for graduates of this speciality within one year after the completion of their studies.

Diploma

Upon graduating from Political Science at the Institute of Political Science at the University of Wrocław, you will obtain a Master’s diploma in political science with one of the following five specialities: Public Policy, Political Communication, Public Administration (double diploma from the University of Wrocław and Georgian Institute of Public Affairs), Democracy and Development in Europe and Caucasus (double diploma from the University of Wrocław and Georgian Institute of Public Affairs) or Central and East European Studies (double diploma from the University of Wrocław and the University in Bucharest).

Details concerning the application process

Students who are Polish nationals (with a PESEL number) register in the IRK system

Students who are not Polish nationals (without a PESEL number) register in the IRC system

In order to register, it is necessary to create an account in the recruitment system and to fill in the application form online.

Do you want to know more?

See the list of frequently asked questions