Comparative Politics: Democracies and Autocracies (specialisation)

Entry requirements

A completed Bachelor's degree in Political Science or a related discipline from a recognised, academic university.

A substantial part of the courses in your Bachelor’s degree should be in your preferred specialisation: International Relations or Political Theory.

Competency in Social Science Research Methodology (quantitative and qualitative)

Due to the strong academic nature of this programme, it is essential that students have the necessary basic research skills. Applicants with little or no Social Science Research Methodology in their previous education may get admission, provided they first complete an (oral) examination in research methodology. The oral exam can be held in person in Nijmegen or via Skype.

A proficiency in English

1. In order to take part in this programme, you need to have fluency in both written and spoken English.This requirement has been satisfied when the student meets the conditions, listed on our website.

Months of entry

September

Course content

The Master's specialisation in Comparative Politics: Democracies and Autocracies focuses on challenges to contemporary democracy, such as: populism, welfare reform, aging populations, right-wing parties and other socio-political developments. The programme takes both analytical and practice based approaches. Our instructors are internationally recognised experts in the core themes of the programme. Furthermore, members of the staff are actively involved in advising government and political organisations.

What will you learn?

• Gain a background in theoretical foundations and empirical knowledge in core topics of political science and policy
• Learn to critically examine policy solutions to political issues
• Develop research, analytical and communication skills
• Get valuable experience designing, conducting and presenting your own research project

Career prospects

Graduates from this programme can find work in a variety of positions:

• Policy maker
• Administrator
• Project management
• Researcher
• Politician
• Journalist

*This is a specialisation of the Master's in Political Science

If you have any questions, email us here: study-information@ru.nl

Learn more via the Radboud University contact form.

Information for international students

Application deadlines

Non-EU/EEA students

• The deadline for non-EU/EEA students who wish to apply for a scholarship is 31 January prior to the September intake. For the requirements and selection procedure for scholarships, please check our scholarship overview.
• The deadline for those not applying for a scholarship is 1 April for non-EU/EEA nationals for the September 2026 intake. You can apply for the September 2026 intake from 1 October 2025.

EU/EEA students

• The application deadline for EU/EEA students with housing assistance for the September 2026 intake is 1 May, and the deadline without housing assistance is 1 July. You can apply from 1 October onward for the 2026/2027 academic year.

The application deadlines for Master’s starting in February are 1 November for non-EU/EEA citizens and 1 December for EU/EEA citizens.

Fees and funding

Radboud University offers 3 different scholarships that are open to prospective Master's students from non-EU/EEA countries and who want to follow an English-taught Master's programme.

Radboud Scholarship Programme

The Radboud Scholarship Programme offers talented, highly motivated, non-EU/EEA students with outstanding study results the opportunity to be awarded a partial scholarship for an English-taught Master’s programme.

NL Scholarship (for prospective students)

The NL Scholarship (formerly known as Holland Scholarship) is a partial scholarship for non-EU/EEA students who want to do their Master’s in the Netherlands.

Fulbright-Radboud Scholarships

The Fulbright Commission, sponsored by Radboud University, is offering scholarships for talented American students to study at Radboud University.