Program Overview
The Political Science at University of Zurich is a MA programme in Social Sciences taught in English, German over 24 months, delivered On-campus. This programme equips graduates with advanced knowledge and practical skills for professional and academic careers in the field.
Students gain a rigorous grounding in both the theoretical foundations and applied dimensions of social sciences. The programme combines coursework, research components, and practical projects that develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and specialist expertise relevant to industry and research needs.
Graduates of the Political Science programme are well-prepared for careers in academia, industry, government, and the private sector across Switzerland and internationally. The programme provides an internationally recognised qualification within the Bologna higher education framework.
Key Program Features
- Duration: 24 months
- Language of instruction: English, German
- Study mode: On-campus
- English requirement: IELTS 7
- Tuition: EUR 659 (Tuition (Semester)) — International students; EUR 659 (Tuition (Semester)) — EU/EEA students
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Political Science programme are prepared for diverse careers in social sciences:
- Policy Analyst
- NGO Programme Manager
- Researcher
- Social Worker
- Diplomat
- Development Consultant
Program Curriculum
In order to have a track indicated on your MA diploma, you need to complete a total of 54 ECTS (Mono MA Political Science) or 42 ECTS (Major MA Political Science) within the corresponding module group. 12 ECTS are covered by the research seminar along with its preparation module (as mentioned above). Consequently, in the Mono MA Political Science, you still need to acquire 42 ECTS in freely chosen modules within the track, while in the Major MA Political Science, you require an additional 30 ECTS in freely chosen modules. Most modules in the Political Science program are worth six ECTS. Capstone courses are an exception, as they are worth 12 ECTS. An internship is also credited with six ECTS.
If you are studying in the “General Political Science” track, you must earn a minimum of 18 ECTS in two module groups each (Mono MA Political Science) or 12 ECTS each (Major MA Political Science). 12 ECTS in one module group are already covered by the required research seminar along with its preparation.
Master’s Thesis
The Master’s thesis is the first major research project and corresponds to a workload of 30 ECTS. You have the second year of your studies (alongside any remaining modules) to complete the Master's thesis. Registration for the Master's thesis is mandatory. The "Master's Thesis" module spans two semesters and must be booked independently. Please find more information on the Master's thesis in our IPZ Exam Guide (PDF, 331 KB).
You select the topic of your Master's thesis yourself and discuss it with an eligible examiner of your choice who teaches in the MA Political Science program. Additionally, please check the thesis topic listings on the IPZ's Master's Theses page, where our lecturers may also offer research topics.
The Master’s Colloquium is a part of the 'Master's Thesis' module and is automatically booked when you register for the Master's thesis. In the Master’s Colloquium, students present their research design to their peers and receive valuable feedback from fellow students and their supervisors.
Expert advice and additional information on library resources can be found on the webpages of the University Library.
Degree completion
You can find all the information regarding the graduation process on the website of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
Course Offerings of the Program
The current course offerings can be found in the UZH course catalogue: Mono / Major
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
Admission to a Master\xc2\x92s program generally requires a Bachelor\xc2\x92s degree with a total of 180 ECTS points from a university recognized by the University of Zurich.
In the same field of study
Students with a Bachelor\'s degree from a Swiss university can enroll directly in a Master\'s program in the same field of study without having to fulfill any further conditions, although certain restrictions may apply.
In another field of study
Acceptance to a Master\'s program in another field of study may be made conditional on acquiring additional knowledge and skills.
English Proficiency: IELTS 7 or equivalent.
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
EUR 659 (Tuition (Semester)) — International students; EUR 659 (Tuition (Semester)) — EU/EEA students
Tuition fees: EUR 659 (Tuition (Semester)) — International students; EUR 659 (Tuition (Semester)) — EU/EEA students
IELTS requirement: 7
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Contact University of Zurich directly for scholarship, grant, and financial aid information for this programme. Many European universities offer merit-based and need-based funding for international and domestic students.
About University of Zürich
University of Zürich
Zürich, Switzerland
The University of Zurich (UZH) is Switzerland's largest university, currently enrolling over 28,000 students. Founded in 1833, it holds the historical distinction of being the first university in...
University Profile- Application Deadline 2030-11-17
- Start Date 2018-02-20
- Language English, German
- Duration 24 months
- Credits 30